Showing posts with label Kashima Antlers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kashima Antlers. Show all posts
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Kashima begins J-League 2010 with a win
Kashima dispatched Urawa by a score of 2-0 to begin the 2010 J-League season. For an in-depth preview of the league, see Ben Maxwell's J-League 2010 season preview
J-League 2010 Season Preview: Prodigal sons return to challenge Kashima's dominance
By: Ben Maxwell
The 2009 J-League season ended in all too familiar fashion, with Kashima taking home their third straight title after holding off the late charges of perennial bridesmaids Kawasaki and Kansai-region powerhouse Gamba Osaka.
The 2010 Season kicks-off on Saturday, March 6, and several major talking points both on and off the pitch have raised expectations higher than for any season in recent memory. We've seen three of the biggest names in Japanese football return home from Europe; an established Japan international sign for a rival following an acrimonious split from his former club; and, perhaps looming largest of all, is the faltering performance of the national team and the battle for spots in manager Takeshi Okada's 23-man squad for the World Cup. As many as nine or ten places appear up for grabs and players will have roughly two months to impress Okada before the league goes into World Cup recess in mid-May.
The three returnees have reversed the trend of big J-League names heading to Europe to further their careers, started when Hidetoshi Nakata moved to Perugia in the late 90s. Most newsworthy of the trio of returning stars is Yokohama's prodigal son, Shunsuke Nakamura, who has returned to F Marinos following spells at Reggina, Glasgow Celtic and, most recently, Espanyol, where his much hyped "dream move" this past summer turned into a nightmare. Nakamura is the wrong side of 30, but his dead-ball artistry remains a weapon, and he will be counted on to improve a Yokohama team that has consistently underachieved since their last title in 2004, while also looking to fine-tune his own game ahead of South Africa after being starved of first-team action in Spain.
Junichi Inamoto, who spent the past eight and a half seasons bouncing around Europe (seven teams in four different countries), is starting afresh with Kawasaki, ostensibly to guarantee himself playing time before the World Cup, while Shinji Ono, a veteran of the past three World Cup squads, signed for Shimizu, following two and a half seasons in Germany with Bochum, having also spent almost five seasons with Feyenoord in an earlier spell in Europe.
These veterans still have plenty left in the tank, and haven't returned home simply to wind-up their careers, they will all play major roles for contending teams, especially in Inamoto's case, with Kawasaki hoping he will be the man to provide the extra steel in midfield to help deliver their first league title, or trophy for that matter, following consecutive second-placed finishes in the league and their third loss in the final of the Nabisco (League) Cup to F.C. Tokyo last November.
The two teams that appear most likely to push up the table in the new season, Urawa (who finished 6th in 2009) and Nagoya (9th), were at the centre of the biggest domestic story of the off-season, after national team defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka announced he would be leaving Urawa after six seasons. Tanaka, who was widely rumoured to have fallen out with Red Diamonds manager Volker Finke, eventually signed for Nagoya, despite having reportedly received offers from several European clubs. The big Brazilian-born centre half will help to shore up Grampus' defence, and a full season from giant Australian striker Josh Kennedy (no, he's not Jesus, he just looks like him), who scored six league goals in 15 appearances after his mid-season move from German club Karlsruhe, should enable Nagoya to score enough goals to push for a top six finish at worst.
Urawa wasted no time mourning Tanaka's absence however, signing Australian international central defender Matthew Spiranovic as a direct replacement, and adding emerging talent Yosuke Kashiwagi to an attack already boasting Brazilian striker Edmilson, who has averaged 15 goals a season in his six years in Japan. After two seasons out of contention, the sleeping giants of the J-League seem to have reloaded for a big season.
As for Okada's World Cup squad, 14 players appear nailed-on for trips to South Africa, which leaves nine spots to be fought for from a lengthy list of probables and possibles. The five games Japan has played so far in 2010 (in order, a friendly, three games in the East Asian Championship, and one dead-rubber Asian Cup qualifier) have only served to further muddy the picture for Okada, with the team playing in a decidedly disjointed fashion, and struggling against the physical approach of friendly opponents Venezuela. Therefore, the previously mentioned list of probables and possibles, headed by reigning J-League MVP Mitsuo Ogasawara of Kashima and flamboyant F.C. Tokyo winger Naohiro Ishikawa, have two months (12 league games) to make their cases to the under-fire Okada.
Once league play commences, the makeup of the World Cup squad is sure to dominate headlines, but on the pitch Kashima will certainly take some toppling, and Kawasaki and Gamba Osaka will again be right in the mix, but look for Urawa, Nagoya and F.C. Tokyo to make progress and make this, the 18th season of the J-League, the most hotly contested and most exciting yet.
The 2009 J-League season ended in all too familiar fashion, with Kashima taking home their third straight title after holding off the late charges of perennial bridesmaids Kawasaki and Kansai-region powerhouse Gamba Osaka.
The 2010 Season kicks-off on Saturday, March 6, and several major talking points both on and off the pitch have raised expectations higher than for any season in recent memory. We've seen three of the biggest names in Japanese football return home from Europe; an established Japan international sign for a rival following an acrimonious split from his former club; and, perhaps looming largest of all, is the faltering performance of the national team and the battle for spots in manager Takeshi Okada's 23-man squad for the World Cup. As many as nine or ten places appear up for grabs and players will have roughly two months to impress Okada before the league goes into World Cup recess in mid-May.
The three returnees have reversed the trend of big J-League names heading to Europe to further their careers, started when Hidetoshi Nakata moved to Perugia in the late 90s. Most newsworthy of the trio of returning stars is Yokohama's prodigal son, Shunsuke Nakamura, who has returned to F Marinos following spells at Reggina, Glasgow Celtic and, most recently, Espanyol, where his much hyped "dream move" this past summer turned into a nightmare. Nakamura is the wrong side of 30, but his dead-ball artistry remains a weapon, and he will be counted on to improve a Yokohama team that has consistently underachieved since their last title in 2004, while also looking to fine-tune his own game ahead of South Africa after being starved of first-team action in Spain.
Junichi Inamoto, who spent the past eight and a half seasons bouncing around Europe (seven teams in four different countries), is starting afresh with Kawasaki, ostensibly to guarantee himself playing time before the World Cup, while Shinji Ono, a veteran of the past three World Cup squads, signed for Shimizu, following two and a half seasons in Germany with Bochum, having also spent almost five seasons with Feyenoord in an earlier spell in Europe.
These veterans still have plenty left in the tank, and haven't returned home simply to wind-up their careers, they will all play major roles for contending teams, especially in Inamoto's case, with Kawasaki hoping he will be the man to provide the extra steel in midfield to help deliver their first league title, or trophy for that matter, following consecutive second-placed finishes in the league and their third loss in the final of the Nabisco (League) Cup to F.C. Tokyo last November.
The two teams that appear most likely to push up the table in the new season, Urawa (who finished 6th in 2009) and Nagoya (9th), were at the centre of the biggest domestic story of the off-season, after national team defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka announced he would be leaving Urawa after six seasons. Tanaka, who was widely rumoured to have fallen out with Red Diamonds manager Volker Finke, eventually signed for Nagoya, despite having reportedly received offers from several European clubs. The big Brazilian-born centre half will help to shore up Grampus' defence, and a full season from giant Australian striker Josh Kennedy (no, he's not Jesus, he just looks like him), who scored six league goals in 15 appearances after his mid-season move from German club Karlsruhe, should enable Nagoya to score enough goals to push for a top six finish at worst.
Urawa wasted no time mourning Tanaka's absence however, signing Australian international central defender Matthew Spiranovic as a direct replacement, and adding emerging talent Yosuke Kashiwagi to an attack already boasting Brazilian striker Edmilson, who has averaged 15 goals a season in his six years in Japan. After two seasons out of contention, the sleeping giants of the J-League seem to have reloaded for a big season.
As for Okada's World Cup squad, 14 players appear nailed-on for trips to South Africa, which leaves nine spots to be fought for from a lengthy list of probables and possibles. The five games Japan has played so far in 2010 (in order, a friendly, three games in the East Asian Championship, and one dead-rubber Asian Cup qualifier) have only served to further muddy the picture for Okada, with the team playing in a decidedly disjointed fashion, and struggling against the physical approach of friendly opponents Venezuela. Therefore, the previously mentioned list of probables and possibles, headed by reigning J-League MVP Mitsuo Ogasawara of Kashima and flamboyant F.C. Tokyo winger Naohiro Ishikawa, have two months (12 league games) to make their cases to the under-fire Okada.
Once league play commences, the makeup of the World Cup squad is sure to dominate headlines, but on the pitch Kashima will certainly take some toppling, and Kawasaki and Gamba Osaka will again be right in the mix, but look for Urawa, Nagoya and F.C. Tokyo to make progress and make this, the 18th season of the J-League, the most hotly contested and most exciting yet.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Kashima Antlers soon to begin quest for fourth straight J League title
The Kashima Antlers secured a third straight J.League title last season and soon will begin the quest for a fourth when they host the Urawa Reds on March 6th according to various Japanese media reports.
The other opening day match will pit Gamba Osaka versus Nagoya Grampus.
The full 34-match schedule will be finalized by Feb. 3rd.
Monday, June 29, 2009
J-League Round 15 Overview
Kyoto Sanga V. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (2-0)
37' Someya
67' Mizumoto
Kyoto pulled out a good win. Rookie Someya dribbled past a couple of players and took a shot that deflected off a Hiroshima defender. Mizumoto put in a nice header off a freekick.
Jubilo Iwata V. Kashiwa Reysol (2-3)
20' Naruoka
29' Suganuma
58' Nishi
63' Suganuma
89' Lee
Kashiwa Reysol finally got an away win. Naruoka started off strong with a nice header from a Komano cross. Suganuma equalized from a long ball by Kurisawa. Nishi put Iwata up in front after a a reboud off the goal keeper. Suganuma equalized again after a mistake by the Jubilo defense. Tadanari Lee won it from a corner kick.
Urawa Reds V. Vissel Kobe (2-0)
47' Edmilson
87' Takahara
Urawa Reds regained their form with a nice win. Edmilson put them up ahead after a good Hosogai cross. Takahara put them 2 ahead after a nice 25 yard shot.
JEF Chiba V. Omiya Ardija (0-2)
36' Fujita
77' Fujita
Omiya are pushing their way up the table with another win. Fujita started them off good with a good rebound. Fujita doubled their lead after a quick free kick.
FC Tokyo V. Shimizu S-Pulse (2-1)
7' Hirayama
58' Johnsen
62' Ishikawa
FC Tokyo are another team on the rise. Hirayama put them ahead from the penalty spot. Johnsen answered back with a good half-volley. Ishikawa scored one of the goals of the season with a outside of the foot volley that it the crossbar and went in.
Montedio Yamagata V. Kawasaki Frontale (0-1)
87' Tese
Another win for a short handed Kawasaki team. Substitute Chong Tese won it from a nice run and assist by Juninho.
Yokohama F. Marinos V. Gamba Osaka (2-1)
20' Matsuda
52' Endo
54' Hashimoto
Gamba recorded a somewhat fortutious win against the Marinos. Matsuda put the Marinos ahead with a good volley, but Gamba came out firing after half time as Endo put in a good volley. Hashimoto scored a lucky goal after keeper Iikura tried to save the ball from going out and instead putting it into Hashimoto's path.
Albirex Niigata V. Nagoya Grampus (2-1)
5' Matsushita
43' Matsushita
89' Sugimoto
Niigata continued their good form with a win over Grampus. Matsushita's double won it for Niigata. The first was a rebound while the second was a good one-two. Sugimoto managed to scored a consolation.
Oita Trinita V. Kashima Antlers (1-2)
54' Kiyotake
61' Ogasawara
81' Iwamasu
The "Derby" of the J-League, Oita, continued their winless run. They started off bright with a good goal by Kiyotake, but Ogasawara equalized with a nice volley. Iwamasu won it with a toe poke.
Table after round 15
Highlights
37' Someya
67' Mizumoto
Kyoto pulled out a good win. Rookie Someya dribbled past a couple of players and took a shot that deflected off a Hiroshima defender. Mizumoto put in a nice header off a freekick.
Jubilo Iwata V. Kashiwa Reysol (2-3)
20' Naruoka
29' Suganuma
58' Nishi
63' Suganuma
89' Lee
Kashiwa Reysol finally got an away win. Naruoka started off strong with a nice header from a Komano cross. Suganuma equalized from a long ball by Kurisawa. Nishi put Iwata up in front after a a reboud off the goal keeper. Suganuma equalized again after a mistake by the Jubilo defense. Tadanari Lee won it from a corner kick.
Urawa Reds V. Vissel Kobe (2-0)
47' Edmilson
87' Takahara
Urawa Reds regained their form with a nice win. Edmilson put them up ahead after a good Hosogai cross. Takahara put them 2 ahead after a nice 25 yard shot.
JEF Chiba V. Omiya Ardija (0-2)
36' Fujita
77' Fujita
Omiya are pushing their way up the table with another win. Fujita started them off good with a good rebound. Fujita doubled their lead after a quick free kick.
FC Tokyo V. Shimizu S-Pulse (2-1)
7' Hirayama
58' Johnsen
62' Ishikawa
FC Tokyo are another team on the rise. Hirayama put them ahead from the penalty spot. Johnsen answered back with a good half-volley. Ishikawa scored one of the goals of the season with a outside of the foot volley that it the crossbar and went in.
Montedio Yamagata V. Kawasaki Frontale (0-1)
87' Tese
Another win for a short handed Kawasaki team. Substitute Chong Tese won it from a nice run and assist by Juninho.
Yokohama F. Marinos V. Gamba Osaka (2-1)
20' Matsuda
52' Endo
54' Hashimoto
Gamba recorded a somewhat fortutious win against the Marinos. Matsuda put the Marinos ahead with a good volley, but Gamba came out firing after half time as Endo put in a good volley. Hashimoto scored a lucky goal after keeper Iikura tried to save the ball from going out and instead putting it into Hashimoto's path.
Albirex Niigata V. Nagoya Grampus (2-1)
5' Matsushita
43' Matsushita
89' Sugimoto
Niigata continued their good form with a win over Grampus. Matsushita's double won it for Niigata. The first was a rebound while the second was a good one-two. Sugimoto managed to scored a consolation.
Oita Trinita V. Kashima Antlers (1-2)
54' Kiyotake
61' Ogasawara
81' Iwamasu
The "Derby" of the J-League, Oita, continued their winless run. They started off bright with a good goal by Kiyotake, but Ogasawara equalized with a nice volley. Iwamasu won it with a toe poke.
Table after round 15
Highlights
Sunday, June 21, 2009
J-League Round 14 Overview
This was an exciting week of matches with a few key upsets.
Kawasaki Frontale V. Oita Trinita (2-0)
26' Renatinho
61' Renatinho
Oita's terrible run continues with 11 loses in a row in league. Renatinho scored a brace for Kawasaki. One from a nice run combined with a good through pass from Yabu and the second was a header from a Yokoyama cross.
Shimizu S-Pulse V. Montedio Yamagata (4-1)
5' Hara
9' OG
46' Hirose
51' Okazaki
60' Johnsen
Montedio continue to spiral down after being in the top half of the league. A mistake in the defense led to a Hara goal while a Ichikawa shot took a deflection and went in. Yamagata pulled one back with a nice header by Hirose, but Okazaki retaliated with a fine collection and volley shot. Johnsen poked one in to finish the rout.
Nagoya Grampus V. JEF Chiba (0-1)
36' Fukai
Chiba recorded a surprising win against AFC contendors Grampus. Fukai netted the only goal after a good through pass by Alex.
Gamba Osaka V. Albirex Niigata (0-2)
31' Yano
82' Richardes
Gamba without talismatic midfielder Endo, suffered a defeat at the hands of Niigata. Yano scored off an interesting volley that struck the ground and bounced over the defender and goalie on the line. Richardes scored an absolute blinder from distance.
Kashima Antlers V. Jubilo Iwata (1-0)
38' Koroki
League leaders Kashima secured an important win against Jubilo. Without Lee Keun-Ho Jubilo were unable to score. Koroki scored a tap-in from a cross by Nozawa.
Omiya Ardija V. Kyoto Sanga (2-1)
22' Mato
49' Diego
71' Shikamoto
Omiya finally got back on track with a win against Sanga. Mato scored off of a freekick while Diego pulled one back from the pk spot. Shikamoto scored a Ronaldo-esque freekick that dipped past the keeper.
Kashiwa Reysol V. FC Tokyo (0-3)
9' Ishikawa
20' Cabore
45' Hirayama
All 3 goals were quality in their own right. Ishikawa scored a nice helf-volley after a good pass from Bruno Quadros. Cabore also scored a good volley after a flick by Hirayama. Then Cabore returned the favor with a tricky back-heel that set-up Hirayama who put the ball after from 20 meters into the top left-hand corner.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima V. Vissel Kobe (4-3)
1' Hattori
44' Makino
46' Okubo
50' Ishibitsu
66' Mogi
84' Kashiwagi
85' Sato
A game with many goals started off terribly for Kobe as a Hattori cross was flicked into their own goal. Then Makino scored a nice volley from a Takagi set-up. But Vissel Kobe stormed back with returnee Okubo scoring a penalty and Ishibitsu chipped the keeper from outside the 18-yard box. Mogi was free in the box and scored to put Kobe ahead, but Kashiwagi scored and Sato put the finishing blow a minute later with a lucky back-heel.
Yokohama F-Marinos V. Urawa Reds (2-0)
59' Watanabe
65' Yamase
Marinos recorded a good win without defender Nakazawa. Watanabe scored an easy goal after a good cross from Sataka. Sakata also set-up Yamase's goal.
Table after Round 14
Highlights of all of the goals this week.
Kawasaki Frontale V. Oita Trinita (2-0)
26' Renatinho
61' Renatinho
Oita's terrible run continues with 11 loses in a row in league. Renatinho scored a brace for Kawasaki. One from a nice run combined with a good through pass from Yabu and the second was a header from a Yokoyama cross.
Shimizu S-Pulse V. Montedio Yamagata (4-1)
5' Hara
9' OG
46' Hirose
51' Okazaki
60' Johnsen
Montedio continue to spiral down after being in the top half of the league. A mistake in the defense led to a Hara goal while a Ichikawa shot took a deflection and went in. Yamagata pulled one back with a nice header by Hirose, but Okazaki retaliated with a fine collection and volley shot. Johnsen poked one in to finish the rout.
Nagoya Grampus V. JEF Chiba (0-1)
36' Fukai
Chiba recorded a surprising win against AFC contendors Grampus. Fukai netted the only goal after a good through pass by Alex.
Gamba Osaka V. Albirex Niigata (0-2)
31' Yano
82' Richardes
Gamba without talismatic midfielder Endo, suffered a defeat at the hands of Niigata. Yano scored off an interesting volley that struck the ground and bounced over the defender and goalie on the line. Richardes scored an absolute blinder from distance.
Kashima Antlers V. Jubilo Iwata (1-0)
38' Koroki
League leaders Kashima secured an important win against Jubilo. Without Lee Keun-Ho Jubilo were unable to score. Koroki scored a tap-in from a cross by Nozawa.
Omiya Ardija V. Kyoto Sanga (2-1)
22' Mato
49' Diego
71' Shikamoto
Omiya finally got back on track with a win against Sanga. Mato scored off of a freekick while Diego pulled one back from the pk spot. Shikamoto scored a Ronaldo-esque freekick that dipped past the keeper.
Kashiwa Reysol V. FC Tokyo (0-3)
9' Ishikawa
20' Cabore
45' Hirayama
All 3 goals were quality in their own right. Ishikawa scored a nice helf-volley after a good pass from Bruno Quadros. Cabore also scored a good volley after a flick by Hirayama. Then Cabore returned the favor with a tricky back-heel that set-up Hirayama who put the ball after from 20 meters into the top left-hand corner.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima V. Vissel Kobe (4-3)
1' Hattori
44' Makino
46' Okubo
50' Ishibitsu
66' Mogi
84' Kashiwagi
85' Sato
A game with many goals started off terribly for Kobe as a Hattori cross was flicked into their own goal. Then Makino scored a nice volley from a Takagi set-up. But Vissel Kobe stormed back with returnee Okubo scoring a penalty and Ishibitsu chipped the keeper from outside the 18-yard box. Mogi was free in the box and scored to put Kobe ahead, but Kashiwagi scored and Sato put the finishing blow a minute later with a lucky back-heel.
Yokohama F-Marinos V. Urawa Reds (2-0)
59' Watanabe
65' Yamase
Marinos recorded a good win without defender Nakazawa. Watanabe scored an easy goal after a good cross from Sataka. Sakata also set-up Yamase's goal.
Table after Round 14
Highlights of all of the goals this week.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Japan Announce 26-Man Squad For World Cup Qualifiers
Japan coach Takeshi Okada has announced a 26-man squad for the three upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. As the top two countries from each group gain automatic qualification to the finals, Japan must secure victory in one of their remaining fixtures – away to Uzbekistan on 6 June, at home to Qatar on 10 June and away to leaders Australia on 17 June – to certify their seats to South Africa.
Goalkeepers: Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Ryota Tsuzuki (Urawa Red Diamonds), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale)
Defenders: Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama Marinos), Satoshi Yamaguchi (Gamba Osaka), Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Urawa), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Tomoaki Makino (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)
Midfielders: Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic), Hideo Hashimoto (Gamba Osaka), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Daisuke Matsui (Saint-Etienne), Yuki Abe (Urawa Red Diamonds), Makoto Hasebe (VfL Wolfsburg), Keisuke Honda (VVV Venlo), Shinji Kagawa (Cerezo Osaka), Naoki Yamada (Urawa Red Diamonds)
Forwards: Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Yoshito Okubo (VfL Wolfsburg), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata), Shinji Okazaki (Shimizu S-Pulse), Shinzo Koroki (Kashima Antlers)
Goalkeepers: Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Ryota Tsuzuki (Urawa Red Diamonds), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale)
Defenders: Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama Marinos), Satoshi Yamaguchi (Gamba Osaka), Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Urawa), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Tomoaki Makino (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)
Midfielders: Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic), Hideo Hashimoto (Gamba Osaka), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Daisuke Matsui (Saint-Etienne), Yuki Abe (Urawa Red Diamonds), Makoto Hasebe (VfL Wolfsburg), Keisuke Honda (VVV Venlo), Shinji Kagawa (Cerezo Osaka), Naoki Yamada (Urawa Red Diamonds)
Forwards: Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Yoshito Okubo (VfL Wolfsburg), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata), Shinji Okazaki (Shimizu S-Pulse), Shinzo Koroki (Kashima Antlers)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Worldwide Results On 29 April
On Wednesday 29th April 2009, defending Macedonian league champions Rabotnicki Skopje raised hopes of salvaging a top-three finish with a heartening victory over Milano Kumanovo. Elsewhere, Kashima Antlers rose to the top of the J-League after slaying Vissel Kobe, overtaking Urawa Red Diamonds who could only muster the sole point at Shimizu S Pulse.
Bosnian Premier Liga
FK Laktasi 0-1 FK Borac Banja Luka
FK Modrica 2-0 FK Sarajevo
FK Sloboda Tuzla 2-0 NK Travnik
FK Velez Mostar 3-0 NK Siroki Brijeg
FK Zelijeznicar Sarajevo 3-1 FK Leotar Trebinje
NK Posusje 1-2 HNK Orasje
NK Zvijezda Gradacac 2-2 NK Celik Zenica
Slavija Istocno Sarajevo 1-0 HSK Zrinjski Mostar
Finnish Veikkausliiga
FC Lahti 4-1 RoPS Rovaniemi
Haka Valkeakoski 1-2 HSK Helsinki
IFK Mariehamn 3-0 KuPS Kuopio
Inter Turku 1-0 FF Jaro Pietarsaari
MyPa Anjalankoski 4-1 Tampere United
French Ligue 1
Stade Rennes 2-3 Bordeaux
Hungarian NB I
MTK Hungaria FC 3-2 Ujpest FC
Jamaican Premier League
Boys Town 0-4 Tivoli Gardens FC
Meadhaven United 0-0 Reno
Portmore Utd 0-0 Harbour View
Rivoli United 0-2 Arnett Gardens
Village Utd 2-1 St George SC
Waterhouse 1-2 Sporting Central
Japanese J-League
Albirex Niigata 2-2 JEF United Ichihara
Gamba Osaka 4-2 FC Tokyo
Kashima Antlers 1-0 Vissel Kobe
Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 Oita Trinita
Kawasaki Frontale 4-1 Kyoto Sanga
Omiya Ardija 0-3 Montedio Yamagata
Nagoya Grampus 0-0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Shimizu S Pulse 2-2 Urawa Red Diamonds
Yokohama F Marinos 1-0 Jubilo Iwata
South African Premier Soccer League
Ajax Cape Town 1-1 Platinum Stars
Bosnian Premier Liga
FK Laktasi 0-1 FK Borac Banja Luka
FK Modrica 2-0 FK Sarajevo
FK Sloboda Tuzla 2-0 NK Travnik
FK Velez Mostar 3-0 NK Siroki Brijeg
FK Zelijeznicar Sarajevo 3-1 FK Leotar Trebinje
NK Posusje 1-2 HNK Orasje
NK Zvijezda Gradacac 2-2 NK Celik Zenica
Slavija Istocno Sarajevo 1-0 HSK Zrinjski Mostar
Finnish Veikkausliiga
FC Lahti 4-1 RoPS Rovaniemi
Haka Valkeakoski 1-2 HSK Helsinki
IFK Mariehamn 3-0 KuPS Kuopio
Inter Turku 1-0 FF Jaro Pietarsaari
MyPa Anjalankoski 4-1 Tampere United
French Ligue 1
Stade Rennes 2-3 Bordeaux
Hungarian NB I
MTK Hungaria FC 3-2 Ujpest FC
Jamaican Premier League
Boys Town 0-4 Tivoli Gardens FC
Meadhaven United 0-0 Reno
Portmore Utd 0-0 Harbour View
Rivoli United 0-2 Arnett Gardens
Village Utd 2-1 St George SC
Waterhouse 1-2 Sporting Central
Japanese J-League
Albirex Niigata 2-2 JEF United Ichihara
Gamba Osaka 4-2 FC Tokyo
Kashima Antlers 1-0 Vissel Kobe
Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 Oita Trinita
Kawasaki Frontale 4-1 Kyoto Sanga
Omiya Ardija 0-3 Montedio Yamagata
Nagoya Grampus 0-0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Shimizu S Pulse 2-2 Urawa Red Diamonds
Yokohama F Marinos 1-0 Jubilo Iwata
South African Premier Soccer League
Ajax Cape Town 1-1 Platinum Stars
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Singapore Grasp ‘Significant Milestone’ As Medan Plunge At The Death
Singapore Armed Forces FC reached the promised-land of the AFC Champions League and elevated themselves on par with Asia’s finest for the very first time as they scarcely overcame Indonesia’s PSMS Medan 2-1 to advance through to the group stages for the nation's very first time. The spectacle ignited into animation after the initial 90 minutes were complete as SAF were forced to deliver in extra-time, aided in their cause when two PSMS players were sent off.
Singapore Armed Forces seized the lead in the 36th minute when Therdsak Chaiman contributed to their international campaign once again by scoring past opposing goalkeeper Markus Harison. It took only six minutes into the second half for PSMS to peg back on level ground with Mario Costas at the centre of their gratitude but as the 90 minutes failed to distinguish a clear victor, the next thirty minutes proved to demolish their hopes and aspirations for progressing past the qualification phase. Octavianus Maniani and Edi Sukamto saw red for picking up a second yellow card each and Admad Latiff scored the goal that literally shot the club to stardom and glory in Asia’s lucrative contest.
The S-League champions will mix their identity with Japanese counterparts Kashima Antlers, former AFC winners Suwon Bluewings and Shanghai Shenhua of China. Ho Peng Kee, president of the Football Associated of Singapore, spoke of his hope that the breakthrough will encourage ‘the other clubs to raise the quality of play so that we can continue to get closer to Asian standards’.
Dempo endured a contrasting fortune as their dream of becoming the first Indian club to qualify for the tournament remained unfulfilled for another season as defeat to Al Sharjah of the UEA signalled their premature exit.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
AFC Champions League: Urawa March To Semi-Final
An all-Japanese semi-final will take place in the AFC Champions League as defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds and Gamba Osaka were drawn together. Three clubs from Japan could have made it to the last four but Australia’s Adelaide United beat Kashima Antlers 2-1 on aggregate to terminate any possibilities.
Urawa Red Diamonds beat Kuwait’s Al Qadsia with a 4-3 scoreline over both legs, while Gamba Osaka overcame the challenge of Al Karama of Syria.
Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan face Adelaide in pursuit of a place in the final. Bunyodkor have risen to headlines for their transfer activity as they turned to Brazilians to guide them to success. Zico has joined on a one-year basis to manage the club, while Rivaldo couldn’t resist a final lucrative contract, an offer he admitted as "very good for the end of my career". A victory over Iran’s Saipa FC secured a place in the prestigous AFC Champions League semi-final.
Both semi-final legs will take place on October 8th and 22nd.
Urawa Red Diamonds beat Kuwait’s Al Qadsia with a 4-3 scoreline over both legs, while Gamba Osaka overcame the challenge of Al Karama of Syria.
Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan face Adelaide in pursuit of a place in the final. Bunyodkor have risen to headlines for their transfer activity as they turned to Brazilians to guide them to success. Zico has joined on a one-year basis to manage the club, while Rivaldo couldn’t resist a final lucrative contract, an offer he admitted as "very good for the end of my career". A victory over Iran’s Saipa FC secured a place in the prestigous AFC Champions League semi-final.
Both semi-final legs will take place on October 8th and 22nd.
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