Soccerphile.com
Japanese Soccer Mourns Prince Takamondo
The sudden death of Prince Takamodo, a first cousin of the Japanese emperor,
and honorory patron of the Japanese Football Association, was marked by
tributes from figures in the Japanese game and a minute's silence at this
weekend's J.League fixtures.
The Prince became the first member of the Japanese imperial family to
visit Korea since the end of WWII when he attended the opening game of
this summer's World Cup in Seoul. In all the Prince watched 19 games during
the finals. A keen sportsman and married to Princess Hisako - reportedly
a Chelsea fan - the 47-year-old collapsed while playing squash at the
Canadian embassy in Tokyo.
Korea/Japan Friendlies
2002 World Cup hosts Korea and Japan both lost home friendlies to South
American opposition in midweek. Japan lost 2-0 in Saitama to a Juan Sebastian
Veron-inspired Argentina and Brazil defeated South Korea 3-2 in Seoul.
Juan Pablo Sorin and Hernan Crespo netted for Argentina in a five minute
spell just after half-time in a match missed by Japan coach Zico, who
was attending his mother's funeral in Brazil. Two goals from Ronaldo and
a late penalty from Ronaldinho gave Brazil the win as they twice came
from behind after goals from Seol Ki Hyeon and Ahn Jung Hwan. The match
marked the last international appearances of veterans Hong Myung Bo and
Hwang Sun Hong.
Fourth Ref for Bundesliga
The German Bundesliga is to introduce a fourth match official to assist the two linesmen after the league's winter break in an effort to improve officiating after a recent debate over the number of controversial refereeing decisions in German football. 'We think that the fourth referee will be a great help,' said FIFA ref Herbert Fandel. 'He will be able to support the first assistanrt, whose duty is complicated by the theatrics going on on the bench.'Olimpia Arrives Early
Paraguayan team Olimpia Asuncion have arrived in Japan 10 days ahead of their World Club championship game with Spain's Real Madrid, scheduled for December 3 at Yokohama's International Stadium. Olimpia, who are celebrating their centennial are making their second appearance in the Toyota Cup, having lost to AC Milan 3-0 in 1990.Arise 'Sir Bobby'
Former Ipswich, PSV Eindhoven, Porto, Barcelona and England coach Bobby Robson, who is now in charge of Newcastle United received a knighthood this week. Unfortunately in a battle of the football knights, Sir Bobby's Newcastle United lost 5-3 to Manchester United, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, at the weekend.2002 Most Watched Ever
Official viewing figures released this week reveal the 2002 World Cup
was the most widely covered and viewed event in TV history with a 2% increase
in viewing figures on France '98.
Broadcast in a record 213 countries, each live match averaged 356.2 million
viewers worldwide with 1.1 billion people tuning in to watch the final.
The cumulative audience over the 25 match days of the tournament totalled
28.8 billion viewers, with advanced research methods assessing that "out
of home viewers" – those in bars, the office or watching on
big screens – added 2.5 billion to the total.
Germany Unveils 2006 Logo
Germany unveiled the 2006 World Cup
logo depicting three laughing faces in yellow, blue and green forming
the symbol '006' and inviting the world to a party for the next World Cup.
The slogan in English translates as 'Friends invite the world' (Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden). According to World Cup organizing committee president Franz Beckenbauer the logo should be referred to as 'the celebrating faces of football' and aims to convey the message that Germany will be a welcoming and friendly host.
'We believe that the new emblem perfectly expresses our philosophy of having a buoyant, cheerful and carefree tournament in 2006," the former German coach and playing legend added. 'Everybody knows that we're good at organising but we wanted to convey an other, warmer and friendlier image of Germany.'
Fedor Radmann, Beckenbauer's deputy enthused, 'The emblem expresses our overall philosophy, which is to invite the world to a joyful celebration at the heart of Europe.'
The London-based agency Whitestone and Munich firm abold created the design, which was unveiled in a ceremony at Gelsenkirchen stadium, after over a year of planning.
Morocco To Bid For 2010 World Cup
Morocco has informed FIFA that it intends to bid to stage the 2010 World Cup. South Africa are the early favourites to host the event which is widely expected to take place in Africa for the first time in its 72-year history.
J.League/K.League
JAPAN - Jubilo Iwata duly became the first team to win both stages of
the J.League
since its inception in 1993 when they beat Tokyo Verdy 1969
1-0 at home in front of a sellout crowd of 18,883 in the penultimate match
of the season.
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| Sasa Drakulic |
Gamba Osaka remain second after a 2-1 overtime win in the Kansai derby
with Kyoto Purple Sanga.
Sanga's Korean winger Park Ji Sung looks set to join former international
coach Guus Hiddink and PSV Eindhoven at the conclusion of the current
J.League season.
Interest in the J.League's soccer lottery - Toto
- has waned since its launch with such fanfare two years ago. Sales are
down from 2.08 million yen (US$ 16,335) to 1,05 million yen (US$ 8,176)
per betting game. Revenues are used to supplement public funding of sports.
Ajinomoto, the giant Japanese MSG and food ingredient manufacturer, has
aquired the rights to rename Tokyo stadium, the home of J.League clubs
FC Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy 1969 for around US$1,600,000 to US$2,440,000
a year from the stadiums owners - the Tokyo metropolitan government and
the three Tokyo municipal governments of Chofu, Fuchu and Mitaka, who
are all in financial difficulties.
SOUTH KOREA - Songnam Chunma wrapped up the K.League
as expected despite losing 1-0 to Chonbuk as nearest rivals Anyang, needing
a hatful of goals to pip Songnam for the title on goal difference could
only manage a scoreless draw with Bucheon. Leading scorer Sasa Drakulic
said after the game:
' I really wanted to win this game. 'I knew we would be champions, but
it would have been good to finish with a win'. Cellar dwellers Busan I.cons,
who finished next to last in the K.League have hired much-travelled ex-Sunderland
player Ian
Porterfield as their new coach. The 56-year-old Scotsman, who has
coached the national teams of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Oman and Trinidad &
Tobago has signed a 2-year contract worth US$600,000.