K: Suganuma 18’, Franca 90’
Urawa were held by Reysol in a very entertaining 2-2 match this round, and the match had a dramatic end to it with 2 goals in injury-time. Reysol by no means looked inferior to the home team, and there were big chances at both ends. Reysol got off to a good start when Alex hit the post with a header in the opening minutes, and it didn’t take long before Suganuma had given them the lead with a stunning kick from distance that flew into the top corner.Urawa were caught sleeping on that occasion, and eventually managed to turn the match around into their favour. They came to some half-chances before winger Hirakawa found Yuki Abe in the middle with a low cross, and the versatile midfielder fired home a volley shot from 20 metres out in the 34th minute. In other words plenty of drama, and 2 very well-taken goals in the first half. The 2nd half looked pretty much the same as the first, but with Urawa having a small edge over their opponent. We had to wait until the 91st minute before what mot people thought were the winning goal, when Nagai somehow manged to dribble his way through the Reysol defence, and took a nice chip-shot over Sugeno in Reysol’s goal. As they already were in injury-time, most people thought it was the winning goal, but late-substitute Franca wanted it differently. Over 4 minutes into injury time, he took down a high ball on his chest, before volleying home the equalizing goal via the post. A spectacular finish to an entertaining match, and in the end a draw seemed fair. Urawa outshot Reysol 17-12.
G: Futagawa 53’
After going 10 matches without a win in the league, it was a much-needed 3-pointer for Marinos in this match, as they beat a travelling Gamba side 2-1. For Gamba, somewhat disappointing, especially since they lost with the same scores here in midweek as well in the cup. But it’s really tight at the top, and Gamba are currently just 3 points from being in 1st place. Yokohama on the other hand, moved within 2 points of safe place, and still has alot of work to do if they don’t want to face the drop. With particularly JEF in good form as well as Consadole to some extent in the places behind them, they need to up their game in the future matches, and they hope they can build on from this result.
It was an evenly contested match with several chances at both ends. Marinos looked the most dangerous side though, with an inspiring Daisuke Sakata causing havoc for Gamba’s defence. Gamba infact looked a little toothless in attack, with Bare gone and Bando injured. However, just after the match, they announced they had bought Marinos’s own Roni as a replacement for Bare, and the brazilian have scored 6 goals for Marinos this season which makes him their topscorer.
Marinos didn’t look they were missing Roni this match though, as Oshima and Sakata combined well up front with alot of nice play. Oshima gave them the lead in the 31st minute with a looping header from a tight angle. With that Marinos had a well-deserved lead by half-time, but Gamba came out for the 2nd half looking very hungry for an equalizer. Takahito Futagawa, who in Endo’s absence have taken alot of responsibility in the midfield, scored his first goal of the season in the 53rd minute. Lucas let a cross from the left go past him on to the waiting Futagawa who fired home the equalizer from close range. But just 4 minutes afterwards, the speedy Sakata came in from the left and sent away a well-placed shot that went in via the far post. Gamba never really managed to answer to that, and in the end Marinos were deserved winners. They had 10 shots to Gamba’s 13.
K: Motoyama 70’
JEF played arguably their best match in years when they beat reigning champions and league-leaders Kashima Antlers 3-1 at home. Lead by an inspiring Maki they took 3 very important points ahead of a sold-out Fukuari. DF Bosnar haven’t had the best of seasons so far, but surely his magnificent free-kick in the 31st minute will make him a favorite among the fans. He sent away a pile-driver that flew past Sogahata in the Kashima goal. A great start for JEF, and they managed to keep their momentum for rest of the half. Kashima, who were already in a difficult situation trailing a goal, got an even tougher task when Danilo got sent off straight after the break after a heavy two-footed tackle. With 11 vs 10, JEF eyed a shock-win, and Maki, who seems to have gone to a change for the better lately, beat Iwamasa in the air in the 68th minute to make it 2-0. But with Antlers immediately responding through Motoyama after a nice attack down the left, alot of JEF’s fans thought Antlers would turn the match around. But Maki were on target again shortly after with a beautiful diving header, and with that settled the score to 3-1. JEF had 8 shots to Kashima’s 10, and it seems JEF might be able to avoid the drop this time as well, if they manage to keep up the good form.
Vissel bounced back from 2 poor results agains JEF and Consadole in the previous matches to win 1-0 at Jubilo. However, it was a somewhat lucky win, as the home-team were the most dangerous team and also had most of the chances. But poor finishing from the usually s effective Bandai,Gilsinho and Cullen meant Jubilo finished this game without hitting the net, where as Vissel’s Kobayashi became the hero of the day with a late goal to win the match for the visitors. Kobayashi picked up the spill-ball after a corner, and scored via the post with just 9 minutes to go. Jubilo never managed to answer, and Vissel could take a very important win in the end, that leaves them just 6 points behind a top 3 place. Jubilo had 15 shots to Vissel’s 10.
KF: Kurotsu 44’,47’
Kawasaki seems to be back on track now, with 10 points from their last 4 matches. That means they are only 2 points behind leading Antlers, and are sailing up as one of the favorites for the title. With all their biggest rivals Kashima,Gamba and Urawa all occupied with ACL-competition later this year, Frontale has an advantage as they can focuse 100% on the league. The hero of the day are without a doubt Kurotsu, who scored his 2 first goals of the season to win the match for the visitors. In fact it was hist first start of the season as well, as he surprisingly were choosen in favour of Kazuki Ganaha. Kyoto weren’t bad though, and could have taken the lead when Watanabe sent away a scorcher only to see Kawashima in Frontale’s goal save it midway through the 1st half. Kurotsu’s first goal came just before the break, and the 2nd came minutes after. Both were from close range, and Kurotsu where at the right place at the right time. Kyoto’s inspiring midfielder Fernandinho reduced to 1-2 with a free-kick that went in via deflection, but they never managed to get an equalizer. Kyoto had 11 shots to Frontale’s 14.
T: Hirayama 44’
Nagoya have been one of the more unpredictable teams lately, and although they still lie in a good position with regards to a top 3 finish, their form are not good. It seems they can beat anyone on their day, but also lose to the smaller and poorer teams too, like FC Tokyo here, who were without a win for 8 matches. The talented striker Sota Hirayama scored the winning goal just before the break, with a nice shot from distance. Hirayama were tipped to be a regular for the NT after impressing a few seasons ago, but the last 2 years he’s been a big disappointment. All in all Tokyo were the best team here, and only good goalkeeping from Narazaki kept them from winning by a bigger margin. A disappointing outing for the home team, who stil lie in a solid 3rd though. Nagoya had 11 shots to Tokyo’s 14.
S: Hara 26’, Yajima 30’
It was a match of two halves when Oita and Shimizu met this round, with Shimizu getting off to a great start in the first half, scoring 2 goals in quick succession. Not many teams have managed to score 2 goals in Oita this season, and Shimizu’s goals came from Hara and Yajima. Hara’s goal came after a counter, where the nifty striker found the net with a left-legged shot. Just 4 minutes later Yajima doubled the lead after reacting to a loose-ball.
With the visitors looking in total control, few would have thought Oita would be able to fight back, but they got more into the game in the 2nd half, and around the hour-break Takahashi found the net after taking a powerful shot. With the pressure now turned towards Shimizu’s goal, it was only a matter of time before the equalizer came, and 6 minutes from full-time Kiyotake’s goal levelled the teams. If Ueslei had finished off his big chance earlier in the match this would have been a home-win, but all in all a draw seems fair. Oita had 8 shots to Shimizu’s 10.
Tokyo impressed alot this round by beating Albirex 4-0 at home, and with that moving just 2 points behind them in the table.Verdy are now 11th, and if they can keep up their good form they could soon find themselves figthing for an upper-half finish. The critiscised Kazunari Iio played probably his best match ever in a Verdy shirt, topping a great performance with 2 goals and an assist. Already after 20 minutes had Iio foudn the net on 2 occasions, and were good goals too. His partner up front Hiramoto added a 3rd just before the break, and that pretty much killed the match off for the 2nd half. Verdy showed great spirit and played some good football throughout the match, and actually they play much better now than when Hulk were leading their attack. The former NT-midfielder Fukunishi scored the 4th goal with the easiest of tap-ins midway through the 2nd half. Albirex on their side, looked poor in attack, and with a shaky defence as well they were doomed to lose. They played without Richardes up front, and it were obivous they missed him. Verdy had 10 shots to Niigata’s 11.
O: Lavric 9’, Marques 56’
Omiya ended a 5-match without a win streak when they beat the even more struggling Consadole 2-1 away this round.An important win, which gives them a little breathingspace with regards to relegation. For Consadole, they are now in joint last place, following JEF’s win, and with JEF in good form it won’t be too long before we see Consadole alone at the bottom if they continue like this. Consadole got off to a good start this match though, as Anderson were body-checked inside the box after only 2 minutes. The brazilian took the spot-kick himself, and scored his first ever goal in the J.League. But just minutes later, another striker were to score his first in Japan, as Omiya’s Klemen Lavric headed home the equalizer after a beautiful cross from Denis Marques. Marques didn’t only serve as a deliverer, as he scored the winning goal in the early parts of the 2nd half. Also that were a penalty-kick, but Consadole’s GK actually saved Marques’s shot, only to parry it into the striker’s path again to give him a clean shot. Omiya deserved the win, and Consadole’s worries are growing. With regards to future J1 football next season it looks dark, but things change fast in J.League and they still have a chance. Consadole had only 5 shots to Omiya’s 13.
