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The national team was on the road in the middle of October to play in two friendlies. Against Tunisia, Sampdoria's Atsushi Yanagisawa scored the lone goal of the match to give Coach Zico a much-needed victory.
In Bucharest, Japan faced a much stronger opponent in Romania, which is currently ranked 20th in the world. In the first half of the match—played in front of sparse midday crowd—Japan was lethargic and outplayed by the home side. Chelsea forward Adrian Mutu, in particular, caused problems for the back line. He beat Urawa Reds's Tsuboi Keisuke and fooled keeper Kawaguchi Yoshikatsu with a low shot that Kawaguchi could only get a hand on—and then watch as it rolled over the line and into the net. In the second half, though, Japan looked much improved. After a lovely little pass from Nakata Hidetoshi, Sampdoria's Yanagisawa, once again, found the net. Although Romania had the better chances, the game ended 1-1. Nakazawa Yuji, in particular, put in a strong performance; the tall defender stifled many attacks and nearly scored on a header from close range.
Player Report Cards Versus Romania:
Hidetoshi Nakata: solid performance, his feed led to Japan's only goal.
Shunsuke Nakamura: Tricky left foot, can't defend (what else
is new?)
Alex Santos: A few good runs up the left side, can't defend.
Junichi Inamoto: the Fulham midfielder was invisible for long stretches.
Keisuke Tsuboi: beaten by Mutu which lead to Romania's goal.
Yuji Nakazawa: strong in defense, nearly scored on a header.
Atsushi Yanagisawa: Lovely goal from Samp's new striker.
Becks Meets FranThe Urawa Reds finally showed they belong among the elite of Japanese club football. The curse of potential has dogged the Reds for many years; now they have lived up to it, thrilling the most avid supporters in Japan. On November 3rd, the Saitama squad thumped perennial powerhouse Kashima Antlers in the Nabisco Cup to earn its first championship in the ten-year history of the J.League. Led by perhaps the J.League's best forward line—Brazilian Emerson and Tanaka Tatsuya—Urawa overwhelmed the injury-hobbled Antlers 4-0, with Emerson scoring twice and Tanaka once.
This was payback for the 2002 Final that featured the same two teams, but which Kashima won 1-0 on national team member Ogasawara Mitsuo's goal. In this year's match, the mercurial midfielder Ogasawara—playing without injured fellow national team members Nakata Koji and Motoyama Masashi—was sent off early in the second half for an awkward challenge from behind. This earned him a second yellow card and an early trip to the dressing room. When the final whistle blew, Reds players mobbed coach Hans Ooft in a gesture of unbridled affection. After the match, though, the affable Dutchman shocked all by announcing his resignation effective at the end of the current season. The former Japan national boss and Jubilo coach alleged that Urawa brass had for several months been searching for his replacement behind his back. Criticized by some for the timing of the announcement - there were worries about the effect it would have on the team's second-stage title hopes, Ooft's team is as of mid-November at the top J.League following a 5-1 thrashing of Tokyo Verdy on November 8th. They were at this point in sole possession of first place with 22 points from 12 matches.
Kyoto striker Teruaki KurobeOn the same weekend, Nagoya Grampus came from behind to defeat Yokohama Marinos 3-2, leaving the Marinos in a tie for second place with four other teams with just three matches remaining.
At the wrong end of the table, on November 8th Kyoto Purple Sanga kept the relegation demons at bay for the time being by upsetting JEF United 3-2 in a thrilling match in Kyoto on a perfect fall Saturday afternoon.
The result earned struggling Sanga three precious points points to pull it even with Oita Trinita and a point ahead of Sendai, which lost to Jubilo. The bottom two teams will be relegated to J2 next year.
Kawaguchi Back on the Bench
Former first-choice national keeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi started in three Danish league matches for his new club FC Nordsjaelland, giving up 2 goals. Better still, in the UEFA Cup, he was chosen as man of the match in a losing effort for his side. Following that bright start, though, he gave up one too many goals - and is now seeing action from the bench.
Inamoto Up and Down
Fulham's Junichi Inamoto had an uneven month. Due to national team duties - and the travel that entails - his condition has been suspect. On defense, it has showed. But then against Manchester United he drilled home the winner in a big upset as his Fulham side won 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Hidetoshi NakataHidetoshi Nakata At Parma
Hide Nakata has been on the losing side of the battle to get into the starting lineup. He started in only one match, and got into another as a sub. No impact. Expect the tabloids to start cranking out transfer rumors in December.
Yanagisawa at Sampdoria
National team striker Atsushi Yanagisawa made his first ever start in Serie A. Against AC Milan he started but did not finish the match in which he contributed little. Rumors are currently swirling about his signing a full one-year contract, as opposed to his present one-year loan. Yet to make much impact on the field, but off the pitch corporate sponsors are lining up to cash in on the poster boy with Serie B skills.
Reggina's Shunsuke Nakamura Gets The Bird
Also in Serie A, Shunsuke Nakamura has been in the Reggina starting lineup of late; however, his performance has been so bad that he has been substituted frequently, and, against Ancona, was roundly booed by his own fans.
Suzuki in a Funk
A forgettable month for forward Takayuki Suzuki. After suffering an injury while playing for the national team against Tunisia, he has seen little playing time at his new Belgian club Heusden-Zolder.
Hamburger Naohiro Takahara
Takahara started for HSV Hamburg in a UEFA match; otherwise, he was riding the German pines. In three Bundesliga matches, Takahara came off the bench but has not been scoring of late.
Shinji Ono
Shinji Ono started in all four of Feyenoord's October matches. Though he didn't score, he has established himself at his position just behind the front line. The team went 3-1, with Ono putting in some solid contributions.
Utrecht's Rookie: Toshiya Fujita
Also in Holland, Fujita is struggling on the right side of Utrecht's midfield - a position he is not used to, and it shows. Though he started in four matches last month, he is struggling in his first year abroad.
Nozomi Hiroyama at Montpelier
Japan's lone representative in the French first division, Hiroyama started in one league match in October but has since been hobbled by a left thigh injury.
Shiranami Stadium Guide Kagoshima
