These past couple weeks of so-much-football has left me a bit drained, so today's update is just some random news/gossip/fluff that caught my eye. Tomorrow I shall return with a "serious" entry on this week's spotlighted J1 team, a look at this week's issue of Weekly Soccer Magazine, predictions, and et-oh-cetera...

Okay, let's get the painful part over first...
(like ripping off a band-aid)
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ACL Game 5 Results
Marinos 1 -2 letting go of a 1-0 lead at half-time. It's over.
Jubilo 3 - 0 -- too little too late

FIFA locates next Qualifier @ Bangkok
Yay, Thailand! Sawasdee... LOVED it there -- the mangos, the tomyum, the noodle stands, the..(all I can think about is food!) Thank god this whole mess with the North Korea problems got sorted out. Probably the thing everyone is relieved about is that at least we won't have to play on their concrete-like artificial turf. I think I mentioned this before, but the last time the Japan NT played on the NK artificial turf in Pyongyang, one of our players fractured their SKULL. It's still going to be a no-spectator match, but I hear that the JFA will be organizing some sort of public-viewing location nearby. In other words, some large screen tv somewhere so that the supporters can cheer on together. I'd prefer it if they located the public viewing right outside the stadium, so that at least the players might possibly hear distant cheering and get some support from that. You are not alone...! There is a HUGE community of Japanese living in Bangkok (lots of families, a big school), so local people will hopefully add to the numbers.

Nagoya Grampus Returns FW Marques to Brazil
Following Ueslei's departure, and now Marques, I wonder what Grampus plans to do about their players up front. Ueslei has been out all season, and the team was doing well without him, but Marques seems to be greatly relied-upon in the team. His contract is up at the end of May, and he is going to be headed for Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro. The 31 yr old forward's last game will be this Saturday's match against Vissel.

More Star Power
Figo? Wow, these Urawa Reds people are busy aren't they? What happened to Toshiya Fujita? But it makes sense, as many of Europe's superstars are heading into retirement age it is prime pickin' time for some of the wealthier J clubs. Actually the rumour is that they might get him quite cheap. Is it just me, or would Figo in the J-league feel very weird?

Those Darned Kansai Kids
So Gamba coach Nishino and Cerezo coach Kobayashi seem to be raising the stakes for their upcoming Kansai (Osaka) derby this weekend with a little verbal rallying. Nishino takes exception to Kobayashi's confident comment that Cerezo is on a roll and currently riding a nice high. Nishino told him to beware their "high", but Kobayashi countered with "What can I say? We're on a high." Nishino also was reported to have added an extra kick in the pants to the team, telling them this game was all about "showing Cerezo who's really superior". Uh.... not sure what effect this will have on the teams, but as J-league fan it certainly raises my interest level in the match-up! Maybe that's the aim.... I wonder if their PR department is making them trash-talk?

...Speaking of Raising the Stakes at the Osaka Derby
Cerezo has announced the allocation of Away seating for this upcoming match against Gamba at home. Take a look at the nice huge chunk (read w/ sarcasm) they've allotted.

Even Cerezo fans are saying it's embarrassingly small. I guess all that verbal duelling has made Cerezo lose interest in being a gracious host.

....and Mr. Gamba's Transfer?
Gamba forward Yoshihara has been butting heads with the coach, and there is some talk that he may leave the club. Apparently he has taken exception to not being used as a starter in any of the league games up to round 10. During the Vissel game, he was subbed in at 85 minutes and told to contribute to defensive tasks up front (the team was leading 3-0 at that point). However, Yoshihara decided to ignore the coach and go for more goals on his own. Afterwards, there was a meeting between the two but no peace could be made, and Yoshihara then asked to be transferred. There are so many goal-getters on this team that it's a difficult position that Yoshihara is in -- he is by no means a dud (in fact he's a long-time Gamba Man) but compared to Oguro and Fernandinho or Araujo...

NT Suits at Dunhill
Completely fluffy bit of content, I know, but did you know that the National Team suits have been designed and tailored by Dunhill for many years now? This spring, the Dunhill stores across Japan showcase a gigantic panel/poster of the NT wearing the suits, posing elegantly (?!) with Zico in the middle. You can even buy said suit (see pic) if you want, but don't forget the football cufflinks! (grin) But seriously, I looked at the panel and it took me a good second or two to figure out, "oh, this is the national team!" There's something strange about seeing athletes out of uniform on the everyday streets.

Two Equal?
This weekend, the FCTokyo vs. Chiba match will be something to look forward to. Both teams are characterized by lots of running and speed. And both teams have been unable to get a Win for a while (of course, Tokyo are in the worse position ranking-wise and emotionally). So here is some interesting data:

FCTokyo vs Chiba (1st&2nd stage):
2003 1st 0-0, 2nd 2-2
2004 1st 2-2, 2nd 3-3

So does this mean I should bet that this game will end in a draw on the predictions card? Promise me one thing, guys, no tears after this game, ok? (and that goes for me too!) Let's have some fun out there!