Japanese Football Thread - Page 32

nakata · August 1st, 2005, 14:29

DPR Korea surprise Japan

DAEJEON – DPR Korea sprung the first surprise of the East Asian Football Championship on Sunday as Kim Myong-song's side defeated Asian Cup holders Japan 1-0 to avenge two previous defeats at the hands of Zico's team this year.

The Japanese beat the North Koreans twice along the road to the World Cup finals, but there was no such joy this time around as Kim Yong-jun scored the only goal of the game to put his side on top of the tournament's early standings.

The result leaves the continental champions - who finished behind Korea Republic on goal difference in this tournament in 2003 - bottom of the table after the first round of matches.

Korea Republic and China played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, the hosts coming from behind through Kim Jin-kyu's long range free kick after Sun Xiang had given Zhu Guanghu's side the lead in the 53rd minute despite being reduced to 10 men following the sending-off of Gao Lin.

But that result was less of a surprise than Japan's poor performance against a DPR Korea team that had lost 2-1 and 2-0 in the nations' previous meetings this year.

And the Japanese only had themselves to blame for conceding the opener as a lack of concentration gifted the North Koreans the lead.

Mitsuo Ogasawara's misplaced pass fell at the feet of Kim Chol-ho, whose shot hit Yuji Nakazawa. But the Yokohama F Marinos man failed to clear and the North Korean retained possession before laying the ball off to Kim Myong-chol who in turn found captain Kim Yong-jun unmarked, and he slotted into the bottom left corner of Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi's goal.

Japan's attempts to restore parity appeared half-hearted. Ogasawara beat So Hyok-chol just outside the penalty area eight minutes before the break but was unable to find the target with his shot, the Kashima Antlers midfielder firing just over the bar.

Five minutes later, the DPR Korea defence was equal to Makoto Tanaka's header, the Jubilo Iwata man seeing his header from Alessandro Santos' corner cleared off the line by Nam Song-chol.

Nam was on hand again at the end of the first half when Keiji Tamada hit a right-foot shot goalward, the defender denying Japan once more.

Half time brought with it a tactical switch, Zico opting to shift from three defenders to four, withdrawing Makoto Tanaka and replacing him with the in-form Masashi Motoyama.

But Japan continued struggled to create when in possession while Santos proved that full back is anything but his natural position, a fact highlighted as he claimed Choe Ung-chon was offside while playing him on. Fortunately for Santos and Japan, Choe’s shot was woefully off target.

As the clock ticked down, the desperate Japanese eked out more and more opportunities.

Motoyama's glancing header slipped across the face of goal, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kim Myong-gil and his right post while Ogasawara's weak header from Santos' cross was straight at the custodian.

Santos continued to push forward and again worried the Korean defence, this time finding just enough time in the penalty area to bring the ball under control before shooting goalward, but Kim was again on hand to deny Japan, spreading himself well to parry the Urawa Reds man's shot away before the defence hacked it clear.

Tatsuya Tanaka - on as a replacement for Tamada midway through the second half - almost crowned his debut with the equalizer but, despite Kim fumbling his powerful shot, the Korean defense stood firm.

nakata · August 1st, 2005, 14:30

Fatigue not an excuse for defeat: Zico

DAEJEON - Japan manager Zico refused to blame fatigue for his side's surprise 1-0 loss to DPR Korea in their opening game of the East Asian Football Championship on Sunday, despite his side's hectic schedule over recent months.

Kim Yong-jun scored the only goal of the game in the 28th minute to give the North Koreans their first win over Japan in three meetings this year, a result that puts Kim Myong-sung's team on top of the standings after the first round of matches.

The Japanese have played more competitive football than the other four nations in the tournament as a result of representing Asia at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany during June, but the Brazilian was reluctant to use that as an excuse for his side's defeat.

"It's true that we have had a tough schedule, but Japan is not in a position where we can complain about that," said the Asian Cup-winning coach. "We have to win no matter what the situation. Our shooting situation was more fatal than the fatigue of the players."

It was a case of third time lucky for DPR Korea against Japan as Zico's side had defeated the reclusive communist nation in both their meetings in Asia's World Cup qualifying tournament earlier this year.

A 2-1 win at Saitama Stadium in February was followed up by a 2-0 victory in neutral Bangkok, that win earning Japan their automatic place in the finals in Germany next summer. But Kim's goal, after some poor defending, saw North Korea finally defeat the Japanese.

"Our opponents were really mentally hungry and aggressive and when you play an opponent like that you have to make sure you take the chances when you get them," said Zico.

"This time I felt that the North Koreans were more mentally aggressive than before and they increased their momentum. But if you look at the facts, they scored because of our mistake."

DPR Korea coach Kim Myong-song was understandably delighted with his side's win, which puts them top of the standings after the first round of games.

"I was excited today, at least a little," he said. "I would like to thank the South Korean people for cheering for us.

"After having lost twice to Japan this year, we finally managed to beat them. Wouldn't that excite you if you were in the same situation? We fought really hard to do our best for the sake of the honour of our country."

nakata · August 1st, 2005, 14:31

【Japanese abroad】

British newspapers' headlines about Nakamura's joining Celtic

The Mirror - Despite Celtic took a humiliating beating in the UCL Nakamura took a positive slant on joining the club.

The Daily Mail - Nakamura vows to revive Celtic

The Star - Nakamura“I'll revive the Bhoys (Celtic)”

The Scotsman - Three hundred Celtic fans beatify the hero at the airport.

The Metro - Nakamura “I'll make Celtic the champion again.”
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【Japanese abroad】
Fiorentina's Nakata will wear uniform number 7 this season.
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【Women Football】
- East Asian Football Championship in South Korea

South Korea NT 2 - 0 China NT
Japan NT 0 - 1 North Korea NT

South Korea 3 +2
North Korea 3 +1
Japan 0 -1
China 0 -2
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【Pic】

Nagoya Grampus Eight's former Brazilian international FW Luizao. He played 02WC.
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/fla...50730024_l.jpg
Celtic manager Strachan and Nakamura
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50730092_l.jpg
Japan NT's training
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50730085_l.jpg
Barcelona's MF Ronaldinho in Japan
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50730040_l.jpg
Fiorentina's players to offer flowers to the memorial in Hiroshima of A-bomb
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50730077_l.jpg
German international GK Khanh in Japan
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50730078_l.jpg
Japan NT's training
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50731047_l.jpg
U20 Japanese international FW Hirayama to participate in Dutch giant Feyenoord's training
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50731014_l.jpg
Fiorentina's manager and Nakata in Japan
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50801066_l.jpg

nakata · August 1st, 2005, 14:32

【J-League Friendly Match】
- Kanagawa, Japan

Yokohama F.Marinos 1 - 1 FC Barcelona

Scorer: Xabi, Kurihara

Ronaldinho
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50731091_l.jpg
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- Hiroshima, Japan

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 0 - 1 Fiorentina

Scorer: Jorgensen

Nakata to pass a ball
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50731093_l.jpg
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- Tokyo, Japan

Jubilo Iwata 1 - 3 Bayern Munchen

Scorer: Ballack, Ballack, Guerrero

Ballack
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50731069_l.jpg
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- Saitama, Japan

Urawa Red Diamonds 0 - 2 Manchester United

Scorer: Rooney, Rooney

Rooney to score first
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50731092_l.jpg
Urawa's MF Hasebe and Rooney
http://www.jsgoal.jp/photo/00009295.html
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- Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Verdy 1969 2 - 1 Fiorentina

Scorer: Hayashi, Machida, Pazzini

nakata · August 1st, 2005, 14:33

Nakamura keen to make impression at Celtic

GLASGOW – Having completed his move from Italian side Reggina, Japan international midfielder is now looking to make a big impression for Scottish club Celtic.

The Most Valuable Player of the 2004 Asian Cup arrived in Glasgow on Friday to finalise the terms of his 2.75 million pound (US$4.8 million) transfer and spoke of his determination to succeed at his new club.

“When I arrived I saw many media people and the attention was on me so I want to contribute to the set up and the Celtic team and the fans as well," said the 27-year-old via an interpreter at a packed news conference at Celtic Park.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said Nakamura is unlikely to feature in Celtic’s season opening match against Motherwell on Saturday but could be ready for their first home game of the season against Dundee United the following week.

The recently-appointed Celtic boss was delighted to have secured Nakamura’s signature.

“I just hope he plays to his potential because I enjoy watching him, I enjoy watching good footballers,” said Strachan.

“I know the players will appreciate him and he will add a change of pace to the side which is what I’m looking for.

“He’s got imagination and he can see passes that other people can’t.”

Nakamura may not be the last of Celtic’s Asian signings this summer. Chinese international defenders Du Wei and Xu Yunlong will arrive in Glasgow this weekend for trials with the Scottish giants.

“Obviously, it is very hard to see players in that area but (Du Wei) comes highly recommended and we're looking to bring people in who will make the team better and take it on a level,” said Strachan.

"So we are open-minded and there are a couple of Chinese lads who have done very well in England with their play, their attitude and their fitness and we thought, 'Yeah, we'll have a look.'"

nakata · August 1st, 2005, 14:34

Saitama win junior international tourney

SAITAMA: Home side Saitama defeated Miyagi 3-1 on penalties to clinch the third Saitama Junior International Football Tournament recently. The shootout was forced after regular play ended goalless.

This U-12 tournament started in 2003 as a World Cup memorial festival. As many as 33 teams participated from Japan itself and seven teams came from abroad. The first and second editions were won by Tokyo but they lost to Miyagi in the semi-finals this time 1-2. Tokyo were also beaten 1-2 by Malaysia, who finished third. Incheon, representatives of the Korea Republic, were eighth while Hong Kong were 26th and Singapore 31st.

nakata · August 1st, 2005, 14:36

Last week's European based Japanese players' result

European League Division 1

Okubo（Mallorca/Spain) - No match
Nakata（Fiorentina/Italy) - No match
Yanagisawa（Messina/Italy) - No match
Inamoto（WBA/England) - No match
Matsui（Le mans/France）- Substituted out 71' and recorded 1 assist
Nakata (Marseille/France) - Didn't play
Takahara（Hamburg SV/Germany) - No match
Ono (Feyenoord/Holland) - No match
Nakamura（Celtic/Scotland) - Didn't play because of jet lag

Le mans' Matsui made his match debut in the French league Division 1 and recorded one assist against Lyon.

nakata · August 1st, 2005, 14:37

【Video Clip】

Kashima Antlers vs Manchester United played last week. It was made by a Korean.
http://clubimgfile.paran.com/ils/pds...528_r00005.wmv

J-League Division 1 Round 18's goals.

Albilex Niigata Fabinho's goal
http://www.jsgoal.jp/movie/goal/asx/0176-11.asx

FC Tokyo Baba's goal
http://www.jsgoal.jp/movie/goal/asx/0176-5.asx

Kashima Antlers Nozawa's goal
http://www.jsgoal.jp/movie/goal/asx/0176-2.asx

Nagoya Grampus Eight Nakamura's goal
http://www.jsgoal.jp/movie/goal/asx/0176-9.asx

Carson35 · August 2nd, 2005, 06:06

Viola suffer Verdy defeat Monday 1 August, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Serie A side Fiorentina have ended their pre-season tour of Japan with a 2-1 defeat against Tokyo Verdy.

The home side took a commanding lead with goals from Hayashi and Tamado earlier today, before Gianpaolo Pazzini (pictured) netted in the 88th minute.

The Tuscan giants ended the match with only 10-men after Italian Under-21 captain Marco Donadel was booked twice.

Fiorentina started their tour last week with a 3-0 win over Cerezo Osaka, thanks to a brace from Luca Toni and a Martin Jorgensen chip.

The Dane was on the scoresheet again against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Saturday as he bagged the only goal of the game.

That victory came at a price though, as former Milan defender Giuseppe Pancaro picked up a thigh strain in the pre-match warm-up.

channel4

Wally · August 4th, 2005, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by nakata

Feyenoord check out Hirayama

ROTTERDAM – Japan Under 20 international Sota Hirayama will undergo a brief training stint with 14-time Dutch champions Feyenoord, where his countryman Shinji Ono has played since 2001.

Hirayama, who plays his football with Tsukuba University, caught the eye at the FIFA World Youth Championship where he played all three of Japan’s Group A matches, scoring in the 2-1 defeat to hosts Holland.

The forward, who turned 20 in June, will be put through his paces with the first team on Saturday but the Rotterdam side are keen to stress that a possible transfer to De Kuipe is still a long way down the road.

“This is a training period with an eye to the future,” Feyenoord Technical Director Mark Wotte told the club’s official website.

The rumours say we'll get him very soon and will loan him to another Dutch eredivisie side this season in order for him to get first team football.

So how do you rate him? I know he's 1m 90, pretty tall, but do you reckon he has the talent to become one of Japans best strikers in the future ?

Also read btw that Ono will return to Holland round the 14th when he will have recovered from his injury but they're also saying that he's still looking for a move abroad before the transfer window closes, to Dortmund perhaps?!

Mutu · August 4th, 2005, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by nakata

Last week's European based Japanese players' result

European League Division 1

Okubo（Mallorca/Spain) - No match
Nakata（Fiorentina/Italy) - No match
Yanagisawa（Messina/Italy) - No match
Inamoto（WBA/England) - No match
Matsui（Le mans/France）- Substituted out 71' and recorded 1 assist
Nakata (Marseille/France) - Didn't play
Takahara（Hamburg SV/Germany) - No match
Ono (Feyenoord/Holland) - No match
Nakamura（Celtic/Scotland) - Didn't play because of jet lag

Le mans' Matsui made his match debut in the French league Division 1 and recorded one assist against Lyon.

Hi Nakata, about Matsui. Do you know if he had a good game against Lyon. I saw the goal that he set and it looked good. How was his overall performance?

nakata · August 6th, 2005, 07:24

I saw the game. It was neither good nor bad for him.
He couldn't touch a ball at all in the 1st half, but he made up for the poor performance in the 2nd.
He assisted the equalizer and was involved with some scoring chances.
He said “I suit better with Division 1 than Division 2 ”after the match.

nakata · August 6th, 2005, 07:30

【J-League】
Kashiwa Reysol bought former Brazilian international FW Franca from German side Leverkusen. Kashiwa paied the team 2.5 million euro for his transfer fee.
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【J-League】
Division 2 side Shonan Bellmare bought former Paraguayan international FW Casiano from Paraguayan side Sports Colombia.
He received the top scorer of Paraguayan league in 2005 and 1993.
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【J-League】
Vissel Kobe bought Czech DF Muller on loan from Czech side Chmel Blsany and released former Brazilian international DF Roger.
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【J-League】
Oita Trinita bought Brazilian MF Tulio from Brazilian side Botafogo
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【J-League】
Albirex Niigata bought former U23 Japanese international MF Kikuchi on loan from Jubilo Iwata. He played the Athene Olympic Games last year.
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【J-League】
Shimizu S-Pulse will buy Brazilian FW Marquinhos who has played for Tokyo Verdy 1969 and Yokohama F.Marinos.
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【Japanese abroad】
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Fiorentina's Nakata may move to English Premiere League.
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【Japanese abroad】
Accoridng to Dutch magazine Football International, Feyenoord's Ono still wants to move to another European league.
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【Women's Football】
- East Asian Football Championship in South Korea

Japan NT 0 - 0 China NT
South Korea NT 1 -0 North Korea NT

South Korea 6
North Korea 3
Japan 1
China 1

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50804062_l.jpg
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【Pic】
Japan NT's training: Zico
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50802040_l.jpg
Japan NT's training: JEF United Chiba's FW Maki and Zico
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50803073_l.jpg
Nakamura to give Celtic's supporters his autograph
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50803037_l.jpg
Nakamura to watch Celtic's game
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50804061_l.jpg
Japan NT's players
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50805034_l.jpg
Yokohama FC's former Japanese international FW Jo (right) and legendary FW Miura
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50805028_l.jpg
Hamburg SV's Japanese international FW Takahara to play Inter Toto Cup
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50805038_l.jpg
Nakamura to give Celtic's supporters his autograph
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50805040_l.jpg
Nakamura to practice
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50806077_l.jpg
Japan NT's training: Urawa Red Diamonds's FW Tanaka got injured
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50806070_l.jpg
Japan NT's training: Zico and JEF United Chiba's FW Maki
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50806068_l.jpg

nakata · August 6th, 2005, 07:31

【Nabisco Cup's quarterfinals】

The 1st legs will be played this weekend.

　　　　　　 ┌──────── Jubilo Iwata
　　　 ┌──┤
　　　 │　　 └──────── JEF United Chiba
　 ┌─┤
　 │　 │ 　　 ┌──────── Urawa Red Diamonds
　 │　 └──┤
　 │　　　　 └──────── Shimizu S-Pulse
─┤
　 │　　　　 ┌──────── Yokohama F.Marinos
　 │　 ┌──┤
　 │　 │　　 └──────── Omiya Ardija
　 └─┤
　　　 │ 　　 ┌──────── Gamba Osaka
　　　 └──┤
　　　　　　 └──────── Cerezo Osaka

nakata · August 6th, 2005, 07:33

【East Asian Football Championship in South Korea】

Japan NT 2 - 2 China NT
Scorer: LI JinYu 37' Zhang Yonghai 43' Moniwa 58' T.Tanaka 87'

South Korea NT 0 - 0 North Korea NT

North Korea 4
China 2
South Korea 2
Japan 1

GK Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight)
DF Chano (JEF United Chiba)
DF Moniwa (FC Tokyo)
DF Tsuboi (Urawa Red Diamonds)
MF Murai (JEF United Chiba) → MF Santos (Urawa Red Diamonds)74'
MF Konno (FC Tokyo)
MF Abe (JEF United Chiba)
MF Komano (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
MF Motoyama (Kashima Antlers) → FW Tamada (Kashiwa Reysol)66'
FW Maki (JEF United Chiba) → FW Oguro (Gamba Osaka)66'
FW T.Tanaka (Urawa Red Diamonds)

Urawa Red Diamonds' FW T.Tanaka to score the equalizer
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50804086_l.jpg
Japan's players
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50804085_l.jpg
JEF United Chiba's MF Abe
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50804084_l.jpg
Japan's goals video clip made by Koreans.
http://myhome.naver.com/oguro_goal/japan_goal_02.asx

Many new young players played the match.

T.Tanaka was pretty good.
He should be replaced with crap FW Tamada.
Why does Zico use Tamada?
His goals in the J-League of this season is only 1.
Moreover he may lose playing time at even his club Kashiwa Reysol because the club bought Franca and Reinaldo who played for PSG.

Tsuboi really declined since his injury.

nakata · August 6th, 2005, 07:35

J-League Division 2 Standings

Code:

                            Pts    P    W    D    L   GD   F   A
 1 Kyoto Purple Sanga       54 　  24   17    3    4   17  42  25
 2 Avispa Fukuoka           40 　  24   10   10    4   11  35  24
----------------------------Promoted Zone------------------------
 3 Ventforet Koufu          36 　  24   10    6    8    8  42  34
----------------------------Play-off Zone------------------------
 4 Montedio Yamagata        34 　  24    8   10    6    7  30  23
 5 Consadole Sapporo        34 　  24    9    7    8    1  28  27
 6 Vegalta Sendai           32 　  24    9    5   10    8  38  30
 7 Shonan Bellmare          32 　  24    8    8    8   -6  25  31
 8 Sagan Tosu               31 　  24    8    7    9    2  32  30
 9 Mito Hollyhock           28 　  24    7    7   10   -6  25  31
10 Tokushima Vortis         25 　  24    4   13    7   -6  30  36
11 Yokohama FC              25 　  24    5   10    9   -8  22  30
12 Thespa Kusatsu           16 　  24    4    4   16  -28  17  45

Yokohama FC's Japanese legendary FW Miura
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/new...50803061_l.jpg

Tokushima Vortis and Thespa Kusatsu are the teams promoted to J-League Division 2 this season.

nakata · August 6th, 2005, 07:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

The rumours say we'll get him very soon and will loan him to another Dutch eredivisie side this season in order for him to get first team football.

So how do you rate him? I know he's 1m 90, pretty tall, but do you reckon he has the talent to become one of Japans best strikers in the future ?

I doubt if he passes the trial.

Honestly speaking, you had better not hope for him. Most of the Japanese cast off him. He was said to be most promosing striker in the history of Japanese football. But he chose his stupid course that he went to a university without becoming a pro footballer after graduating from high school last year. Then he refused Valencia's offer.That's why he was left behind. But it seems that he has reformed himself thanks to World Youth Championship 2005. He determined to be absent from university and flew to the Netherlands in order to make up for lost time.

Anyways, read this article on him, please

An article of Jeremy Walker who is British journalist and has been reporting Asian football.

Hirayama should have turned professional earlier

AUGUST 2 2005：One player in Japan has baffled me for a while now...and he still does.

That player is Sota Hirayama who has become a media darling in Japan without achieving much if anything in the real world of football.

As readers may know I have never understood the hype surrounding Hirayama.

Okay he is tall for his age very tall for a Japanese player of his age and this enabled him to dominate the air waves at schoolboy level.

He scored a lovely goal a back-post header on his Olympic team debut but of course he looked very raw and in my opinion at times uncoordinated.

In all honesty I did not think he was ready to lead the Olympic team and I still think it was a mistake for Yamamoto-kantoku to put so much faith in him. Takayuki Suzuki in the absence of Takahara would have done a much better job.

But that is in the past and not the point of this article.

I read the other day that Hirayama is going to spend some time with Feyenoord.That is an interesting move and a surprising one as I thought he was concentrating on Tsukuba University and not planning to play professional football until graduating.

I could never understand Hirayama's decision to go to Tsukuba instead of joining a J.League club after leaving Kunimi. Leaving university at 22 and turning professional is six years too late.

It is a wasted six years during which a young player could have learned so much about the game. At 22 it is very difficult to step up and a player has only six or seven years left in him to reach the top as 26-28 is regarded as the peak.

Maybe Hirayama is regretting it too and that is why he is going to train with Feyenoord.

If Feyenoord took him on it could be the perfect situation for Hirayama playing for a big club in a small league and being cared for and nurtured by a coach who could pick him for certain games and develop him slowly.

Hirayama despite the adulation in Japan is far from the finished product but if he goes to learn his trade in Holland he still has a chance.Or if he went into the J.League.

If he stays in Japan and plays for Tsukuba it is a waste of time for himself and Japan will never know how good he is or could be.

ends

nakata · August 6th, 2005, 07:42

Japan, China women in goalless draw

DAEJEON: Japan and China fought out a goalless stalemate in the East Asian Football Federation Women's Cup on Wednesday at the World Cup Stadium here.

The first 30 minutes were dull until Chinese striker Ji Ting got to volley an accurate cross only to find the ball deflected on the line by a Japanese defender. Japan had the better ball possession but failed in all their seven attempts to find the net.

Both the teams are now at a disadvantage when it comes to clinching the title as DPR Korea and Korea Republic are currently sharing the top position with three points.

China lost to the Korea Republic 0-2 on Monday while the Japanese women lost 0-1 to the DPR Korea team.

nakata · August 6th, 2005, 07:43

Tanaka salvages draw for Japan

DAEJEON - Japan salvaged a late 2-2 draw in their Asian Cup final rematch with China as Tatsuya Tanaka scored his first international goal with just three minutes left of the sides' East Asian Football Championship encounter on Wednesday.

The Urawa Reds striker fired a searing drive past Chinese goalkeeper Li Leilei from almost 25 yards out to maintain Japan's slim hopes of winning the title, although those could evaporate altogether on Thursday evening if DPR Korea defeat Korea Republic in their first meeting in almost 12 years.

Li Jinyu and Zhang Yonghai had given China a 2-0 lead at half time only for Teruyuki Moniwa to pull one back for Zico's side 14 minutes after the restart.

Moniwa struck from close range when he was first to react to Li Leilei's parry after the goalkeeper beat Yuki Abe's 59th minute free kick away from goal. But the FC Tokyo defender was free to head home and, crucially, halve the Chinese lead.

It had all seemed so different at half time when, after making 11 changes to the starting line up, Japan looked set to slip to a second successive defeat despite dominating large periods of possession and creating the bulk of the game's chances.

The Brazilian fielded a hugely inexperienced side and that almost proved costly, especially in front of goal where the Japanese failed once again to turn their domination of possession into goals.

With the Chinese missing influential captain Li Weifeng in the center of defense following his sending-off against South Korea on Sunday, Zhu Guanghu's team appeared to be soft in the middle and susceptible to exploitation.

A more potent strike force would certainly have taken advantage, with Seiichiro Maki struggling in particular, the JEF United Chiba man's sending his weak header in the ninth minute well off target.

Three minutes later Yasuyuki Konno uncharacteristically steered his close range header into the arms of Li Leilei while Yuki Abe saw his free kick swing around the Chinese defensive wall, only to find the side netting.

Not for the first time, however, a Japanese team was to rue its profligacy as China went in front.

In the 37th minute, Zhao Xuri used his superior body strength to hold off Masashi Motoyama before clipping in a low cross that Li Jinyu sprawled himself to head past Seigo Narazaki as he beat Keisuke Tsuboi to the ball.

With two minutes left in the half, the Chinese doubled their advantage when, after a foul by Yuichi Komano on Sun Xiang, Wang Liang swung in his free kick and Zhang Yonghai flicked his header toward goal, where Narazaki was too slow to keep the ball out.

After Moniwa had given Japan renewed hope, Zico introduced the established trio of Alessandro Santos, Keiji Tamada and Masashi Oguro, but the Asian champions still struggled to raise the tempo of the game.

That was until the 87th minute, when Tanaka claimed his first ever goal for Japan in just his second game with a finish that matched the quality of his overall performance.

nakata · August 6th, 2005, 07:44

Zico lauds Japan newcomers

DAEJEON - Asian Cup winning manager Zico praised his young Japan team after they fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw with China in the second round of matches in this year's East Asian Football Championship.

The Brazilian selected a completely different starting 11 to the team that lost 1-0 to DPR Korea in the opening game of the tournament and, after going 2-0 down, goals from Teruyuki Moniwa and Tatsuya Tanaka gave the Japanese a share of the points.

Tanaka, along with strike partner Seiichiro Maki, midfielders Yuichi Komano, Yasuyuki Konno and Shinji Murai, was making his first-ever start for Japan while only three players - goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki, defender Keisuke Tsuboi and midfielder Masashi Motoyama - had played more than 10 times for the national side.

Despite that lack of experience, Zico praised his players' display.

"If you consider that the players were playing together for the first time, then I think they did well," said the former World Cup star. "They created chances from the very beginning and they were very eager to score.

"You can tell that we play good football, we don't cheat. It would have been nice if they could have shown a little bit more aggression because we had so many chances and if we had taken those then we would have won the game."

Chinese coach Zhu Gunaghu saw his team take a two-goal lead in the first half with headers from Li Jinyu and Zhang Yonghai in the final eight minutes of the opening period, only for the Japanese to claw their way back into the game.

Moniwa scored from close range in the 53rd minute and, three minutes from time, Tanaka equalised with a fine long-range effort.

"I'm not totally satisfied with the result but our team is still at the stage where we are trying to get as much experience as possible," said Zhu, who led Shenzhen Jianlibao to the China Super League title last year. "Our younger players have shown what they can do and I'm happy with that.

"Japan is a first class team, there's no doubt about that and we were leading 2-0 at half time, but we lost 2-0 in the second half. I'm quite annoyed about that, but I hope that our players can learn something from this game, especially about game management."

Both teams retain slim chances of winning the regional title, but Zhu was not confident that China could claim the trophy for the first time.

"Our team is still giving up goals in the 85th and 86th minutes, so you never know what's going to happen," he said. "Let's see how the next game goes."