Less than one hour away until gametime and Kashiwa finds itself on a remarkable 13 game unbeaten streak. More impressive though, is the way it's come about.
Last year, the team was the worst defense in J1. Hands down. So Nelsinho purged alot of the guys who were regular contributors to the back line. On the outs were former stalwarts Kota Sugiyama (Shimizu), DF Jiro Kamata (Vegalta), Yusuke Muraki, and Masahiro Koga (bench). In their place, Park Dong Hyok, Naoya Kondo, Yuzo Kobayashi, and Wataru Hashimoto have comprised a back line that has allowed a measly 5 goals in 13 contests. 5 goals. Last year, the team allowed 4 goals in a game 4 times and 3 goals 5 times.
The offense has been even more amazing. The squad is tied for 3rd in the league with 24 goals. They've managed to do this without the services of last years leading scorers Franca (10 goals-in and out with multiple injuries), Yuji Otsu (6 goals-out with injuries), Minoru Suganuma (4 goals, not in Nelsinhos plans), Popo (4 goals relased to Vissel Kobe), Yusuke Murakami (4 goals, injured and not in Nelsinhos plans), and Hideaki Kitajima (4 goals, infrequent player).
Nelsinho has opted instead to go with a more youthful group anchored by new Brazilian import Leandro Dominguez, and supplemented with young offensive players Junya Tanaka, Masato Kudo, and Akimi Barada. All three of the youngsters accounted for all 6 goals in a big win over potential promotion challenger Tokushima Vortis.
The core of this team is very young. Of the starting 11, only Park Dong Hyok is over 30. Today's roster only has one guy over 30 and a plethora of guys under 23.
7 of the 18 members of today's lineup came from the Kashiwa U-18 program. 10 have been with the team their entire professional careers.
Looking at this squad, it has to remind you of the dominant Sanfrecce side from 2 years ago. That team disappointed and slumped to 16th place, kept most of its core and manager in place and rolled to a comfortable championship. They came up to J1 the next year and finished a remarkable 4th.
The job Nelsinho has done has been remarkable, and somewhat predictable. His M.O. has been to come in and shake things up, get instant results, and leave. Next year will be the real test of his acumen.
(As of this posting, last place Thespa Kusatsu put up a goal in the 9th minute of play to take a
1-0 lead......the streak might be coming to a close today.)
Anyhow, if you missed it, here are some links to highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILsKuPFVHu4&feature=player_embedded
2-1 win versus Kataller Toyama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAEjjOxvTH4&feature=related
6-0 slaughter of Tokushima Vortis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F36qLIvyIk&feature=related
2-0 victory over FC gifu
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Life on Top
Kashiwa ventures north to the Great White Kingdom of Sapporo to meet up with old friend Nobuhiro Ishizaki. You may remember Ishizaki as the clubs former manager and the 2005 mastermind of the Verdy slaughter of Real Madrid. The shock removal of Ishizaki was bad for both manager and club as Reysol plummeted to 16th place and Ishizaki failed to get new squad Consadole promoted.
This year sees Consadole hovering just below the middle with 2 wins, 2 losses, and a tie on the campaign. 2 dissapointing blowouts sandwich the two less than convincing wins for the squad. In fact, of the 5 teams that Consadole has played this campaign, none would be considered front runners for promotion.
Consadole is led on offense by former FC Tokyo forward Yusuke Kondo, who netted both goals in a win over Fagiano Okayama. In a more publicized move, Consadole picked up decrepit former Jubilo legend Gon Nakayama, who thus far has shown no impact on the team.
The key to this game will be possesion in the midfield and getting the ball to the feet of Leandro and Otsu. Do that and chalk up a win. Finishing would be nice as well.
EARWIG
This one is a bit dirty so be warned
Monday, April 5, 2010
Best Team in Japan....
Besides the 18 other teams in J1 of course.
Kashiwa now finds itself in the lofty position of being alone at the top of J2. A tense match between the two toughest defenses ended in a 1-0 victory for Kashiwa after Yuji Otsu managed to tap in a rebound off of a Leandro Dominguez shot. While Kashiwa did manage to outshoot a short handed Mito team (Defender Masashi Owada was shown straight red after going studs up into Masakatsu Sawa) 25 to 3, the Ibaraki side showed alot of composure along the back line. Keiji Honma really had an outstanding game in net, unfortunately for Mito, Otsu was in the right (and possibly offside) place at the right time
Final score 1-0
A far less enthralling encounter happened today when the Kashiwa reserves faced off against the Mito B squad. One of the older gentlemen on the squad, Hideaki Kitajima managed to put up a hattrick on the day with one PK and two others in the run of play. Minoru Suganuma managed one goal and earned the PK that put Kashiwa ahead early. Other goals were scored by Yuji Otsu, Yohei Kurakawa, and Junya Tanaka.
7-2 final
Next up is a visit to Consadole and old gaffer Ishizaki.
Is there something in the Chiba Bay water?
Is it just me or has Kashiwa produced it's fair share of dirty players over the years.
Let's take a look.......
Kota Sugiyama at Shimizu led the league in yellow cards last year with a whopping 12. Add in the two reds and the former Kashiwaa midfielder spent as much time sitting as he did fouling.
He was closely trailed by former teammate and current Kashiwa starting DF Yuzo Kobayashi who had 11. Not to be outdone, the peroxide topped hardman had a league leading 3 reds last year.
It took awhile but Alceu suited up in a J league game after 2 years of being absent. In 2007, the compact d mid racked up 11 yellows and 2 reds in his debut campaign. In 2008, the Brazilian roughed up then Omiya striker Kota Yoshihara in a training match between the orange part of the Noda derby and Consadole Sapporo. He would be released days later.
Injuries cut short the 2009 campaign of Masahiro Koga, before that he managed to get 9 yellows and 2 reds in his inagural Kashiwa campaign. He followed that up with an 8 and 3.
Current Verdy defender and beautifully bald headed former Kashiwa Reysolista Yukio Tsuchiya only played one season in yellow, but is universally hated in Saitama for not only abandoning Omiya in a rough 2007 offseason but for breaking the leg of Urawa poster boy Tatsuya Tanaka on a nightmarish tackle. Reports say the tackle haunts Tsuchiya to this day.
Other notable players of ill repute include a pair of National Teamers in Keiji Tamada and Kisho Yano. Tamada has made a reputation for himself as a diver rivaled only by Greg Louganis. Kisho Yano has added the occasional cheap shot to his repetoire of dives and fake injuries. The Niigata man gets around 6 to 7 yellows a year......not a good number for a striker.
You have to wonder why it is that Kashiwa seems to attract it's fair share of thugs and miscreants. Part of it might be the hardcore fanbase. While I personally have had no problems with any Kashiwa fan (indeed some of the people I like the most are Kashiwa supporters), there have been tales of them roughing up opposing supporters. While they are known for irreverent and sometimes risque displays of affection for their squad, the flipside is there might bea darker undercurrent of passion that isn't so great.
It could also be traced back to one of thee iconic players in Kashiwa and World soccer history. Bulgarian maestro Hristo Stoichkov played in Kashiwa for a brief time back in 1998 and 1999. The talented and angry maestro put up 12 goals in 27 games for the club. While his talents and exploits on the field have been chronicled, Hristo might be known more for his less than savory antics. Tales from MLS include how he used to ask for money for interviews and his ruthless play on the field, taking cheap shots and daring cowed officials to reprimand him.
The worst of his tales of aggression happened in a training match between DC United and American University when Stoichkov broke the leg of a college player after allegedly becoming angry at an officials decision.
Story Here http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/26/AR2007022601339_pf.html
Was it enough to infect the DNA of the squad or was the squad aggresive from it's inception. Who knows?
No Earwigs today...two will come next time
Friday, April 2, 2010
Your Great Big Mito Preview!
I tried to find some sort of link between the two clubs and found absolutely nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. No common personnel whatsoever. Usually when I write these previews, I always fall back on the easy angle of saying "Blahblah faces his former teammates in what sure is to be a bloodbath of epic proportions" or some such nonsense, but I have nothing.
Mito finds itself currently stuck in a very muddled middle of the pack. The team has yet to lose a game so far in 2010, but has only one win on its books, that coming in a 2-1 victory over Tochigi FC. Since then they have managed to draw three times and score only once. Both squads are among the league leaders in defense (Actually Kashiwa is first with 1 goal allowed on the year and Mito is tied for second with 2). Both teams have managed to struggle on the offensive end. Kashiwa has yet to find a viable replacement for the Ancient Goalhawk Franca while Mito relies on a pair of Saitama castoffs in former NT and Omiya Ardija whipping boy Kota Yoshihara and former Urawa Red and Thespa Kusatsu....an? Junki Koike.
Mito is one of the lower funded teams in J2 but still manage to stay competitive, especially in the early parts of the season. Possibly the most dangerous player on the team is a returner from the K League, Masahiro Ohashi. Ohashi is not the swiftest player on the pitch but can do damage through his right foot. He could possibly be the best set piece specialist in J2. However he can be attacked on the defensive side of the ball. It's going to come down to Sawa and Leandro to exploit the matchup.
Battle......Dragons....Get it?
Vendo's views at the Hollyhock blog....here http://mitohollyhock.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Blog Roll
I have been neglectful in letting you in on other sources of J League info.
First off, no Kashiwa blog could be complete without a mention of it's archrival JEF Chiba.
http://f2ff.dreamlog.jp/
F2FF or From the second floor of Fukuari has gone through a facelift but still provides the best English language coverage of the Yellow Dogs of Chiba.
Verdy pops in with not one but two entries
Nerdy at Tokyo Nerdy is already linked at the bottom.......It's an eclectic ride through the dark world of Verdy. Spooky indeed.
Another of the semi-frequent posters at Soilent Green, Ultra Verdy pitches in his views from lovely France. I think.
His site is here
http://ultra-verdy.blogspot.com/
If you hurry, you can see a long clip of Kashiwa's game with Verdy.
Richy has the wonderful Forza FC Gifu site.....which is linked at the bottom.
The scrappy team Avispa Fukuoka is represented by a scrappy blog from Germany, Super Avispa!
Nice read and funny!
http://avispa-fukuoka.blogspot.com/
Vendo in Mito checks in with the Mito Hollyhock blog!!!!!!! The people's team in Ibaraki
http://mitohollyhock.blogspot.com/
Finally, the originator of the J2 blog in English, Shrimp checks in with Shrimp with Yokohama FC
http://yokohamashrimp.blogspot.com/
There's also a guy who writes about Sapporo but he only links to Sapporo stuff so I'm not going to bother providing a link. Other sites have it. I will get around to putting these wonderful blogs in the link section later but if you are interested in J2, I suggest you check em out!
First off, no Kashiwa blog could be complete without a mention of it's archrival JEF Chiba.
http://f2ff.dreamlog.jp/
F2FF or From the second floor of Fukuari has gone through a facelift but still provides the best English language coverage of the Yellow Dogs of Chiba.
Verdy pops in with not one but two entries
Nerdy at Tokyo Nerdy is already linked at the bottom.......It's an eclectic ride through the dark world of Verdy. Spooky indeed.
Another of the semi-frequent posters at Soilent Green, Ultra Verdy pitches in his views from lovely France. I think.
His site is here
http://ultra-verdy.blogspot.com/
If you hurry, you can see a long clip of Kashiwa's game with Verdy.
Richy has the wonderful Forza FC Gifu site.....which is linked at the bottom.
The scrappy team Avispa Fukuoka is represented by a scrappy blog from Germany, Super Avispa!
Nice read and funny!
http://avispa-fukuoka.blogspot.com/
Vendo in Mito checks in with the Mito Hollyhock blog!!!!!!! The people's team in Ibaraki
http://mitohollyhock.blogspot.com/
Finally, the originator of the J2 blog in English, Shrimp checks in with Shrimp with Yokohama FC
http://yokohamashrimp.blogspot.com/
There's also a guy who writes about Sapporo but he only links to Sapporo stuff so I'm not going to bother providing a link. Other sites have it. I will get around to putting these wonderful blogs in the link section later but if you are interested in J2, I suggest you check em out!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Epic Victory!!!!!!
After a slow start, Kashiwa's Brazilian striker broke a tie to lead Reysol to an epic victory!
7-1 over Ryutsu Keizai University!
(Oh yeah, 2-0 over Verdy as well)
Might as well talk about that a bit as well. Leandro Dominguez opened his account for Kashiwa when former Verdy boy Hayashi set up the winning goal with a pass while posting up. Hayashi, who entered as a sub for the returning Yuji Otsu was hands down the star of the game notching one goal and one assist. It looks like the team is going to handle the loss of Franca by going with a committee.
http://www.youtube.com/user/tdreysol#p/a/u/0/2qoa-4jFBM8
My personal favorite player (obviously not Nelsinho's though) Minoru Suganuma was on the bench but did not play in the game. He did however play one half against Ryutsu Keizai in which he set up the lone goal for Reysol in the first half. When he was removed with Barada, Hayashi, and Watanabe, the team responded and rolled for 6 goals, with two each for Alceu and Efrain Rintaro.
I think this might be a case where the player doesn't fit the system. Under Ishizaki, Suganuma thrived. He was able to put his head down and go for the goal in the 4-5-1 system. In the 4-4-2, he is forced to cover more ground, especially because the D mids play so far back. He's also forced to play on the right side of the field, with Otsu claiming his left spot after Nelsinho came into the fold.
Now that Leandro Dominguez is on the right, Suganuma has been forced to battle with Kudo, Hayashi, Tanaka, and Barada for sub spots.
He's a good talent and he's only 24. It seems like a waste but at the same time it's hard to argue with Nelsinho. He has managed to get results by not using Suganuma more than when the young wing is in the lineup. You can't demonize Nelsinho because the results are proving him right. And as long as others are producing in their short stints, there is no reason to play him.
As I wrote on Go Go Omiya Ardija, my hope was for him to go home to Omiya. I think in that system, he would really find his stride. He would be returning home and playing in a system that depends on players who can get the long ball and hold it against larger players and get a shot off. That is the one thing that Suganuma can do well. It's also addition by subtraction for Kashiwa....it's one less guy in a crowded rotation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHT3dpPve0o
She is in Reysol colors.
7-1 over Ryutsu Keizai University!
(Oh yeah, 2-0 over Verdy as well)
Might as well talk about that a bit as well. Leandro Dominguez opened his account for Kashiwa when former Verdy boy Hayashi set up the winning goal with a pass while posting up. Hayashi, who entered as a sub for the returning Yuji Otsu was hands down the star of the game notching one goal and one assist. It looks like the team is going to handle the loss of Franca by going with a committee.
http://www.youtube.com/user/tdreysol#p/a/u/0/2qoa-4jFBM8
My personal favorite player (obviously not Nelsinho's though) Minoru Suganuma was on the bench but did not play in the game. He did however play one half against Ryutsu Keizai in which he set up the lone goal for Reysol in the first half. When he was removed with Barada, Hayashi, and Watanabe, the team responded and rolled for 6 goals, with two each for Alceu and Efrain Rintaro.
I think this might be a case where the player doesn't fit the system. Under Ishizaki, Suganuma thrived. He was able to put his head down and go for the goal in the 4-5-1 system. In the 4-4-2, he is forced to cover more ground, especially because the D mids play so far back. He's also forced to play on the right side of the field, with Otsu claiming his left spot after Nelsinho came into the fold.
Now that Leandro Dominguez is on the right, Suganuma has been forced to battle with Kudo, Hayashi, Tanaka, and Barada for sub spots.
He's a good talent and he's only 24. It seems like a waste but at the same time it's hard to argue with Nelsinho. He has managed to get results by not using Suganuma more than when the young wing is in the lineup. You can't demonize Nelsinho because the results are proving him right. And as long as others are producing in their short stints, there is no reason to play him.
As I wrote on Go Go Omiya Ardija, my hope was for him to go home to Omiya. I think in that system, he would really find his stride. He would be returning home and playing in a system that depends on players who can get the long ball and hold it against larger players and get a shot off. That is the one thing that Suganuma can do well. It's also addition by subtraction for Kashiwa....it's one less guy in a crowded rotation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHT3dpPve0o
She is in Reysol colors.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
My Former Blog Life
As a few of you may know, I ran the HIIIIIIGHLY INFLUENTIAL and SERIOUS blog, SOILENT GREEN 1969. This will be the first time that the new team that I don't really care about meets the old team that I don't really care about.
Verdy boasts two players that wore a uniform for Kashiwa in the past. One is the very bald central defender Yukio Tsuchiya, who played one year for Kashiwa and watched them tumble into J2 the first time. The other is young Nigerian DF Adebayo, who will probably not see any playing time. Takanori Sugeno started his young playing days as a member of the Verdy youth set up before playing for Yohohama FC. Shinya Yoshihara also saw a couple of minutes on the pitch for Verdy back in their previous stint in J2. Offseason acquisition Ryohei Hayashi came over from Verdy after scoring 6 goals for the green.
Kohei Shibasaki has usurped former National Team member Yoichi Doi for the starting spot in net. Come to think of it, Doi actually toiled 6 years as net minder for Kashiwa. Verdy made a new dubious milestone as the first team to lose to Giravanz KitaKyuushu, even though they were up a man for 49 minutes. Their leading scorer is Kazuki Hiramoto, a longtime Verdy player who plied his trade as a forward until this year.........he's now a defender.
The last time that Verdy faced off against Kashiwa, the green team won 2-1 on goals by two guys who don't play for them anymore. They do have a couple of dangerous players who are under 50 in Kosei Shibasaki and Hiroki Kawano. They also boast a FW in Taira Inoue who has good pace and no touch.
Meanwhile intrepid coach Nelsinho keeps shifting and sliding the front line. I imagine Masakatsu Sawa, Leandro Dominguez, and Hideaki Kitajima will start. The question is what he does with the 4th attacking spot. Does he go with his weekly scapegoat Minoru Suganuma, who was pulled after 45 minutes, the aforementioned Hayashi, or last week's hero, Masato Kudo, who picked up an awful Fukuoka mistake and juked the keeper for a 1-0 win.
If this game is lost or not won in a convincing fashion, I imagine Nelsinho will shake things up alot.
Anyhow.....Reysol Porn is here
Earcandy is here
I apologize
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tochigi Tussle ends in a.......Deadlock!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jizey5fVCkA
No point in telling you about what you can witness for yourself. The movement and passing were there. The finishing? Not so much.
Watch Franca trip over the ball in front of the net and make a new friend!
Cup Check!
No point in telling you about what you can witness for yourself. The movement and passing were there. The finishing? Not so much.
Watch Franca trip over the ball in front of the net and make a new friend!
Cup Check!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Game 2.....Your Starting Lineup
Sugeno
Murakami
Park
Kondo
Hashimoto
Leandro Dominguez
Otani
Kurisawa
Suganuma
Sawa
Franca
BENCH
Kurihara
Sakai
Kakegawa
Alceu
Harada
Hayashi
Kitajima
Murakami
Park
Kondo
Hashimoto
Leandro Dominguez
Otani
Kurisawa
Suganuma
Sawa
Franca
BENCH
Kurihara
Sakai
Kakegawa
Alceu
Harada
Hayashi
Kitajima
Monday, March 8, 2010
1 down.....35 to go!
Kashiwa started YEAR 2-LIFE IN THE SLUMS with a win over Oita Trinita in the cozy confines of Hitachi Stadium. The game marked the return of Alceu, who by El Golazo's accounts was a disappointment.
Someone who wasn't a disappointment was Brazilian goalhawk Franca, who started off the season with a brace. Murakami set up the first one and the ancient hanger put the second one in on his own.
Next up is an away jaunt to lovely Tochigi. Bienvienue!
Highlights for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au8TPv6-RVM&feature=related
JUNTENDO UNIVERSITY GETS A LESSON IN HUMILITY
4-1 with braces by Kitajima and Sengoku. Suganuma played in this one so I'm guessing that he is not one of the gaffers favorites.
Earwig Du Jour!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM
Someone who wasn't a disappointment was Brazilian goalhawk Franca, who started off the season with a brace. Murakami set up the first one and the ancient hanger put the second one in on his own.
Next up is an away jaunt to lovely Tochigi. Bienvienue!
Highlights for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au8TPv6-RVM&feature=related
JUNTENDO UNIVERSITY GETS A LESSON IN HUMILITY
4-1 with braces by Kitajima and Sengoku. Suganuma played in this one so I'm guessing that he is not one of the gaffers favorites.
Earwig Du Jour!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM
Saturday, March 6, 2010
YOOOOOUR STARTING LINEUP
Sugeno
Murakami
Park
Kondo
Otani
Barada
Kurisawa
Alceu
Tanaka
Sawa
Franca
BENCH
Kirihata
Koga
Hashimoto
Nasukawa
Sengoku
Hayashi
Kitajima
No Suganuma
Murakami
Park
Kondo
Otani
Barada
Kurisawa
Alceu
Tanaka
Sawa
Franca
BENCH
Kirihata
Koga
Hashimoto
Nasukawa
Sengoku
Hayashi
Kitajima
No Suganuma
Friday, March 5, 2010
One Day till gametime
http://soccer.yahoo.co.jp/jleague/games/2010030703/pre.htmlThe second of KASHIWA-LIFE IN THE SLUMS begins on Sunday as they face an old nemisis in Oita Trinita. If you can't read the illustration above, Kashiwa is being projected to put out a 4-4-2 lineup with Franca and Kitajima up top, Hayashi, Alceu, Kurisawa, and Sawa in the middle, Otani, Kondo, Park, and Murakami in the back, and Sugeno between the sticks.
El Golazo has a similar lineup but a different formation, with Barada in and Kitajima on the bench.
Oita was the big loser in the annual "Strip the carcass of all young talent after they fall to J2" derby that happened in the offseason. Oita has had borrow a ton of money from the J League, sell off their young talent (except for Higashi and Kikuchi), and lost the naming rights company to the Kyushu Hippodrome. Not a great time to be them. Also there has been talk of them not getting promoted if they finish top 3, so really you have a small, financially crippled team with nothing to play for but pride.
I know I'm buying season tickets!
PREDICTIONES!
That's Faux Spanish for predictions
Season
1.Kashiwa
2. Ventforet Kofu
3. JEF
4. Yokohama FC
19. Oita
18. Fagiano Okayama
17. Tochigi FC
Earwig of the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGu-ysDraI8&feature=related
Sunday, February 21, 2010
14567
That was the turnout for Chibagin Cup 16.
The game started off well for Kashiwa when Hayashi got the ball to Sawa for the first score. However old friend Alex would get a little payback with a goal of his own. Judging from the stats, it looked like JEF had control of the run of play.
The teams would go into the second half knotted at 1.....and that's how it would stay. DF Yuzo Kobayashi showing that he already is in midseason form, picked up a yellow.
The game would go into PKs where Sugeno would make a nice save but Brazilian duo Alceu and Franca would miss their PK chances, falling yet again in PKs to Chiba.
The lineup
Sugeno
Kobayashi-Kondo-Sakai-Kurakawa
Sawa-Kurisawa-Otani (61 Barada)-Hayashi (61 Suganuma)
Franca-Kitajima (45 Alceu)
PK Kurisawa -O Sawa-O Alceu-X Barada-O Franca-X
MVP Okamoto Chiba
MIP Sawa Kashiwa
A song dedicated to one of the three most important matches in the world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVrrAP-ntMc
The game started off well for Kashiwa when Hayashi got the ball to Sawa for the first score. However old friend Alex would get a little payback with a goal of his own. Judging from the stats, it looked like JEF had control of the run of play.
The teams would go into the second half knotted at 1.....and that's how it would stay. DF Yuzo Kobayashi showing that he already is in midseason form, picked up a yellow.
The game would go into PKs where Sugeno would make a nice save but Brazilian duo Alceu and Franca would miss their PK chances, falling yet again in PKs to Chiba.
The lineup
Sugeno
Kobayashi-Kondo-Sakai-Kurakawa
Sawa-Kurisawa-Otani (61 Barada)-Hayashi (61 Suganuma)
Franca-Kitajima (45 Alceu)
PK Kurisawa -O Sawa-O Alceu-X Barada-O Franca-X
MVP Okamoto Chiba
MIP Sawa Kashiwa
A song dedicated to one of the three most important matches in the world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVrrAP-ntMc
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Today
Today the 16th installment of the Chibagin Cup will be held in Fukuda Denshi Arena Chiba.
Here are the records of the previous 15
1995 Kashiwa 2-1 JEF
1996 Kashiwa 3-0 JEF
1997 Kashiwa 3-1 JEF
1998 Kashiwa 2-2 JEF (Jef won 3-1 on PKs)
1999 Kashiwa 2-1 JEF
2000Kashiwa 2-1 JEF
2001 Kashiwa 1-0 JEF
2002 Kashiwa 1-0 JEF
2003 JEF 2-1 Kashiwa
2004 Kashiwa 3-0 JEF
2005 Kashiwa 1-0 JEF
2006 JEF 2-0 Kashiwa
2007 Kashiwa 2-1 JEF
2008 Kashiwa 1-1 JEF (JEF won 3-2 on PK's)
2009 Kashiwa 3-1 JEF
11 wins 2 PK losses and 2 losses. Kashiwa has only been shut out once in the 15 matches.
The presumptive lineup
F2FF has a potential starting lineup for JEF here
El Golazo is speculating a starting 11 of
Franca and Sawa
Taketomi, Kurisawa,Otani, and Suganuma
Kurakawa, Kondo,Park, and Sakai
Sugeno
The bench probably will have Kitajima, Kobayashi, Sakai, Hayahsi, Sengoku, Yamanaka, and Kirihata.
Otsu has been deemed out for 4 weeks with an injury picked up in Guam.
Captain Underpants continues his long downward spiral
The Asahi Shinbun is reproting that former Kashiwa MF and noted panty afficianado Takehito Shigehara got popped last December on suspicion of stealing money.
A special song just for you
Someone's a big boy now!
Ryusuke Yamanaka gets a promoted from the youth squad to Kashiwa's top squad. Yamanaka is a 16 year old MF who stands at a whopping 170cm and 60kg.
Finally
Kashiwa unveiledtheir newly designed website today......Glorious!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Guam Wrapup
Earwig of the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tAKUIqGhI4&feature=related
Kashiwa finished off their AMAZING GUAM ADVENTURE with two wins and a loss
First up was the rematch of the rematch with Omiya and an energized team made up of second stringers scored early against Omiya's team of second stringers. A mere two minutes into the contest, Ren Sengoku would put his name in the books with a score. 10 minutes later the rush was on as Kudo and then Tanaka would net to put up a 3 goal lead. Omiya would answer back with two of their own, but it would not be enough to overtake the angry yellow swarm.
After that, a pair of matches took place later in the week with reigning Emperor's Cup Champions Gamba Osaka.
A full side would crash out 2-1 as a late goal by Gamba would nullify a nice Yamazaki equalizer.
The final game saw Kashiwa give Gamba a healthy 3 goal lead and rush back in the closing minutes to steal the game back. New boy Hayashi would be the star of the game as his two goals would sandwich nice efforts by Kitajima and Suganuma and provide the difference in the game.
If you are keeping track at home
Goals
Taketomi 3
Yamazaki 2
Hayashi 2
Kudo 2
Sengoku 1
Kitajima 1
Suganuma 1
Tanaka 1
Record in Guam 3-0-2
Omiya L 0-1
Consadole W 2-0
Omiya W 3-2
Gamba L 1-2
Gamba W 4-3
Next up in meaningless games is the Annual Chibagin Cup against JEF Chiba on the 21st.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tAKUIqGhI4&feature=related
Kashiwa finished off their AMAZING GUAM ADVENTURE with two wins and a loss
First up was the rematch of the rematch with Omiya and an energized team made up of second stringers scored early against Omiya's team of second stringers. A mere two minutes into the contest, Ren Sengoku would put his name in the books with a score. 10 minutes later the rush was on as Kudo and then Tanaka would net to put up a 3 goal lead. Omiya would answer back with two of their own, but it would not be enough to overtake the angry yellow swarm.
After that, a pair of matches took place later in the week with reigning Emperor's Cup Champions Gamba Osaka.
A full side would crash out 2-1 as a late goal by Gamba would nullify a nice Yamazaki equalizer.
The final game saw Kashiwa give Gamba a healthy 3 goal lead and rush back in the closing minutes to steal the game back. New boy Hayashi would be the star of the game as his two goals would sandwich nice efforts by Kitajima and Suganuma and provide the difference in the game.
If you are keeping track at home
Goals
Taketomi 3
Yamazaki 2
Hayashi 2
Kudo 2
Sengoku 1
Kitajima 1
Suganuma 1
Tanaka 1
Record in Guam 3-0-2
Omiya L 0-1
Consadole W 2-0
Omiya W 3-2
Gamba L 1-2
Gamba W 4-3
Next up in meaningless games is the Annual Chibagin Cup against JEF Chiba on the 21st.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
YA!TA!TA!
Kashiwa gets their first big win in Guam against a living, breathing Consadole Sapporo. Like the match versus Omiya, Nelsinho divided the squad in two and let them take on the Owls in each half.
For the first half, the Old Brazilian Ball Coach went with the same lineup as the Omiya game.....with one exception.
First Half
Sugeno
Hashimoto-Park-Kondo-Murakami
Otsu-Otani-Kurisawa-TAKETOMI
Franca-Sawa
Yes, Suganuma found himself on the outs yet again. It would prove to be fortuitous for all concerned. The game would remain a tense deadlock until the 29th minute when....indeed..TAKETOMI would triumph with a goal from the gods!!!!!!!!!
1-0 Kashiwa
The second half
Kirihata
Watanabe-Kobayashi-Kurakawa-SECRET PLAYER/Sengoku
SUGANUMA-Barada-Yamazaki-Sakai
Kitajima-Hayashi
OH...there he is! I did say it would be fortuitous for all and it was. Somewhere near the end of the game Senor Suganuma would put in a gentle yet forceful cross to Yamazaki. 2-0
That is your ballgame!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4tEX8tm6qw&feature=PlayList&p=764E68F721AB8E48&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
For the first half, the Old Brazilian Ball Coach went with the same lineup as the Omiya game.....with one exception.
First Half
Sugeno
Hashimoto-Park-Kondo-Murakami
Otsu-Otani-Kurisawa-TAKETOMI
Franca-Sawa
Yes, Suganuma found himself on the outs yet again. It would prove to be fortuitous for all concerned. The game would remain a tense deadlock until the 29th minute when....indeed..TAKETOMI would triumph with a goal from the gods!!!!!!!!!
1-0 Kashiwa
The second half
Kirihata
Watanabe-Kobayashi-Kurakawa-SECRET PLAYER/Sengoku
SUGANUMA-Barada-Yamazaki-Sakai
Kitajima-Hayashi
OH...there he is! I did say it would be fortuitous for all and it was. Somewhere near the end of the game Senor Suganuma would put in a gentle yet forceful cross to Yamazaki. 2-0
That is your ballgame!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4tEX8tm6qw&feature=PlayList&p=764E68F721AB8E48&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Revenge is a dish best served cold
Unfortunately for Kashiwa, Guam is hot. No word yet if Guam means Noda in Guamish.
1-0 Omiya
45x2
GK Sugeno/Kirihata
DF Kondo-Park-Hashimoto-Murakami/Koga-Kobayashi-Kurakawa-Sakai
MF Otani-Otsu-Kurisawa-Suganuma/Taketomi-Yamazaki-Sengoku-Higa
FW Sawa-Fransa/Kitajima-Hayashi
Clips of the game are here at G!G!O!A!
http://omiyaallezallez.blogspot.com/2010/02/reysol-highlights-now-online.html
Schedule day
http://www.reysol.co.jp/cheer/results/index.html
Opening day is at home versus Oita and the Chiba derby days are in July and September, 38 games in all.
Earwig of the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=908MNJnjSiQ&feature=fvw
1-0 Omiya
45x2
GK Sugeno/Kirihata
DF Kondo-Park-Hashimoto-Murakami/Koga-Kobayashi-Kurakawa-Sakai
MF Otani-Otsu-Kurisawa-Suganuma/Taketomi-Yamazaki-Sengoku-Higa
FW Sawa-Fransa/Kitajima-Hayashi
Clips of the game are here at G!G!O!A!
http://omiyaallezallez.blogspot.com/2010/02/reysol-highlights-now-online.html
Schedule day
http://www.reysol.co.jp/cheer/results/index.html
Opening day is at home versus Oita and the Chiba derby days are in July and September, 38 games in all.
Earwig of the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=908MNJnjSiQ&feature=fvw
Saturday, January 30, 2010
GUAM-God's gift to Japanese tourists
The boys in yellow are off to lovely Guam for two fun filled weeks of sunshine, sand, and oodles of soccer. Tommorow marks the arrival of the yellow half of Chiba (As opposed to JEF Chiba, who would be known as the......other....yellow half of Chiba?).
Festivities start with a few days of training, followed by the much anticipated rematch between Kashiwa and the team that beat them (Well, tied them) into J2, the Omiya Ardija (or the Orange half of the Noda line, as opposed to Kashiwa who are the yellow half of the Noda line.....BOOYEAHKASHA!)
Other games on tap will be a matchup against former head man Ishizaki and his Consadole Sapporo, followed by the much anticipated rematch between Kashiwa and the team that....y'know.....didn't lose to them and forced them into J2 , the Omiya Ardija....again, and two games against Gamba Osaka, a team that stole the 2008 emperors cup away from them. Wow, that does sound exciting! Also on the 21st is the much heralded Chibagin Cup, which features the yellow half of Chiba against the other half of Chiba to see who is the best yellow half of Chiba, I guess.
Our friend F2FF at the fabulous F2FF2 blog has a brief write up here (more geared towards JEF Chiba )
http://f2ff.dreamlog.jp/archives/51757496.html#trackbacks
IN'S AND OUTS
Franca will be back for another year (or half a year as usually is the case). Lost in the shuffle of good news were two additions to the bench
Shinya Yoshihara comes in from Kawasaki Frontale via Jubilo Iwata. The 31 year old keeper saw most of his playing time in 2004, not really being a factor the past two years.
Efrain Rintaro joins the team from Adaichi Gakuin H.S. in Gifu. Rintaro was born in Brazil and looks to fill the C contract practice spot that was left open when Adebayo joined Tokyo Verdy on a one year loan.
Montedio finally bought the contract of Yu Hasegawa after numerous loans and Ryo Kobayashi extended his stay in Yamagata for one more year. Another Kobayashi brother, Yoshiyuki will also toil out west when he dons the orange of Albirex Niigata next season. After Kashiwa decined to extend the rental agreement with Omiya, the MF was released and quickly signed with Niigata.
Finally Kashiwa and FC Tokyo swapped the contracts of longtime rentals Ryoichi Kurisawa (from Tokyo to Kashiwa) and Tatsuyo Suzuki (The other way around).
Matchmaker, matchmaker.......
Make me two matches.
Match one-RED BIBS (starters) 2 WHITE BIBS (scrubs)4 (20 minutesX 2)
4-4-2
GK (Kirihata, Sugeno, and Yoshihara rotated in and out for both teams)
RED
DF Hashimoto-Kondo-Park-Murakami
MF Otsu-Otani-Kurisawa-Leandro
FW Sawa-Kitajima
WHITE
DF Kobayashi-Sakai-Koga-Kurakawa
MF Suganuma-Alceu-Barada-Taketomi
FW Tanaka-Hayashi
Goals Kitajima, Otsu (red)
Suganuma, Kobayashi, Hayashi, Tanaka (white)
Match 2 Kashiwa 3 (1-1, 2-0) 1 Kokushikan University
GK Yoshihara (Kirihata 45)
DF Kurakawa-Koga-Sakai-U-18 player (U-18 player)
MF Barada-Taketomi-Sengoku-Higa (Yamazaki)
FW Hayashi (Efrain Rintaro)-Tanaka (Kudo)
Goals-Kokushikan 8, Taketomi 20,48, Kudo 70
I Leave you with this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaCCG7QkM_c
Earwigs from the 70's!!!!!
Festivities start with a few days of training, followed by the much anticipated rematch between Kashiwa and the team that beat them (Well, tied them) into J2, the Omiya Ardija (or the Orange half of the Noda line, as opposed to Kashiwa who are the yellow half of the Noda line.....BOOYEAHKASHA!)
Other games on tap will be a matchup against former head man Ishizaki and his Consadole Sapporo, followed by the much anticipated rematch between Kashiwa and the team that....y'know.....didn't lose to them and forced them into J2 , the Omiya Ardija....again, and two games against Gamba Osaka, a team that stole the 2008 emperors cup away from them. Wow, that does sound exciting! Also on the 21st is the much heralded Chibagin Cup, which features the yellow half of Chiba against the other half of Chiba to see who is the best yellow half of Chiba, I guess.
Our friend F2FF at the fabulous F2FF2 blog has a brief write up here (more geared towards JEF Chiba )
http://f2ff.dreamlog.jp/archives/51757496.html#trackbacks
IN'S AND OUTS
Franca will be back for another year (or half a year as usually is the case). Lost in the shuffle of good news were two additions to the bench
Shinya Yoshihara comes in from Kawasaki Frontale via Jubilo Iwata. The 31 year old keeper saw most of his playing time in 2004, not really being a factor the past two years.
Efrain Rintaro joins the team from Adaichi Gakuin H.S. in Gifu. Rintaro was born in Brazil and looks to fill the C contract practice spot that was left open when Adebayo joined Tokyo Verdy on a one year loan.
Montedio finally bought the contract of Yu Hasegawa after numerous loans and Ryo Kobayashi extended his stay in Yamagata for one more year. Another Kobayashi brother, Yoshiyuki will also toil out west when he dons the orange of Albirex Niigata next season. After Kashiwa decined to extend the rental agreement with Omiya, the MF was released and quickly signed with Niigata.
Finally Kashiwa and FC Tokyo swapped the contracts of longtime rentals Ryoichi Kurisawa (from Tokyo to Kashiwa) and Tatsuyo Suzuki (The other way around).
Matchmaker, matchmaker.......
Make me two matches.
Match one-RED BIBS (starters) 2 WHITE BIBS (scrubs)4 (20 minutesX 2)
4-4-2
GK (Kirihata, Sugeno, and Yoshihara rotated in and out for both teams)
RED
DF Hashimoto-Kondo-Park-Murakami
MF Otsu-Otani-Kurisawa-Leandro
FW Sawa-Kitajima
WHITE
DF Kobayashi-Sakai-Koga-Kurakawa
MF Suganuma-Alceu-Barada-Taketomi
FW Tanaka-Hayashi
Goals Kitajima, Otsu (red)
Suganuma, Kobayashi, Hayashi, Tanaka (white)
Match 2 Kashiwa 3 (1-1, 2-0) 1 Kokushikan University
GK Yoshihara (Kirihata 45)
DF Kurakawa-Koga-Sakai-U-18 player (U-18 player)
MF Barada-Taketomi-Sengoku-Higa (Yamazaki)
FW Hayashi (Efrain Rintaro)-Tanaka (Kudo)
Goals-Kokushikan 8, Taketomi 20,48, Kudo 70
I Leave you with this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaCCG7QkM_c
Earwigs from the 70's!!!!!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Happy New Year
If the season were to begin today, this would be your Kashiwa Reysol squad
大谷 秀和 MF Hidekazu Otani
大津 祐樹 MF Yuki Otsu
川浪 吾郎 GK Goro Kawanami
北嶋 秀朗 FW Hideaki Kitajima
桐畑 和繁 GK Kazuhiga Kirihata
工藤 壮人 FW Masato Kudo
古賀 正紘 DF Masahiro Koga
酒井 宏樹 DF Hiroki Sakai
菅野 孝憲 GK Takenori Sugeno
仙石 廉 MF Ren Sengoku
田中 順也 FW Junya Tanaka
武富 孝介 MF Masuka Taketomi
パク・ドンヒョク DF Park Don Hyuk
茨田 陽生 MF Akimi Harada
林 陵平 FW Ryohei Hayashi
橋本 和 DF Wataru Hashimoto
比嘉 厚平 MF Kohei Higa
山崎 正登 MF Masato Yamazaki
レアンドロ・ドミンゲス FW/MF Leandro Dominguez
渡部 博文 DF Hirofumi Watanabe
アルセウ MF Alceu
小林 祐三 DF Yuzo Kobayashi
藏川 洋平 DF Yohei Kurokawa
栗澤 僚一 MF Ryoichi Kurisawa
澤 昌克 FW Masakatsu Sawa
菅沼 実 MF Minoru Suganuma
村上 佑介 DF Yusuke Murakami
So 27 players are official......Kurisawa comes in on a full transfer from FC Tokyo and Alceu is renewed for 1 more year after a tragic 2009 and a disastrous 2008. Most of the core is back from the 2009 team with Franca being the only major holdout.
As expected, Kota Sugiyama went back to Shimizu S Pulse to probably sit on the bench.
Popo meanwhile is a new member of the increasingly old Vissel Kobe.
大谷 秀和 MF Hidekazu Otani
大津 祐樹 MF Yuki Otsu
川浪 吾郎 GK Goro Kawanami
北嶋 秀朗 FW Hideaki Kitajima
桐畑 和繁 GK Kazuhiga Kirihata
工藤 壮人 FW Masato Kudo
古賀 正紘 DF Masahiro Koga
酒井 宏樹 DF Hiroki Sakai
菅野 孝憲 GK Takenori Sugeno
仙石 廉 MF Ren Sengoku
田中 順也 FW Junya Tanaka
武富 孝介 MF Masuka Taketomi
パク・ドンヒョク DF Park Don Hyuk
茨田 陽生 MF Akimi Harada
林 陵平 FW Ryohei Hayashi
橋本 和 DF Wataru Hashimoto
比嘉 厚平 MF Kohei Higa
山崎 正登 MF Masato Yamazaki
レアンドロ・ドミンゲス FW/MF Leandro Dominguez
渡部 博文 DF Hirofumi Watanabe
アルセウ MF Alceu
小林 祐三 DF Yuzo Kobayashi
藏川 洋平 DF Yohei Kurokawa
栗澤 僚一 MF Ryoichi Kurisawa
澤 昌克 FW Masakatsu Sawa
菅沼 実 MF Minoru Suganuma
村上 佑介 DF Yusuke Murakami
So 27 players are official......Kurisawa comes in on a full transfer from FC Tokyo and Alceu is renewed for 1 more year after a tragic 2009 and a disastrous 2008. Most of the core is back from the 2009 team with Franca being the only major holdout.
As expected, Kota Sugiyama went back to Shimizu S Pulse to probably sit on the bench.
Popo meanwhile is a new member of the increasingly old Vissel Kobe.
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