8 June 2005
Japan Qualifies for Germany 2006
Atsushi Yanagisawa opened scoring in the 73 minute in Bangkok, Thailand with a blast from close range. With just minutes left Gamba Osaka's Masashi Oguro went in alone with the keeper and beat him cleanly, ending the match at 2-0.
Japan thus becomes the second team to qualify for the World Cup, following host Germany.
28 May 2005
Japan-North Korea Match: Bangkok
In light of the violence that erupted following a March loss to Iran in Pyongyang, FIFA has moved Japan's World Cup qualifier with North Korea slated for June 8th to a neutral venue: Bangkok. It will moreover be played behind closed doors. The North finally accepted this punishment, albeit grudgingly. "We're not happy with the FIFA ruling, but we accept it," said Lee Kang Hong, an official from North Korea while speaking to a Japanese sports newspaper.
Japan-North Korea Match Prediction:
Played in front of television cameras only, Japan should win 2-1 and book its spot in Germany.
3 June 2005
Japan 1 Bahrain 0
In an uninspiring effort, Japan squeaked past Bahrain in Manama 1-0 on a goal from Mitsuo Ogasawara. With Shinji Ono out injured, the tiny Ogasawara--perhaps the best player in the J.League--started in midfield in the June 3 match. He nailed home a shot taken from just outside the box in the first half. The goal proved enough as Bahrain never really threatened. This gave Japan three important points--and has nearly guaranteed its place in Germany next summer.
A draw or a win on Wednesday in neutral Bangkok against North Korea, or in August against Iran, will put Japan through to Germany. Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura, and Alex Santos all picked up yellow cards in the Bahrain match, and will thus sit out the next match.
Japan-Bahrain Match Prediction:
Playing with defender Yuji Nakazawa (returning to the lineup from a lower back injury), without striker Naohiro Takahara (out with hamstring trouble), and with Hidetoshi Nakata up front (pictured at right in bottom corner), Japan will draw 1-1 with host Bahrain. Zico will hold onto his job.
Japan 0 Peru 1
In the opening match of the Kirin Cup, on May 22nd, Japan lost to Peru 1-0. The visitors scored late in injury time of the second half to upset Zico Japan. Played under sunny skies at Niigata Stadium, the first half was tentative with neither team pressing forward with any urgency. In the second half, thanks mainly to the substitution of Gamba Osaka forward Masashi Ogawa for lackluster Reiji Tamada, Japan dominated possession and had the lion's share of chances.
Peru played back and took its few chances on counter attack. With less than a minute in injury time remaining, Peru broke forward and sub Gustavo Vassallo tapped in a clever shot over the flailing keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.
Japan 0 UAE 1
A dreadful end to Zico's Kirin Campaign, an awful way to be departing for two key World Cup qualifiers in early June. Against a weak UAE side, Japan once again dominated possession--and once again came up limp in front of goal.
Masashi Ogura was given the nod up front, making his first start for the national side. He managed 4 pitiful shots and never threatened to score. Since Ogura's goal against North Korea in extra time in February, the Blues have gone 360 minutes without scoring.
"What is there to comment on," said Japan Football Association President Saburo "Captain" Kawabuchi. "How can you win with zero goals in 180 minutes. We deserved to be booed."
Shinji Ono was the only bright spot in an otherwise disjointed performance. Japan now faces Bahrain away; and, two days later, will play North Korea in Bangkok.
Quote of the Week
Former Japan and Marseille coach Philippe Troussier on current coach Zico:
"Zico doesn't use young players. His style is regimented. He should let the players play with greater freedom."
Under the leadership of former J.League and Japan national team great Ruy Ramos, Japan advanced to the semi-finals in beach soccer's inaugural World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. At that point, though, it was clear that Japan was in over its head: host Brazil thumped Japan 11-2. Romario scored a hat-trick to lead Brazil. According to the Brazil-born Japan-naturalized Ramos: "There was obviously a massive gulf between the two teams, experience-wise, technically, physically."
Japan earlier upset the US and then stunned Uruguay in a come from behind 4-3 victory to make it to the semis.
France took the title under the leadership of Eric Cantona by defeating Portugal on penalties. There was some consolation for the losers as Madjer was named the tournament's MVP.
Fiorentina's Hidetoshi Nakata
A depressing season for the Japanese captain has come to a close. Nakata saw hardly any time on the pitch at the end of the season, biding his time on the Fiorentina bench. Rumors are already being heard that a transfer is in the works. With a 3-0 win over Brescia on the last day of the Serie A season, Fiorentina secured a spot in the top flight for another season. Nakata spent the final match on the bench in front of 42,000 fans. The Viola ended with 42 points, or three ahead of Parma.
Nakata ended the season without a goal, and spent the last seven games on the bench.
Reggina's Shunsuke Nakamura
Shunsuke Nakamura saw some pitch time in two recent matches. Against Bologna on the 8th, Nakamura played 28 minutes. On the 16th Shunsuke came on as a sub for two minutes in a match with Palermo.
Shunsuke ended a strong season with two goals and solidified his position as a central pillar of the Reggina midfield.
Yoshito Okubo, Real Mallorca
Yoshito Okubo produced a miracle for both his team and himself - and for a club in desperate need of one. The small and aggressive forward set up two first-half goals with letter-perfect crosses to Francisco Farinos and Juan Aranga. Okubo then completed a stellar performance by scoring in the second half - his second goal in two matches.
Mallorca climbed to 17th place on 38 points, or but one all-important point in front of Levante, which drew at home with Valencia. Mallorca sealed another season in Spain's top division with a tie against Betis.
Naohiro Takahara in the Bundesliga
On the 8th, Taka had several good chances in a match against Borussia - but, like his partners up front, failed to convert. The game ended in a 0-0 draw. Borussia keeper Kasey Keller was man of the match.
Takahara came on in the 69th minute in a 2-1 loss to Hanover on the 14th. He made little impact and, in losing, HSV lost automatic qualification to next season's UEFA Cup.
In the final match of the season, on May 21st, at home against Bochum Taka suffered a minor injury but appears fit enough to take part in the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on June 6th.
Koji Nakata, Marseille
Marseille finished in fourth place, and Nakata's future with the club remains unclear.
Feyenoord's Shinji Ono
Ono got some action for the first time in several matches. He played the full 90-minutes on the 15th against Dutch League champions PSV Eindhoven.
On the last day of the season, Ono scored his seventh goal of the season to help Feyenoord defeat ADO Den Haag 6-3.
Junichi Inamoto, West Brom
Inamoto is back at West Brom after a several month loan to Cardiff to regain fitness. He came on as a sub against Manchester United on the 15th.
Atsushi Yanagisawa, Messina:
Yanagisawa signed a full-transfer deal with his Serie A club. He joined Messina last summer on a loan from Sampdoria.
After just twelve matches, Kashima Antlers are dominating the rest of the league. Coached by former Brazil great Cerezo, Kashima is 9 points ahead of the second place Sanfrecce Hiroshima. With nine wins, two draws, and but one loss, Kashima's sly - a.k.a., dirty - and aggressive football is paying dividends.
The top division is now off until early July. In the interim, the national team will play in the Kirin Cup, the Confederations Cup, and in World Cup qualifiers in early June. J.League teams, meanwhile, will see action in the domestic League Cup, the Yamazaki Cup.
Kashiwa Reysol Fans: Refuse to Leave Ground after Match
The J.League's most ornery fans have struck again. Following a 5-1 loss to JEF United in the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup 200 fans refused to vacate the stadium, calling for the resignation of the manager and team president. The group finally left after almost two hours when a team official promised a meeting with the team president to exchange ideas.
This latest incident follows a brawl instigated by Reysol supporters following a loss to Nagoya Grampus earlier in the season.
Leading Goal Scorers
| Name | Goals | Shots | PK | Games |
| Masashi Ogura, Gamba Osaka | 10 | 50 | 0/0 | 12 |
| Washington, Tokyo Yomiuri 1969 | 9 | 44 | 3/4 | 12 |
ARAUJO, Gamba Osaka |
8 | 43 | 0/0 | 12 |
| MAGNO ALVES De Araujo, Oita |
7 | 35 | 1/2 | 12 |
| Seiichiro Maki, JEF United | 6 | 19 | 0/0 | 12 |
| Mitsuo Ogasawara, Kashima | 5 | 32 | 1/2 | 12 |
| Christian, Omiya Ardija | 5 | 19 | 0/0 | 10 |
| Yuki Abe, JEF United | 5 | 30 | 2/2 | 12 |
| Lucas, FC Tokyo | 5 | 30 | 1/2 | 11 |
| Juninho, Kawasaki Frontale | 5 | 41 | 0/1 | 10 |
Debt-ridden FC Barcelona is contemplating the unthinkable: placing sponsors ads on its red-and-blue uniform. The Spain League champion, unlike nearly all the major clubs in world football, has resisted this move. However, the club is now drowning in $200 million of debt and desperate measures are in the works.
Among them are plans to wear an ad for the upcoming China Olympiad. The five-year deal with the Chinese government would be worth a cool $120 million.
Another strategy for ridding itself debt is the team's annual summer swing through Japan and Asia. The Catalans fly half way around the globe to play in slow motion "warm-up" kick-abouts with local clubs - and hawk a lot of jerseys.
And, perhaps most alarming of all, a tie-up with a J.League team may be in the works. A so-called "Barcelona Japan" team may join the league. Kobe is the leading candidate as it has a sister city relationship with Barcelona. During this June's JapanTour, Barcelona Vice President Jorge Soliano will meet with J.League officials to flesh out details. One ulterior motive is to enlarge the membership of the Barca's fan club, which currently has only 1200 members from Japan.
Whither Barcelona?