Watching Football in Japan - 2013

Barry writes

It's been a long year, and I've been fortunate enough to have checked off a number of new stadia in that time. So what better than to update last year's Watching Football in Japan for next season? What better indeed.

I've been working hard on improving the book and am happy to report it will be substantially enhanced on last year's début edition. 20% more pages, including crucial information on getting to a game over here, and even more stadia than before.

25% more pictures means around 200 to enjoy this time, plus a new J2 section introducing some of the must-visit stadia of the second tier. A reordering of information makes the book easier to use, and it all adds up to a better publication.

Here follows a couple of sneak preview pictures. Design is subject to change, but the book should be ready for purchase early next year.

 New cover, new book!

 New contents page. Loads more stuff!

Several J2 stadia are introduced this time

Cerezo Osaka 4-0 S-Pulse (Emp Cup 4th Rnd)

Barry writes

Cerezo Osaka 4-0 S-Pulse
(24)
(53)
(83)
(+93)

Line Up

To come.

Report

Our season came to a disappointing end this afternoon as we lost 4-0 away to Cerezo Osaka in the 4th round of the cup. A real shame not to be heading into the quarter finals and all the excitement that brings, but roll on next season. I'm expecting a few signings over the next few months after the outgoings have freed up a lot of money and foreigner spot. Anyway, review of the season to come over the next few weeks!

Takahara to Leave

Barry writes

Word got around today (no surprise, I'm sure you'll agree) that Taka will not be offered a new contract at the end of this year. He's a popular figure and certainly shifted a few shirts, but for the wages he's on, the return we've got hasn't been wonderful, especially these last twelve months.

To be fair, he had a good year last season, and went a long way to making up for past discrepancies in sky blue. Seems like a nice fella, so all the best of luck to him wherever he may go.

He had some memorable moments, including that last minute winner at home to Niigata (サイコー！！), and the ball he dinked off to Takagi to smash home two men down against FC Tokyo. Rumour has it he duped former team mate Ota into laying it back to him with a sly shout for the ball.

Maybe his most memorable goal came in Saitama last year where he'd spent several hellish months with Urawa. Skip forward to 0:34.

And we all enjoyed that one. :)

Omae to Düsseldorf

Barry writes

News broke yesterday of Genki Omae working out personal terms with Bundesliga team Fortuna Düsseldorf. It will of course be a shame to lose him, but we wish him the very best of luck. Hard to believe he's still only 22 as he's been around for a while with us.

Good luck Genki! We'll miss you!!


Woh woh!

Omae Recoginsed / Best Pitch!

Barry writes

The annual J. League awards took place last night, and on the S-Pulse sides of things our Genki Omae was selected in the best 32 players of the year. he didn't make the best 11, and was beaten by the three top scorers this season. He was only one goal out of the top three (well, four), so he only just missed out.

We reprised our now famous best pitch award sharing it this year with Niigata's Big Swan and Cerezo Osaka's Kincho Stradium. It's the 5th year in a row we've won it, and the 6th time in total. As always, respect to our groundsmen and women. You keep Nihondaira a veritable carpet.

S-Pulse 0-0 Omiya Ardija

Barry writes

S-Pulse 0-0 Omiya Ardija

Att 14729

Line Up



GK Yamamoto

DF Kawai
DF Hiraoka
DF Jong-a-Pin
DF Lee

MF Muramatsu
MF Sugiyama
MF Kobayashi


FW Omae
FW Kim (40)
FW Takagi





 
Subs Used 




Ishige on for Kobayashi (58)
Nabeta on for Kawai (61) 

Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 S-Pulse

Barry writes

Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 S-Pulse
Renato 27 ------------------------------------------------ Takagi 54
Yajima 74

Att 19916

Line Up

GK Hayashi (75)

DF Yoshida (50)
DF Hiraoka
DF Jong-a-Pin
DF Lee

MF Muramatsu
MF Ishige
MF Kawai
MF Kobayashi (77)

FW Omae
FW Takagi

Subs Used

Kim on for Ishige (71)
Takahara on for Kobayashi (79)