Well, a new J-League season begins. This may get me back in a gambling mood. Gives me a chance to use my newly acquired Japanese language skills as well.
Although, after the events of last weekends Nabisco Cup game where the result was actually stated on the Rising Sun website before the game kicked off (2-2 draw, Hiroshima win on penalties), I am beginning to wonder if betting on the J-League is worth the risk!
I got a course in Japanese out the library a few years ago Napoleon. I sat al after noon trying to pick it up. then i realised that i didnt plan to go to Japan and realised it would be wasted on me.
There is a website, on the internet and its called The Rising Sun!
I can't find it. Anyhow. Who was that great Japanese tipster that posted here a couple of years ago? He left not due to becoming a mod and falling out with me but due to meeting a girl. It was all quite sweet really. He was good. Name just escapes me and im sorry to the poster.
Any good J-league previews about the net? ("we don't know komp why dont you go look yourself you drunken arsehole!") ok i'll go look as i know what its like to be community spirited.
Bah i wish i had stuck at the Japanese course now.
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For the Asian champions, 2008 J. League is a season of revenge. To get over deep regret for unbelievable failure in defending the title, Reds prepared a splendid squad. To get over deep regret for unbelievable failure in defending the title, Reds prepared a splendid squad. While Washington left Urawa, Reds added the best Japanese striker Naohiro Takahara and Niigata's star Edmilson to the best forward collection in J.League. While Washington left Urawa, the Reds added the best Japanese striker Naohiro Takahara and Niigata's star Edmilson to the best forward collection in J. League.
They also acquired under 23 national Tsukasa Umesaki and Alex is back from Salzburg. They also acquired under 23 national Tsukasa Umesaki and Alex is back from Salzburg.
Now Reds have 13 ex- and present Japanese national team members and competition within the team is very severe. Now Reds have 13 ex-and present Japanese national team members and competition within the team is very severe.
Though Shinji and Hasebe transfered to Germany, most audiences may not recognize their absence. Though Shinji and Hasebe transfered to Germany, most audiences may not recognize their absence. When Robbie is back (and another non-Japanese player joins in) in or before summer, a dream team will be completed. When Robbie is back (and another non-Japanese player joins in) in or before summer, a dream team will be completed. But a great line-up also means Osieck will easily get a Lufthansa ticket if he fails to show attractive football like he did last season. But a great line-up also means Osieck will easily get a Lufthansa ticket if he fails to show attractive football like he did last season.
The defending champions Kashima Antlers still looks a troublesome rival. The did not take much action in the transfer market but it proves their great confidence they gained from winning J.League and the Emperor's Cup. The did not take much action in the transfer market but it proves their great confidence they gained from winning J. League and the Emperor's Cup. Hardworking football Brazilian manager Oswaldo Oliveira grinded into his squad would torture other teams again. Hardworking football Brazilian manager Oswaldo Oliveira grinded into his squad would torture other teams again. Their weakness is that they have few experienced players, especially forwards in their bench. Their weakness is that they have few experienced players, especially forwards in their bench.
Considering Kashima take place in ACL this year, it would be a big problem. Considering Kashima take place in ACL this year, it would be a big problem.
Another threat is Gamba Osaka. Their offensive quality is first-class in J.League and they exerted themselves in winter to reinforce their week defence. Their offensive quality is first-class in J. League and they exerted themselves in winter to reinforce their week defence. Three new centre backs Japanese international Yuki Mizumoto from Chiba, 26-year-old Brazilian Mineiro and U-20 World Cup 2007 member Yohei Fukumoto will make it hard to break down Gamba. Three new centre backs Japanese international Yuki Mizumoto from Chiba, the 26-year-old Brazilian Mineiro and U-20 World Cup 2007 member Yohei Fukumoto will make it hard to break down Gamba. If Lucas from FC Tokyo fills in well for Magno Alves, they would be the strongest rival to Reds. If Lucas from FC Tokyo fills in well for Magno Alves, they would be the strongest rival to Reds. But there is a good chance that Gamba and Kashima will be bothered by a tight schedule because of ACL group stage. But there is a good chance that Gamba and Kashima will be bothered by a tight schedule because of ACL group stage. So Reds have big advantage that they can focus on J.League until ACL quarterfinals in September and it is important to take a lead in the first half of the season. So Reds have big advantage that they can focus on J. League until ACL quarterfinals in September and it is important to take a lead in the first half of the season.
Kawasaki Frontale are dark horses. Kawasaki Frontale are dark horses. An offensive triangle by Juninho, Chong Tese and Hulk is nothing but a horror. An offensive triangle by Juninho, Chong Tese and Hulk is nothing but a horror. It would be very difficult even for Reds defence to cut off them completely if they perform well together. It would be very difficult even for Reds defence to cut off them completely if they perform well together. 21-year-old Brazilian "Incredible Hulk" especially is a phenomenon. 21-year-old Brazilian "Incredible Hulk" especially is a phenomenon. His power, speed and scoring skill will surely surprise everyone who hasn't seen him yet. His power, speed and scoring skill will surely surprise everyone who hasn't seen him yet. Basically four clubs above seem to play the leading parts, though Shimizu S-Pulse, Albirex Niigata, Kashiwa Reysol and Yokohama F Marinos have potential to get involved in championship competition. Basically four clubs above seem to play the leading parts, though Shimizu S-Pulse, Albirex Niigata, Kashiwa Reysol and Yokohama F Marinos have potential to get involved in championship competition.
The J.League season commences on Saturday 8th March and several clubs will be harbouring ambitions of victory in what is becoming one of the world痴 most competitive and exciting leagues.
Since its inception in 1993 there have been six different champions with a few other clubs claiming runners-up berths. Current holders Kashima Antlers can proudly claim to be the most successful with five crowns.
After mostly employing a two-stage championship and play-off system, the J.League changed to a conventional season-long league format three years ago. Initial fears that interest would subside proved hugely unfounded as each subsequent season has gone right to the wire.
In 2005 Gamba Osaka emerged clutching the trophy from an astonishing last-day pack of five potential winners. The same club relinquished their crown a year later when they needed to defeat Japan痴 biggest club Urawa Reds in order to leapfrog them. The 4-2 victory for the Reds gave them a first league championship. But all of this was topped last year by Kashima when, seemingly out of contention, they produced an extraordinary 10-game winning sequence. The penultimate fixture saw them triumph 1-0 away at Urawa despite being down to nine men at the end. Still behind on the last day, they sailed to a comfortable 3-0 home victory, while Urawa amazingly collapsed at already relegated Yokohama FC.
The J.League is clearly on the up. Last year the average attendance of 19,081 topped that of Serie A, making it the fifth-best supported league in the world. More importantly, Urawa Reds claimed the Asian equivalent of the Champions League, the first time that a Japanese side has achieved such a feat, and they went on to pluckily challenge AC Milan in the World Club Cup, finally being undone by a piece of Kaka magic. Given all this, the JFA took little time to announce that the much-maligned plan to play Premier League games abroad was not welcome in Tokyo.
Initially all eyes will be on Kashima to see if last season痴 incredible run that swept them to a league and cup double can be maintained. With only minor additions to the squad Brazilian coach Oswaldo de Oliviera, who endeared himself with his manic touchline celebrations last year will, be relying on the same team, with Mitsuo Ogasawara pulling the strings in midfield. The club has significant links with Brazil and the legendary Zico played his last games there. Current samba hero is the main goalscorer Marquinhos.
However, Kashima will undoubtedly be pushed by Urawa Reds and their superior financial muscle. The successful campaign in the Champions League took its toll last year and the energy and goals dried up. The acquisition of Japanese national main-striker Naohiro Takahara from Eintracht Frankfurt should go some way towards rectifying the scoring problem, and automatic entry into the quarter-finals of the Champions League will preserve energy levels.
Elsewhere Gamba Osaka, third in the last two seasons, will be looking to step up and looked extremely sharp in a pre-season contest including David Beckham痴 LA Galaxy last week. Usually a team emerges from the chasing pack to challenge the established clubs, with Shimizu S Pulse and the free-flowing Kawasaki Frontale looking the most likely. Meanwhile, Yokohama Marinos can never be entirely discounted, and former champions Tokyo Verdy痴 promotion back to the top flight should provide some interest.
Whichever team tops the table come December, it is bound to be close.
Usually gives a decent write-up of the previous weeks games in J-1 and has provided a decent write-up concerning each team in J-1 and J-2 for the coming season (which can be found here!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by kompressaur
Anyhow. Who was that great Japanese tipster that posted here a couple of years ago? He left not due to becoming a mod and falling out with me but due to meeting a girl. It was all quite sweet really. He was good. Name just escapes me and im sorry to the poster.
Rashin! I miss him as well!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kompressaur
Any good J-league previews about the net?
Cerezo Osaka FC - provides decent previews of all Cerezo-Osaka games, used to do all the J-2 games but stopped midway through last season.
There's plenty more blogging sites out there (the Japanese like a good blog) as well as all the official team sites (most of which are available in Japanese only)!
heh heh heh Nap thats some list there. Top stuff. well bookmarked. Rashin thats it. shit i miss Rashin today. As i say a rare good poster that left and had nothing to do with me. I suppose he would have got that email reminder that we sent out the other week. you never know.
Oh nap i'll sort out what we talked about for you soon. I just wanted you to have a chance to see etc.
and i'll set it up for you and make you admin etc. It really takes less than 5 minutes a week to admin and there's no pressure on you and others will help out if your not seen for a while
Ehime struggled in their second season in J2 last year and this year should be the same. They've lost their best player of last season, Josimar, who has returned to his parent club, Ventforet Kofu. The team is made up of mainly local players as well as eight different loan signings, so getting a team with so many new players to gel straight away could be a difficult task.
Roasso finished second in the JFL last season, earning a place in this years extended J2. They've not got many players with experience of this level, but have brought in forward Satoshi Nakayama from Gamba Osaka. Though they may well struggle this season against the better teams, especially defensively, they should be picking up points against their fellow promoted clubs and the struggling J2 teams from last season.
Ehime had one of the worst offensive and defensive records of last season, and they should struggle again with the loss of star striker Josimar and the acquisition of so many new players on loan. Roasso, though taking a step up in class, were a solid team last season and have kept the majority of their players. Already a very attacking team, the capture of Nakayama should give them an added edge up front. They may well struggle against the better sides, but should give teams like Ehime a decent game.
Roasso Kumamoto to beat Ehime FC @ 3.80 (188Bet) - 1 point
Japan: 8/9th March
heh heh heh Nap thats some list there. Top stuff. well bookmarked. Rashin thats it. shit i miss Rashin today. As i say a rare good poster that left and had nothing to do with me. I suppose he would have got that email reminder that we sent out the other week. you never know.
