We'll talk about these guys in a moment, but first the game. Kashiwa lost 3-2 in a slugfest. Franca continued his hot streak by adding a brace after Kashiwa went down 3-0 in the first half but like the season in general it was not meant to be. I didn't see the game.......I usually don't so talking about it won't do any good. I did see that Kobayashi and Sugawara both picked up reds giving the pair 23 yellows and 5 reds between the two.
Anyhow let's get to the dirt. Kashiwa cut 6 players on Thursday in the first what possibly will be a steady stream of departures.
Included in the cuts were
21. Yuta Minami- The 12 year veteran was one of only 2 players with a link to the 1999 squad that won the Nabisco Cup. Minami started in 1998 and promptly took over the starting spot after appearing against Verdy Kawasaki. He retained the job up to 2007 when Takanori Sugeno was brought in to freshen up the position. Minami is only 30 so he has the chance to continue as a keeper in the top flight for one of the 3 new promotion candidates or for an an ambitious J2 squad looking to advance. I don't think he's done yet.
11.POPO- Popo came into the squad with much fanfare after leading the K league in goals and being named a best 11 member in 2006. While showing flashes of brilliance, Popo never really panned out as a point scorer and fell out of favor with Nelsinho as the season wore on. 2 years, 8 goals, thousands of shots.
2. Jiro Kamata- 24 years old and last years starter at center back. He started the year injured and never quite got back on track, making appearances in only 11 games. Bit of a shock.
24. Jun Yanagisawa- The 22 year old product of the youth system appeared in 2 games during his 4 year tenure.
18. Iwao Yamane- Mostly a career J2 player, Yamane found a niche with Reysol and made spot starts. This year he was starting in the midfield during their disatrous stretch early in the season to doom them to J2. Yamane is 33 so his options are slightly limited.
16. Anselmo Hamon- The 21 year old striker appeared in 5 games after being brought in for the injured Alceu. Disappointment to say the least.
IN OTHER NEWS
The cute nurse at my elementary school guarantees me that Franca will be brought back next year. Take that to the bank!
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