Can we win it all?

I know we're only talking about the Nabisco Cup here, I know in recent times it has been the "kiss of death" in terms of relegation and I know I've said that it's something we shouldn't be setting out sights on; but we need to win something. After defeating Gamba Osaka 2-1 against in the semi's, we're now only a win away from winning it and you never know, the confidence we gain by winning the league cup might translate to an improvement in our league performance?

One player playing well and making the most of his cup appearances is Umesaki, who scored the opening goal and "setup" the second (the second goal was an Umesaki shot which deflected of Sergio and was awarded to Sergio). When Umesaki was brought in from Oita at the end of 2007, many people predicted a bright future. But since then lack of playing time (particularly in 2008) and injuries over the last few years have derailed his progress.

Now though, it appears that his injury issues are behind him and has made the most of his opportunities. His opportunity in the Nabisco Cup is due to Genki away on international duty with the Blue Samurai, but I can envision Umesaki playing opposite Genki on the right flank.

Hamada had another solid outing playing in place of Spiranovic, which hopefully confirms his role as back-up to Spiranovic/Nagata at centre back, in turn hopefully it means seeing no more Nobu Yamada and Tsuboi in the heart of our defence.

This is how we lined up against Gamba.

GK: Kato
DF: Ugajin; Hamada; Nagata; Noda
MF: Keita; Kashiwagi; Umesaki; Richardes
FW: Sergio; Ranko

Subs
72min Kashiwagi > Kojima
82min Ranko > Takasaki
90min Keita > Nobu Yamada

Looking forward to the Nabisco Cup final against Kashima Antlers, which will be played at the National Stadium on the 10/29. Up next we play Miyazaki Sangyo-Keiei University on Wednesday in the Emperors Cup before we return to J-1 action against Omiya on Saturday.

ALL COME TOGETHER

 

The Osaka Fling.

Two matches, two competitions, two different results and I would have preferred if the results was the other way around. First match was on Sunday against Gamba Osaka, a J1 match, which we lost 1-0. What this means is that we are currently only 2 points above the drop zone and our chances of relegation is still very high. Not a comfortable position to be in, particularly if you are team manager Petrovic. I my pre-season expectation of a top-3 finish was extremely optimistic, but our current position is unacceptable.

We have the players there to be at the very least a mid-table club this season, but it seems that Petrovic just can't gel the team together. If it hadn't been for Genki, this season would already be gone for us. Petrovic has to go, he hasn't had the desired impact on the team; our attack seems to be disjointed at times and nothing just seems to be clicking together. This year could be the "changing of the guards", where its time to say good-bye to players like Nobu Yamada and Tsuboi and usher in the next generation.

So basically we're in survival mode in the J1, as long as we don't get relegated, it doesn't really matter where we finish this year. So our focus should be on winning at least one of the cups; the Emperors Cup would be preferable, but a league cup (Nabisco Cup) would be ok as well, which is where we did defeat Cerezo Osaka on Wednesday 2-1 to advance to the semi finals.

In the Cerezo game, Umesaki played a good game against, a full 90mins at that and our "cup specialist" Ranko scored again, this time the winner in the 83min. If only Ranko can transfer his goal scoring abilities to the J1. What fascinated me the most was seeing Hamada start in the place of Spiranovic (who's away on international duties) along side Nagata; and in my opinion he did a decent job. A good enough job to no longer see Nobu Yamada and Tsuboi in that position? I think so.

This is how we lined up

Vs Gamba

GK: Kato

DF: Ugajin, Spiranovic, Nagata, Noda

MF: Kojima, Kashiwagi, Naoki

FW: Richardes, Haraguchi, Ranko

Subs:

HT Noda > Yamada (Nobu)

64min Kojima > Umesaki

76min Ranko > Hara

Vs Cerezo

GK: Kato

DF: Ugajin, Hamada, Nagata, Noda

MF: Keita, Kashiwagi, Umesaki, Naoki

FW: Sergio, Ranko

Subs:

78min Kashiwagi > Kojima

84min Ranko > Takasaki

90min Naoki > Aoyama

Up next our Osaka fling continues, as we take on Gamba Osaka in the semi finals of the Nabisco Cup, but this time it will be in our backyard. Our internationals (Spiranovic & Genki) are still away on national team duties. WE ARE REDS!

Winner!!!

This year we haven't won games that many games, so when we do we can't take it for granted, because in all honesty we don't know when the next one will come. I'm hoping for it to come this weekend against Gamba, but realistically I don't know. It's not a good feeling as a supporter not being able to come in to a match with a winning expectation, it's depressing actually, but that's for another time an place. This blog is all about our victory on Wednesday.

What makes the victory all that much more sweeter, was that it was a "derby" game, which resulted in our neighbours being eliminated. Yes I know it's only the Nabisco cup and I have previously mentioned that winning the Nabisco Cup would spell relegation (as was the fate of Oita and FC Tokyo). But lets see it from a Reds perspective, after the last time we won the League Cup in 2003, resulted in an Emperor's Cup in 2005, the League and Emperor's Cup in 2006 and the ACL in 2007. Not too bad right? I'd be happy with that.

I'd also be happy to see Umesaki finally playing to his potential (as in not being injured); seeing him upfront playing opposite Genki gives us a more dangerous look. Another thing I'd be happy to see is more goals from Ranko. He hasn't started well for the Reds and I know people are already beginning to question him. As for me, I haven't really made up my mind yet; but if he can continue to score goals, like the two he scored against Omiya, then why not? We haven't had a "reliable" target man upfront since Washington. Yes Eji did his best, but he was no Washington. So hopefully Ranko can be just that for the Reds, he has the size, now he just needs to perform week in week out.

Two players I don't like to see week in week out would be Tsuboi and Nobu Yamada; Tsuboi came on at half time for Nagata whilst Nobu started at right back. I don't mind seeing them on spot duty and to be honest with you it was good seeing them play but they aren't what they use to be (Nobu wasn't really a defender to start off with). Is it coincidence that Urawa conceded a goal whilst both of them was on the field? (I know I'm looking too deeply into it.)

At the end of the day, we won 2-1 (4-1 agg) and we're through to the quarter finals of the Nabisco Cup to face Cerezo Osaka. So up next we play Gamba this Sunday (J1) and Cerezo on Wednesday; a week in Osaka for the Reds.

This is how we lined up against Omiya

GK: Yamagishi
DF: Yamada (No); Spiranovic; Nagata; Noda
MF: Keita; Naoki; Richardes
FW: Umesaki; Haraguchi; Ranko

Subs
29min Haraguchi > Mazola
HT Nagata > Tsuboi

61min Ranko > Sergio

Not an easy month to be red

Well I'm back! Been on holidays, got married and now back to the swing of "normal" life! Works been heavy though since I've come back (hence the lack of blogging), but I know you all don't read this blog to know about my life. So with life permitting, normal URDblog blogging will resume. I will finish off my look into the Reds squad and blog after each match (starting this Wednesday against Omiya in the Nabisco Cup). But as for now...

So how about those Reds aye?

Things just haven't gone our way, in this past month (since 8/24) we have lost three, drew two and won our only game in the Nabisco Cup. So basically should we put all of our eggs in the Nabisco Cup basket? Yes we haven't won a trophy for half a decade now, but I don't think winning the Nabisco Cup is a good thing. Look at Oita and Tokyo FC, winners of the League Cup in 2008 & 2009, where are they now? Yes I know Iwata looks to be bucking the trend, but with the way we're going, I wouldn't chance it. Mind you we might even get relegated without winning anything! Currently we sit only two points above the drop zone!

So how has our season ended like this? I don't really want to open a Pandora's box so I wont start. All I can say is after we get through this "rough spell" we all will know who the true supporters really are!

To finish off for now, I want to say... WE ARE REDS!

Looking forward - The Potentials

A few weeks ago I was frustrated when all we got were draws, now I question if they were that bad at all. I guess we can't be satisfied all the time right? There will always be something that comes in the way of our satisfaction. 

The last two games have brought upon mixed results, a scrappy win against Niigata and a sloppy performance against Kofu which resulted in defeat. The defence has been poor; Spiranovic and Nagata hasn't been as solid as they've been in previous weeks and the attack has been not consistent. Just when it appears to be heading in the right direction, this happens.

So what's wrong with the Reds? The past couple of years it seems as though we can't deliver on our potential and ultimately not able to deliver the desired results. Has the Reds really changed from the past couple of years, because it sure does feel as though history continues to repeat itself with the win now mentality and not developing our youngsters.

Since winning the J-1 title in 2006 and ACL in 2007, it has never been the same. I thought winning these titles along with the 2006 & 2005 Emperor's Cup, we could be in for a good couple of years, but it hasn't. It's been disappointment after disappointment and the frustration continues to grow.

We have brought in players which fits in to the "win now" mould, rather then developing the team and giving the youngsters a chance. Players like Umesaki and Sergio wasted their talents & potential on the bench during which we brought back Takahara from Europe who failed to deliver the goals. I know I'm using Takahara as the scape goat here, but I think we have been too loyal to our under performing "stars", even though they aren't getting the job done.

Players like Ponte, Tsuboi and Nobu Yamada played an important part in our success mentioned above, but they continued to play even though they were no longer effective and held back the development of the young guys.

As I had mentioned previously, season 2010 in terms of the J-1 is over. It's time to rebuild and turn the focus on 2011 which ultimately means blood the young players. There would be alot of growing pains, but with the ways things are going at the moment and our performance over the last couple of years, I think it's time to look towards the future. We can't continue to bring in players, we need to develop the talent we have.

I'd like to break-down the squad into different groups, focusing on where different players stand in the squad moving forward. Firstly there's the potentials, these guys are the younger players in the squads, in American sports they might be referred to as the rookies. Some have been given their opportunities, whilst others haven't. Secondly there's the "tweeners"; the ones "stuck in between", they've been in the squad for a few years but isn't a constant fixture in the starting XI yet. For these guys it's either now, or it's time to look for greener pastures.

Then there are the veterans. These guys have been in the league for at least several years and in simpler terms are regularly in the starting XI and still performing. Finally there's the "has beens"; these are the guys who are past their prime and not performing. They could be in the squad and playing because of what they did several years ago.

Over the next couple of weeks instead of doing a weekly match report I plan on breaking down the squad and focusing on 2012. Time permitting I will continue to do a weekly updates as well, but with work and other personal commitments, we'll see...

The following is the list of the potentials:

Genki Haraguchi (FW) - I think we all know what Genki can do. Since making it to the senior squad in 2009, Genki has continued to develop his game. In 2011 he has really been the x-factor for the Reds; having the ability to both score and set up goals.

Naoki Yamada (MF) - Naoki's potential is there and if it wasn't for his injuries, think of what could have been. Now fully recovered, Naoki is showing his promise in 2011. Playing a major role in Japan's U23 victory over Egypt in a recent friendly.

Shunki Takahashi (MF/DF) - The winger has been converted into a fullback and in 2011 has been in the starting XI in almost every game. His performance has been consistent; an asset in attack even though his defensive game is still developing.

Shuto Kojima (MF) - Only joined the senior squad in 2011. So far he has been given limited opportunities, only one game so far this season, but had a good one game. Has represented Japan in the U23 & U19 previously. One to look out for in the next couple of years!

Takuya Okamoto (DF) - Made a total of 12 appearances for the senior squad in 2010 (9 league & 3 cups) but still yet to make an appearance in 2011. Would have thought he'd be loaned out this year to a J-2 or even JFL team to further his development, rather then play only in practice matches.

Mizuki Hamada (DF) - Since joining the senior squad in 2009; Hamada has only appeared 12 times for the Reds. However Hamada has represented Japans U23 squad 8 times in 2011 and even managing to score a goal. What I don't get is when we lacked size last year, why he didn't get more of a run? Has got to be a better option then Tsuboi or Nobu Yamada.

Frustrating performance

Just as we thought we're heading in the right direction, this happens. Is it such a surprise? Kobe has been our bogey side; a team we can't figure out how to defeat so it seems. Actually this time we couldn't even hold on for the draw, which has been something we excelled in this year.

We came back in the second half, from 2-0 down to be level 2-2; only to be defeated in the 4min of injury time, the last kick of the game. What could have been? If only... Those are the kind of words that swirls in my head right now. So many time this year we've been on the wrong end of a decisive last kick recently; we could have won the Iwata game a few weeks back if it wasn't for the last kick penalty.

The team as a whole for the Kobe game could have played better, there was just something missing at the important times, that winning mentality and in the end we were left with wanting more again.

This is how we lined up.

GK: Kato
DF: Takahashi; Spiranovic; Nagata; Hirakawa
MF: Keita; Kashiwagi; Richardes
FW: Naoki; Haraguchi; Ranko

Subs
HT Naoki > Mazola
HT Keita > Tatsuya
86min Ranko > Takasaki

Overall I think I know now the 2011 J-1 season is basically over for Urawa. There isn't anything to play for; a top 3 position is well beyond our reach. Yes I know it's hard to accept and I do hope that I'm proven wrong, but now I think there should be two focus for the remainder of 2011. Firstly is not to get relegated; it's scary that we're closer to the bottom three then the top three, but I don't think this should be too hard. A top 10 finish is what I would expect as a minimum.

The second thing I believe we need to focus on is building for the future. It seems to be something we should have been doing for a while, but just haven't done so. Lets hope it starts in 2011; because we have a lot of solid youngsters who deserves a run and a few of the old heads who are past their time.