Kansai League reigning champions Banditonce Kobe kicked off the defence of their title in some style in one of two Division One fixtures to be staged on Saturday. They put five without reply past newly-promoted FC Kyoto 1993, while in the other game AS Laranja Kyoto lost 2-0 to old hands Sanyo Electric Sumoto.
Scorer of two goals against FC Kyoto, Banditonce skipper Kanji Nishimura
Sat 14 Apr: Banditonce Kobe 5-0 FC Kyoto 1993
Sat 14 Apr: Sanyo Electric Sumoto 2-0 AS Laranja Kyoto
Scorer of two goals against FC Kyoto, Banditonce skipper Kanji Nishimura
Sat 14 Apr: Banditonce Kobe 5-0 FC Kyoto 1993
Sat 14 Apr: Sanyo Electric Sumoto 2-0 AS Laranja Kyoto
A brace from 26-year-old forward Norita Ochiai helped former JFLers Honda Lock to a 6-1 thrashing of Nanakuma Tombies in the only Kyushu League fixture of the day on Saturday. While Nanakuma slip to the bottom of the table on goal difference, for 24 hours at least Lock go joint top with Nippon Steel Oita and 2006 champions V Varen Nagasaki.
Nanakuma Tombies host Honda Lock. Lovely spot, evidently
Sat 14 Apr: Nanakuma Tombies 1-6 Honda Lock
1. V Varen Nagasaki 9 (+19)
2. Honda Lock 9 (+15)
3. Nippon Steel Oita 9 (+11)
4. New Wave Kitakyushu 6 (+4)
5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 6 (-3)
6. Volca Kagoshima 5 (+6)
7. Okinawa Kariyushi 3 (-)
8. Osumi NIFS United 1 (-8)
9. Kumamoto Teachers 0 (-9)
10. Kaiho Bank SC 0 (-16)
11. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-19)
Nanakuma Tombies host Honda Lock. Lovely spot, evidently
Sat 14 Apr: Nanakuma Tombies 1-6 Honda Lock
1. V Varen Nagasaki 9 (+19)
2. Honda Lock 9 (+15)
3. Nippon Steel Oita 9 (+11)
4. New Wave Kitakyushu 6 (+4)
5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 6 (-3)
6. Volca Kagoshima 5 (+6)
7. Okinawa Kariyushi 3 (-)
8. Osumi NIFS United 1 (-8)
9. Kumamoto Teachers 0 (-9)
10. Kaiho Bank SC 0 (-16)
11. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-19)
It's back up to the top of the JFL table - at least until Sunday - for Sagawa Kyubin SC, following their comfortable enough 2-0 win away at FC Kariya. Once again Sagawa's goal heroes were big striker Sho Gokyu and midfielder Shogo Shimada, the latter of whom notched his fifth goal in four games to make it 2-0 just before half time. Poor old Kariya, meanwhile, have yet to pick up so much as a point from six matches and coach Nariyasu Yasuhara must surely be living on borrowed time.
Indeed, the Aichi club sink to the bottom of the league as a result of their defeat and a first win of 2007 for Sagawa Printing, 1-0 winners over TDK SC thanks to a Shinobu Yusa goal. But continuing their excellent start to the season are Yokogawa Musashino, now third after they defeated an Arte Takasaki side who have now scored only once all year. On target with the score goal of the game for unbeaten Yokogawa was Kosuke Ota - like Sho Gokyu, formerly on the books at J2 outfit Thespa Kusatsu.
Cheery Yokogawa Musashino after their win at Arte Takasaki
Sat 14 Apr: Arte Takasaki 0-1 Yokogawa Musashino
Sat 14 Apr: FC Kariya 0-2 Sagawa Kyubin SC
Sat 14 Apr: Sagawa Printing 1-0 TDK SC
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 15 (+12)
2. FC Gifu 15 (+7)
3. Yokogawa Musashino 14 (+6)
4. Tochigi SC 13 (+9)
5. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+8)
6. YKK AP 12 (+4)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 11 (+3)
8. Honda FC 10 (+5)
9. JEF Reserves 8 (+1)
10. TDK SC 6 (-3)
11. Sony Sendai 4 (-2)
12. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-3)
13. Arte Takasaki 4 (-8)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-5)
15. Sagawa Printing SC 3 (-8)
16. Gainare Tottori 2 (-5)
17. FC Ryukyu 1 (-12)
18. FC Kariya 0 (-9)
Indeed, the Aichi club sink to the bottom of the league as a result of their defeat and a first win of 2007 for Sagawa Printing, 1-0 winners over TDK SC thanks to a Shinobu Yusa goal. But continuing their excellent start to the season are Yokogawa Musashino, now third after they defeated an Arte Takasaki side who have now scored only once all year. On target with the score goal of the game for unbeaten Yokogawa was Kosuke Ota - like Sho Gokyu, formerly on the books at J2 outfit Thespa Kusatsu.
Cheery Yokogawa Musashino after their win at Arte Takasaki
Sat 14 Apr: Arte Takasaki 0-1 Yokogawa Musashino
Sat 14 Apr: FC Kariya 0-2 Sagawa Kyubin SC
Sat 14 Apr: Sagawa Printing 1-0 TDK SC
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 15 (+12)
2. FC Gifu 15 (+7)
3. Yokogawa Musashino 14 (+6)
4. Tochigi SC 13 (+9)
5. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+8)
6. YKK AP 12 (+4)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 11 (+3)
8. Honda FC 10 (+5)
9. JEF Reserves 8 (+1)
10. TDK SC 6 (-3)
11. Sony Sendai 4 (-2)
12. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-3)
13. Arte Takasaki 4 (-8)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-5)
15. Sagawa Printing SC 3 (-8)
16. Gainare Tottori 2 (-5)
17. FC Ryukyu 1 (-12)
18. FC Kariya 0 (-9)
... Honda FC played a friendly on Thursday against their neighbours and former JFL outfit Shizuoka Sangyo University. Midfielder Keigo Kawashima scored a hat-trick in a 7-1 win for the 2006 champions... on the same day, Ryutsu Keizai University suffered a distinctly embarrassing 2-1 defeat to their own Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School...
Some early news on the subject of this year's All-Japan Shakaijin tournament, which is essentially for non-league teams lower in the pyramid than the JFL, i.e. Regional and Prefectural League sides. The competition will this year be staged between Sat 13 and Wed 17 October and, as was the case in 2006, the winners will be eligible to participate into the end-of-season Regional League Championship Winners' Play-off to decide entry into the JFL itself.
If the winners of the Shakaijin have already gained entry to the Play-offs by virtue of having won their own Regional League, the Shakaijin runners-up will be invited to take their place. Indeed, this is exactly what happened last season, when Shizuoka FC from Tokai ended up in the Play-offs after Kyushu champions V Varen Nagasaki had carried off the Shakaijin title too; but this right will not be extended to the team finishing third in the Shakaijin.
If the winners of the Shakaijin have already gained entry to the Play-offs by virtue of having won their own Regional League, the Shakaijin runners-up will be invited to take their place. Indeed, this is exactly what happened last season, when Shizuoka FC from Tokai ended up in the Play-offs after Kyushu champions V Varen Nagasaki had carried off the Shakaijin title too; but this right will not be extended to the team finishing third in the Shakaijin.
... Keisuke Mori, previously a defender with Sagan Tosu and Alo's Hokuriku, has moved from Mito Hollyhock to become a coach at Ibaraki neighbours Ryutsu Keizai University... after having been let go at the end of last season by Alo's, ex-Tokushima Vortis midfielder has signed for Crystal Palace USA... three other players who reached the end of their contracts with various JFL clubs have found new teams, all in the Kanto League. Midfield player Toshiya Hirata, formerly with SC Tottori, has gone to YSCC; keeper Takeshi Tsutsui has moved from JEF Club to Furukawa Electrics Chiba; and Takayasu Kawai, another midfield player, has signed for Kanagawa Teachers after finishing at Sagawa Kyubin Tokyo...
... Rosso Kumamoto staged a friendly match on Monday and seem to have recovered from their shock JFL defeat to JEF Reserves. They beat Kumamoto Gakuen University 6-0... 20-year-old midfield player Toshitaka Tsurumi has joined Gainare Tottori from Shonan Bellmare until the end of January next year...
2007's Shikoku League season also got underway on Sunday and it ought to be clarified straightaway to eagle-eyed readers that Alex SC have changed their name during the close season. The Tokushima-based club took on the name of Alex, a local sports shop, as long ago as 1987 but are now called in Japanese 徳島コンプリールＳＣ. The English spelling of this new name is as yet unconfirmed, but until further details emerge they will be known at least on these pages as Tokushima Comprille SC.
Ventana in white battle their way to a win over Shimanami
Whatever the club are called, they nevertheless lost the opening fixture of the new campaign, although a 1-0 defeat at Nangoku Kochi cannot go down as too bad a result. This is particularly true when one remembers that goalscorer Yohei Ueda managed seven in the equivalent fixture last year, which turned out to be a 10-0 drubbing for Alex. Reigning champions Kamatamare Sanuki, however, comfortably overcame last year's whipping boys Sanwa Club to the tune of 4-1, thanks in the main to a hat-trick from striker Hiroshi Kato.
The other two fixtures brought more surprising results. In the Matsuyama prefecture derby match, Ehime Shimanami - who in the last few seasons have emerged as the strongest challengers to the clear superiority of Kamatamare and Nangoku - were defeated 2-1 at home by neighbours Ventana AC. Top of the fledgling table at present, though, are Tokushima Vortis Amateur; two late goals made them clear 4-0 winners over their own local rivals Sanyo Electric Tokushima.
Kamatamare line up for the first game of the season
Sun 08 Apr: Ehime Shimanami 1-2 Ventana AC
Sun 08 Apr: Nangoku Kochi 1-0 Tokushima Comprille SC
Sun 08 Apr: Sanwa Club 1-4 Kamatamare Sanuki
Sun 08 Apr: Tokushima Vortis Amateur 4-0 Sanyo Electric Tokushima
Ventana in white battle their way to a win over Shimanami
Whatever the club are called, they nevertheless lost the opening fixture of the new campaign, although a 1-0 defeat at Nangoku Kochi cannot go down as too bad a result. This is particularly true when one remembers that goalscorer Yohei Ueda managed seven in the equivalent fixture last year, which turned out to be a 10-0 drubbing for Alex. Reigning champions Kamatamare Sanuki, however, comfortably overcame last year's whipping boys Sanwa Club to the tune of 4-1, thanks in the main to a hat-trick from striker Hiroshi Kato.
The other two fixtures brought more surprising results. In the Matsuyama prefecture derby match, Ehime Shimanami - who in the last few seasons have emerged as the strongest challengers to the clear superiority of Kamatamare and Nangoku - were defeated 2-1 at home by neighbours Ventana AC. Top of the fledgling table at present, though, are Tokushima Vortis Amateur; two late goals made them clear 4-0 winners over their own local rivals Sanyo Electric Tokushima.
Kamatamare line up for the first game of the season
Sun 08 Apr: Ehime Shimanami 1-2 Ventana AC
Sun 08 Apr: Nangoku Kochi 1-0 Tokushima Comprille SC
Sun 08 Apr: Sanwa Club 1-4 Kamatamare Sanuki
Sun 08 Apr: Tokushima Vortis Amateur 4-0 Sanyo Electric Tokushima
The Kyushu League hit round 3 on Sunday and last season's winners V Varen Nagasaki would already appear to be the team to beat. They made it twenty goals scored in their three fixtures to date, with a 7-1 thrashing of Fukuoka students Nanakuma Tombies that was watched by a crowd in excess of 3000 people. But V Varen only lead on goal difference from 2006's surprise runners-up Nippon Steel Oita, who maintained their own 100% start by defeating early season shock challengers Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki.
Honda Lock have a game in hand and lie third following their 3-1 win over current bottom placed side Kaiho Bank SC, but New Wave Kitakyushu - following on from their sensational loss to Mitsubishi least weekend - continue to live dangerously, almost throwing away a 3-0 half-time lead over Osumi NIFS United. While Kumamoto Teachers had the weekend off from what this year is an eleven-team competition, Volca Kagoshima picked up two points thanks to their penalty shoot-out win following a draw with Okinawa Kariyushi.
Kaiho Bank in blue, heading for defeat at Honda Lock
Sun 08 Apr: Honda Lock 3-1 Kaiho Bank SC
Sun 08 Apr: New Wave Kitakyushu 3-2 Osumi NIFS United
Sun 08 Apr: Nippon Steel Oita 5-0 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki
Sun 08 Apr: V Varen Nagasaki 7-1 Nanakuma Tombies
Sun 08 Apr: Volca Kagoshima 3-3 Okinawa Kariyushi (PK 3-0)
1. V Varen Nagasaki 9 (+19)
2. Nippon Steel Oita 9 (+11)
3. Honda Lock 6 (+10)
4. New Wave Kitakyushu 6 (+4)
5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 6 (-3)
6. Volca Kagoshima 5 (+6)
7. Okinawa Kariyushi 3 (-)
8. Osumi NIFS United 1 (-8)
9. Kumamoto Teachers 0 (-9)
10. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-14)
11. Kaiho Bank SC 0 (-16)
Jun Mizukoshi scores for New Wave against Osumi NIFS
Honda Lock have a game in hand and lie third following their 3-1 win over current bottom placed side Kaiho Bank SC, but New Wave Kitakyushu - following on from their sensational loss to Mitsubishi least weekend - continue to live dangerously, almost throwing away a 3-0 half-time lead over Osumi NIFS United. While Kumamoto Teachers had the weekend off from what this year is an eleven-team competition, Volca Kagoshima picked up two points thanks to their penalty shoot-out win following a draw with Okinawa Kariyushi.
Kaiho Bank in blue, heading for defeat at Honda Lock
Sun 08 Apr: Honda Lock 3-1 Kaiho Bank SC
Sun 08 Apr: New Wave Kitakyushu 3-2 Osumi NIFS United
Sun 08 Apr: Nippon Steel Oita 5-0 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki
Sun 08 Apr: V Varen Nagasaki 7-1 Nanakuma Tombies
Sun 08 Apr: Volca Kagoshima 3-3 Okinawa Kariyushi (PK 3-0)
1. V Varen Nagasaki 9 (+19)
2. Nippon Steel Oita 9 (+11)
3. Honda Lock 6 (+10)
4. New Wave Kitakyushu 6 (+4)
5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 6 (-3)
6. Volca Kagoshima 5 (+6)
7. Okinawa Kariyushi 3 (-)
8. Osumi NIFS United 1 (-8)
9. Kumamoto Teachers 0 (-9)
10. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-14)
11. Kaiho Bank SC 0 (-16)
Jun Mizukoshi scores for New Wave against Osumi NIFS
Sunday saw the opening round, too, to the Hokushinetsu League Division 2 season for 2007. Newly promoted from the Prefectural Leagues are CUPS Niigata - otherwise known as Japan Soccer College reserves - and Ohara School JaSRA, but the two achieved very different results in their debut matches at Regional level. CUPS were 2-0 down inside ten minutes and ended up being beaten 4-0 by Saurcos Fukui, who previously played under the name of FC Kanazu and now have their sights set on bringing J-League football to their own quiet corner of the country. A crowd of 500 turned up to see the start of the journey.
Ohara School, on the other hand, recorded an excellent 2-1 win away at Teihens FC, who twelve months ago were kicking off a season in Division 1. Like the mysteriously-monikered Saurcos, another team to have changed their name are Granscena Niigata - formerly known somewhat misleadingly as TOP Niigata - who overcame Toyama Shinjo Club 2-0. In the other game of the day, FC Antelope Shiojiri managed a 1-0 win over Maruoka Phoenix.
It’s Granscena Niigata on the attack against Toyama Shinjo, of course
Sun Apr 08: Granscena Niigata 2-0 Toyama Shinjo Club
Sun Apr 08: Maruoka Phoenix 0-1 FC Antelope Shiojiri
Sun Apr 08: Saurcos Fukui 4-0 CUPS Niigata
Sun Apr 08: Teihens FC 1-2 Ohara School JaSRA
Ohara School, on the other hand, recorded an excellent 2-1 win away at Teihens FC, who twelve months ago were kicking off a season in Division 1. Like the mysteriously-monikered Saurcos, another team to have changed their name are Granscena Niigata - formerly known somewhat misleadingly as TOP Niigata - who overcame Toyama Shinjo Club 2-0. In the other game of the day, FC Antelope Shiojiri managed a 1-0 win over Maruoka Phoenix.
It’s Granscena Niigata on the attack against Toyama Shinjo, of course
Sun Apr 08: Granscena Niigata 2-0 Toyama Shinjo Club
Sun Apr 08: Maruoka Phoenix 0-1 FC Antelope Shiojiri
Sun Apr 08: Saurcos Fukui 4-0 CUPS Niigata
Sun Apr 08: Teihens FC 1-2 Ohara School JaSRA
Division 1 of the Hokushinetsu League began its 2007 season on Sunday, with Valiente Toyama promoted to life among the big(ger) boys. They went down 3-0 to 2006 champions Japan Soccer College, but other sides suffered worse fates than that. In the Nagano prefecture derby, more than 2000 supporters were at the impressive Alwin facility as Matsumoto Yamaga Club crushed Ueda Gentian 6-0 with a hat-trick from their new ex-Gamba Osaka youth striker Masato Katayama.
It was AC Nagano Parceiro who recorded the best result of the day, however, as they put seven without reply past Niigata University of Management - their own hat-trick hero was former Thespa Kusatsu forward Taiten Sato, who rattled in all his three goals inside the final half an hour. The other game saw Zweigen Kanazawa overcome their Ishikawa rivals Fervorosa in a tense encounter, the only goal coming seven minutes from time courtesy of midfielder Tatsuro Kimura.
Matsumoto Yamaga Club prepare for the big kick off
Sun 08 Apr: AC Nagano Parceiro 7-0 Niigata University of Management
Sun 08 Apr: Japan Soccer College 3-0 Valiente Toyama
Sun 08 Apr: Matsumoto Yamaga Club 6-0 Ueda Gentian
Sun 08 Apr: Zweigen Kanazawa 1-0 Fervorosa
The Ishikawa derby - Zweigen Kanazawa in red against Fervorosa
It was AC Nagano Parceiro who recorded the best result of the day, however, as they put seven without reply past Niigata University of Management - their own hat-trick hero was former Thespa Kusatsu forward Taiten Sato, who rattled in all his three goals inside the final half an hour. The other game saw Zweigen Kanazawa overcome their Ishikawa rivals Fervorosa in a tense encounter, the only goal coming seven minutes from time courtesy of midfielder Tatsuro Kimura.
Matsumoto Yamaga Club prepare for the big kick off
Sun 08 Apr: AC Nagano Parceiro 7-0 Niigata University of Management
Sun 08 Apr: Japan Soccer College 3-0 Valiente Toyama
Sun 08 Apr: Matsumoto Yamaga Club 6-0 Ueda Gentian
Sun 08 Apr: Zweigen Kanazawa 1-0 Fervorosa
The Ishikawa derby - Zweigen Kanazawa in red against Fervorosa
It was a remarkable day of action in the JFL on Sunday, with erstwhile leaders Rosso Kumamoto losing their 100% record in dramatic circumstances - and falling to fourth place as a consequence. It was JEF Reserves who dished out Rosso's defeat thanks to a last-minute strike from midfielder Kazuyoshi Nozawa, which in turn helped JEF consolidate their mid-table spot, comfortably above the real strugglers.
Sagawa Kyubin SC might have taken over at the top of the division on Saturday, but the holders of the only remaining 100% record now - five matches into the season - are newcomers FC Gifu. But even they only scraped a 1-0 win against Mitsubishi Mizushima, new signing and former Tokushima Vortis forward Jorginho grabbing the only goal just before the hour mark.
FC Gifu goal hero Jorginho
Hot on Gifu's heels are Tochigi SC, who have still conceded only one goal so far this year and today coasted past lowly Arte Takasaki. New midfield player Masamitsu Kobayashi scored a brace in a 4-0 win for Tochigi. Also scoring twice was one of the league's real goal heroes, who had previously to get off the mark in 2007. Honda FC's Kodai Suzuki was the difference between his team and bottom-placed Sagawa Printing.
Yokogawa Musashino and Alo's Hokuriku both kept up their challenge with expected home wins over Gainare Tottori and Sony Sendai, while TDK SC made it two wins in a row thanks to a vital 1-0 defeat of Ryutsu Keizai University. But surely the result of the day came in Toyama, as FC Kariya took a stunning 3-0 lead early in the second half, only to be pegged back by hosts YKK AP. It was star defender Michiharu Otagiri who eventually notched the winner for YKK three minutes from time.
Getting his fix at Yokogawa Musashino - Gainare Tottori
Sun 08 Apr: Alo's Hokuriku 1-0 Sony Sendai
Sun 08 Apr: FC Gifu 1-0 Mitsubishi Mizushima
Sun 08 Apr: Rosso Kumamoto 0-1 JEF Reserves
Sun 08 Apr: Sagawa Printing 0-2 Honda FC
Sun 08 Apr: TDK SC 1-0 Ryutsu Keizai University
Sun 08 Apr: Tochigi SC 4-0 Arte Takasaki
Sun 08 Apr: YKK AP 4-3 FC Kariya
Sun 08 Apr: Yokogawa Musashino 2-0 Gainare Tottori
1. FC Gifu 15 (+7)
2. Tochigi SC 13 (+9)
3. Sagawa Kyubin SC 12 (+10)
4. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+8)
5. YKK AP 12 (+4)
6. Yokogawa Musashino 11 (+5)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 11 (+3)
8. Honda FC 10 (+5)
9. JEF Reserves 8 (+1)
10. TDK SC 6 (-2)
11. Sony Sendai 4 (-2)
12. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-3)
13. Arte Takasaki 4 (-7)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-5)
15. Gainare Tottori 2 (-5)
16. FC Ryukyu 1 (-12)
17. FC Kariya 0 (-7)
18. Sagawa Printing SC 0 (-9)
Sagawa Kyubin SC might have taken over at the top of the division on Saturday, but the holders of the only remaining 100% record now - five matches into the season - are newcomers FC Gifu. But even they only scraped a 1-0 win against Mitsubishi Mizushima, new signing and former Tokushima Vortis forward Jorginho grabbing the only goal just before the hour mark.
FC Gifu goal hero Jorginho
Hot on Gifu's heels are Tochigi SC, who have still conceded only one goal so far this year and today coasted past lowly Arte Takasaki. New midfield player Masamitsu Kobayashi scored a brace in a 4-0 win for Tochigi. Also scoring twice was one of the league's real goal heroes, who had previously to get off the mark in 2007. Honda FC's Kodai Suzuki was the difference between his team and bottom-placed Sagawa Printing.
Yokogawa Musashino and Alo's Hokuriku both kept up their challenge with expected home wins over Gainare Tottori and Sony Sendai, while TDK SC made it two wins in a row thanks to a vital 1-0 defeat of Ryutsu Keizai University. But surely the result of the day came in Toyama, as FC Kariya took a stunning 3-0 lead early in the second half, only to be pegged back by hosts YKK AP. It was star defender Michiharu Otagiri who eventually notched the winner for YKK three minutes from time.
Getting his fix at Yokogawa Musashino - Gainare Tottori
Sun 08 Apr: Alo's Hokuriku 1-0 Sony Sendai
Sun 08 Apr: FC Gifu 1-0 Mitsubishi Mizushima
Sun 08 Apr: Rosso Kumamoto 0-1 JEF Reserves
Sun 08 Apr: Sagawa Printing 0-2 Honda FC
Sun 08 Apr: TDK SC 1-0 Ryutsu Keizai University
Sun 08 Apr: Tochigi SC 4-0 Arte Takasaki
Sun 08 Apr: YKK AP 4-3 FC Kariya
Sun 08 Apr: Yokogawa Musashino 2-0 Gainare Tottori
1. FC Gifu 15 (+7)
2. Tochigi SC 13 (+9)
3. Sagawa Kyubin SC 12 (+10)
4. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+8)
5. YKK AP 12 (+4)
6. Yokogawa Musashino 11 (+5)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 11 (+3)
8. Honda FC 10 (+5)
9. JEF Reserves 8 (+1)
10. TDK SC 6 (-2)
11. Sony Sendai 4 (-2)
12. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-3)
13. Arte Takasaki 4 (-7)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-5)
15. Gainare Tottori 2 (-5)
16. FC Ryukyu 1 (-12)
17. FC Kariya 0 (-7)
18. Sagawa Printing SC 0 (-9)
... Gainare Tottori recorded a 4-1 win over Kibi International University in a friendly game on Thursday... Yokogawa Musashino beat Tokyo Prefectural League outfit Hitachi Building Systems 3-0 on Saturday, with goals from Song I Yun and Kohei Iwata (2)...
It might be for a period of only 24 hours, but as a result of having won the single JFL fixture to be played on Saturday Sagawa Kyubin SC have knocked Rosso Kumamoto off the top of the early-season league table. The Shiga prefecture-based side scored two in each half to overcome an FC Ryukyu side who seem destined to repeat their struggle of 2006, despite the arrival in Okinawa of title-winning former Honda FC coach Hideo Yoshizawa.
Sat 07 Apr: Sagawa Kyubin SC 4-0 FC Ryukyu
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 12 (+10)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+9)
3. FC Gifu 12 (+6)
4. Tochigi SC 10 (+5)
5. YKK AP 9 (+3)
6. Yokogawa Musashino 8 (+3)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 8 (+2)
8. Honda FC 7 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 5 (-)
10. Sony Sendai 4 (-1)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-2)
12. Arte Takasaki 4 (-3)
13. TDK SC 3 (-3)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-4)
15. Gainare Tottori 2 (-3)
16. FC Ryukyu 1 (-12)
17. FC Kariya 0 (-6)
18. Sagawa Printing SC 0 (-7)
Sat 07 Apr: Sagawa Kyubin SC 4-0 FC Ryukyu
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 12 (+10)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+9)
3. FC Gifu 12 (+6)
4. Tochigi SC 10 (+5)
5. YKK AP 9 (+3)
6. Yokogawa Musashino 8 (+3)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 8 (+2)
8. Honda FC 7 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 5 (-)
10. Sony Sendai 4 (-1)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-2)
12. Arte Takasaki 4 (-3)
13. TDK SC 3 (-3)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-4)
15. Gainare Tottori 2 (-3)
16. FC Ryukyu 1 (-12)
17. FC Kariya 0 (-6)
18. Sagawa Printing SC 0 (-7)
... JFL strugglers FC Ryukyu picked up a 4-0 win over Okinawa's Gushikawa High School in a friendly on Wednesday...
In the one remaining fixture left over from round 4 over the weekend, JEF Reserves shared a goalless draw with their Kanto neighbours Yokogawa Musashino. This keeps Yokogawa in their familiar place on the fringe of the title race, while JEF are currently mid-table.
JEF Reserves and Yokogawa greet the faithful
Wed 04 Apr: JEF Reserves 0-0 Yokogawa Musashino
1. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+9)
2. FC Gifu 12 (+6)
3. Tochigi SC 10 (+5)
4. Sagawa Kyubin SC 9 (+6)
5. YKK AP 9 (+3)
6. Yokogawa Musashino 8 (+3)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 8 (+2)
8. Honda FC 7 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 5 (-)
10. Sony Sendai 4 (-1)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-2)
12. Arte Takasaki 4 (-3)
13. TDK SC 3 (-3)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-4)
15. Gainare Tottori 2 (-3)
16. FC Ryukyu 1 (-8)
17. FC Kariya 0 (-6)
18. Sagawa Printing SC 0 (-7)
JEF Reserves and Yokogawa greet the faithful
Wed 04 Apr: JEF Reserves 0-0 Yokogawa Musashino
1. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+9)
2. FC Gifu 12 (+6)
3. Tochigi SC 10 (+5)
4. Sagawa Kyubin SC 9 (+6)
5. YKK AP 9 (+3)
6. Yokogawa Musashino 8 (+3)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 8 (+2)
8. Honda FC 7 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 5 (-)
10. Sony Sendai 4 (-1)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-2)
12. Arte Takasaki 4 (-3)
13. TDK SC 3 (-3)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-4)
15. Gainare Tottori 2 (-3)
16. FC Ryukyu 1 (-8)
17. FC Kariya 0 (-6)
18. Sagawa Printing SC 0 (-7)
... FC Gifu's reserve team thrashed Tokai League side Mindhouse TC from Yokkaichi 7-2 in their friendly match on Sunday...
... JFL side Arte Takasaki have announced a new signing from Brazil in the shape of midfield player Tiago Luiz Potti. Tiago, who is 18, joins the struggling outfit from Inter de Limeira... experienced ex-Sagawa Kyubin Osaka striker Jun Narita - one of the players not offered a deal at the new merged Sagawa Kyubin SC team - has opted to re-join previous club Hermano Osaka, who compete in Division 2 of the Kansai League...
... Yuhei Ono has signed for Chugoku League champions Fagiano Okayama ahead of the big kick-off in a couple of weeks' time. Ex-Tokushima Vortis midfielder Ono becomes the third Okayama man with ties to former club Tokyo Verdy 1969, joining young loan signings Kohei Kiyama and Kenta Tsurumaki...
There were a couple of JFL-related friendly games staged on Sunday. Leaders Rosso Kumamoto held to a goalless draw their neighbours from J2, Sagan Tosu... Yokogawa Musashino, who had no league fixture over the weekend and instead take on JEF Reserves on Wednesday, beat Kanto League side Hitachi Tochigi 3-0...
FC Gifu remain hot on the heels of early season JFL leaders Rosso Kumamoto, after their 3-1 win at Sony Sendai made it four wins out of four for last year's Tokai League winners. Mitsutoshi Watada, signed during the close season from Kansai League side Banditonce Kobe, scored two in the first half for his new side.
But the league table is unfolding more or less as expected, with Tochigi SC and Sagawa Kyubin SC next in line behind Gifu and Rosso. Tochigi scored twice in the last fifteen minutes to claim three points at Gainare Tottori, while Kento Hori managed a brace of his own for Sagawa at Sagawa Printing - who in turn slip to the bottom of the division with no points from their four outings.
Alo’s Hokuriku’s Shota Kanno on the attack against Arte Takasaki
Mitsuru Hasegawa notched up his fifth of the year so far to help YKK AP to a 3-2 win in Okinawa against FC Ryukyu, and YKK's neighbours Alo's Hokuriku are still undefeated after a 0-0 draw at Arte Takasaki. But arguably the scoreline of the day occurred in Okayama, where Mitsubishi Mizushima conceded a Kosuke Iwase goal in the dying seconds to enable TDK SC to gain their first win since promotion.
Action from the Mitsubishi Mizushima - TDK SC game
Sun 01 Apr: Arte Takasaki 0-0 Alo's Hokuriku
Sun 01 Apr: FC Ryukyu 2-3 YKK AP
Sun 01 Apr: Gainare Tottori 0-2 Tochigi SC
Sun 01 Apr: Mitsubishi Mizushima 0-1 TDK SC
Sun 01 Apr: Sagawa Printing 1-3 Sagawa Kyubin SC
Sun 01 Apr: Sony Sendai 1-3 FC Gifu
1. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+9)
2. FC Gifu 12 (+6)
3. Tochigi SC 10 (+5)
4. Sagawa Kyubin SC 9 (+6)
5. YKK AP 9 (+3)
6. Alo's Hokuriku 8 (+2)
7.= Yokogawa Musashino 7 (+3)
7.= Honda FC 7 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 4 (-)
10. Sony Sendai 4 (-1)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-2)
12. Arte Takasaki 4 (-3)
13. TDK SC 3 (-3)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-4)
15. Gainare Tottori 2 (-3)
16. FC Ryukyu 1 (-8)
17. FC Kariya 0 (-6)
18. Sagawa Printing SC 0 (-7)
But the league table is unfolding more or less as expected, with Tochigi SC and Sagawa Kyubin SC next in line behind Gifu and Rosso. Tochigi scored twice in the last fifteen minutes to claim three points at Gainare Tottori, while Kento Hori managed a brace of his own for Sagawa at Sagawa Printing - who in turn slip to the bottom of the division with no points from their four outings.
Alo’s Hokuriku’s Shota Kanno on the attack against Arte Takasaki
Mitsuru Hasegawa notched up his fifth of the year so far to help YKK AP to a 3-2 win in Okinawa against FC Ryukyu, and YKK's neighbours Alo's Hokuriku are still undefeated after a 0-0 draw at Arte Takasaki. But arguably the scoreline of the day occurred in Okayama, where Mitsubishi Mizushima conceded a Kosuke Iwase goal in the dying seconds to enable TDK SC to gain their first win since promotion.
Action from the Mitsubishi Mizushima - TDK SC game
Sun 01 Apr: Arte Takasaki 0-0 Alo's Hokuriku
Sun 01 Apr: FC Ryukyu 2-3 YKK AP
Sun 01 Apr: Gainare Tottori 0-2 Tochigi SC
Sun 01 Apr: Mitsubishi Mizushima 0-1 TDK SC
Sun 01 Apr: Sagawa Printing 1-3 Sagawa Kyubin SC
Sun 01 Apr: Sony Sendai 1-3 FC Gifu
1. Rosso Kumamoto 12 (+9)
2. FC Gifu 12 (+6)
3. Tochigi SC 10 (+5)
4. Sagawa Kyubin SC 9 (+6)
5. YKK AP 9 (+3)
6. Alo's Hokuriku 8 (+2)
7.= Yokogawa Musashino 7 (+3)
7.= Honda FC 7 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 4 (-)
10. Sony Sendai 4 (-1)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 4 (-2)
12. Arte Takasaki 4 (-3)
13. TDK SC 3 (-3)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 3 (-4)
15. Gainare Tottori 2 (-3)
16. FC Ryukyu 1 (-8)
17. FC Kariya 0 (-6)
18. Sagawa Printing SC 0 (-7)
Sensational goings-on to report from the second round of Kyushu League fixtures in Nagasaki on Sunday. 2006 champions V Varen Nagasaki crushed the 2006 bottom side, Kaiho Bank SC from Okinawa, 12-0 - with hat-tricks from both Ryota Arimitsu and Keisuke Shuto, and four goals from Masaki Iwamoto. Relegated former JFL-ers Honda Lock ran in eight without reply against newcomers Kumamoto Teachers and Nippon Steel Oita strolled to a 4-0 defeat of Nanakuma Tombies.
Humiliated by their loss yesterday at the hands of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki, Volca Kagoshima bounced back to thrash Osumi NIFS United 7-0. But the most remarkable result of the year so far has potentially dealt a hammer blow to New Wave Kitakyushu's hopes of taking the title, as Mitsubishi Nagasaki built on their win against Volca to claim a 1-0 victory over New Wave.
Mitsubishi Nagasaki in red on their way to victory over New Wave
Sun 01 Apr: Kaiho Bank SC 0-12 V Varen Nagasaki
Sun 01 Apr: Kumamoto Teachers 0-8 Honda Lock
Sun 01 Apr: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 1-0 New Wave Kitakyushu
Sun 01 Apr: Nanakuma Tombies 0-4 Nippon Steel Oita
Sun 01 Apr: Osumi NIFS United 0-7 Volca Kagoshima
1. V Varen Nagasaki 6 (+13)
2. Nippon Steel Oita 6 (+6)
3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 6 (+2)
4. Honda Lock 3 (+8)
5. Volca Kagoshima 3 (+6)
6. New Wave Kitakyushu 3 (+3)
7. Okinawa Kariyushi 2 (-)
8. Osumi NIFS United 1 (-7)
9. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-8)
10. Kumamoto Teachers 0 (-9)
11. Kaiho Bank SC 0 (-14)
A tiny picture of V Varen Nagasaki’s Masaki Iwamoto
Humiliated by their loss yesterday at the hands of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki, Volca Kagoshima bounced back to thrash Osumi NIFS United 7-0. But the most remarkable result of the year so far has potentially dealt a hammer blow to New Wave Kitakyushu's hopes of taking the title, as Mitsubishi Nagasaki built on their win against Volca to claim a 1-0 victory over New Wave.
Mitsubishi Nagasaki in red on their way to victory over New Wave
Sun 01 Apr: Kaiho Bank SC 0-12 V Varen Nagasaki
Sun 01 Apr: Kumamoto Teachers 0-8 Honda Lock
Sun 01 Apr: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 1-0 New Wave Kitakyushu
Sun 01 Apr: Nanakuma Tombies 0-4 Nippon Steel Oita
Sun 01 Apr: Osumi NIFS United 0-7 Volca Kagoshima
1. V Varen Nagasaki 6 (+13)
2. Nippon Steel Oita 6 (+6)
3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 6 (+2)
4. Honda Lock 3 (+8)
5. Volca Kagoshima 3 (+6)
6. New Wave Kitakyushu 3 (+3)
7. Okinawa Kariyushi 2 (-)
8. Osumi NIFS United 1 (-7)
9. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-8)
10. Kumamoto Teachers 0 (-9)
11. Kaiho Bank SC 0 (-14)
A tiny picture of V Varen Nagasaki’s Masaki Iwamoto
Japan's Regional League season got underway on Saturday, with a full programme of games in the Kyushu League. The matches form part of a Kyushu weekend double header that traditionally kicks off the campaign in that part of the country. All the teams gathered together in Nagasaki and there will also be a five games on Sunday - including a first appearance of 2007 for Honda Lock, following their relegation back from the JFL.
Former Avispa Fukuoka man Ryota Arimitsu got 2006 champions V Varen Nagasaki off to a winning start, notching up the only goal of their game against promoted side Kumamoto Teachers. But the big winners of the day were ambitious New Wave Kitakyushu, for whom ex-J-League star Shinji Fujiyoshi was on target in a 5-1 defeat of Fukuoka students Nanakuma Tombies.
Shinji Fujiyoshi, now of New Wave Kitakyushu
Volca Kagoshima disastrously lost 2-1 to habitual strugglers Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki, while fellow Kagoshima-based outfit Osumi NIFS United missed out 5-4 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw with Okinawa Kariyushi. In the later kick-off game, last year's runners-up Nippon Steel Oita eased to a 3-1 win over 2006 wooden spooners Kaiho Bank SC.
Sat 31 Mar: New Wave Kitakyushu 5-1 Nanakuma Tombies
Sat 31 Mar: Nippon Steel Oita 3-1 Kaiho Bank SC
Sat 31 Mar: Okinawa Kariyushi 2-2 Osumi NIFS United (PK 5-4)
Sat 31 Mar: V Varen Nagasaki 1-0 Kumamoto Teachers
Sat 31 Mar: Volca Kagoshima 1-2 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki
Former Avispa Fukuoka man Ryota Arimitsu got 2006 champions V Varen Nagasaki off to a winning start, notching up the only goal of their game against promoted side Kumamoto Teachers. But the big winners of the day were ambitious New Wave Kitakyushu, for whom ex-J-League star Shinji Fujiyoshi was on target in a 5-1 defeat of Fukuoka students Nanakuma Tombies.
Shinji Fujiyoshi, now of New Wave Kitakyushu
Volca Kagoshima disastrously lost 2-1 to habitual strugglers Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki, while fellow Kagoshima-based outfit Osumi NIFS United missed out 5-4 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw with Okinawa Kariyushi. In the later kick-off game, last year's runners-up Nippon Steel Oita eased to a 3-1 win over 2006 wooden spooners Kaiho Bank SC.
Sat 31 Mar: New Wave Kitakyushu 5-1 Nanakuma Tombies
Sat 31 Mar: Nippon Steel Oita 3-1 Kaiho Bank SC
Sat 31 Mar: Okinawa Kariyushi 2-2 Osumi NIFS United (PK 5-4)
Sat 31 Mar: V Varen Nagasaki 1-0 Kumamoto Teachers
Sat 31 Mar: Volca Kagoshima 1-2 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki
