So that is it; 2011 has been done and dusted. Kashiwa Reysol are the J1 champions and the Reds just missed out on the drop and will still be in the J1 for 2012. Some say that we were just as bad as Yamagata and Kofu; maybe so, but at the end of the day the table shows that we are the 15th best team in the J1 in 2011, above both 3 other teams, which means no relegation.
Hopefully though our final 2011 game isn't a reflection of our 2012 season, because if it is, we are in for another frustrating year. The final scoreline was 3-1, but with our performance we showed, it could have been a lot worst. Our performance in the first half was just rubbish and I was glad that our J1 fate didn't come down to this match.
After Kashiwagi's goal in the 53min, we did begin to show some composure and in my biased opinion was in a position to equalise. That was until a blunder by Kato in the 76min. Kato has been solid this year and I hope that this doesn't dent his confidence, but his mistake would have been unforgivable if we were relegated because of it.
On another note, I still don't get why Hori still continues with Tsuboi at the back, especially when we have both Hamada and Spiranovic on the bench. I know that I might be sounding like a broken record, but seriously, who else would start Tsuboi ahead of Spiranovic and Hamada? Tsuboi 5 years ago yes, but Tsuboi now? What was the strength of our 2011 squad, our defence, changes dramatically with Tsuboi inserted there. Ok some of you might think I'm a bit harsh on Tsuboi, considering his service with the Reds. But it was a few years ago when Tsuboi "held out" for a bigger contract, was when his performance also dipped, and since then I haven't looked so favourably on him.
You'd also notice below with our line-up, no forwards? Figure that one out, this is how we lined up against the 2011 J1 Champions
GK: Kato
DF: Hirakawa, Tsuboi, Nagata, Noda
MF: Keita, Umesaki, Richardes, Kashiwagi, Haraguchi, Naoki
FW: ---
Subs
HT Naoki > Hara
67min Umesaki > Mazola
81min Keita > Hamada
Our J1 campaign might be over, but the 2011 season isn't entirely over. We still have the Emperors' Cup, where we face Ehime FC on December 17th. Are we abt hope of winning the 2011 Emperors' Cup? Anything is possible right? WE ARE REDS
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