J.League wrap: week four

Most of the focus in the mainstream press this week was on Vegalta Sendai, which remains the only team with a perfect record. They defeated Cerezo Osaka 2-1, and looked convincing doing it.

However, both goals were a bit fortunate, and despite their record we still do not see enough team consistency and depth to think they can keep it up all season long.

The other team with a perfect record going into the week – FC Tokyo – lost their home match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The most influential factor in this game was not one of the players on the pitch, but rather, the pitch itself.

Rain and a swirling wind whipped through the stadium from start to finish, and though the footing held up fairly well, the weather had a debilitating impact on the quality of play.

With rain blowing almost horizontally into their faces, players had a tough time passing the ball cleanly. Any pass or shot of over 20 meters would change course in the wind, or bounce awkwardly on the slick surface.

Nearly all of the dangerous chances created by both teams came from balls that were crossed into the box low and hard, and just happened to connect with a friendly target.

The Purple Archers’ lone goal came on exactly this sort of play. In the 56th minute Mihael Mikic raced down the right channel, and while he was still well above the top of the penalty area he drove a cross in. Sato Hisato timed his run perfectly and caught up with the ball right at the penalty spot.

Sato was bracketed by two defenders, but all he had to do was redirect the ball on target, and the slick pitch did the rest. That would be the only score of the contest.

Nagoya Grampus and Omiya Ardija also had to battle the elements even more than they did each other. Their match started earlier, while the rain was still light, but pitch conditions were already a bit treacherous due to the strong wind whipping across the field from one sideline to the other.

The biggest scorinmg chance of the first half fell to Omiya, but when Kota Aoki received a pass at the top of the penalty area, with no defender on him, he lost his footing as he tried to plant his foot for the shot, and ended up skewing the ball high over the crossbar.

Both teams took note of the deteriorating weather conditions and concluded that they had to try to strike quickly in the second half, before it became too treacherous underfoot. The two offences roared to life after the second half kickoff. Grampus landed the first punch, just four minutes after the restart.

Keiji Tamada took the ball at the top of the Ardija penalty area, and seeing no options in front of him, rolled the ball back towards Danilson, just above the penalty arc. Danilson had acres of space to wind up, and Tamada served it up for him like room service at the Imperial Hotel. The ball shot like a rocket through the crowded penalty area and smacked into the back strings.

But the Mighty Squirrels responded almost immediately, throwing several players forward in search of the equaliser. Cho Young-Chol collected a pass from Rafael in the left channel and spun towards goal as his teammates made runs into the box.

Marcus Tulio Tanaka was isolated on Cho, but hung back a few steps, respecting Cho’s vaunted dribbling skills and hoping that support would arrive. Cho saw the opening, stepped forward and fired what might have been a shot towards the right post.

It turned out to be a poor shot, but an excellent cross. Jun Kanakubo, who was pressed into service when U-23 national team midfielder Keigo Higashi suffered an ankle injury, charged in from the opposite side of the box and volleyed Cho’s ‘cross’ into the netting.

Thereafter, the weather took control of the contest, and neither team could make much headway via short passing. Grampus resorted to their patented long-ball/power-play style, and were able to create some late chances through physical size and power.

But neither team was able to break the deadlock, and the contest ended without any further score.

The changing of the guard that characterises the J.League this year continued, as four teams that are usually viewed as league powers still have not claimed their first win of the season: Gamba Osaka, Kashima Antlers, Yokohama Marinos and Albirex Niigata.

Gamba and Albirex played to a 1-1 draw, while Kashima and Yokohama played to a scoreless stalemate.

Elsewhere, the Urawa Reds held on for a point against Kawasaki Frontale, in a 1-1 draw, despite having two players sent off. Newcomers Sagan Tosu stunned Vissel Kobe with a 3-0 victory, and Jubilo Iwata continued their winning streak against last season’s champions, Kashiwa Resyol, with a 1-0 win at home.

This marks the third consecutive win by Jubilo, which seem to be the only team that consistently manages to trouble the Sun Kings.

If you are interested in further details on this week’s matches, and other news on the J.League, drop in to the Rising Sun News website.