National Team: Friendly with Germany
Germany completely dominated the home side in a 3-0 thrashing in Yokohama that left no doubt about the relative abilities of the two sides. The 16th-ranked Germans showed no sign of jetlag in their on- and off-ball movement, passing, and finishing. In particular, Bayern Munich's Michael Ballack's performance dispelled any thoughts that the 17th-ranked Japanese have made significant gains under Coach Zico.
Although the first half ended with a clean scoresheet, the 2006 World Cup hosts came close on several occasions. Miroslav Klose remedied that early in the second half when he punched home a loose ball in front of goal. That opened the floodgates, with Ballack and Klose again scoring for Germany.
Granted Junichi Inamoto has yet to see much playing time since breaking his leg last summer. Granted Shunsuke Nakamura and Hidetoshi Nakata were left to focus on their day jobs in Italy. Granted Yuji Nakazawa was out with an injury. Still, if Japan hopes to qualify for a spot in Germany - and then progress from there - much needs to be done.
World Cup Draw
On the 9th, in Kuala Lumpur, the draw for the final qualifying round for the World Cup was held. Japan was drawn with North Korea, Bahrain, and Iran in a very competitive Group B. Japan will begin its final matches for Germany on February 9th against North Korea. The top two teams from each of the four groups automatically qualify for the World Cup; the third place teams will meet in a playoff for the right to play the fourth-place finisher in CONCACAF. The winner of that earns a ticket to Germany in 2006.
Among other worries - playing away in Teheran, a much-improved Bahrain side - is the political situation between Japan and North Korea. The Japanese Foreign Ministry is already at work on preparing for matches in the Hermit Kingdom. In particular, the Ministry is concerned about the safety of Japanese fans who travel to Pyongyang for the June 8th match. Lacking formal diplomatic relations, any fan who loses a passport in North Korea will more or less be on his own in the land of Kim Jong Il.
Warmups with Syria and Kazakstan
In preparation for the February 9th World Cup qualifier against North Korea, Japan will play Kazakstan on January 29th and Syria on February 2nd. The first match will be played in Yokohama, the second at Saitama Stadium.
Japan tied one match, lost two, and thus bowed out of the fifth
FIFA World Championships. In three first round matches, Japan drew
with the US and lost to both Italy and Paraguay. As a result, the boys in blue were shown an early exit.
Spain was the ultimate winner, but just barely. Spain was thoroughly dominated by Brazil in the semi-final. A late goal pulled the Spaniards even at 2-2, and then they won on penalties. Brazil had 59% of possession and outshot Spain 40-26. In the Final against Italy, which beat
Argentina in the Semi-Final, Spain again had less of the play but
held on to win 2-1. Italy had the ball 56% of the time, and outshot Spain 28-16.
In the final Toyota Cup ever, European champions FC Porto dominated
Once Caldas, a little known club out of Colombia. Once had somehow managed to win the Liberatores Cup and with it the right to play
in the world club championship in Yokohama against the European champs.
After a goalless 90 minutes, in which Portugal's FC Porto
had many, many close brushes at goal, the match went to penalties. In its second appearance in the Cup, Porto won 8-7 on penalties.
And thus the more deserving team took home the last trophy. This brings the final tally to 13 wins for Europe, 12 for South American sides.
Beginning next year, the Toyota Cup will be replaced by the FIFA Club World Championships and feature the best clubs from not only
Europe and South American but every continent.
Fiorentina's Hidetoshi Nakata
Japan Captain and Fiorentina midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata played but eight minutes in a 1-0 victory in a Serie A league match against Bologna. In a 6-0 loss to AC Milan Nakata played for 22 minutes. Against Chievo Nakata started for the first time in four matches, played a solid 90 minutes, and helped Fiorentina win 2-0.
Junichi Inamoto at West Brom
West Brom midfielder Inamoto
did not see any playing time on the 4th at Portsmouth. On the 11th at home against Charleton Athletic again saw no playing time in a 1-0 loss.
Cardiff-bound? Inamoto has been offered a 1-2 month loan deal to play for Cardiff in the first division. Still recovering from a
broken leg - and a lack of playing time at West Brom - Ina
may be finally getting on the pitch for the Welsh side.
Reggina's Shunsuke Nakamura
Against Brescia at home on
the 5th, Shunsuke and Reggina lost 3-1. On the 12th at home against Cagliari Nakamura created two goals in a 3-2 win.
In other Shunsuke news, he was not chosen as the Asian Player of the Year. That award went to Iran's Ali Karimi, who starred
in the Asian Cup. And, perhaps most important of all, on December 9th, Shunsuke became a father. His son was born three weeks early but is doing well.
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, Nordsjaelland
After three years in Europe, former Japan keeper is headed home. He has signed a three-year contract with Jubilo and will be reunited with Coach Masakuni Yamamoto, under whom he has played at the Olympic and National team level. Kawaguchi left Yokohama Marinos to play for Portsmouth in the Premiership. He made little or no impression, and left after one season. Hoping to get on the pitch a bit, he transferred to the Danish league. In spite of struggling overseas for his club teams, Kawaguchi played brilliantly in the Asian Cup.
Naohiro Takahara in the Bundesliga
Hamburg SV's Japan forward came close, banging a shot off the post, in a 2-0 loss to Hanover on December 4th. Taka wheeled and shot in one movement in the 44th minute, only to see his effort hit the post.
Feyenoord's Shinji Ono
Japan midfielder Ono played all
but the final minute in a December 4th 2-1 win over Dutch rival
NEC. On the 12th against PSV, Ono got on the scoresheet helping
Feyenoord to salvage a draw at home. Feyenoord is now in fourth place place, one point behind Ajax.
In a UEFA Cup match on the 2nd, Feyenoord knocked off Bundesliga team Schalke 2-1 to advance. Ono's Dutch side now enters the knockout phase of the tournament against Basel.
In distressing news for the national team, Ono reinjured his left ankle in a league match during a 2-0 defeat against ADO Den Haag. He will probably miss the first World Cup qualifier on February 9th.
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Yokohama Marinos Celebrate After Winning Suntory Cup |
In a home-away two-match format, Yokohama Marinos took the Suntory Cup by defeating Second Stage champion Urawa Reds. First Stage winner Marinos won the first match 1-0 at home - thanks in part to Yuji Nakazawa's shutting down of Reds's goal machine Emerson - and a lovely header from Ryuji Kawai to give the Marinos a deserved win. In game two, playing away in front of the J.League's most ardent supporters, the Marinos won 4-2 on penalties.
The Reds were up 1-0 after 90 minutes of regulation time thanks to a Beckham-like free kick from Alex Santos. This tied the series at one goal apiece. Thirty minutes of extra time followed with the Reds pushing forward but unable to find the net as Yokohama played a man down after the sending off of Eisuke Nakanishi for a blatant
foul on Emerson. Just prior to the whistle to end extra time, Emerson
was sent off for kneeing Kawai in the face. As the League will be
going to a single-stage format in 2005, this was the last ever Suntory Cup.
Marinos defender Yuji Nakazawa was named most valuable player of the series.
J.League MVP: Yuji Nakazawa
Nakazawa was also named the MVP for the 2004 season. He thus beat
out goal leader Emerson, who tallied 27 goals for Urawa Reds. Nakazawa becomes the second defender to win the coveted MVP honors.
Best XI
Yoichi Doi, goalkeeper (FC Tokyo)
Yuji Nakazawa, defender (Marinos)
Marcus Tulio Tanaka, defender (Reds)
Dutra, defender (Marinos)
Mitsuo Ogawawara, midfielder (Antlers)
Makoto Hasebe, midfielder (Reds)
Daisuke Oku, midfielder (Marinos)
Yasuhito Endo, midfielder (Gamba)
Marques, forward (Grampus)
Masashi Oguro, forward (Gamba)
Emerson, forward (Reds)
Rookie of the Year
16-year-old Takayuki Morimoto, forward (Tokyo Verdy)
Toto
The administrative entity that runs Toto, the national soccer lottery, has decided to discontinue having banks and other financial institutions manage sales and payoffs. Instead, beginning in 2006, it will handle them on its own. The National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health will start managing sales in order to reduce costs and slash margins. In its first year, 2001, Toto generated 64.3 billion yen ($618 million) in nationwide sales; however, it has decreased to only 15.5 billion ($149 million) this year.
Tokyo Verdy Resigns Ardiles through 2006, Signs Brazilian Goal Machine
Ossie Ardiles was resigned as expected, and will lead the Tokyo club until 2006. Verdy also announced the signing of Brazilan Washington, who is leading Brazil's domestic league in goal-scoring.
J2: Vortis, Thespa join the League
The J.League officially approved the entry of two Japan Football League teams into the Second Division for next season. The top division has expanded to 18 teams; J2 will have 12. Tokushimas Vortis will become the first team from Shikoku to make into J2; Kusatsu Thespa play their home matches in Gunma Prefecture.
As of the third week in December, there were but four teams left standing in the 84th edition of the Emperor's Cup: Urawa Reds, Tokyo Verdy, Jubilo Iwata, and Gamba Osaka. The Reds will meet Jubilo on Christmas day, Verdy will play Gamba Osaka.
News Update: In Christmas Day action, Tokyo Verdy downed Gamba Osaka 3-1, and Jubilo Iwata outlasted the Urawa Reds 2-1. Verdy will meet Jubilo in a New Year's Day Final.
Final Result: Verdy downed Jubilo 2-1 on New Year's Day in spite of playing the second half a man down. Ossie Ardiles-led Verdy throughout the match looked the more dangerous of the two sides. Forward Kazuki Hiramoto missed two golden opportunities in front of net in the first half.
Finally, though, Kazunori Iio slotted home a freekick from Hiramoto in the 36th minute. However, just prior to the end of the half, Verdy's Yoshiyuki Kobayashi was sent off for his second glaring foul. In the second half, though, Hiramoto atoned for his errors.
