Football Japan Minutecast

Vegalta Sendai came from behind to earn an emotional 2-1 victory away to Kawasaki Frontale as the J. League finally resumed proceedings after a six-week hiatus.

Fans of the Tohoku club – located closer than any other to the region devastated by last month�fs earthquake and tsunami – turned the away end at Todoroki into a sea of yellow, as both sets of supporters sang together before kick-off in a poignant symbol of friendship and national unity.

It was Frontale who opened the scoring after 37 minutes, suddenly sparking an otherwise sluggish first half into life with a terrific five-man passing move to speed through the Vegalta defensive third. Defender Yusuke Tanaka connected tamely with Koji Yamase�fs cross, but the ball slipped over a rain-soaked surface past the hapless Takuto Hayashi.

The visitors gained their own slice of fortune in the second period, however, as Yoshiaki Ota�fs sliding shot struck Kawasaki defender Tomonobu Yokoyama and sailed over Rikihiro Sugiyama�fs dive for the equaliser.

Then, with just three minutes remaining, North Korean international Ryang Yong-Gi crossed a free kick onto the head of defender Jiro Kamata, who angled the ball into the top-right corner of Yokoyama�fs goal to spark wild celebrations in the stand behind.

Sendai manager Makoto Teguramori struggled to hold back the tears at full time, telling television reporters, �gOur players really gave their absolute best for the people of Tohoku, right up to the very end.�h

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Kashima Antlers were unable to follow the Sendai lead, however, losing 3-0 to Yokohama F Marinos in the Ibaraki club�fs first league match at their temporary home of the National Stadium in Tokyo. Shohei Ogura�fs deflected effort found the net after just three minutes, and Yuzo Kurihara doubled the advantage a quarter of an hour from time despite lengthy Antlers pressure.

An injury time own goal from Takuya Nozawa completed a miserable afternoon for Oswaldo de Oliveira�fs men.

Defending champions Nagoya Grampus fared no better, going down to a surprise 3-0 defeat at a rampant Urawa Reds on Sunday afternoon. Seigo Narazaki could only parry a Tatsuya Tanaka effort from the corner of the penalty area on 12 minutes, allowing Marcio Richardes the simplest of finishes for his first goal since arriving from Albirex Niigata.

The Brazilian returned the favour by squaring for Tanaka to score himself soon afterwards, after Yosuke Kashiwagi�fs precise through ball had bisected the Grampus defence. Teenage forward Genki Haraguchi pounced on Hayuma Tanaka�fs hesitation to break clear and beat Narazaki at the second attempt for Urawa�fs third late on.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima were the weekend�fs other big winners, defeating Gamba Osaka 4-1 at the Big Arch. Tadanari Lee opened the scoring from close range after only 27 seconds, with Koji Morisaki, Mihael Mikić, and Hisato Sato putting the home side well out of sight before Shota Kawanishi�fs late consolation. The victory was Sanfrecce�fs first over Gamba in ten years.

Promoted Kashiwa Reysol are the leaders of the nascent J1 table with the division�fs only 100% record after winning 1-0 at Omiya Ardija through Leandro Domingues. Their opening day victims, Shimizu S-Pulse, earned their first points under Iranian boss Afshin Ghotbi with a 1-0 victory at home to Avispa Fukuoka.

Ventforet Kofu recovered from a deflected opener by Yoshito Okubo to draw 1-1 at home to Vissel Kobe thanks to Daniel�fs leveller. Albirex Niigata also drew 1-1 with Jubilo Iwata, while Montedio Yamagata played out a goalless stalemate against Cerezo Osaka.


TALKING POINTS
- A 94th minute strike from substitute forward Satoshi Tokiwa gave Mito HollyHock a dramatic 2-1 victory over Tokushima Vortis in J2. The match had gone ahead despite earthquake damage to the K�fs denki Stadium and surrounding area.


J1 results (matchday 7)
Kashima Antlers 0-3 Yokohama F Marinos
Omiya Ardija 0-1 Kashiwa Reysol
Kawasaki Frontale 1-2 Vegalta Sendai
Ventforet Kofu 1-1 Vissel Kobe
Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 Avispa Fukuoka
Montedio Yamagata 0-0 Cerezo Osaka
Albirex Niigata 1-1 Jubilo Iwata
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-1 Gamba Osaka
Urawa Reds 3-0 Nagoya Grampus

Three of Japan�fs four representatives in the 2011 AFC Champions League took significant steps toward securing their tickets for the last 16 in this week�fs fourth round of group fixtures.

J. League champions Nagoya Grampus went top of Group F with a 2-0 victory away to FC Seoul, the number one club in South Korea. Mu Kanazaki followed up his brace against Al-Ain last week by opening the scoring on 26 minutes, after Yoshizumi Ogawa�fs initial effort had been parried by goalkeeper Kim Yong-Dae.

Despite an attacking onslaught from the hosts throughout much of the second half, a poorly underhit backpass from Kim Tae-Hwan allowed Kensuke Nagai to steal in and secure victory for Grampus eight minutes from time. Dragan Stojković�fs men leapfrog their opponents on goal difference, with Chinese club Hangzhou Greentown now bottom of the group following a shock defeat in the United Arab Emirates.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kashima Antlers maintained their unbeaten record with a 1-1 draw against Suwon Samsung Bluewings at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Yeom Ki-Hun gave the visitors the lead with a well-placed, left-footed free kick early in the second half, but Yuzo Tashiro equalised from close range following another set piece just seven minutes later.

The goal was Tashiro�fs first since returning from a year-long loan at Montedio Yamagata. Kashima, who have been forced to play three consecutive home games in Tokyo on weekday afternoons due to earthquake damage and subsequent electrical shortages, are second in Group H behind Suwon on goal difference. Sydney FC are a point behind in third after their dramatic 3-2 win at Shanghai Shenhua.

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On Wednesday, Gamba Osaka gained revenge for their 2-1 defeat against Jeju United two weeks ago with a 3-1 victory over the same opponents at Banpaku. Brazilian striker Adriano opened the scoring with a solo effort midway through the first half, before running onto a Yasuhito Endo through ball to double the lead early in the second.

Akira Nishino�fs side once again paid for inviting pressure thereafter when Shin Young-Rok pulled one back for Jeju, but Takuya Takei sealed victory with a 20-yard rocket two minutes from time. Gamba move above the Koreans into second – one point behind Tianjin Teda, who lost 2-1 at bottom team Melbourne Victory.

Cerezo Osaka were the only Japanese club to lose as they went down 1-0 away to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Former Middlesbrough forward Lee Dong-Gook scored the game�fs only goal after 77 minutes.

The result leaves Jeonbuk clear at the top of Group H on nine points, with Shandong Luneng of China now a point ahead of Cerezo in second after thumping Indonesian minnows Arema 5-0.


TALKING POINTS
- The J. League resumes this weekend after a six-week hiatus in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck northeast Japan on 11 March. Highlights of only the second league programme to be played this year include Kashima vs. Yokohama F Marinos at the National Stadium on Saturday, and Nagoya�fs trip to face Urawa Reds in Saitama on Sunday.


AFC Champions League group stage results (Eastern zone; matchday 4)
Group E
Melbourne Victory (AUS) 2-1 Tianjin Teda (CHN)
Gamba Osaka (JPN) 3-1 Jeju United (KOR)

Group F
FC Seoul (KOR) 0-2 Nagoya Grampus (JPN)
Al-Ain (UAE) 1-0 Hangzhou Greentown (CHN)

Group G
Shandong Luneng (CHN) 5-0 Arema FC (IDN)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) 1-0 Cerezo Osaka (JPN)

Group H
Kashima Antlers (JPN) 1-1 Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR)
Shanghai Shenhua (CHN) 2-3 Sydney FC (AUS)

The Japan Football Association announced yesterday evening that it had written to the South American governing body CONMEBOL to confirm its intention for the Japanese national team to take part in the 2011 Copa America in July.

JFA president Junji Ogura had originally met with CONMEBOL officials in Paraguay last week to discuss Japan�fs withdrawal from the competition in the wake of last month�fs devastating earthquake and tsunami. However, the decision to pull out was quickly retracted after a plea from the tournament organisers in host nation Argentina, who repeated their invitation to Japan as a means of supporting the post-disaster recovery effort.

This sparked lengthy discussions between the JFA and the J. League clubs, whose scheduled summer break had already been cancelled to make up for the six weeks of the domestic season that have now been lost. The league finally declared its conditional support for Copa America participation on Wednesday, on the proviso that �gany devaluing of the league and impact on the title and relegation battles be kept to an absolute minimum�h.

An agreement has been reached whereby the national team will not request the release of any of its domestically-based stars, although younger players (no more one per club) may be included. The situation was complicated yesterday, however, when JFA technical director Hiromi Hara suggested the deal would only apply to top-flight sides, since the J2 division had always been due to play fixtures throughout July in the first place.

Such a stipulation would affect FC Tokyo most directly, with World and Asian Cup defender Yasuyuki Konno joining a number of fringe internationals in remaining with the club despite relegation from J1 last year. Club president Kenji Akune requested that the JFA �gtreat us the same as the J1 clubs�h, but team manager Kiyoshi Okuma displayed a more conciliatory attitude, saying �gI am happy to go along with whatever is decided�h.

Key to Japan�fs participation, in any case, will be the availability of players based in Europe. Clubs will not technically be forced to release their playing personnel since Japan are �eguests�f in another regional confederation�fs event, but the JFA has enlisted the help of both CONMEBOL and FIFA in an attempt to circumvent this hurdle.

Hara said �gWe expect the (European) clubs to show reluctance, but will have to ask them to somehow understand our situation.�h

12 of the national team players selected for the recent Team as One charity match in Osaka currently ply their trade in Europe. It is thought that coach Alberto Zaccheroni may need to call upon as many as 15 to complete a competitive 22-man Copa America squad that satisfies the requirements of the J. League teams.

Following yesterday�fs announcement, JFA vice president Kozo Tashima explained the decision to take part after all.

�gBy playing in the tournament, we can show the rest of the world how the country of Japan is fighting to rebuild. If we don�ft take part in the tournament, it could present a negative impression. It is important to form a squad which deserves to play in the Copa America.�h


TALKING POINTS
- Nagoya Grampus earned an emphatic 4-0 victory at home to United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain in their rescheduled AFC Champions League Group F match on Tuesday. Mu Kanazaki scored twice in the first half, before a Brahima Keita own goal put Dragan Stojković�fs side out of sight on the hour mark. Jungo Fujimoto added a fourth from a direct free kick after Al-Ain defender Fares Al Saadi had been sent off.
- Kashima Antlers also recorded their first three points of the competition in impressive style after winning 3-0 away to Sydney FC. Goals from Takuya Nozawa, Fellype Gabriel, and Shinzo Koroki took the Tohoku club to second place in Group H behind Suwon Bluewings on goal difference, after three straight fixtures away from home.
- In the final blank weekend before the resumption of J. League fixtures on 23 April, Kataller Toyama will host Albirex Niigata in a charity match this Sunday, kicking off at 2pm.


AFC Champions League group stage results (Eastern zone; rearranged matchday 2 fixtures)
Group F
Nagoya Grampus (JPN) 4-0 Al-Ain (UAE)

Group H
Sydney FC (AUS) 0-3 Kashima Antlers (JPN)

Kashima Antlers of Ibaraki Prefecture drew 1-1 away to Korean side Suwon Samsung Bluewings on Wednesday evening – in what was their first competitive fixture since the earthquake and tsunami that devastated much of northeastern Japan nearly four weeks ago.

After a cagey, closely-fought opening half, the hosts took the lead midway through the second period when Ha Tae-Gyun flicked on a long throw from Yang Sang-Min for Yeom Ki-Hoon to head past Hitoshi Sogahata.

But when Oh Jang-Eun missed an immediate opportunity to double the Suwon advantage, Kashima quickly rallied to net a deserved equaliser just three minutes after falling behind. Takuya Nozawa�fs in-swinging corner found an unmarked Koji Nakata via the head of Daiki Iwamasa, leaving the former Marseille midfielder the simple task of slotting home from three yards.

Antlers manager Oswaldo de Oliveira appeared satisfied with a point following exactly one month of inactivity. �gOf course it has been a difficult situation,�h said the Brazilian. �gWe haven�ft been able to work on things like shooting or moving the ball around as we would like.

�gHowever, we have been able to work on our mental and physical strength. Overall, the team�fs sense of unity was good. There were lots of positives to take from tonight.�h

Kashima now travel to Australia for a rescheduled meeting with 2010 A-League champions Sydney FC next Wednesday. With their own Kashima Stadium suffering structural damage in the earthquake, the club will complete their AFC Champions League group programme with three �ehome�f games at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

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Elsewhere, Nagoya Grampus earned their first points in Group F with a 1-1 draw at home to Korean champions FC Seoul.

Former Fukuoka University striker Kensuke Nagai netted his first goal as a professional in impressive style after just 14 minutes, bursting away from two defenders midway inside the Seoul half and confidently lifting the ball over goalkeeper Kim Yong-Dae.

Grampus were pegged back just after the hour mark, however, when Choi Hyun-Tae hit a stunning effort from 30 yards that sailed into the top-left corner of the goal beyond the outstretched palm of Seigo Narazaki.

There were mixed fortunes for the two Osaka clubs on Tuesday, with Cerezo Osaka clinching a 1-0 victory at home to Group G leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors thanks to a 53rd-minute strike from Takashi Inui. City rivals Gamba, however, turned in a terrible second half performance to lose 2-1 at Jeju United despite initially leading through Sota Nakazawa.


TALKING POINTS
- Japan�fs participation in the 2011 Copa America remains up in the air following JFA president Junji Ogura�fs trip to South America for talks this week. The Japanese association initially announced their withdrawal on Tuesday, before retracting the decision after a plea from the Argentinean organisers. A final decision is due on Friday 15 April.
- Atsuto Uchida�fs Schalke 04 are on the verge of a first-ever UEFA Champions League last four appearance after a stunning 5-2 victory at the home of reigning European and world champions Internazionale. Uchida played the full 90 minutes of Tuesday�fs quarter-final first leg, with Yuto Nagatomo appearing as a late substitute for Inter.
- This Saturday (9 April) will see two further charity matches in aid of the earthquake recovery effort. Shimizu S-Pulse host neighbours Jubilo Iwata at Nihondaira, kicking off at 1pm, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima take on Vissel Kobe at the Big Arch from 2pm.


AFC Champions League group stage results (Eastern zone; matchday 3)
Group E
Jeju United (KOR) 2-1 Gamba Osaka (JPN)
Tianjin Teda (CHN) 1-1 Melbourne Victory (AUS)

Group F
Nagoya Grampus (JPN) 1-1 FC Seoul (KOR)
Hangzhou Greentown (CHN) 0-0 Al-Ain (UAE)

Group G
Arema FC (IDN) 1-1 Shandong Luneng (CHN)
Cerezo Osaka (JPN) 1-0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)

Group H
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR) 1-1 Kashima Antlers (JPN)
Sydney FC (AUS) 1-1 Shanghai Shenhua (CHN)


Donations to support relief efforts for the earthquake and tsunami in Japan are still being accepted by the Red Cross and a number of other charities.

Japanese Red Cross Society: http://www.jrc.or.jp/
British Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.uk/JapanTsunami
American Red Cross: http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_NewsArticle
Global Giving: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/
UNICEF Japan: http://www.unicef.or.jp/

For 90 minutes, the people of Japan were invited to smile yesterday evening as the football community paid tribute to the victims of the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

In place of the previously scheduled friendly with New Zealand, the Japan national team played a high-profile charity match against a J. League �eTeam as One�f wearing the yellow and blue colours of the FIFA Fair Play logo – and, incidentally, of the stricken Vegalta Sendai club – in front of a sell-out crowd of over 40,000 people at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka.

First-half goals from Yasuhito Endo and Shinji Okazaki ultimately gave Japan a 2-1 win, but the result mattered little on an emotionally-charged occasion as fans of various clubs across the country mixed and sang together in the spirit of national unity.

Indeed, the undoubted highlight was a 30-minute cameo from legendary striker Kazuyoshi Miura – still active with J2 side Yokohama FC at the age of 44 – who crowned off the evening with a superbly taken consolation goal for Team as One.

Though remaining loyal to the largely youthful playing resources that achieved Asian Cup success in Qatar two months ago, Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni used the occasion to test his famous 3-4-3 formation as an attacking alternative to the contemporary 4-2-3-1. Wing-backs Yuto Nagatomo and Atsuto Uchida were given freedom to roam ahead of a defensive trio of Yasuyuki Konno, Maya Yoshida, and Masahiko Inoha. Ryoichi Maeda led the front line alongside Okazaki and Keisuke Honda.

The opposing eleven selected by Nagoya Grampus coach Dragan Stojković had an average age of just over 30 and consisted largely of players that had contributed to the national team under previous managers Zico and Takeshi Okada. Yuji Nakazawa and Marcus Tulio Tanaka resumed their World Cup defensive partnership in front of J. League MVP Seigo Narazaki, with Shinji Ono in midfield and Yoshito Okubo supporting Hisato Sato in attack.

North Korean Ryang Yong-Gi of Vegalta Sendai was the sole non-Japanese player in the side, and joined Toru Araiba and Mitsuo Ogasawara of Kashima Antlers as representatives of clubs directly affected by the disaster.

An abundance of attacking wide players enabled the Samurai Blue to consistently find space on the flanks to thrill the audience with a series of fast-paced attacks from the outset. The opening goal arrived after just 13 minutes via a trademark Endo free-kick from 25 yards, after Honda had been felled by Kengo Nakamura, and was marked by the entire Japan squad gathering on the touchline to salute the skies.

CSKA Moscow star Honda was then frustrated on the counter attack twice in quick succession, before finding space to make it third time lucky with a through ball that bisected the Team as One defensive pair and rolled perfectly into the path of Okazaki. The Stuttgart forward banished the memory of his Bundesliga goal drought with a confident dinked finish past Narazaki.

Wholesale substitutions at half time predictably shifted the flow of the match, with both managers keeping their pledge to field every one of the combined 46 players available to them. The more experienced Team as One gradually came into the ascendancy, with Sendai midfielder Kunimitsu Sekiguchi rolling a shot narrowly outside the left-hand post of Japan�fs third goalkeeper, Masaaki Higashiguchi.

Finally, with ten minutes remaining, the moment that everyone in the crowd had been eagerly anticipating arrived when Tulio rose above Daiki Iwamasa to head the ball into the path of �eKing Kazu�f. The J. League�fs oldest ever player took the ball into his stride, fired a wonderfully composed finish beyond the advancing Higashiguchi, and delighted his public further with – as promised – a �eKazu dance�f in celebration.

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Miura was the undoubted centre of attention after the game, and offered the following words in support of those affected by the earthquake.

�gWherever I go, I am constantly reminded that I am 44, but I have never given up on anything in football and it is my hope that those people who have been through so much pain recently will never give up either. This is the message that I hope has been conveyed through tonight�fs game.�h

Zaccheroni paid tribute to the Team as One hero, claiming �gToday is the first time in my career that I have ever been so happy to concede a goal.�h

Opposite number Stojković said �gThis game was important for the people who have suffered a lot. It showed a really strong message that they are not alone – that we are all together at this very difficult moment.�h


Tohoku earthquake charity match result
Japan 2-1 J. League Team as One


Donations to support relief efforts for the earthquake and tsunami in Japan are still being accepted by the Red Cross and a number of other charities.

Japanese Red Cross Society: http://www.jrc.or.jp/
British Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.uk/JapanTsunami
American Red Cross: http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_NewsArticle
Global Giving: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/
UNICEF Japan: http://www.unicef.or.jp/

12 days after the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which claimed the lives of an estimated 21,000 people, the Japanese footballing community has joined the rest of the country in uniting to focus solely on providing aid and recovery.

With the regular J. League season on hold, Vissel Kobe were among a number of clubs to quickly arrange charity matches through which money could be raised to help victims of the disaster. A total of over 4.6 million yen was collected from supporters attending last Saturday�fs friendly meeting with J2 newcomers Gainare Tottori.

Vissel will also make the short journey to Banpaku for a second charity match with Gamba Osaka this Sunday. Kyoto Sanga will host Cerezo Osaka in another Kansai derby 24 hours earlier, while Tottori welcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who also played a fundraising double-header with Avispa Fukuoka last weekend.

Despite having initially announced that Japan�fs scheduled friendlies with Montenegro and New Zealand would go ahead as planned, the JFA were forced to retract their statement as it emerged that neither opponent would be making the journey after all.

Instead, a charity match has been hastily organised between the current national team and a J. League select XI given the moniker of �eTeam as One�f. The game will take place at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Tuesday 29 March, with tickets on general sale from this morning.

The �eTeam as One�f squad was announced yesterday evening and includes several former international stars such as Shunsuke Nakamura, Shinji Ono, and 44-year-old Yokohama FC forward Kazuyoshi Miura. Alberto Zaccheroni will lead a largely full-strength Japan side consisting mostly of players that contributed to the Asian Cup success in Qatar this January.

Representatives of all J1 and J2 clubs – barring Vegalta Sendai, whose facilities sustained substantial damage during the earthquake – met in Tokyo yesterday to discuss the reorganisation of this season�fs J. League calendar. After lengthy deliberation, it was finally announced that no domestic matches would be played until an official restart date of 23 April.

The five rounds of league fixtures postponed as a result of this decision will be rearranged for July, when the Japan national team are currently scheduled to take part in the Copa America in Argentina. The JFA will readdress the Samurai Blue�fs involvement in the South American championship at a later date.

In addition, the group stage of the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup will be cancelled and replaced with a straight knockout tournament.

The J. League has confirmed that it will relax its rules on stadium requirements to allow teams in regions affected by the disaster to fulfil their league fixtures at other venues if necessary. Clubs such as Kashima Antlers and Montedio Yamagata expressed their determination to play as many matches as close to home as possible, despite having stated their preference for the season to be delayed slightly longer.

With damage to the national power grid and continued difficulties at the nuclear facility in Fukushima, all games will be switched to daytime kickoffs for the foreseeable future.

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Both Osaka clubs suffered narrow defeats in their AFC Champions League visits to China last week. Gamba were beaten 2-1 by Tianjin Teda, while Cerezo went down 2-0 to Shandong Luneng.


AFC Champions League group stage results (Eastern zone; matchday 2)
Group E
Melbourne Victory (AUS) 1-2 Jeju United (KOR)
Tianjin Teda (CHN) 2-1 Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Group F
Nagoya Grampus (JPN) P-P Al-Ain (UAE)
FC Seoul (KOR) 3-0 Hangzhou Greentown (CHN)

Group G
Shandong Luneng (CHN) 2-0 Cerezo Osaka (JPN)
Arema FC (IDN) 0-4 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)

Group H
Kashima Antlers (JPN) P-P Sydney FC (AUS)
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR) 4-0 Shanghai Shenhua (CHN)


Donations to support relief efforts for the earthquake and tsunami in Japan are being accepted by the Red Cross and a number of other charities.

Japanese Red Cross Society: http://www.jrc.or.jp/
British Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.uk/JapanTsunami
American Red Cross: http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_NewsArticle
Global Giving: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/
UNICEF Japan: http://www.unicef.or.jp/

Football has been a secondary consideration after northeast Japan was hit by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent devastating tsunami on Friday afternoon.

The initial earthquake occurred at 2.46pm around 130km off the Pacific Coast near the city of Sendai. Tsunami waves generated as a result reached up to 10m in height and wiped out entire communities over vast areas as an unstoppable tide of water travelled as far as 10km inland.

A total of over 1,800 deaths have been confirmed so far, but with several disaster areas still unreachable and reports of large numbers of bodies being discovered in coastal areas, officials in Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures have warned that the final casualty toll will �eunquestionably�f reach five figures.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees across the Tohoku region have sheltered in schools and other public buildings with limited supplies and utilities; aid and rescue efforts have been compromised by a devastated transport infrastructure. The situation is further complicated by the constant threat of aftershocks and significant damage sustained at two nuclear power facilities in Fukushima Prefecture.

Within hours of the disaster, the J. League announced that all nine J1 fixtures and all ten J2 fixtures scheduled to be played on Saturday and Sunday would be postponed. This was followed by a further announcement this afternoon that no further domestic football will be played for the remainder of March.

As a result, next weekend�fs J1 programme, the next two weekends of J2 matches, and the first two matchdays of the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup group stage have all been postponed.

The Asian Football Confederation has also postponed all AFC Champions League matches due to be played in Japan until further notice. Gamba Osaka and Cerezo Osaka will, however, fulfil their midweek fixtures in China against Tianjin Teda and Shandong Luneng, respectively.

Gamba manager Akira Nishino, who had endured a lengthy wait before confirming the safety of a brother in Sendai, suggested that tomorrow evening�fs match should be seen as an opportunity to raise spirits.

�gIt is in times like these that we have a clear mission,�h said Nishino. �gWe want to do something for our country. We are not going into this match as merely Gamba anymore, but as representatives of Japan.�h

Meanwhile, the JFA has announced that the national team�fs friendlies with Montenegro in Shizuoka on 25 March and against New Zealand in Tokyo four days later will also go ahead as planned.

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The J. League has struggled to establish contact with J1 club Vegalta Sendai, located closest of all to the immediate disaster area. Vegalta finally issued a brief press release at 3pm today (Monday) stating that all personnel are safe, but that no team or club activities are possible due to damage caused by the earthquake.

Kashima Antlers in Ibaraki Prefecture have published pictures on their official website showing slight structural damage to both Kashima Stadium and the nearby clubhouse.

Omiya Ardija in Saitama Prefecture have reported superficial damage at their clubhouse and training ground. News on damage sustained at the NACK5 Stadium is still to be announced.


Donations to support relief efforts for the earthquake and tsunami in Japan are being accepted by the Red Cross and a number of other institutions.

Japanese Red Cross Society: http://www.jrc.or.jp/
British Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.uk/JapanTsunami
American Red Cross: http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_NewsArticle
Global Giving: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/
UNICEF Japan: http://www.unicef.or.jp/

Yasuhito Endo went from villain to hero on Saturday afternoon as Gamba Osaka kicked off the 2011 J1 season with a 2-1 victory at home to city rivals Cerezo Osaka.

The Japan midfielder had the ideal opportunity to open the scoring after 37 minutes when Taikai Uemoto was harshly penalised for handball, but his poorly hit penalty was comfortably saved by visiting goalkeeper Kim Jin-Hyeon.

Former Cerezo striker Adriano finally opened the scoring on his debut for the hosts 20 minutes into the second half, heading home a cross from left-back Takumi Shimomura, but the lead lasted only eight minutes as Shu Kurata – also appearing for the first time since making a cross-town switch from Gamba over the winter – hit a scuffed equaliser through a crowd of players.

Endo, however, was on hand to atone for his earlier miss just three minutes later with a 20-yard shot that took a slight deflection on its way into the top-right corner of the Cerezo net. Substitute Kim Seung-Yong somehow missed an open goal late on as Gamba sought a third to reflect their overall dominance, but the home side were happy with a win that extends their unbeaten record in league derby matches to eight years.

Champions Nagoya Grampus left it late to escape defeat as their title defence began with a 1-1 draw against Yokohama F Marinos at the Toyota Stadium. Shingo Hyodo fired the visitors in front from just outside the penalty area after 63 minutes, provoking Grampus coach Dragan Stojković to bring Japan under-23 star Kensuke Nagai off the bench for a league debut.

The Fukuoka University graduate made an immediate impact, hitting the Marinos crossbar and testing the defence on several other occasions before finally earning his reward when pulled down by Yuzo Kurihara in the final minute of stoppage time. Australian striker Joshua Kennedy confidently despatched the resulting penalty.

Kashima Antlers were also blessed with last-gasp fortune as they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with unfancied Omiya Ardija. The Squirrels took the lead on three occasions, with a terrific free kick from debutant Kota Ueda sandwiched by an equally outstanding brace by Lee Chun-Soo.

Corner kicks produced equalisers for centre-backs Masahiko Inoha and Daiki Iwamasa, but a late Kashima onslaught looked like going unrewarded until Takuya Nozawa�fs 93rd-minute cutback rebounded into the net off the unfortunate Shusuke Tsubouchi.

Elsewhere, J2 champions Kashiwa Reysol enjoyed a stunning return to the top flight with a 3-0 thrashing of Shimizu S-Pulse, thanks to goals from Jorge Wagner, Park Dong-Hyuk, and Leandro Domingues. However, fellow newcomers Ventforet Kofu lost 1-0 at home to Jubilo Iwata, while Avispa Fukuoka sunk to a 3-0 home defeat against Albirex Niigata.

Vissel Kobe beat Urawa Reds 1-0 to continue from where they left off on the final day of last season. Sanfrecce Hiroshima played out a goalless draw with Vegalta Sendai, while Kawasaki Frontale sealed a 2-0 win over Montedio Yamagata.


TALKING POINTS
- Gamba Osaka opened their AFC Champions League campaign last Tuesday with a 5-1 hammering of Australian side Melbourne Victory. Cerezo Osaka beat Arema FC of Indonesia 2-1, but Kashima drew 0-0 at Shanghai Shenhua and Nagoya went down 2-0 away to Hangzhou Greentown.
- Kazuyoshi Miura became the first 44-year-old ever to play in the J. League when he came on in the second half of Yokohama FC�fs J2 defeat to Kataller Toyama.


J1 results (matchday 1)
Ventforet Kofu 0-1 Jubilo Iwata
Nagoya Grampus 1-1 Yokohama F Marinos
Gamba Osaka 2-1 Cerezo Osaka
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 0-0 Vegalta Sendai
Avispa Fukuoka 0-3 Albirex Niigata
Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 Montedio Yamagata
Kashiwa Reysol 3-0 Shimizu S-Pulse
Vissel Kobe 1-0 Urawa Reds
Kashima Antlers 3-3 Omiya Ardija


AFC Champions League group stage results (Eastern zone; matchday 1)
Group E
Jeju United (KOR) 0-1 Tianjin Teda (CHN)
Gamba Osaka (JPN) 5-1 Melbourne Victory (AUS)

Group F
Hangzhou Greentown (CHN) 2-0 Nagoya Grampus (JPN)
Al-Ain (UAE) 0-1 FC Seoul (KOR)

Group G
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) 1-0 Shandong Luneng (CHN)
Cerezo Osaka (JPN) 2-1 Arema FC (IDN)

Group H
Sydney FC (AUS) 0-0 Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR)
Shanghai Shenhua (CHN) 0-0 Kashima Antlers (JPN)

2010 J. League MVP Seigo Narazaki saved three Kashima Antlers penalties as champions Nagoya Grampus opened the new Japanese domestic season with a shootout victory in the Fuji Xerox Super Cup in Yokohama on Saturday.

With the scores level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, Emperor�fs Cup holders Kashima looked favourites for more silverware when Hitoshi Sogahata stopped the first kick of the penalty competition from Joshua Kennedy. However, Antlers captain Daiki Iwamasa was then immediately denied by Narazaki, who subsequently kept out attempts by Alex and Toru Araiba to seal glory for Dragan Stojković�fs men.

The Grampus manager handed a debut to Jungo Fujimoto after his winter move from Shimizu S-Pulse, with metatarsal victim Danilson the only absentee from an otherwise full strength XI. Opposite number Oswaldo de Oliveira fielded Alex, a new arrival from JEF United Chiba, at left-back, but opted to leave Brazilian forward Carlão on the bench as he adjusts to Japanese football following his transfer from União de Leiria of Portugal.

Despite trailing the champions by 12 points in J1 last term, it was Kashima who enjoyed the better of a simmering first half – frustrating Nagoya by repeatedly absorbing their forays into the final third before breaking forward to create better chances themselves. 20-year-old striker Yuya Osako, starting ahead of Carlão, went closest to an opener just before the half hour mark but saw his inventive 18-yard effort cannon off the crossbar via the fingernails of Narazaki.

Having built a championship campaign on the back of their constant ability to turn draws into narrow wins, it was perhaps little surprise that Grampus found their way in front against the run of play soon after the restart. Fujimoto floated a teasing free-kick into the Kashima penalty area for defender Takahiro Masukawa to time his jump ahead of a hastily onrushing Sogahata and head the ball into the vacant goal net.

Their lead lasted just 12 minutes, however, as Takuya Nozawa was given the opportunity to do what he does best with a direct free-kick, right of centre and 25 yards from goal. As if by routine, the Antlers midfielder calmly lofted an unstoppable shot high over the Nagoya wall that dipped dramatically and curled inside Narazaki�fs left-hand post.

The Grampus custodian was called upon to deny Nozawa a second late on before his heroics in the shootout, as Kashima finally introduced Carlão and hunted in vain for a winner in normal time.

Speaking to Japanese television after the game, Stojković claimed, �gWhat we saw during the 90 minutes was very satisfactory. It was an open game with both teams creating chances. A draw was a good result for both teams.�h

The Serbian also expressed renewed confidence as Grampus prepare for a busy 2011 season on both domestic and Asian fronts.

�gBoth competitions, the J. League and the ACL, will be really important for us. It�fs a big challenge but I think we will be ready for both.�h

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Ahead of their opening day derby in J1 this Saturday, the two Osaka clubs will join the Super Cup duo as the AFC Champions League group stage gets under way in midweek.

Gamba Osaka welcome 2009-10 A-League runners-up Melbourne Victory to Banpaku on Tuesday evening for a repeat of their meetings during the former�fs glorious 2008 campaign, while Nagoya travel to Hangzhou Greentown of China, who finished fourth in last season�fs Super League.

On Wednesday, Cerezo Osaka kick off their first ever continental adventure with a home tie against Indonesian champions Arema FC, while Kashima play away to the third-placed team in China, Shanghai Shenhua.


Fuji Xerox Super Cup result
Nagoya Grampus 1-1 Kashima Antlers (Nagoya win 3-1 on penalties)

Defending J. League champions Nagoya Grampus will kick off the 2011 Japanese season on Saturday afternoon as they take on Emperor�fs Cup winners Kashima Antlers in the Fuji Xerox Super Cup at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

Clubs and supporters have had little time to catch their breath after the close season was shortened by a glorious Asian Cup campaign for the Japan national team in Qatar, and enlivened further by a rush of domestic and international transfers.

The highest profile move saw Yuto Nagatomo seal a loan switch from Cesena to reigning European champions Internazionale just 48 hours after setting up the winning goal for Tadanari Lee in the Asian Cup final. Hajime Hosogai has joined 2. Bundesliga side FC Augsburg on loan from German giants Bayer Leverkusen after leaving Urawa Reds at the end of last year. Tomoaki Makino has departed Sanfrecce Hiroshima for FC Köln, while Shinji Okazaki was finally able to make his debut for VfB Stuttgart last Thursday after a protracted transfer from Shimizu S-Pulse.

Heightened interest from overseas clubs will add a further element of unpredictability to an already highly competitive J1 division, but Grampus will at least begin the defence of their crown with the bulk of last year�fs squad. Brazilian midfielder Magnum has been replaced by Japan international Jungo Fujimoto from Shimizu, while exciting young forward Kensuke Nagai starts life as a pro having excelled at last year�fs Asian Games.

By contrast, Kashima will look to regain the title they won for three seasons in a row up to 2009 without veteran forward Marquinhos, who departs for Vegalta Sendai after 80 goals in four seasons. 24-year-old striker Carlão arrives after impressing with União de Leiria of Portugal, while fellow Brazilian Alex and Japan midfielder Takuya Honda have been recruited from JEF United Chiba and Shimizu respectively.

Last season�fs J1 runners-up, Gamba Osaka, pulled off a minor coup in persuading former Internacional striker Adriano to extend his stay in the city after scoring 19 goals last season for local rivals Cerezo. Midfielder Kim Seung-Yong joins from K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, but Gamba will look to youth to replace the likes of left-back Michihiro Yasuda – now at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland – and released forwards Lucas and Cho Jae-Jin.

Cerezo look set for a hard time repeating last year�fs third-place finish after midfielders Amaral and Akihiro Ienaga followed Adriano out of the exit door, with Ienaga signing for Real Mallorca of Spain. Much will be expected of young Brazilian forward Rodrigo Pimpão and South Korean international midfielder Kim Bo-Hyung, who spent 2010 on loan at Oita Trinita.

Shimizu�fs list of departures is lengthened by the names of Frode Johnsen, who returns to Norway with Odd Grenland, and Akihiro Hyodo, who joins J2 champions Kashiwa Reysol. Previous Iran manager Afshin Ghotbi will look to 31-year-old former Japan striker Naohiro Takahara for goals after six months in Korea with Suwon Samsung Bluewings, while midfielders Alex Brosque and Daigo Kobayashi also arrive from Australian side Sydney FC and Greek outfit Iraklis respectively.

Elsewhere, Urawa will look to bounce back from a disappointing ninth-place finish with the arrivals of creative midfielder Marcio Richardes and centre-back Mitsuru Nagata from Albirex Niigata. Kawasaki Frontale have taken Yusuke Tanaka and Koji Yamase from Yokohama F Marinos in exchange for Hiroyuki Taniguchi, who is joined at the Nissan Stadium by former Tokyo Verdy and FC Tokyo striker Masashi Oguro.

Newly promoted Kashiwa, Ventforet Kofu, and Avispa Fukuoka have each added several players with J1 experience as they look to readjust to the greater challenge of top flight football.