When a training match isn't just that

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So normally a training match isn't nothing to get excited about, but sometimes it is. Our training match against Niigata might just be one to get excited about. The final score of 3-0 is impressive; more importantly it shows that we might just have signs of life in our attack and our defence might not have to rely on Tsuboi and Nobu Yamada when either Nagata or Spiranovic is unavailable.

This was the starting XI:

GK: Yamagishi
DF: Ugajin; Aoyama; Tsutsumi; Noda
MF: Nozaki (Youth); Kashiwagi; Kojima
FW: Umesaki; Sergio; Yajima (Youth)

Sergio scored in the first half and Umesaki grabbed a double in the second half. Since regaining full fitness after a string of injuries Umesaki has been in impressive form for the Reds. When healthy Umesaki has been impressive for the Reds, it;'s just that he keeps on getting injured. I just hope that his injuries are behind him, imagine a front three which includes Genki and Umesaki on either flank; sounds appealing doesn't it? All we need is a striker to slot in between them; hopefully we can find one in the Washington mould?

Yes even though it's just a training match, and I shouldn't get overly excited, but it is encouraging everytime we shutout the opposition. Having Tsuboi and Nobu Yamada as your CB will do that to you. Seeing Aoyama playing well in defence along side our other younger defenders (Tsutsumi and Noda) is encouraging to see. I know Aoyama is naturally a defensive midfielder, but he does have the size and tools to play CB. Then we need to factor in Mizuki Hamada, who represented Japan U22 alongside Genki, can I start to hope and believe we wont see Tsuboi and Nobuhisa in defense again?

The thing though that caught my attention the most from this training match was the performance of two individuals; Kashiwagi and Ugajin. Both, from all reports, had solid outings after struggling so far in 2011. Coming into the 2011 season, both Kashiwagi and Ugajin were meant to be prominent figures, first team regulars but both haven't lived up to their expectation. Kashiwagi came to the Reds at the beginning of the 2010 season from Hiroshima and was suppose to be our new playmaker. That didn't happen last year because Ponte was still pulling the strings; the offence went through Ponte as long as he was on the field. After Ponte left at the end of 2010 alot of us thought that the attack would be Kashiwagi's to run, but enter Marcio Richardes. I wasn't too happy originally when they signed Richardes from Niigata as his game was similar to that of Ponte which would impede Kashiwagi's role on the team. I'm in the opinion that Kashiwagi's poor form this year is the result of bringing in Richardes, and no that Richardes have been playing well this year. Is Richardes still on the field because we're paying him too much to be sitting on the bench? (Another time maybe?)

As for Ugajin, he was signed at the back end of 2009 from Ryutsu Keizai University and nothing was really expected from him. He was an ex Urawa youth player so I guess it was an obvious choice for him to go back. When coach Finke gave him an opportunity he took it with both hands and didn't look back; that was until this year. Americans call this phenomenon the "sophomore slump"; it happens to second year players who don't live up to the expectations (which are sometimes unfair), placed on them after a solid rookie season (first year). Ugajin exceeded everyone's expectation in 2010 and I do believe he will be back, hopefully sooner rather then later because he's an important piece to not only our defence, but our attack as well. Imagine having Ugajin linking up with Genki on the left flank; the possibilities.

Thank you Tulio!

Even though on record it shows that it was Chiyotanda's handball that gifted Urawa with a penalty kick which resulted in the equaliser in the 8min of injury time, wouldn't it have more meaning and substance if it was Tulio's handball? One of Urawa's favourite son, until he decieded to leave (for greener pastures?) one and a half seasons ago, showing that he still has a soft spot for the Reds. Just as @MarioUrawa tweeted "thanks Tulio, I knew you still love us". See what could have been?

Either way coming away with a draw with the last kick of the game, away from home against last years champions is a result which is acceptable, but the performance in general still needs some work, but going in the right direction. Firstly it was good to see Haraguchi back in Reds, rather than Samurai Blue. Besides the Fukuoka game, his attacking play have been missed by the Reds. Even though he started on the bench, he came on in the 26min, for Richardes who had concussion, and gave us a more determined attack.

No offence to Hara and to a certain extent Tatsuya, but they were dull and really didn't do much for the attack tonight. Having Genki, Mazola and Umesaki come on, our attack appeared more defined and looked more likely to score. One thing we do lack however is a "target man" striker; someone who can hold up the ball for Genki and Mazola to come forward from the wing. That's something that we are really lacking and need to address, if not that our attack will remain blunt. Mazola needs to be congratulated on keeping his compossure when taking the penalty, wouldn't have been easy, but he took it well.

As for our defence, I still believe it's solid enough. Spira, Nagata in the middle along with Shunki at fullback have been doing a good job for us. All that we need is for Ugajin to perform week in week out; I think right now he's going through what the American call a sophomore slump, Hirakawa at the moment is serviceable but going forward a backline of Shunki-Spira-Nagata-Ugajin would be solid for years to come (that's if we can keep them).

Finally our midfield; the only thing I want to say is "no more Nobuhisa!". He's had his chance and even led us to our only J-1 title, but he isn't what he use to be. We tried him at CB last year with Tsuboi; never again, and now we have him in the midfield. I know Kashiwagi isn't performing well, but I'd rather see Keita as the lone holding/defensive midfielder with Naoki and Kashiwagi/Kojima in front of him. But no, we presist with Nobu Yamada.

This is similar to the rant I had last year with Ponte. We can't have players on the field for what they have done at the club over 2 years ago. I know some people don't agree with me on this and I know that Nobuhisa has been loyal to the Reds for many years (many of them good years), but there is a time when we need to pass the baton on to the next generation of players. Ok lets get this straight, I'm not saying cut him from the team and say goodbye see you later so long, but we need to give the younger guys like Kojima, Naoki,  and to a certain extent Aoyama a chance with Nobu mentoring them. If we don't, well Nobu can't continue playing forever.

Anyways, this is how we lined up against Nagoya

GK: Kato
DF: Takahashi; Spiranovic; Nagata; Hirakawa
MF: Keita; Nobuhisa; Naoki; Richardes; Hara
FW: Tatsuya

Subs
26min Richardes > Haraguchi
61min Keita > Mazola
77min Tatsuya > Umesaki

Up next is Gamba Osaka on Saturday. It's been a while since we've have no midweek game, so we should be able to field our strongest XI barring injury. Finally, keep an eye out for my first contriution to Asian Football Feast this week!

Winning is winning

Right now I don't really care if it was against a JFL team, but winning is winning and I'm believing that this victory against Fukuoka will be what gets our season back on track. We just needed a win to get our confidence back, but not too much were we get a head of ourselves, like our first win of the season against Nagoya. Interesting point is our two victories this season has come at both extremes. Our first victory was against the defending champions and second is against the cellar dwellers of this season; so does this means we can defeats the top team and the bottom team, but nothing in between?

Either way, the 3-0 victory against Fukuoka was a relief more then anything. Say we didn't win the game, it would have spelt trouble for us. Not that I'm saying we're in the clear yet; we're equal on points with the 16th placed team. The only thing keeping us up at the moment is our goal difference.

One thing that has impressed me about this game is the direction of the team. To often in the past we appear to continue the course which tends to lead to distruction. There was something about change that just seemed to scare the managers. Did they not want to bench the player that is being paid alot of money but not performing, or are there pressures from above to keep the underperforming star playing? Why haven't we in the past given one of the "youngsters" a fair go at it?

When we did give our youngsters a fair go at it, it would appear to have worked out well; there have been Genki, Naoki, Ugajin and now it seems Kojima could join the list. Kojima's first appearance for the Reds was positive and maybe following in the footsteps of Naoki, minus the injuries of cause. Maybe it's just me and my bias views, but if it wasn't for his injury (see below), I do think Naoki would be what I consider a star or at least be a regular for the team. Just a reminder that Naoki's original injury happened when he was playing for the National Team in an Asian Cup Qualifer. Now I just hope that the injuries are now behind him and he's given a chance to shine.  

Another person given a chance in the Fukuoka game was Mazola, who partnered Tatsuya upfront. Mazola up to now have been mainly used as an "impact" player coming off the bench, and doing a good job at it, so it was good seeing him in the starting XI. I still would like to see a "three-pronged" attack with Haraguchi and Mazola on either side of; well a new striker.

It's been reported that Edmilson is on his way to Qatar and the Fukuoka game could very well have been his farewell match. Coming on in the 71min to replace Mazola, Eji ended his tenure with the Reds on a good note, firstly setting up the second goal for Richardes and scoring the Reds third goal in injury time. It was a good gesture from Petrovic to put Eji on and give him the chance to "redeem" his season.

Overall we showed signs of life and appear to be headed in the right direction (so I've continued to say). Like past few weeks (minus the Shimizu game), Spiranovic and Nagata has anchored our solid backline and the "shutout" is further proof of that. Since replacing Yamaguchi, Kato is showing more signs that he is a J-1 level keeper and had another impressive showing between the post.

Unlike the past few games, we were able to score and score when it counted. Keita had what we call in cricketing terms a "captains knock" and really started it all for us in the 53min, setting up and scoring the first goal. What impressed me the most though was that we played with conviction and as a team.

This is how we lined up against Fukuoka

GK: Kato
DF: Takahasi; Spiranovic; Nagata; Hirakawa
MF: Keita; Kojima, Naoki; Richardes
FW: Mazola; Tatsuya

Subs
67min Keita > No. Yamada
71min Mazola > Edmilson
79min Tatsuya > Kashiwagi

Now we need to step it up a gear as our next game is against Nagoya on Saturday and then Gamba Osaka after that. This is were it gets interesting!

From bad to worst

It just goes from bad to worst and then some. Before the Shimizu game I thought that a defeat was the worst possible outcome but oh how I was wrong. Yes a 3-1 defeat was bad and it really puts us in a very difficult situation; but the worst part of it all was that one of the goal scorers was Naohiro Takahara. Yes the same Naohiro Takahara that wasn't able to produce for the Reds; the same Noahiro Takahara that recieved plenty of yen for doing basically nothing.

It's quiet a painful feeling. Almost as bad as the defeat, but in all honesty this defeat places us deep in the drop zone. To make things worst, the two team above us (Kashima & Cerezo Osaka) have games in hand. Niigata is the next team above that and they're on 10 points compared to our 8 points, but if we can't win a game it doesn't make any difference. I am missing that winning feeling and getting frustrated with the team.

The Shimizu game itself was a game that we needed to win, but with Spiranovic and Haraguchi missing due to suspension and u22 national team duty, it was difficult to even continue our streak of draws. The good thing to come out of the game was seeing Umesaki play well when he came on in the 69min and scoring the Reds only goal in the 80min. But his lone goal wasn't enough considering the defence couldn't hold out Shimizu. In particular Eddie Bosnar, a defender.

Anyways I don't want to analyse the game or rant anymore, this is how we lined up against Shimizu.

GK: Kato
DF: Takahashi; Tsuboi; Nagata; Hirakawa
MF: Keita; Yamada (No); Kashiwagi
FW: Tatsuya; Richardes; Edmilson

Subs
34min Tsuboi > Hara
60min Keita > Mazola
69min Tatsuya > Umesaki

Up next is Fukuoka on Wednesday. A game which in basic terms we have to win. They are the bottom placed team with only ONE SINGLE POINT. If we can't beat them, then I give up. I should just start blogging on Matsumoto Yamaga, they'll be in the J-League soon.

The streak continues

The good news is that the unbeaten run has reached 5 league matches and one cup victory. The last time the Reds tasted defeat was over a month ago, on the 7th of May, a 3-1 defeat to Kashiwa. Now time for the bad news; the 5 game undefeated run in league matches consist of 5 draws and 0 wins. This means that we've only earned 5 points out of a possible 15 points. We could have got 6 points if we lost 3 of the 5 matches and only won 2.

Now this got me thinking; which would you prefer? An undefeated run that reaps you only 5 points, or 6 points but win less then half of the matches played? I know I would have preferred the later option. Why? Because if that was what transpired we wouldn't be in the drop zone right now. Yes things could be worst; we could be on an 8 game losing streak and we are equal on points with Kashima and Cerezo Osaka, but at the end of the day we need points.

Today's opposition was Hiroshima are third on the J-1 table and most didn't give us a chance but it doesn't mean I'm satisfied with the draw. We had our chances but wasn't able to make anything of it. It has been the problem for us this year, we just haven't been able to convert possession into goals. I guess it's good that our defense this year is fairly solid. The combination of Spiranovic and Nagata is as good as we've had over the past few years and I think they should take a majority of the credit that we have been in the position we're in (not losing games). All we need now is for our offence to click.

A positive to come from the Hiroshima game is seeing both Naoki Yamada and Umesaki coming off the bench, seeing some game time and most importantly didn't come off injured. Seeing some depth in the squad is very encouraging.

This is how we lined up against Hiroshima.

GK: Kato
DF: Takahashi; Spiranovic; Nagata; Hirakawa
MF: Keita; Yamada (No); Kashiwagi
FW: Richardes; Tatsuya; Edmilson

Subs
68min Kashiwagi > Naoki
76min Tatsuya > Mazola
90+2min Edmilson > Umesaki

Up next we have Shimizu at home on Saturday, but unfortunately Genki is still away on international duty. I'm still believing that our win is due soon and believe it will be this weekend! WE ARE REDS!!!

The Saitama Showdown

The Reds haven't travelled to Nack5 Stadium for the last few years, so todays game would be a good change for the Reds. You see for what I can remember off the top of my head (last 2-3 years) the Reds have struggled to overcome Omiya and especially when the match have been transfered from Nack5 to Saitama 2002.

After last weeks Nabisco Cup win against Yamagata my own personal expectation was for a victory and it would have meant a whole lot more being against Omiya. Tonights starting XI was the same to that of last week; with Spiranovic returning to the bench after a week away with the Socceroos and Kato retaining his place between the sticks. I'm not to certain about Kato as the first choice keeper as he hasn't really shown anything over the years to warrant being a J1 keeper, but Yamagishi hasn't been the rock at the back either. It doesn't bode to well when you have to choose your not worst keeper to be the first choice.

It wasn't looking any better during the game. Being 2-0 down early in the second half, I was really bracing myself for another derby defeat. It wasn't like we played too bad, but we just lacked that extra punch in attack and wasn't as solid at the back as we could have been. It was quiet frustrating to watch. But what was pleasing to the eye was the goal that brought us even.

Edmilson's penalty in the 56min brought us back into the game, but Genki's goal in the 78min had me believing. We can win this game. But alas it wasn't to be; Genki's goal was more fitting of a winning goal (through my red coloured glasses), but right now I can take it as the leveller. We can't have everything our way right, or should I say that we should be use to it. The draw extends our streak of "no results" to 4 J1 games, I must say though, a draw feels better then a defeat.

What's somewhat worrying is that we're back in the drop-zone. Am I worried? Not yet, season 2011 is still young and we have time to crawl our way back to the top half of the table. We've been managing not to lose, so all we need to do is find a way to win. It's not that hard is it?

This is how we lined up in the Saitama Derby

GK: Kato
DF: Takahashi; No. Yamada; Nagata; Ugajin
MF: Keita; Kashiwagi; Richardes; Haraguchi
FW: Takasaki; Edmilson

Subs
HT Takasaki > Tatsuya
66min Yamada (No) > Spiranovic
72min Keita > Mazola

Up next we travel to Hiroshima on Wednesday and head back home to take on Shimizu on Saturday. Both games the Reds will be without Genki who will be away on National Team duties in the Olympic Qualifiers. The younsster, who this week also signed on with the Reds until 2015, has been the x-factor of late and could it spell doom with him in the line-up?

Winning a game feels good right?

So it's always good to win a a match, as is winning a trophy, but is the Nabisco Cup something the Reds wants to win? In 2008 Oita Trinita won the cup; then in 2009 they were relegated to the J2. In 2009 it was FC Tokyo's turn to win the Nabisco Cup, but in 2010 FC Tokyo got relegated to the J2. Now ok I know that last year's winner Jubilo Iwata are currently sitting fifth on the J1 table, but anything can happen right? Plus the fact is that when it comes to the Reds; at the moment losing comes easy, so relegation is something that must be considered. I think winning a competition would please the uppers of the Reds; so it might be something we have in our sights.

The format of this year's Nabisco Cup is different from previous years, the 2011 edition of the Nabisco Cup is a home and away knock-out format. Well sort of; not every team starts in the first round. The top three teams from last years J-1 enters in the semi-final, Niigata and Omiya enters in the quarters and the Reds take on Yamagata in the opening round. 

And after a long spell of draws and defeats, a victory does feel good. The final score of 2-0 is a good result for the Reds. Convincing it wasn't, but a win is a win, considering we played Kato in goals and Nobu Yamada replacing Spiranovic, who's away on international duties with Australia. I think what impressed me the most was the clean sheet as and how we pressed for the second goal; which we scored in the 89min through Haraguchi. Edmilson was the Reds other scorer, scoring his second goal in 2 matches at the stroke of half time.

Considering that the Reds played at relative full strength; I think it's safe to say that we are putting in 100% into the Nabisco Cup. This is how we lined up against Yamagata

GK: Kato
DF: Takahashi; Yamada (No); Nagata; Ugajin
MF: Keita; Kashiwagi; Richardes; Haraguchi
FW: Takasaki; Edmilson

Subs
57min Kashiwagi > Tatsuya
67min Takasaki > Mazola
83min Edmilson > Naoki

Up next is Omiya on Saturday; and leg two at Yamagata of the Nabisco Cup first round is on the 27Jul. Bring on the Saitama Derby!