Official 2010 J2 Thread [R]

Wow, if there wasn't Kumamoto than all host teams would loose their games. Playing at home really isn't an andvantage in Japan...

 

Can't wait to see Kashiwa and Avispa in J1. Kashiwa could be the Cerezo of next year with this bunch of great players . Sakai, Hayashi, Kudo, Kobayashi, Leandro, Otsu, Mizuno ... Just wow. And I'm curious to see how Nagasato, Jogo, Nakamachi or Okubo would fare in J1.

 

Kashiwa was incredible yesterday, it could've easily been 6 or 7. Their supporters were once again vocally and visually amazing.

 

Unfortunately, the cameras didn't pick up their incredible rudeness in arguing over not being able to sit in higher priced seats and with unbelievable uncouth regarding their garbage.

 

Damn, JEF looks dead and buried. I have a bad feeling they are going to be stuck in J2 for few years if they don't get up this year.

 

Does somebody know how bad is the injury of Toshiyuki Takagi ? He had crutches when he received his "J2 goal of the month" award.
BTW, hakyuuuuuuuuun is uploading J2 highlights now. This guy is awesome.

 

Instead of Youtube, check out NicoNicoDouga for J.League highlights.
http://www.nicovideo.jp/tag/スポーツ+Jリーグ

You need to make an account before u can watch anything there, but if you even only basic Japanese that should be fairly easily, and you can usually find highlights from every match in J1 + most matches in J2 as well as other interesting J.League-related videos

 

Thanks for the link, cool website.

Used google translator to register, lol !!

 

Basse, thanks a lot!

Is there any way to embed those videos?

 

I see Mito is in the dregs this year, bummer.

 

But doing so in style!

It's why coach Kiyama was announced to be hitting the bricks yesterday.

 

What a huge comeback from Verdy!

So happy about that. Really wanted them to win this one.
Surprise chance for promotion this year?

 

Reysol is back, and that's official. Ventforet needs five more points, or even less if JEF fails again today.

UPD: of course, they did – now it's just two points for the Kofu team.

 

Now Verdy's promotion hopes begin to appear seriously – they are yet to face both Avispa and JEF, and Ehime and HollyHock at home surely might bring six points.

Avispa has a game in hand though, and not-so-tough opponents either (Consadole @home; Gifu, Trinita and Fagiano away). If they will fail this... well, they better stay in J2 then.

 

Mito has hired Tetsuji Hashiratani to be manager from next season.

That doesn't seem good looking at his record... Hopefully someone here can say something offering a glimmer of hope?

 

Still there will be Kataller, Giravanz and Gainare. You won't be the last.

 

His hair looks a little like ex-Prime Minister Koizumi`s in a certain light. Of all Japanese PMs, Koizumi had the best hair so to be even in the same league as him can only mean good things for Mito.

 

I saw the extended highlights of that match ( about 18-20 mins), and it looked like it had been one of the most exciting matches all year! I saw some guys commented on it, calling it " the best match in J2 this season", and in terms of excitement and drama I can't see why not. JEF totally owned Consadole for the opening 30-35 minutes, but after that Consa had a small period where they were the better team. In the 2nd half both teams created tons of chances, and there were some amazing goalkeeping from Takahara ( if he only played like this every match Consadole would have been alot higher on the table) . Yuto Sato had several dangerous shots, and in the other end Uchimura had one of his better matches for Consadole it seemed.

Consadole also beat JEF 3-0 away earlier in the season, so atleast they can brag about doing the double on JEF.

 

I would include Yokohama FC and possibly even Consadole Sapporo on that list.

Yokohama is looking pretty strong at the moment, and have since Kaio came to the club ( 13 matches ago) been the 2nd best team in J2 in terms of points ( they got 27, while Avispa, who have been the best, have taken 28). That means they have taken more points than teams like Reysol, Kofu, JEF and Verdy. If they can hold on to most of their players I think they absolutely have the potential to aim for promotion.
(EDIT: Actually, if we look at the previous 18 matches, then Yokohama have actually the BEST record in the league. Prior to that Yokohama went through a rough period with 9 losses in 10 matches. So perhaps we should include Roberto as well as a main reason for Yokohama's turn-around, since Roberto had more or less the same impact with Sagan last season).

About Consadole, much will come down to what manager they will hire. I'm glad they will finally get rid of Ishizaki, but apparently their economy is not the best, so It will be interesting to see who they will bring in.

Talent-wise, I think they are up there with the others, or atleast not too far behind. If you think FC Tokyo has been unlucky with injuries, then I would say Consadole has had it alot worse, and if they can sort that problem ahead of next season I predict a massive improvement in their league position. Players like Fujita, Uesato, Furuta, Quirino and even Uchimura are all players that I think could do a good job for a J1 team even, and besides them they got Okamoto, Miyazawa, Ishikawa and Nishijima who are all good players at a J2-level. The 18 year old winger Mikami looks like an interesting prospect as well, so I think they have potential to do ALOT better.

Their economy is not the best, but they have some available foreign spots ahead of the next season, so hopefully they will bring in a new CB ( To replace the injury-ridden Cho Sung Hwan) as well as a midfielder with some muscles ( clean-up guy, to replace Danilson, who although are still Consadole's property, will most likely not return to the club), that they can field alongside Uesato.

If these requirements are met ( a couple of new players (mainly of defensive strength), no more injuries to key players as well as a good coach) then I think they can be a contender for a top 3 finish. I wouldnt mind a new striker either though, as although I rate Uchimura, he's not the best goalscorer.

 

Avispa got a pretty tough schedule coming up in their last matches, and away against Oita, at home vs Verdy and possibly even at home vs Consadole are matches they just as well could lose. IF that happens, and either Yokohama, JEF or Verdy wins all their remaining matches then suddenly Avispa will be down in 4th.......

Its a scenario that could happen isnt it?