Category Archives: O

On a Whing and a Prayer

20 Tuesday Mar 2012

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Tuesday 20th March 2012 ko 7.45pm

League 2

OXFORD UNITED 1 (Morgan 57)

AFC WIMBLEDON 0

Att 6,366 (362 away)

Entry S/T

Programme £3 (inc Oxford Mail)

So, those of you who weren’t there will look at the score, and think, play-off side struggles to beat lower-table side, in a dour encounter. And you’d be right, except for the last 4 words. For at no point did this game look like ending nil-nil, as both sides played good passing football, but with a frustrating lack of end product.

As a little aside, the first time I watched AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow they were playing AFC Wallingford in a Combined Counties League game. How times change, as Wimbledon have been promoted 6 times to reclaim the league place that had been stolen from them. Poor old Wallingford now languish at the bottom of the North Berkshire League’s top flight. By my reckoning, there’s now 7 promotions between the two clubs. And to square the circle, North Berkshire League Press Officer Phil Annets was watching the game from one of the executive boxes!

Oxford looked capable of tearing their visitors apart, but at times looked lopsided, with Dean Morgan looking lost for much of the first half. Not withstanding that, its was refreshing to see both sides play an attractive passing game, with Oxford’s Adam Chapman, and Andy Whing both going close with a free kick and close-range header respectively. For Wimbledon George Moncur’s shot was well smothered by Ryan Clarke.

Its was a little suprising that United made no change at half time, as they had looked a tweak away from looking really convincing. As usual Chris Wilder showed why he’s the manager and I’m sat typing this, as a glorious passing move led to the goal. After a series of passes, Scott Rendell moved the ball wide, and Asa Hall’s flicked back-heel found Morgan on the left. His shot seemed to come from nothing, and was from an acute angle, but it flashed past Seb Brown, and into the top right corner.

After that United looked happy to attack sporadically, and defend in numbers. Oli Johnson headed on to the bar following a quite wonderful Peter Leven free kick, and the visitors were limited to just two chances. Sammy Moore’s 25 yard shot found the car park when it should have found the goal, and the only real scare came at the end of injury time. Leven was adjudged to have fouled on the edge of the box, a decision that angered Chris Wilder sufficiently for him to be dismissed from the technical area. The shot was driven in, Clarke parried, and Andy Whing blocked twice to keep Wimbledon out.

And it was the popular full back/midfielder/centre half that summed the last few minutes to me. Not pretty, but wholly committed and always gets the job done. Cheltenham away, I suspect will be a different challenge all together.

All Quiet on the Western Front

03 Saturday Mar 2012

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Saturday 3rd March 2012 ko 12pm

League 2

OXFORD UNITED 2 (A Hall 16 Johnson 18) Constable sent off 11 (violent conduct)

swindon town 0

Att 11,825 (1,166 away)

Entry S/T

Programme £3 (100 pages)

Now, dear reader over the time you’ve being reading this blog, I’ve tried to take a balanced view of what I’ve experienced. Yes, I’m an Oxford United fan, but I’d like to think I can take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

There is, of course an exception to this, and that is swindon town. Those of you that follow a big club such as Arsenal or Manchester United, will have your derbies, and just because yours are more high-profile don’t think the A420 one is any less passionate. Put simply, its small but vicious. That’s why the kickoff was set for midday and the Police presence sizable.

It doesn’t help that Oxford United’s record against their principle rival is appalling. Until Oxford’s win at the County Ground in August, they hadn’t won there since 1973. The only previous meeting at Grenoble Road was an FA cup 2nd round tie in 2002 which saw United prevail 1-0 courtesy of Jefferson Louis’ backside! More recently swindon made an audacious attempt to prise striker James Constable away from Grenoble Road. He immediately gained God-like status amongst Oxford United fans by refusing point-blank to speak to the Wiltshire club.

The visitors arrived (via a 1500 strong “Welcoming Committee at the Priory Pub) with 10 straight wins, and a clear injury list. United in contrast had 4 top players out injured including star midfielder Peter Leven and captain Jake Wright. Form has been patchy with last week’s draw at home to Macclesfield being a real disappointment. With the midfield positively threadbare, midfielder Adam Chapman was recalled from a loan spell at Newport County.

It was hardly surprising that the visitors started brightly with Luke Rooney firing into the side netting, with the passing and movement being quick and crisp. On 11 minutes came the game’s real talking point, as Constable and Joe Devara chased down a through ball. Constable’s arm flailed, and caught Devara in the chest. Hardly assault, and the swindon player went down clutching his face. Referee Graham Salisbury was surrounded by visiting players in ugly scenes rather reminiscent of Manchester United around 10 years ago. We’ll never know whether he crumbled under the pressure, but Constable was dismissed, and United had a mountain to climb.

Except it didn’t quite work out like that. Scott Rendell won a free-kick and former swindon loanee Lee Holmes swung a deep cross into the back of the box. A host of players went for the ball, but it was Asa Hall who managed bundle the ball home. Cue the stadium going potty, and this writer to have a tear in his eye.

Two minutes later, unbelievably United doubled their lead. Hall’s diagonal ball to Holmes on the left, gave the winger only one option, a needle-threading cross to the back post. This he completed beautifully and there was Oli Johnson to tap home. I sat there having a minor asthma attack watching former OUFC winger Joey Beauchamp celebrate with another ex-OUFC player Paul Wanless.

For the rest of the half it was continuous swindon pressure. Ryan Clarke tipped a Matt Richie free kick over the bar, and United added to their injury list as Mark Wilson limped off. That meant the introduction of Adam Chapman for his first home appearance for over 18 months. The emotion was palpable but United had to defend as Rooney stabbed an effort wide and Clarke came out better than Jonathan Smith at close-range.

As the frustration began to mount for the league leaders, a ball boy made himself a hero for the day. A ball went out for a goal kick and the ball boy beat Matt Ritchie to the ball. As he began to return the ball to Clarke very slowly, Ritchie took offence and became embroiled in a shoving match with the teenager. All rather amusing, but the winger was booked for his part and it all looked more physical than the Constable incident. It did give an indication of swindon’s frame of mind at half-time.

Manager Paolo Di Canio cut an odd figure, it was hard to see where passion ends and rabble rousing starts. Both managers and captains had been warned as to their conduct before the game, and while Di Canio primped and preened during the first half, as the second half wore on that turned into a morose sulk.

I expected the second half to become a continous barrage of swindon pressure. Yes, they had all of the territory, but created little that man-of-the-match Clarke couldn’t stop easily and whilst Di Canio had made all his substitutions after 64 minutes, there were no tactical changes. Quick passes and rain the crosses in, but United had switched to 4-4-1 and swindon, once they realised that Plan A wasn’t working, quickly ran out of ideas. United freshened things up by bringing on Liam Davis and Jon-Paul Pittman which gave succour to Scott Rendell who’d ran himself into the ground doing both his work and Constable’s.

The final whistle saw United comfortable, and their visitors frustrated. There was the infantile sight of Di Canio trying to ingratiate himself with the travelling fans with a scarf, but nothing should be taken away from what was real team performance by Oxford United in difficult times.

I’ve little doubt that swindon will be promoted, probably as champions, as they are the most talented side I’ve seen in League 2 this season.  The joker in the pack for them though is Di Canio. Such is the nature of the man, that you wonder whether it’ll all end in tears, with him leaving for a bigger, better club or simply picking a fight with someone he shouldn’t and leaving that way.

For Oxford, nicely ensconced in the play-off zone, the 3 points are merely a means of maintaining that position. But for the fans of both clubs it means so much more.

Silk and Steal

25 Saturday Feb 2012

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Saturday 25th February 2012 ko 3.00

League 2

OXFORD UNITED 1 (Johnson 42)

MACCLESFIELD TOWN 1 (Duberry 9og)

Att 6,189 (63 away)

Entry S/T

Programme (inc Oxford Mail) £3

Today’s match at Grenoble Road was designated “Military Day” and the club made great efforts to pay tribute to the many forms of the armed forces that are based within the county. There was a touching moment when after a few minutes play, the personnel walked aroud the pitch from the main stand, behind the goal and round to the North Stand. The entire ground stood and applauded. A spine-tingling moment.

The game saw the visitors arrive with a loanee keeper they’d picked up en route, and having lost 8 games on the bounce. An easy win you’d think, but this is Oxford United.

United started brightly enough, but found themselves a goal down after 9 minutes. Referee Darren Drysdale made the first in a series of poor decisions in awarding a free kick 30 yards out. Matt Hamshaw’s free kick found Michael Duberry 6 yards out under no pressure, but he somehow managed to power his header past Ryan Clarke for his 3rd own goal of the season. Does this mean he’s now on -1 goals for the campaign?

United continued with the 4-4-2 formation that had brought a won against Barnet, and it was the right flank that provided the equaliser, Oli Johnson turning neatly, and not being challenged, fired home from 18 yards. He’s beginning to look an excellent acquisition.

The second half should have seen United force home the gulf in quality. James Constable missed a good chance when Lee Holmes played him in, but Richard O’Donnell saved his shot, and in the melee Johnson and Scott Rendell had follow-up efforts blocked. Constable’s second opportunity came from a Holmes cross, but he headed high and wide from eight yards out.

After that United grew frustrated and place broke down repeatedly, as play grew narrower with neither full-backs Davis or Batt able or willing to overlap and Leven’s gorgeous passes taking place where he could do no damage, in his own half. Time after time United forced corners, but lacked the guile to do anything with them. Liam Davis’ 25 yard shot was well saved by O’Donnell, and that was United’s last meaningful chance.

The final whistle was met by a chorus of boos, not for current form, only 1 defeat in 12, but for a sense of what could happen when a team bang in form visit next Saturday. That, though is a local derby, and the form book can be ignored.

Barnet Fare

23 Thursday Feb 2012

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Tuesday 21st February 2012 ko 7.45pm

League 2

OXFORD UNITED 2 (Rendell 43 Constable 56)

BARNET 1 (Hector 16) McLeod missed pen 84

Att 5,848 (139 away)

Entry S/T

Programme £3 (inc Ox Mail)

If, dear reader you read my last OUFC report, you might be forgiven for thinking this report could have been difficult to write. Same score against a similar club, down at the bottom the league. Nope, dead easy this one, as it was a totally different game.

Maybe it was due to Chris Wilder changing OUFC’s formation, from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 with Oli Johnson playing right wing. On the other flank Lee Holmes made his full debut. There were 2 other little subplots with the referee being Stuart Attwell,  in charge of his first game since being demoted from the elite Select Group Referees Panel. Also the game saw the return of former OUFC winger Sam Deering. Attwell had an excellent game, and Deering was roundly booed each and every time he touched the ball.

In an open game United were unfortunate to go a goal down. A free kick on the right was surprisingly reverse passed to right-back Michael Hector. Although he was given way too much time, the Reading loanee’s 18 yard shot went though a mass of legs and passed an unsighted Ryan Clarke into the bottom left corner.

Johnson’s weak shot was easily saved by Bees keeper Dean Brill, but the hosts were showing real industry (Andy Whing) and invention (Peter Leven) in midfield with Holmes the most usual outlet. James Constable’s stinging shot was blocked away by Brill, and Leven’s free kick hit the right net support post.

United equalised with a goal of real quality. Leven’s diagonal ball found Holmes on the left, and his curling cross was asking for someone to attack it. That someone was Scott Rendell, and his header was his first goal for the club.

Leven’s free kick after 50 minutes again found Rendell’s head but this time Brill did extremely well to turn the ball round his right post. 6 minutes later United took the lead, when Leven’s teasing free kick was mis-hit by Rendell and with the Bees’ defence totally square there was Constbale at the back post to tap in.

Whilst United had far more possession and chances, at 2-1 there was always a way back into the game for Barnet and they had two opportunities to gain something from the game. Once Andy Whing limped off United looked far less assured in midfield. Deering will have sleepless nights over his 6 yard miss, but on 84 minutes Barnet still had the opportunity to steal an undeserved point. Mark Byrne was ajudged to have been trippped by Damian Batt. Attwell thought it was in the box, and to be fair to him I watched the footage several times before deciding it was just outside.

Of course United have a lucky charm when it comes to penalties, and his name is Ryan Clarke. Izale McLeod’s penalty was poor, weak and down the middle, but the save had to be made and made it was, to make Clarke’s OUFC record 14 penalties faced and 11 saved. A statistic any keeper would be proud of.

Cat, Mouse and Roger

19 Sunday Feb 2012

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Friday 17th February 2012 ko 7.45pm

“Varsity” Friendly

OXFORD UNIVERSITY BLUES 2 (Austin 16 75)

OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY 0

Att 400 (officially speaking)

@ Oxford University Sports Centre, Iffley Road, Oxford

Entry £5 (if ticket bought!)

No programme

Catering available

You may wonder, dear reader why on earth I’d be interested in a student game, and a friendly at that! Well, apart from referring to the title of this blog, I’d mention the the history of the stadium, and the history of the fixture.

To us locals, the stadium will always be known as the Iffley Road Running Track, and where in 1954 Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four minute mile, watched incidentally by the world’s least sporting person, my Mother!  I first visited as a child in the early 80’s for the taping of the BBC’s “Superstars,” won that day by Welsh long jumper Lynn Davies. Since then I’ve seen Oxford University play there, and Oxford United’s youth team too.

For what in essence is a warm-up for the Oxford vs Cambridge varsity game, this fixture has real bite. The game has been played behind closed doors before, in 2010, after the discovery of a Facebook group suggesting that large numbers of Brookes fans would inundate the ground. The Brookes students simply scaled a fence and watched from there.

And that, I suspect, was the start of my problems. For when I arrived I discovered that not only was the game all-ticket, and limited to 400 tickets, it was sold out. Moreover around 20 stewards had been hired from Oxford United to maintain security. Normally I’d have simply turned round and headed for home, but I was just a little irked. This was because the fixture had been widely advertised on the OUAFC website and others, and there’d been no mention of it being all-ticket. With no opportunity to buy a ticket, I reasoned, and this being the first ever floodlit game at the venue I decided to see if there was another vantage point.

Which of course there was, on the far side where the athletics footprint meets the historic rugby union ground. There was a convenient grass bank in the corner, so I quietly sat down to watch the action. And I would have got away with it completely if 4 students hadn’t had exactly the same idea, but sat in full view of the stewards. At half time we all got moved on, “No ticket, no watch.” The students gave up, I waited until they’d gone, and quietly retook my position!

The game was worth the effort, as in front of a rowdy crowd the Blues were good value for their win. Whilst Brookes huffed and puffed, their hosts never looked like losing control of the fixture. Julian Austin was in predatory form, smashing in twice from decent crosses from the right to win the game.

Perhaps inevitably, there was a streaker, unfortunately for me, male, but with all the stewards present, he was allowed to stay on the pitch for a couple of minutes, while play continued. Eventually he gave up and surrendered to the authorities. Mind you, he was a bit of a pathetic streaker, he kept his shoes on!

I wonder whether in subsequent years this fixture will be moved to a larger venue to accomodate the obvious demand. The groundhopper in me would love it to be the wonderful rugby ground next door, although I’d expect the more likely choice would be Oxford City’s Court Place Farm. Watch this space.

Long Time Love Affair

15 Wednesday Feb 2012

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Tuesday 14th February 2012 ko 7.45pm

League 2

OXFORD UNITED 2 (Johnson 51 Constable 80)

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 1 (Arber 72)

Att 5,653 (119 away)

Entry S/T

Programme (inc Oxford Mail) £3

It seemed like a long time since I watched an Oxford United game, and for a change it was not due to me gallivanting around! With the Barnet game postponed a week last Saturday with me conveniently in the Netherlands, and last Saturday’s game at Accrington frozen off, OUFC’s last home game was on 21st January, and the last game of any description just 8 days later.

Regular fans know OUFC find it difficult to break down the teams at the bottom of the League, and with Dagenham 3rd from bottom and with wily old fox John Still in charge it was always going to be a game that would be one for the result, rather than one to enjoy as a spectacle. The visitors simply placed 2 banks of 4 in front of the goal and aimed to soak up the pressure.

The first half demonstrated the point. For the U’s Asa Hall had one shot, Billy Bingham had another for D&G, and one corner was won, for the visitors. Yes, United were forced, due to a mixture of injury and suspension to field a side with 2 debutants, Scott Rendell, and Mark Wilson, but the team was carrying too many  passengers.

The second half saw a switch from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, with another debutant, Lee Holmes replacing Hall. The performance improved, but not by much, but at least the U’s were exploiting the flanks through Holmes on the right, and Liam Davis on the left. It was through the latter that Oxford took the lead. Davis took the ball on the left flank, and his curling cross was met by Oli Johnson’s late run. His header beat D&G keeper Chris Lewington at his right post.

That meant the visitors had to come out and attack, but even then they lacked any real cutting edge, although both Andy Whing and Jake Wright provided important blocks. The equaliser, when it came was a defensive error as a cross from the right was allowed to travel to the back of the box and there was captain Mark Arber to head home, across U’s keeper Ryan Clarke.

For D&G substitute Adam Cunnington’s shot grazed the post, but United won the game with a move started by yet another debutant, Mehdi Kerrouche. His erudite pass found Johnson. His turn and pass found James Constable, who slammed the ball into the bottom right corner with positive glee.

Romantic? No chance. Entertaining? Barely. Important? Definately.

The Perfect Hat-Trick

22 Sunday Jan 2012

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Saturday 21st January 2012 ko 3.00pm

League 2

OXFORD UNITED 2 (Pittman 12 Duberry 68)

HEREFORD UNITED 2 (Duberry 32og 85og)

Att 6,630 (397 away)

 

Entry S/T

Programme (inc Oxford Mail) £3

On arrival at the ground the talk was of one thing and one thing only. Talismanic striker James Constable had been the subject of repeated bids from arch-rivals Swindon Town during the week. A fee had been agreed between the two clubs but then Constable refused to speak to Swindon. In the eyes of Oxford United fans players can do pretty much whatever they like, but the hard and fast rule is simple. You don’t play for Swindon. The local paper ran the headline “Beanomania” and Constable was set to be the talking point of the day. But as usual it didn’t work out that way.

It didn’t take a genius that Hereford would come for a point. Struggling to avoid relegation, it was obvious that they’d metaphorically park the bus in front of the goal.  So, when Pittman’s 25 yard strike opened the scoring, you thought that Hereford would be forced out and more goals would come. Constable was straining every sinew to cap an amazing week with a goal, but a mixture of brilliant goalkeeping from Adam Bartlett and a little profligacy kept the score at 1-0. As time drifted on the more nervous the supporters got, and this seemed to infect the team. Things got worse on 32 minutes when a fizzing cross from Joe Colbeck on the right struck Michael Duberry on the left foot and the ball trickled in past a horrified Ryan Clarke.

Debutant forward Oli Johnson was introduced as Oxford went on the attack to find the elusive winner. In a game where they had the vast majority of the possession, on 85 minutes they found themselves chasing an equaliser. Again it was a Colbeck cross, and again it found Duberry. Under pressure at the back post the ball glanced off his head and in.

It’s the mark of a professional and the mark of the man, that for the remainder of the game Duberry was a man on a mission and he didn’t have long to wait for redemption. Substitute Tom Craddock crossed from the right, and supplementary striker Duberry was there to stroke home with his right foot, completing the most unusual hat-trick you’ll ever see. He later pointed out it was the perfect three-timer too. Left foot, right foot and header, just not quite how he’d have wanted to achieve the feat!

There was still time for Constable for stretch to head one last chance, but it was not to be his day, as the ball spun wide. It was almost as he wanted it too much. That I feel could be summary for the whole match, not just the big-hearted striker.

 

All change at Crewe

14 Saturday Jan 2012

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Saturday 14th January 2012 ko 3.00pm

League 2

OXFORD UNITED 0

CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 (Pearson 89)

Att 7, 052 (313 away)

Entry S/T

Programme £3 including Oxford Mail

I remember the first time I watched Crewe. Oxford had just been relegated into what’s now called League 1 and we were playing them that Saturday. I sniffed that this should be an easy win, and was rapidly educated about the Alex manager Dario Gradi and all that he’d achieved on absolutely no budget. Oxford did win that day but the beautiful passing game Crewe played marked my card.

Gradi did get Crewe to the second tier, until a mixture of the Bosman ruling and budgetary restrictions saw the Alex return to the bottom divsion. Dario’s now retired after a 24 year stint as manager, and is now involved at the club’s academy. Its worth noting that Crewe are the only club to participate in the FA Premier Youth League, whose adults have never played in the Premier League.

With Gradi upstairs, its fallen to former Oxford United player, and Nantwich Town manager Steve Davis, to revive the Alex’s fortunes. Judging by the start Oxford made, Davis looked to have his work cut out. Oxford, as befits a team 6 games unbeaten, looked sharp, and James Constable had a goal disallowed for a push in the build-up. Soon after Constable’s goal bound shot was deflected over the bar and at that point you felt that if Oxford had have scored, they’d have won the game at a canter.

The fact they didn’t gave Crewe heart, and as the game progressed, a change of formation allowed them to stifle play, and gradually Oxford’s passing got longer as the space available decreased. It certainly wasn’t reminiscent of the Gradi years, but for the 313 away fans it worked a treat. A Crewe corner was headed wide by Adam Dugdale when he really should have hit the target, but Pittman’s front play for Oxford was still causing the away defence problems, full of feints and mis-moves.

The second half was notably more dull as Crewe were more than happy to settle for a point. But with Oxford frustrated the visitors looked more and more confident. Byron Moore was put through following a clever flick and only a sliding challenge from Michael Duberry prevented a shot on goal. Nick Powell then saw his 25 yard shot just go over the Oxford bar.

From a point early on where Oxford looked like easy winners, the 89th minute saw Crewe take the win. A series of one-twos on the left eventually found Powell. His cross found late subsitute Gregg Pearson, and the on-loan Burton forward touched home.

Peter Leven had a late free kick to gain some sort of salvation for Oxford, but his shot, like his forwards, hit a wall….. For Crewe a welcome away win, but I’ve never seen a Crewe side pass so badly. Maybe with Dario’s retirement, the style will change, but I hope the production line of talent never will.

For the Top of Dreams

21 Wednesday Dec 2011

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Wednesday 13th July 2011 ko 7.00pm

J-League Division 1

CEREZO OSAKA 2 (Bo-Kyung Kim 49 Y Marsuhasi 74)

JUBILO IWATA 3 (Kanazono 63 Komano 77 Yamada 80)

Att 8,056

Entry & Programme  2,500 yen

“Kirin” Beer 500 yen

Balls in a bucket game 500 yen

Of the 12 games on my Japanese tour, this one was easily the most enjoyable, and summed up the Japanese game neatly. I’d spent the Wednesday sightseeing in Osaka, and took the train over to Tsurugaoka Station for 5pm, 2 hours before kick off.

The “Groundhopping Informer” has Cerezo playing at the Nagai Stadium which has a capacity 47,000 but that’s only used for the bigger games, for example Gamba. For the majority of the time they play at the Kincho stadium, capacity 20,500. Confused as to which stadium to head to? Don’t be, they’re adjacent! The stadium before sponsorship was known as Nagai Ball Gall Field and was built for American football and for rugby. It would explain why there’s only one covered stand, and behind one goal there’s a narrow terrance, behind the other is a grass bank, housing the away fans.

On arrival I met Chris Hoddle, another expat fan, and I tried the local delicacy tako-yaki, or doughballs with octopus filling, and tried the throw the balls in the bucket game. You get to keep the balls which contain a players shirt mobile phone charm, and if you get 6 or more in in 10 seconds, you win a bigger prize. I got 7, and a Cerezo baseball cap!

Cerezo Osaka have long been one of the most colourful teams in the  J.League, and not solely for their “flaming pink” shirts. Although Cerezo have never won the league title, they have come within a whisker of victory on two occasions, and if the team continues to play its aggressive style of attacking football, fans are sure to overlook the relative lack of silverware. In 2000, and again in 2005, Cerezo went into the final match of the season in first  place, only to stumble at the final hurdle. While this has surely disappointed  their fans, it is often the teams that break their fans hearts with dramatic  “near misses” that enjoy the most fanatical support. Although their cross-town rivals, Gamba, were the first Kansai-area team to win the title, in 2005, and  have gone on to even greater international fame as Asian champions in 2008, Cerezo still seems to be the team that excites the greater passion among folks in Osaka.

The team adopted the  name “Cerezo Osaka”, taken from the Spanish word for “cherry.” Osaka and all  of Japan, for that matter  is well known for its beautiful cherry trees which blossom in a pink profusion during the early spring.

We’d already marked our spot, in typical fashion and enjoyed the wide range of people united by football, who can watch their sport in perfect safety.

As for the game, I think the Rising Sun website sums it all up neatly,

“On the other side of Osaka, two of the youngest and most exciting teams in the league met head to head, both Cerezo and Jubilo have young players of their own who are likely to be heard from in the near future. The only question is which one we will be discussing as the next big talent to attract attention from Europe – Hiroshi Kiyotake, Yusuke Maruhashi, Shu Kurata, Hiroki Yamada, Ryohei Yamazaki or Kosuke Yamamoto.

The first half was closely contested, and though both teams had several chances to open the scoring, scrambling defensive efforts kept things scoreless at the break. However shortly after the restart the home team triggered the excitement meter with apowerful long-distance drive which caught the top right corner and put Cerezo in the lead. But Jubilo responded immediately as Yamada displayed his dribbling prowess. The U-22 midfielder turned the left flank and weaved his way past three Cerezo defenders before pushing the ball back to Hidetaka Kanazono for the finish.

Cerezo went right back in front a few minutes later when Maruhashi found free space outside the left post and Kiyotake fed him perfectly for a left-footed slam dunk. Once again it was Jubilo’s turn to respond, this time with an unlikely shooter – veteran Yuichi Komano – driving a right-footed shot into the top right corner, just out of the reach of keeper Kim Jin-Hyeon.

With ten minutes left Hiroki Yamada drove a dagger into the hearts of the home fans, racing onto a cross from Komano and meeting it on the half-volley with his right boot. The ball slipped just inside the post and Jubilo snatched the comeback victory.”

And that’s Cerezo all over, exciting and infuriating in equal measure, and with a more than porous defence. How Kim Jin Hyeon gets a game in goal I’ll never know. I was disappointed that Cerezo didn’t win, but this was a great spectacle.

The final word should go to the elderly lady with the bicycle from the Hiroshima trip. She handed me a goody bag of Cerezo souvenirs, and I was lost for words at her kindness.

Arigatou gozaimasu. ありがとうございます。

Three Stadia and a botanical garden!

20 Tuesday Dec 2011

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With me just out of hospital after stomach surgery I’d thought I’d put some stuff on July’s Japanese tour. As usual it’s as much about the people and the places as it is about the football, as it should be. Enjoy, and I hope to be back on the road soon.

Thursday 7th July 2011 ko 2.00pm

Japan University Football Association Prime Minister Cup Semi Final

MEIJI 1 (Iwabuchi 73)

OSAKA TAIIKO 1 (Matzuzawa 19)

AET  Osaka won 4-3 pens

Att c150

@ Nagai Number 2 Stadium, Osaka

Entry, Programme and Teamsheet 1000 yen (about £8.50)

Nagai Park is southern Osaka is quite something. There’s the massive Number 1 stadium, used in the World Cup, the 20,000 Kincho, and the 10,000 Number 2 all within 100 yards. Potentially an easy triple, and there’s the Botanical gardens too! Continue reading →