The greatest fears of V Varen Nagasaki came true over the weekend, when the ambitious 2006 Kyushu League champions were knocked off top spot of this year's competition by Honda Lock, the club relegated out of the JFL. V Varen's problem is that they can scarcely afford to maintain their squad at Regional level and are therefore reliant upon gaining promotion in 2007. Lock, on the other hand, have coped well with demotion and without doubt have the potential to be the fly in their rivals' ointment.
In the one fixture on Saturday, V Varen got the better of New Wave Kitakyushu on penalties after a 1-1 draw to pick up two points. But on Sunday, Honda Lock surged to the top of the table with a 6-0 thrashing of Volca Kagoshima, making it seven wins out of seven for the Miyazaki side.
With Nippon Steel Oita having a weekend off, the rest of the Kyushu League action was in the lower half of the table, where Nanakuma Tombies succumbed to a 5-0 defeat by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki to stay rock bottom. One place above them are Kaiho Bank SC, who suffered a distinctly humiliating 7-1 loss at home to the students of Osumi NIFS United. And in the other match, the inconsistent Okinawa Kariyushi remain in mid-table despite a 2-0 win over promoted team Kumamoto Teachers.
Honda Lock fight their way past Volca Kagoshima
Sat 19 May: New Wave Kitakyushu 1-1 V Varen Nagasaki (PK 4-5)
Sun 20 May: Kaiho Bank SC 1-7 Osumi NIFS United
Sun 20 May: Kumamoto Teachers 0-2 Okinawa Kariyushi
Sun 20 May: Nanakuma Tombies 0-5 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki
Sun 20 May: Volca Kagoshima 0-6 Honda Lock
1. Honda Lock 21 (+29)
2. V Varen Nagasaki 20 (+32)
3. Nippon Steel Oita 17 (+10)
4. New Wave Kitakyushu 16 (+12)
5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 12 (-5)
6. Okinawa Kariyushi 9 (-1)
7. Osumi NIFS United 7 (-8)
8. Volca Kagoshima 6 (-8)
9. Kumamoto Teachers 6 (-13)
10. Kaiho Bank SC 6 (-22)
11. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-26)
Nanakuma Tombies concede again to Mitsubishi Nagasaki
In the one fixture on Saturday, V Varen got the better of New Wave Kitakyushu on penalties after a 1-1 draw to pick up two points. But on Sunday, Honda Lock surged to the top of the table with a 6-0 thrashing of Volca Kagoshima, making it seven wins out of seven for the Miyazaki side.
With Nippon Steel Oita having a weekend off, the rest of the Kyushu League action was in the lower half of the table, where Nanakuma Tombies succumbed to a 5-0 defeat by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki to stay rock bottom. One place above them are Kaiho Bank SC, who suffered a distinctly humiliating 7-1 loss at home to the students of Osumi NIFS United. And in the other match, the inconsistent Okinawa Kariyushi remain in mid-table despite a 2-0 win over promoted team Kumamoto Teachers.
Honda Lock fight their way past Volca Kagoshima
Sat 19 May: New Wave Kitakyushu 1-1 V Varen Nagasaki (PK 4-5)
Sun 20 May: Kaiho Bank SC 1-7 Osumi NIFS United
Sun 20 May: Kumamoto Teachers 0-2 Okinawa Kariyushi
Sun 20 May: Nanakuma Tombies 0-5 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki
Sun 20 May: Volca Kagoshima 0-6 Honda Lock
1. Honda Lock 21 (+29)
2. V Varen Nagasaki 20 (+32)
3. Nippon Steel Oita 17 (+10)
4. New Wave Kitakyushu 16 (+12)
5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 12 (-5)
6. Okinawa Kariyushi 9 (-1)
7. Osumi NIFS United 7 (-8)
8. Volca Kagoshima 6 (-8)
9. Kumamoto Teachers 6 (-13)
10. Kaiho Bank SC 6 (-22)
11. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-26)
Nanakuma Tombies concede again to Mitsubishi Nagasaki
2007 is a season on the verge of going badly wrong for Kanto League Division 2 favourites Furukawa Electrics Chiba. Having won their opening three games of the year, things seemed to be going well but they've since picked up only one point from a possible nine and on Sunday were crushed 4-1 at home by MSDF Atsugi Marcus. And while Atsugi are now comfortable front-runners, Furukawa have slumped to fourth place behind both of the newly-promoted teams.
Ryutsu Keizai University reserve side Club Dragons go second as a result of their 4-2 defeat of Ome FC and they're followed up the table by Yonoshukonkai. Having last week put nine past the hapless Ome, the complicatedly-named Saitama outfit defeated Kanagawa Teachers 2-0. In the fourth match of the round, Nirasaki Astros moved off the bottom with a goalless draw at home to Hanno Bruder.
Sun 20 May: Club Dragons 4-2 Ome FC
Sun 20 May: Furukawa Electrics Chiba 1-4 MSDF Atsugi Marcus
Sun 20 May: Nirasaki Astros 0-0 Hanno Bruder
Sun 20 May: Yonoshukonkai 2-0 Kanagawa Teachers
1. MSDF Atsugi Marcus 13 (+9)
2. Club Dragons 10 (+11)
3. Yonoshukonkai 10 (+7)
4. Furukawa Electrics Chiba 10 (-2)
5. Hanno Bruder 7 (-)
6. Kanagawa Teachers 7 (-3)
7. Nirasaki Astros 5 (-13)
8. Ome FC 4 (-9)
Ryutsu Keizai University reserve side Club Dragons go second as a result of their 4-2 defeat of Ome FC and they're followed up the table by Yonoshukonkai. Having last week put nine past the hapless Ome, the complicatedly-named Saitama outfit defeated Kanagawa Teachers 2-0. In the fourth match of the round, Nirasaki Astros moved off the bottom with a goalless draw at home to Hanno Bruder.
Sun 20 May: Club Dragons 4-2 Ome FC
Sun 20 May: Furukawa Electrics Chiba 1-4 MSDF Atsugi Marcus
Sun 20 May: Nirasaki Astros 0-0 Hanno Bruder
Sun 20 May: Yonoshukonkai 2-0 Kanagawa Teachers
1. MSDF Atsugi Marcus 13 (+9)
2. Club Dragons 10 (+11)
3. Yonoshukonkai 10 (+7)
4. Furukawa Electrics Chiba 10 (-2)
5. Hanno Bruder 7 (-)
6. Kanagawa Teachers 7 (-3)
7. Nirasaki Astros 5 (-13)
8. Ome FC 4 (-9)
Still bossing Division 1 of the Kanto League at the first attempt are FC Machida Zelvia, who made it six wins in a row from the start of the season on Sunday when they squeezed past Toshiba Fuchu. But they left it late to claim all three points against one of the division's weaker teams, big striker Tsubasa Funayama netting the only goal of the game with only four minutes to go.
Hitachi Tochigi Uva remain hot on Machida's heels thanks to a 3-0 win over Toho Titanium in Saturday's fixture. Behind Hitachi there is now a five-point gap to the mid-table trio of Toho, Saitama SC and Luminozo Sayama, who got their disappointing season back on track by beating Saitama 2-1. It's 2006 champions YSCC who have most cause for upset, however - they are now rock bottom of the table after conceding a single goal late in the first half to lose at Yaita SC.
A genuinely pointless photo of Machida Zelvia's pre-match warm-up
Sat 19 May: Toho Titanium 0-3 Hitachi Tochigi Uva
Sun 20 May: FC Machida Zelvia 1-0 Toshiba Fuchu
Sun 20 May: Saitama SC 1-2 Luminozo Sayama
Sun 20 May: Yaita SC 1-0 YSCC
1. FC Machida Zelvia 18 (+12)
2. Hitachi Tochigi Uva 15 (+14)
3. Luminozo Sayama 10 (+1)
4. Saitama SC 9 (-2)
5. Toho Titanium 9 (-3)
6. Yaita SC 4 (-13)
7. Toshiba Fuchu 3 (-3)
8. YSCC 3 (-6)
Hitachi Tochigi Uva remain hot on Machida's heels thanks to a 3-0 win over Toho Titanium in Saturday's fixture. Behind Hitachi there is now a five-point gap to the mid-table trio of Toho, Saitama SC and Luminozo Sayama, who got their disappointing season back on track by beating Saitama 2-1. It's 2006 champions YSCC who have most cause for upset, however - they are now rock bottom of the table after conceding a single goal late in the first half to lose at Yaita SC.
A genuinely pointless photo of Machida Zelvia's pre-match warm-up
Sat 19 May: Toho Titanium 0-3 Hitachi Tochigi Uva
Sun 20 May: FC Machida Zelvia 1-0 Toshiba Fuchu
Sun 20 May: Saitama SC 1-2 Luminozo Sayama
Sun 20 May: Yaita SC 1-0 YSCC
1. FC Machida Zelvia 18 (+12)
2. Hitachi Tochigi Uva 15 (+14)
3. Luminozo Sayama 10 (+1)
4. Saitama SC 9 (-2)
5. Toho Titanium 9 (-3)
6. Yaita SC 4 (-13)
7. Toshiba Fuchu 3 (-3)
8. YSCC 3 (-6)
Saurcos Fukui are beginning to emerge as genuine promotion candidates out of the Hokushinetsu League Division 2. The club changed their name from FC Kanazu during the close season - and a 1-0 defeat of Teihens FC on Sunday was their fourth win in a row. They are now three points ahead of FC Antelope Shiojiri, who could surprisingly manage only a draw at home to the previously-pointless Toyama Shinjo Club.
Ohara School JaSRA have got off to a decent start following the move from Prefectural League football and notched up another three points by beating fellow promoted side CUPS Niigata 3-1. In the other match of the round, Granscena Niigata put a stop to a run of three consecutive defeats with a good win at Maruoka Phoenix.
Maruoka Phoenix host Granscena Niigata under grey Hokushinetsu skies
Sun 20 May: FC Antelope Shiojiri 2-2 Toyama Shinjo Club
Sun 20 May: Maruoka Phoenix 1-3 Granscena Niigata
Sun 20 May: Ohara School JaSRA 3-1 CUPS Niigata
Sun 20 May: Saurcos Fukui 1-0 Teihens FC
1. Saurcos Fukui 15 (+8)
2. FC Antelope Shiojiri 12 (+3)
3. Teihens FC 10 (+6)
4. Ohara School JaSRA 10 (+4)
5. Granscena Niigata 9 (+3)
6. Maruoka Phoenix 6 (-2)
7. CUPS Niigata 6 (-6)
8. Toyama Shinjo Club 1 (-16)
Ohara School JaSRA have got off to a decent start following the move from Prefectural League football and notched up another three points by beating fellow promoted side CUPS Niigata 3-1. In the other match of the round, Granscena Niigata put a stop to a run of three consecutive defeats with a good win at Maruoka Phoenix.
Maruoka Phoenix host Granscena Niigata under grey Hokushinetsu skies
Sun 20 May: FC Antelope Shiojiri 2-2 Toyama Shinjo Club
Sun 20 May: Maruoka Phoenix 1-3 Granscena Niigata
Sun 20 May: Ohara School JaSRA 3-1 CUPS Niigata
Sun 20 May: Saurcos Fukui 1-0 Teihens FC
1. Saurcos Fukui 15 (+8)
2. FC Antelope Shiojiri 12 (+3)
3. Teihens FC 10 (+6)
4. Ohara School JaSRA 10 (+4)
5. Granscena Niigata 9 (+3)
6. Maruoka Phoenix 6 (-2)
7. CUPS Niigata 6 (-6)
8. Toyama Shinjo Club 1 (-16)
It was a day of truly sensational scores in Division 1 of the Hokushinetsu League on Sunday, with the overall outcome being that no fewer than five teams are now in genuine competition to take the 2007 championship. Leaders AC Nagano Parceiro slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Zweigen Kanazawa, for whom Yasuyoshi Nara was twice on target; but Parceiro remain in pole position for the time being because their erstwhile nearest challengers, Matsumoto Yamaga Club, were also beaten 2-1 by Japan Soccer College.
And while all this compressed Parceiro, Zweigen, Matsumoto and JSC into within a point of each other, also thrown into the mix are Fervorosa. The Ishikawa club - and therefore Zweigen's local rivals - have swept aside some of the division's weaker teams in recent weeks and continued the trend with a 7-0 beating of Niigata University of Management to go third.
But the action didn't even finish there, in that the fourth fixture of the day was a match-up between bottom pair Ueda Gentian and Valiente Toyama, the latter of whom had prior to kick-off yet to gain a single point following promotion from Division 2 at the end of 2006. Valiente corrected that in no uncertain terms, however, getting off the mark with a 9-0 thrashing of their relegation rivals to move off the foot of the table.
Happy days for Zweigen Kanazawa players and fans
Sun 20 May: Fervorosa 7-0 Niigata University of Management
Sun 20 May: Matsumoto Yamaga Club 1-2 Japan Soccer College
Sun 20 May: Valiente Toyama 9-0 Ueda Gentian
Sun 20 May: Zweigen Kanazawa 3-1 AC Nagano Parceiro
1. AC Nagano Parceiro 13 (+11)
2. Japan Soccer College 13 (+9)
3. Fervorosa 12 (+12)
4. Matsumoto Yamaga Club 12 (+11)
5. Zweigen Kanazawa 12 (+5)
6. Niigata University of Management 4 (-21)
7. Valiente Toyama 3 (-5)
8. Ueda Gentian 1 (-22)
Woe is Matsumoto Yamaga Club, against JSC
And while all this compressed Parceiro, Zweigen, Matsumoto and JSC into within a point of each other, also thrown into the mix are Fervorosa. The Ishikawa club - and therefore Zweigen's local rivals - have swept aside some of the division's weaker teams in recent weeks and continued the trend with a 7-0 beating of Niigata University of Management to go third.
But the action didn't even finish there, in that the fourth fixture of the day was a match-up between bottom pair Ueda Gentian and Valiente Toyama, the latter of whom had prior to kick-off yet to gain a single point following promotion from Division 2 at the end of 2006. Valiente corrected that in no uncertain terms, however, getting off the mark with a 9-0 thrashing of their relegation rivals to move off the foot of the table.
Happy days for Zweigen Kanazawa players and fans
Sun 20 May: Fervorosa 7-0 Niigata University of Management
Sun 20 May: Matsumoto Yamaga Club 1-2 Japan Soccer College
Sun 20 May: Valiente Toyama 9-0 Ueda Gentian
Sun 20 May: Zweigen Kanazawa 3-1 AC Nagano Parceiro
1. AC Nagano Parceiro 13 (+11)
2. Japan Soccer College 13 (+9)
3. Fervorosa 12 (+12)
4. Matsumoto Yamaga Club 12 (+11)
5. Zweigen Kanazawa 12 (+5)
6. Niigata University of Management 4 (-21)
7. Valiente Toyama 3 (-5)
8. Ueda Gentian 1 (-22)
Woe is Matsumoto Yamaga Club, against JSC
It isn't often that a team scores nine goals, wins a match and moves further behind its nearest rivals in the league table. But the 2007 Shikoku League season is not turning out to be a normal competition. 2006 champions Kamatamare Sanuki thrashed Ehime Shimanami - who suddenly seem to have slipped from being one of the stronger sides in the league to potential relegation candidates - 9-2, only to learn that surprise title challengers Tokushima Vortis Amateur did even better with a 9-0 drubbing of bottom place Sanwa Club.
Nangoku Kochi must wonder what they have to do to gain a place in the top two. They recorded a 6-1 win over Sanyo Electric Tokushima but remain third, a point behind Kamatamare and with an inferior goal difference into the bargain. And in the relegation six-pointer of the day, Ehime's Ventana AC pulled off a crucial 3-1 win to leapfrog Tokushima Comprille SC and move out of the drop zone.
Ventana AC get past Tokushima Comprille
Sun 20 May: Kamatamare Sanuki 9-2 Ehime Shimanami
Sun 20 May: Nangoku Kochi 6-1 Sanyo Electric Tokushima
Sun 20 May: Sanwa Club 0-9 Tokushima Vortis Amateur
Sun 20 May: Ventana AC 3-1 Tokushima Comprille SC
1. Tokushima Vortis Amateur 16 (+30)
2. Kamatamare Sanuki 16 (+22)
3. Nangoku Kochi 15 (+18)
4. Sanyo Electric Tokushima 9 (-3)
5. Ehime Shimanami 6 (-11)
6. Ventana AC 6 (-14)
7. Tokushima Comprille SC 3 (-15)
8. Sanwa Club 0 (-27)
Nangoku Kochi must wonder what they have to do to gain a place in the top two. They recorded a 6-1 win over Sanyo Electric Tokushima but remain third, a point behind Kamatamare and with an inferior goal difference into the bargain. And in the relegation six-pointer of the day, Ehime's Ventana AC pulled off a crucial 3-1 win to leapfrog Tokushima Comprille SC and move out of the drop zone.
Ventana AC get past Tokushima Comprille
Sun 20 May: Kamatamare Sanuki 9-2 Ehime Shimanami
Sun 20 May: Nangoku Kochi 6-1 Sanyo Electric Tokushima
Sun 20 May: Sanwa Club 0-9 Tokushima Vortis Amateur
Sun 20 May: Ventana AC 3-1 Tokushima Comprille SC
1. Tokushima Vortis Amateur 16 (+30)
2. Kamatamare Sanuki 16 (+22)
3. Nangoku Kochi 15 (+18)
4. Sanyo Electric Tokushima 9 (-3)
5. Ehime Shimanami 6 (-11)
6. Ventana AC 6 (-14)
7. Tokushima Comprille SC 3 (-15)
8. Sanwa Club 0 (-27)
The weekend saw a double-header of fixtures - rounds 2 and 3 - in the Hokkaido League and although champions Norbritz Hokkaido already look like the team to beat, newly-promoted Sapporo Winds are putting up an impressive showing during their first season at Regional level. Norbritz have a 100% record after wins over Hokushukai and Blackpecker Hakodate, but Winds are just a couple of points behind thanks to a 2-1 win over bottom place Tokachifairsky Genesis and a draw with Hokushukai. It was a good weekend for Toyota Motors Hokkaido, who notched up a pair of 1-0 victories at the expense of Barefoot Hokkaido and a surprisingly poor Sapporo FC. They also lost to Blackpecker, who are fourth in the table as a result.
Without doubt a photo of Toyota Motors against Sapporo FC
Sat 19 May: Hokushukai 2-4 Norbritz Hokkaido
Sat 19 May: Sapporo FC 2-3 Blackpecker Hakodate
Sat 19 May: Sapporo Winds 2-1 Tokachifairsky Genesis
Sat 19 May: Toyota Motors Hokkaido 1-0 Barefoot Hokkaido
Sun 20 May: Barefoot Hokkaido 3-2 Tokachifairsky Genesis
Sun 20 May: Hokushukai 1-1 Sapporo Winds
Sun 20 May: Norbritz Hokkaido 3-1 Blackpecker Hakodate
Sun 20 May: Toyota Motors Hokkaido 1-0 Sapporo FC
1. Norbritz Hokkaido 9 (+6)
2. Sapporo Winds 7 (+2)
3. Toyota Motors Hokkaido 6 (-)
4. Blackpecker Hakodate 4 (-1)
5. Barefoot Hokkaido 3 (-1)
6. Hokushukai 2 (-2)
7. Sapporo FC 1 (-2)
8. Tokachifairsky Genesis 1 (-2)
Without doubt a photo of Toyota Motors against Sapporo FC
Sat 19 May: Hokushukai 2-4 Norbritz Hokkaido
Sat 19 May: Sapporo FC 2-3 Blackpecker Hakodate
Sat 19 May: Sapporo Winds 2-1 Tokachifairsky Genesis
Sat 19 May: Toyota Motors Hokkaido 1-0 Barefoot Hokkaido
Sun 20 May: Barefoot Hokkaido 3-2 Tokachifairsky Genesis
Sun 20 May: Hokushukai 1-1 Sapporo Winds
Sun 20 May: Norbritz Hokkaido 3-1 Blackpecker Hakodate
Sun 20 May: Toyota Motors Hokkaido 1-0 Sapporo FC
1. Norbritz Hokkaido 9 (+6)
2. Sapporo Winds 7 (+2)
3. Toyota Motors Hokkaido 6 (-)
4. Blackpecker Hakodate 4 (-1)
5. Barefoot Hokkaido 3 (-1)
6. Hokushukai 2 (-2)
7. Sapporo FC 1 (-2)
8. Tokachifairsky Genesis 1 (-2)
The white flag has effectively been raised by all other participants in the Chugoku League and 2006 champions Fagiano Okayama already have one hand on the crown for this year as well. In front of another crowd in excess of 2000 - for the club are arguably the best-supported Regional League outfit in Japan - Fagiano were 5-0 up at half-time in their crucial clash with nearest challengers FC Central Chugoku. The game finished 7-2, with FC Central in fact scoring the first goals conceded by the champions-elect during this season, but the gap between the two now stands at nine points.
Moving up into third place are Renofa Yamaguchi, who trailed 1-0 at the interval but came back to beat Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 3-1. It is possible to view this scoreline as a shift in power away from the corporate teams in Chugoku, given that J-League-focused community-based sides now occupy the top three positions in the table. Like Sagawa, Hiroshima Fujita SC are on a downward slope and dropped into the bottom two following their 1-1 draw with JFE Steel Western Japan. Mazda SC, promoted from the Hiroshima Prefectural League at the end of 2006, pulled off a useful 3-1 win at Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado to jump up towards mid-table.
Meet and greet at Fagiano Okayama
Sun 20 May: Fagiano Okayama 7-2 FC Central Chugoku
Sun 20 May: Hiroshima Fujita SC 1-1 JFE Steel Western Japan
Sun 20 May: Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 1-3 Mazda SC
Sun 20 May: Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 1-3 Renofa Yamaguchi
1. Fagiano Okayama 21 (+30)
2. FC Central Chugoku 12 (+4)
3. Renofa Yamaguchi 11 (-2)
4. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 9 (+9)
5. Mazda SC 7 (-8)
6. JFE Steel Western Japan 7 (-11)
7. Hiroshima Fujita SC 5 (-5)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 3 (-17)
Moving up into third place are Renofa Yamaguchi, who trailed 1-0 at the interval but came back to beat Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 3-1. It is possible to view this scoreline as a shift in power away from the corporate teams in Chugoku, given that J-League-focused community-based sides now occupy the top three positions in the table. Like Sagawa, Hiroshima Fujita SC are on a downward slope and dropped into the bottom two following their 1-1 draw with JFE Steel Western Japan. Mazda SC, promoted from the Hiroshima Prefectural League at the end of 2006, pulled off a useful 3-1 win at Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado to jump up towards mid-table.
Meet and greet at Fagiano Okayama
Sun 20 May: Fagiano Okayama 7-2 FC Central Chugoku
Sun 20 May: Hiroshima Fujita SC 1-1 JFE Steel Western Japan
Sun 20 May: Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 1-3 Mazda SC
Sun 20 May: Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 1-3 Renofa Yamaguchi
1. Fagiano Okayama 21 (+30)
2. FC Central Chugoku 12 (+4)
3. Renofa Yamaguchi 11 (-2)
4. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 9 (+9)
5. Mazda SC 7 (-8)
6. JFE Steel Western Japan 7 (-11)
7. Hiroshima Fujita SC 5 (-5)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 3 (-17)
It was the game of the season so far down in Kyushu on Sunday, where JFL title challengers Rosso Kumamoto hosted FC Gifu in a crucial battle. Sagawa Kyubin SC may be clear leaders at present, but amongst the clubs fighting it out for a place in J2 there is everything to play for and it was Gifu who came away with three points. Former Tokushima Vortis striker Jorginho's goal just four minutes into the second half gave the visitors the victory and means that they move into second place behind Sagawa.
Rosso meanwhile are comfortable enough in third, six points ahead of a Yokogawa Musashino side who are showing consistent year-on-year improvement - an impressive feat for what is now the top-ranking amateur team in the country. They beat YKK AP 2-0 with goals from Kenji Nogi and striker Koji Murayama to bounce back from last weekend's defeat in Kumamoto.
Lower down the table, JEF Reserves came from a goal down to beat Sagawa Printing and so continue their fight to gain a place in the top half of the division alongside teams such as Alo's Hokuriku and 2006 champions Honda FC. And Toshitaka Tsurumi, the latest in a long line of players to move from Shonan Bellmare to Gainare Tottori, helped his new club to overcome Ryutsu Keizai University for a vital three points.
Yokogawa Musashino in blue get the better of YKK AP
Sun 20 May: Gainare Tottori 1-0 Ryutsu Keizai University
Sun 20 May: JEF Reserves 2-1 Sagawa Printing
Sun 20 May: Rosso Kumamoto 0-1 FC Gifu
Sun 20 May: Yokogawa Musashino 2-0 YKK AP
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 31 (+23)
2. FC Gifu 29 (+9)
3. Rosso Kumamoto 27 (+13)
4. Yokogawa Musashino 21 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 21 (+8)
6. YKK AP 21 (+7)
7. Honda FC 19 (+4)
8. Alo's Hokuriku 19 (-2)
9. JEF Reserves 17 (+1)
10. TDK SC 17 (-1)
11. Gainare Tottori 14 (-3)
12. FC Kariya 13 (-4)
13. Ryutsu Keizai University 13 (-4)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 13 (-4)
15. Sagawa Printing 10 (-10)
16. FC Ryukyu 9 (-13)
17. Sony Sendai 5 (-19)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-16)
Rosso Kumamoto on the defensive (?) against FC Gifu
Rosso meanwhile are comfortable enough in third, six points ahead of a Yokogawa Musashino side who are showing consistent year-on-year improvement - an impressive feat for what is now the top-ranking amateur team in the country. They beat YKK AP 2-0 with goals from Kenji Nogi and striker Koji Murayama to bounce back from last weekend's defeat in Kumamoto.
Lower down the table, JEF Reserves came from a goal down to beat Sagawa Printing and so continue their fight to gain a place in the top half of the division alongside teams such as Alo's Hokuriku and 2006 champions Honda FC. And Toshitaka Tsurumi, the latest in a long line of players to move from Shonan Bellmare to Gainare Tottori, helped his new club to overcome Ryutsu Keizai University for a vital three points.
Yokogawa Musashino in blue get the better of YKK AP
Sun 20 May: Gainare Tottori 1-0 Ryutsu Keizai University
Sun 20 May: JEF Reserves 2-1 Sagawa Printing
Sun 20 May: Rosso Kumamoto 0-1 FC Gifu
Sun 20 May: Yokogawa Musashino 2-0 YKK AP
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 31 (+23)
2. FC Gifu 29 (+9)
3. Rosso Kumamoto 27 (+13)
4. Yokogawa Musashino 21 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 21 (+8)
6. YKK AP 21 (+7)
7. Honda FC 19 (+4)
8. Alo's Hokuriku 19 (-2)
9. JEF Reserves 17 (+1)
10. TDK SC 17 (-1)
11. Gainare Tottori 14 (-3)
12. FC Kariya 13 (-4)
13. Ryutsu Keizai University 13 (-4)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 13 (-4)
15. Sagawa Printing 10 (-10)
16. FC Ryukyu 9 (-13)
17. Sony Sendai 5 (-19)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-16)
Rosso Kumamoto on the defensive (?) against FC Gifu
The top of the table clash in Division 2 of the Kansai League on Saturday ended all-square between Hannan University and Takada FC - but the two clubs remain eight points clear of the rest of the field. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe also stay in third place after a 2-1 win over bottom side Kihoku Football Group. Kyoto Shiko Club and Riseisha FC are chasing Mitsubishi in what is - Hannan and Takeda aside - a very close league. Shiko claimed a 4-1 win over Hermano Osaka, while Riseisha beat Kohga School 2-0.
Riseisha go Ner Ner Nuh Nerrr Nerrr to Kohga School
Sat 19 May: Hannan University 1-1 Takada FC
Sat 19 May: Kohga School 0-2 Riseisha FC
Sat 19 May: Kyoto Shiko Club 4-1 Hermano Osaka
Sat 19 May: Kihoku Football Group 1-2 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe
1. Hannan University 16 (+16)
2. Takada FC 16 (+12)
3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 10 (-1)
4. Kyoto Shiko Club 8 (+3)
5. Riseisha FC 7 (-1)
6. Kohga School 7 (-6)
7. Hermano Osaka 4 (-9)
8. Kihoku Football Group 0 (-14)
Riseisha go Ner Ner Nuh Nerrr Nerrr to Kohga School
Sat 19 May: Hannan University 1-1 Takada FC
Sat 19 May: Kohga School 0-2 Riseisha FC
Sat 19 May: Kyoto Shiko Club 4-1 Hermano Osaka
Sat 19 May: Kihoku Football Group 1-2 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe
1. Hannan University 16 (+16)
2. Takada FC 16 (+12)
3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 10 (-1)
4. Kyoto Shiko Club 8 (+3)
5. Riseisha FC 7 (-1)
6. Kohga School 7 (-6)
7. Hermano Osaka 4 (-9)
8. Kihoku Football Group 0 (-14)
There was a full programme of games on Saturday in Division 1 of the Kansai League, leaders FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu maintaining their 100% record with a 3-0 defeat of FC Kyoto 1993. Three points behind the Shiga club are champions Banditonce Kobe, who ran in four second half goals to crush neighbours Kobe FC 1970 6-1.
Kobe FC in fact drop into the relegation zone as a result of that defeat and of Sanyo Electric Sumoto's win over an FC Glaspo Kashiwara side who already look odds-on to make a swift return to Division 2. Also potentially involved in the battle to avoid the drop, however, are AS Laranja Kyoto, 1-0 losers at home to Ain Food.
Sat 19 May: AS Laranja Kyoto 0-1 Ain Food
Sat 19 May: FC Kyoto 1993 0-3 FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu
Sat 19 May: Kobe FC 1970 1-6 Banditonce Kobe
Sat 19 May: Sanyo Electric Sumoto 3-1 FC Glaspo Kashiwara
1. FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 18 (+25)
2. Banditonce Kobe 15 (+22)
3. Ain Food 13 (+2)
4. FC Kyoto 1993 9 (-3)
5. AS Laranja Kyoto 6 (-9)
6. Sanyo Electric Sumoto 6 (-11)
7. Kobe FC 1970 3 (-12)
8. FC Glaspo Kashiwara 1 (-14)
Kobe FC in fact drop into the relegation zone as a result of that defeat and of Sanyo Electric Sumoto's win over an FC Glaspo Kashiwara side who already look odds-on to make a swift return to Division 2. Also potentially involved in the battle to avoid the drop, however, are AS Laranja Kyoto, 1-0 losers at home to Ain Food.
Sat 19 May: AS Laranja Kyoto 0-1 Ain Food
Sat 19 May: FC Kyoto 1993 0-3 FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu
Sat 19 May: Kobe FC 1970 1-6 Banditonce Kobe
Sat 19 May: Sanyo Electric Sumoto 3-1 FC Glaspo Kashiwara
1. FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 18 (+25)
2. Banditonce Kobe 15 (+22)
3. Ain Food 13 (+2)
4. FC Kyoto 1993 9 (-3)
5. AS Laranja Kyoto 6 (-9)
6. Sanyo Electric Sumoto 6 (-11)
7. Kobe FC 1970 3 (-12)
8. FC Glaspo Kashiwara 1 (-14)
Sho Gokyu netted his tenth goal of the season on Saturday as JFL leaders Sagawa Kyubin SC won 1-0 at Tochigi SC to move - temporarily at least - four points clear of Rosso Kumamoto at the top of the table. A major triumph for Sagawa Kyubin, perhaps, but for Tochigi this result means that they have lost consecutive home games against FC Gifu, Rosso and Sagawa; all three of whom are teams with which they will need to be competitive if a top four finish and promotion to J2 are to be achieved this year.
Although Honda FC pulled off a useful 2-1 win at Alo's Hokuriku, defender Ryu Okeda scoring the winner midway through the second half, the other significant JFL action on Saturday was towards the other end of the division. Arte Takasaki managed only their third goal of the year in their match with Mitsubishi Mizushima - and an own goal at that - but by that time Daisuke Matsuoka had already grabbed himself a hat-trick for the visitors. FC Kariya fought back from two goals down to claim a draw at home to FC Ryukyu, while Sony Sendai's recent appalling defensive record continued as they lost 3-1 to TDK SC.
TDK fans at Sony Sendai
Sat 19 May: Alo's Hokuriku 1-2 Honda FC
Sat 19 May: Arte Takasaki 1-3 Mitsubishi Mizushima
Sat 19 May: FC Kariya 2-2 FC Ryukyu
Sat 19 May: Sony Sendai 1-3 TDK SC
Sat 19 May: Tochigi SC 0-1 Sagawa Kyubin SC
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 31 (+23)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 27 (+14)
3. FC Gifu 26 (+8)
4. YKK AP 21 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 21 (+8)
6. Honda FC 19 (+4)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 19 (-2)
8. Yokogawa Musashino 18 (+7)
9. TDK SC 17 (-1)
10. JEF Reserves 14 (-)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 13 (-3)
12. FC Kariya 13 (-4)
13. Mitsubishi Mizushima 13 (-4)
14. Gainare Tottori 11 (-4)
15. Sagawa Printing 10 (-9)
16. FC Ryukyu 9 (-13)
17. Sony Sendai 5 (-19)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-16)
League leaders Sagawa Kyubin SC before the match at Tochigi
Although Honda FC pulled off a useful 2-1 win at Alo's Hokuriku, defender Ryu Okeda scoring the winner midway through the second half, the other significant JFL action on Saturday was towards the other end of the division. Arte Takasaki managed only their third goal of the year in their match with Mitsubishi Mizushima - and an own goal at that - but by that time Daisuke Matsuoka had already grabbed himself a hat-trick for the visitors. FC Kariya fought back from two goals down to claim a draw at home to FC Ryukyu, while Sony Sendai's recent appalling defensive record continued as they lost 3-1 to TDK SC.
TDK fans at Sony Sendai
Sat 19 May: Alo's Hokuriku 1-2 Honda FC
Sat 19 May: Arte Takasaki 1-3 Mitsubishi Mizushima
Sat 19 May: FC Kariya 2-2 FC Ryukyu
Sat 19 May: Sony Sendai 1-3 TDK SC
Sat 19 May: Tochigi SC 0-1 Sagawa Kyubin SC
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 31 (+23)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 27 (+14)
3. FC Gifu 26 (+8)
4. YKK AP 21 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 21 (+8)
6. Honda FC 19 (+4)
7. Alo's Hokuriku 19 (-2)
8. Yokogawa Musashino 18 (+7)
9. TDK SC 17 (-1)
10. JEF Reserves 14 (-)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 13 (-3)
12. FC Kariya 13 (-4)
13. Mitsubishi Mizushima 13 (-4)
14. Gainare Tottori 11 (-4)
15. Sagawa Printing 10 (-9)
16. FC Ryukyu 9 (-13)
17. Sony Sendai 5 (-19)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-16)
League leaders Sagawa Kyubin SC before the match at Tochigi
The promotion of FC Gifu and collapse of ACM Central means that no teams were relegated to the Tokai League Division 2 at the end of last season - so the two new names are of clubs moving up from the Prefectural Leagues. While Toyota Football Group, from Aichi, have extensive experience as lower-ranking members of the league, all the attention has been on ambitious MIE Rampole, who are making their first ever appearance at Regional level. And MIE began well, defeating the Shizuoka teachers' team Fuyo Club 2-0, while Toyota lost 1-0 at Nagoya Club. The two teams that finished bottom of the division in 2006, Morishin's FC and FC Kawasaki, both lost their opening fixtures, against Konica Minolta Toyokawa and the re-named Mind House Yokkaichi respectively.
Sun 13 May: Fuyo Club 0-2 MIE Rampole
Sun 13 May: Konica Minolta Toyokawa 6-1 Morishin's FC
Sun 13 May: Mind House Yokkaichi 1-0 FC Kawasaki
Sun 13 May: Nagoya Club 1-0 Toyota Football Group
Sun 13 May: Fuyo Club 0-2 MIE Rampole
Sun 13 May: Konica Minolta Toyokawa 6-1 Morishin's FC
Sun 13 May: Mind House Yokkaichi 1-0 FC Kawasaki
Sun 13 May: Nagoya Club 1-0 Toyota Football Group
It was the first round of matches in the Tokai League over the weekend and Division 1 is likely to be more competitive this year than last, following the promotion to the JFL of FC Gifu. Favourites Shizuoka FC got off to a good start on Saturday with a 5-0 defeat of promoted side Honda Suzuka - but the club that could potentially be their nearest challengers, Yazaki Valente, also racked up the goals by beating Kasugai Club 4-2. Fujieda City Hall gained a good 2-1 win at Maruyasu Industries and in the derby match, Sagawa Kyubin Chukyo overcame Chukyo University 1-0.
Sat 12 May: Shizuoka FC 5-0 Honda Suzuka
Sun 13 May: Maruyasu Industries 1-2 Fujieda City Hall
Sun 13 May: Sagawa Kyubin Chukyo 1-0 Chukyo University
Sun 13 May: Yazaki Valente 4-2 Kasugai Club
Sat 12 May: Shizuoka FC 5-0 Honda Suzuka
Sun 13 May: Maruyasu Industries 1-2 Fujieda City Hall
Sun 13 May: Sagawa Kyubin Chukyo 1-0 Chukyo University
Sun 13 May: Yazaki Valente 4-2 Kasugai Club
After Sunday's matches, Division 2 (South) of the Tohoku League is still shaping up to be a two-horse race between Viancone Fukushima and neighbours FC Perada Fukushima, with Viancone siezing the advantage on goal difference thanks to a 9-0 drubbing of Kanai Club. FC Perada beat newly-promoted side Nakaniida FC 4-1, which nevertheless keeps them in second position ahead of Soma SC. Soma, who have made the move up from the Fukushima Prefectural league, have started very impressively and defeated Shichigahama SC 3-1 in their second fixture. Marysol Matsushima are fourth after a 2-0 win over whipping boys Kureha.
Sun 13 May: Kureha 0-2 Marysol Matsushima
Sun 13 May: Nakaniida SC 1-4 FC Perada Fukushima
Sun 13 May: Soma SC 3-1 Shichigahama SC
Sun 13 May: Viancone Fukushima 9-0 Kanai Club
1. Viancone Fukushima 7 (+14)
2. FC Perada Fukushima 7 (+7)
3. Soma SC 6 (+6)
4. Marysol Matsushima 4 (+2)
5. Kanai Club 3 (-7)
6. Nakaniida SC 1 (-8)
7. Shichigahama SC 0 (-6)
8. Kureha 0 (-8)
Sun 13 May: Kureha 0-2 Marysol Matsushima
Sun 13 May: Nakaniida SC 1-4 FC Perada Fukushima
Sun 13 May: Soma SC 3-1 Shichigahama SC
Sun 13 May: Viancone Fukushima 9-0 Kanai Club
1. Viancone Fukushima 7 (+14)
2. FC Perada Fukushima 7 (+7)
3. Soma SC 6 (+6)
4. Marysol Matsushima 4 (+2)
5. Kanai Club 3 (-7)
6. Nakaniida SC 1 (-8)
7. Shichigahama SC 0 (-6)
8. Kureha 0 (-8)
FC Akita Cambiare have immediately taken up their familiar position at the top of the Tohoku League Division 2 (North), a 6-2 triumph over Hokuto Bank making it three wins out of three for the promotion hopefuls. The rest of the division seems unlikely to be able to turn up any consistent challenger, although Tono Club played their first match of the year and beat Mizusawa United Club 2-1. The shock of the day was at Aomori's Vanraure Hachinohe, where Regional League newcomers Saruta Industry ran out 5-1 winners.
Sun 13 May: Hokuto Bank 2-6 FC Akita Cambiare
Sun 13 May: Tono Club 2-1 Mizusawa United Club
Sun 13 May: Vanraure Hachinohe 1-5 Saruta Industry
1. FC Akita Cambiare 9 (+12)
2. Fuji Club 2003 3 (+2)
3. Saruta Industry 3 (+1)
4. Tono Club 3 (+1)
5. Hokuto Bank 3 (-2)
6. Mizusawa United Club 1 (-1)
7. Vanraure Hachinohe 1 (-6)
8. Omiya Club 0 (-7)
Sun 13 May: Hokuto Bank 2-6 FC Akita Cambiare
Sun 13 May: Tono Club 2-1 Mizusawa United Club
Sun 13 May: Vanraure Hachinohe 1-5 Saruta Industry
1. FC Akita Cambiare 9 (+12)
2. Fuji Club 2003 3 (+2)
3. Saruta Industry 3 (+1)
4. Tono Club 3 (+1)
5. Hokuto Bank 3 (-2)
6. Mizusawa United Club 1 (-1)
7. Vanraure Hachinohe 1 (-6)
8. Omiya Club 0 (-7)
The uneven nature of the scheduling in the Tohoku League is having an immediate impact upon the Division 1 table at present; for current leaders NEC Tokin were winning their third match of the year on Sunday against FC Primeiro, while favourites Grulla Morioka have still played only once. Nevertheless, Furukawa Battery picked up a first win following promotion at the expense of Sendai Nakata Club, and Wiese Shiogama overcame last season's wooden spooners Nippon Steel Kamaishi.
Furukawa Battery go wild after their goal against Sendai Nakata
Sun 13 May: Furukawa Battery 1-0 Sendai Nakata Club
Sun 13 May: NEC Tokin 2-1 FC Primeiro
Sun 13 May: Wiese Shiogama 2-1 Nippon Steel Kamaishi
1. NEC Tokin 9 (+5)
2. Wiese Shiogama 6 (+2)
3. Grulla Morioka 3 (+3)
4. = FC Primeiro 3 (-)
4. = Morioka Zebra 3 (-)
4. = Furukawa Battery 3 (-)
7. Sendai Nakata Club 0 (-3)
8. Nippon Steel Kamaishi 0 (-7)
The NEC Tokin 2007 squad
Furukawa Battery go wild after their goal against Sendai Nakata
Sun 13 May: Furukawa Battery 1-0 Sendai Nakata Club
Sun 13 May: NEC Tokin 2-1 FC Primeiro
Sun 13 May: Wiese Shiogama 2-1 Nippon Steel Kamaishi
1. NEC Tokin 9 (+5)
2. Wiese Shiogama 6 (+2)
3. Grulla Morioka 3 (+3)
4. = FC Primeiro 3 (-)
4. = Morioka Zebra 3 (-)
4. = Furukawa Battery 3 (-)
7. Sendai Nakata Club 0 (-3)
8. Nippon Steel Kamaishi 0 (-7)
The NEC Tokin 2007 squad
There were a lot of goals flying around in round five of the Shikoku League on Sunday - but from the perspective of Kamatamare Sanuki, they didn't score enough of them. It would seem very possible that this league will be decided on goal difference this year and a 2-0 win for the 2006 champions against Sanyo Electric Tokushima is, under the circumstances, not really good enough. Their nearest rivals, Tokushima Vortis Amateur, put eight past Ventana AC and are top as a consequence.
Just a point behind Kamatamare and Vortis are Nangoku Kochi, 3-0 winners at an Ehime Shimanami who are undergoing a disappointing 2007. In fact, they remain just three points above the relegation play-off places, an unfamiliar position for a team that has in the last few years performed consistently well. The aforementioned Ventana, on the other hand, are traditional strugglers - and so are Tokushima Comprille SC and Sanwa Club, who met on Sunday, Comprille picking up their first win of the campaign to the tune of 6-3.
Tokushima Vortis Amateur outjump and outplay Ventana AC
Sun 13 May: Ehime Shimanami 0-3 Nangoku Kochi
Sun 13 May: Sanwa Club 3-6 Tokushima Comprille SC
Sun 13 May: Sanyo Electric Tokushima 0-2 Kamatamare Sanuki
Sun 13 May: Tokushima Vortis Amateur 8-0 Ventana AC
1. Tokushima Vortis Amateur 13 (+21)
2. Kamatamare Sanuki 13 (+15)
3. Nangoku Kochi 12 (+13)
4. Sanyo Electric Tokushima 9 (+2)
5. Ehime Shimanami 6 (-4)
6. Tokushima Comprille SC 3 (-13)
7. Ventana AC 3 (-16)
8. Sanwa Club 0 (-18)
Just a point behind Kamatamare and Vortis are Nangoku Kochi, 3-0 winners at an Ehime Shimanami who are undergoing a disappointing 2007. In fact, they remain just three points above the relegation play-off places, an unfamiliar position for a team that has in the last few years performed consistently well. The aforementioned Ventana, on the other hand, are traditional strugglers - and so are Tokushima Comprille SC and Sanwa Club, who met on Sunday, Comprille picking up their first win of the campaign to the tune of 6-3.
Tokushima Vortis Amateur outjump and outplay Ventana AC
Sun 13 May: Ehime Shimanami 0-3 Nangoku Kochi
Sun 13 May: Sanwa Club 3-6 Tokushima Comprille SC
Sun 13 May: Sanyo Electric Tokushima 0-2 Kamatamare Sanuki
Sun 13 May: Tokushima Vortis Amateur 8-0 Ventana AC
1. Tokushima Vortis Amateur 13 (+21)
2. Kamatamare Sanuki 13 (+15)
3. Nangoku Kochi 12 (+13)
4. Sanyo Electric Tokushima 9 (+2)
5. Ehime Shimanami 6 (-4)
6. Tokushima Comprille SC 3 (-13)
7. Ventana AC 3 (-16)
8. Sanwa Club 0 (-18)
There was a dramatic weekend of action in the Kyushu League and the season is shaping up to be as close and exciting as anticipated. Previous leaders Nippon Steel Oita lost for the first time, crashing 3-0 at home to New Wave Kitakyushu. Yudai Nakashima was the star performer for New Wave, netting a hat-trick that arguably moves his side back into contention. Nippon Steel, however, drop two places to third thanks to wins for V Varen Nagasaki against Volca Kagoshima and Honda Lock at home to Okinawa Kariyushi.
At the bottom of the table, Nanakuma Tombies were the team without a fixture this round and they are now firmly stuck in last place. The Fukuoka University students' team find themselves four points behind Osumi NIFS United, who won for the first time in 2007 against Kumamoto Teachers. In the fifth game of the day, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki moved into the top half with a straightforward 3-0 defeat of Kaiho Bank SC that increases their chances of avoiding a relegation battle.
Kaiho Bank clash with Mitsubishi Nagasaki
Sun 13 May: Honda Lock 2-1 Okinawa Kariyushi
Sun 13 May: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 3-0 Kaiho Bank SC
Sun 13 May: Nippon Steel Oita 0-3 New Wave Kitakyushu
Sun 13 May: Osumi NIFS United 2-0 Kumamoto Teachers
Sun 13 May: V Varen Nagasaki 5-0 Volca Kagoshima
1. V Varen Nagasaki 18 (+32)
2. Honda Lock 18 (+23)
3. Nippon Steel Oita 17 (+10)
4. New Wave Kitakyushu 15 (+12)
5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 9 (-10)
6. Volca Kagoshima 6 (-2)
7. Okinawa Kariyushi 6 (-3)
8. Kumamoto Teachers 6 (-11)
9. Kaiho Bank SC 6 (-16)
10. Osumi NIFS United 4 (-14)
11. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-21)
Nippon Steel in grey, given the runaround by New Wave
At the bottom of the table, Nanakuma Tombies were the team without a fixture this round and they are now firmly stuck in last place. The Fukuoka University students' team find themselves four points behind Osumi NIFS United, who won for the first time in 2007 against Kumamoto Teachers. In the fifth game of the day, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki moved into the top half with a straightforward 3-0 defeat of Kaiho Bank SC that increases their chances of avoiding a relegation battle.
Kaiho Bank clash with Mitsubishi Nagasaki
Sun 13 May: Honda Lock 2-1 Okinawa Kariyushi
Sun 13 May: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 3-0 Kaiho Bank SC
Sun 13 May: Nippon Steel Oita 0-3 New Wave Kitakyushu
Sun 13 May: Osumi NIFS United 2-0 Kumamoto Teachers
Sun 13 May: V Varen Nagasaki 5-0 Volca Kagoshima
1. V Varen Nagasaki 18 (+32)
2. Honda Lock 18 (+23)
3. Nippon Steel Oita 17 (+10)
4. New Wave Kitakyushu 15 (+12)
5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 9 (-10)
6. Volca Kagoshima 6 (-2)
7. Okinawa Kariyushi 6 (-3)
8. Kumamoto Teachers 6 (-11)
9. Kaiho Bank SC 6 (-16)
10. Osumi NIFS United 4 (-14)
11. Nanakuma Tombies 0 (-21)
Nippon Steel in grey, given the runaround by New Wave
While FC Machida Zelvia are dominating Division 1, the Kanto League Division 2 season is turning out to be a far more open contest. Erstwhile leaders Furukawa Electrics Chiba slipped up on Sunday, requiring a late goal to sneak a 1-1 draw at Hanno Bruder, while relegated side MSDF Atsugi Marcus go top in their place as they easily beat Nirasaki Astros 4-1.
Club Dragons, who in 2006 were playing Prefectural League football, could have stolen the lead themselves but conceded three times in five minutes just after half time in their match with Kanagawa Teachers and ended up losing 3-2. But the most astonishing fixture of the round was at Ome FC, were newcomers Yonoshukonkai from Saitama were 5-3 up at the break and scored four more times without reply. Striker Daiki Tani was undoubtedly the hero, scoring an amazing seven times.
Yonoshukonkai, with Daiki Tani second left on the front row
Sat 12 May: Kanagawa Teachers 3-2 Club Dragons
Sun 13 May: Hanno Bruder 1-1 Furukawa Electrics Chiba
Sun 13 May: Nirasaki Astros 1-4 MSDF Atsugi Marcus
Sun 13 May: Ome FC 3-9 Yonoshukonkai
1. MSDF Atsugi Marcus 10 (+6)
2. Furukawa Electrics Chiba 10 (+1)
3. Club Dragons 7 (+9)
4. Yonoshukonkai 7 (+5)
5. Kanagawa Teachers 7 (-1)
6. Hanno Bruder 6 (-)
7. Ome FC 4 (-7)
8. Nirasaki Astros 4 (-13)
Club Dragons, who in 2006 were playing Prefectural League football, could have stolen the lead themselves but conceded three times in five minutes just after half time in their match with Kanagawa Teachers and ended up losing 3-2. But the most astonishing fixture of the round was at Ome FC, were newcomers Yonoshukonkai from Saitama were 5-3 up at the break and scored four more times without reply. Striker Daiki Tani was undoubtedly the hero, scoring an amazing seven times.
Yonoshukonkai, with Daiki Tani second left on the front row
Sat 12 May: Kanagawa Teachers 3-2 Club Dragons
Sun 13 May: Hanno Bruder 1-1 Furukawa Electrics Chiba
Sun 13 May: Nirasaki Astros 1-4 MSDF Atsugi Marcus
Sun 13 May: Ome FC 3-9 Yonoshukonkai
1. MSDF Atsugi Marcus 10 (+6)
2. Furukawa Electrics Chiba 10 (+1)
3. Club Dragons 7 (+9)
4. Yonoshukonkai 7 (+5)
5. Kanagawa Teachers 7 (-1)
6. Hanno Bruder 6 (-)
7. Ome FC 4 (-7)
8. Nirasaki Astros 4 (-13)
Former Matsumoto Yamaga Club striker Kazuto Ishido was twice on target for FC Machida Zelvia on Saturday, as the 2006 Division 2 champions continue to take Division 1 of the Kanto League by storm. The 3-1 defeat of Toho Titanium means that Machida keep going their perfect start to the campaign five matches in. They also remain three points ahead of Hitachi Tochigi Uva, who scored two late goals to beat Toshiba Fuchu.
Saitama SC ensured that the miserable start to the season being experienced by last year's champions YSCC goes on, like Uva coming from behind to record a 2-1 win. But scoring their first point of the year were Yaita SC in a goalless draw at Luminozo Sayama, the former big guns who with the arrival in the dividion of Machida seem to be slipping further and further off the pace.
Toho Titanium defend against league leaders Machida Zelvia
Sat 12 May: Toho Titanium 1-3 FC Machida Zelvia
Sun 13 May: Luminozo Sayama 0-0 Yaita SC
Sun 13 May: Saitama SC 2-1 YSCC
Sun 13 May: Toshiba Fuchu 1-2 Hitachi Tochigi Uva
1. FC Machida Zelvia 15 (+11)
2. Hitachi Tochigi Uva 12 (+11)
3. Toho Titanium 9 (-)
4. Saitama SC 9 (-1)
5. Luminozo Sayama 7 (-)
6. Toshiba Fuchu 3 (-2)
7. YSCC 3 (-5)
8. Yaita SC 1 (-14)
Saitama SC ensured that the miserable start to the season being experienced by last year's champions YSCC goes on, like Uva coming from behind to record a 2-1 win. But scoring their first point of the year were Yaita SC in a goalless draw at Luminozo Sayama, the former big guns who with the arrival in the dividion of Machida seem to be slipping further and further off the pace.
Toho Titanium defend against league leaders Machida Zelvia
Sat 12 May: Toho Titanium 1-3 FC Machida Zelvia
Sun 13 May: Luminozo Sayama 0-0 Yaita SC
Sun 13 May: Saitama SC 2-1 YSCC
Sun 13 May: Toshiba Fuchu 1-2 Hitachi Tochigi Uva
1. FC Machida Zelvia 15 (+11)
2. Hitachi Tochigi Uva 12 (+11)
3. Toho Titanium 9 (-)
4. Saitama SC 9 (-1)
5. Luminozo Sayama 7 (-)
6. Toshiba Fuchu 3 (-2)
7. YSCC 3 (-5)
8. Yaita SC 1 (-14)
Hannan University and Takada FC march on at the top of the Kansai League Division 2, with both clubs retaining their 100% starts to the year after round five over the weekend. The Osaka students from Hannan were losing 2-1 at half-time against the current bottom-place side Kihoku Football Group, but recovered to win 4-2, while Takada had a comfortable 3-0 victory over Hermano Osaka.
Remarkably, there is already an eight-point gap between Takada in second and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe in third, with the mid-ranking teams taking points off each other. It is already difficult to see anyone troubling the frontrunners for promotion, especially after Mitsubishi's 2-0 defeat at Kohga School. Riseisha FC managed their first win of the season at Kyoto Shiko Club to move out of the relegation zone.
Sat 12 May: Kohga School 2-0 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe
Sun 13 May: Kihoku Football Group 2-4 Hannan University Club
Sun 13 May: Kyoto Shiko Club 1-2 Riseisha FC
Sun 13 May: Takada FC 3-0 Hermano Osaka
1. Hannan University 15 (+16)
2. Takada FC 15 (+12)
3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 7 (-2)
4. Kohga School 7 (-4)
5. Kyoto Shiko Club 5 (-)
6. Riseisha FC 4 (-3)
7. Hermano Osaka 4 (-6)
8. Kihoku Football Group 0 (-13)
Remarkably, there is already an eight-point gap between Takada in second and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe in third, with the mid-ranking teams taking points off each other. It is already difficult to see anyone troubling the frontrunners for promotion, especially after Mitsubishi's 2-0 defeat at Kohga School. Riseisha FC managed their first win of the season at Kyoto Shiko Club to move out of the relegation zone.
Sat 12 May: Kohga School 2-0 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe
Sun 13 May: Kihoku Football Group 2-4 Hannan University Club
Sun 13 May: Kyoto Shiko Club 1-2 Riseisha FC
Sun 13 May: Takada FC 3-0 Hermano Osaka
1. Hannan University 15 (+16)
2. Takada FC 15 (+12)
3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 7 (-2)
4. Kohga School 7 (-4)
5. Kyoto Shiko Club 5 (-)
6. Riseisha FC 4 (-3)
7. Hermano Osaka 4 (-6)
8. Kihoku Football Group 0 (-13)
Continuing their excellent start to the season in Division 1 of the Kansai League are last year's runners up FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu. They made it five wins out of five on Saturday, beating Kobe FC 1970 3-1 thanks to two goals in the last thirteen minutes. Banditonce Kobe remain three points behind after a 5-0 thrashing of Sanyo Electric Sumoto in which Takashi Matsuda scored twice and Tooru Sato once, meaning that the strikers are both at the top of the divisional scoring chart with five goals apiece.
Sanyo now occupy one of the two relegation spots, the other team being FC Glaspo Kashiwara. They were 2-0 up against AS Laranja Kyoto, both goals coming from their own star striker Takahiro Okazaki, but midway through the second half the visitors took control and eventually ran out 6-3 winners. In the other game, Ain Food beat FC Kyoto 1993 1-0 to go into third place.
None other than Glaspo Kashiwara’s Takahiro Okazaki
Sat 12 May: Ain Food 1-0 FC Kyoto 1993
Sat 12 May: FC Glaspo Kashiwara 3-6 AS Laranja Kyoto
Sat 12 May: FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 3-1 Kobe FC 1970
Sun 13 May: Banditonce Kobe 5-0 Sanyo Electric Sumoto
1. FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 15 (+22)
2. Banditonce Kobe 12 (+17)
3. Ain Food 10 (+1)
4. FC Kyoto 1993 9 (-)
5. AS Laranja Kyoto 6 (-8)
6. Kobe FC 1970 3 (-7)
7. Sanyo Electric Sumoto 3 (-13)
8. FC Glaspo Kashiwara 1 (-12)
A very small picture of FC Kyoto 1993
Sanyo now occupy one of the two relegation spots, the other team being FC Glaspo Kashiwara. They were 2-0 up against AS Laranja Kyoto, both goals coming from their own star striker Takahiro Okazaki, but midway through the second half the visitors took control and eventually ran out 6-3 winners. In the other game, Ain Food beat FC Kyoto 1993 1-0 to go into third place.
None other than Glaspo Kashiwara’s Takahiro Okazaki
Sat 12 May: Ain Food 1-0 FC Kyoto 1993
Sat 12 May: FC Glaspo Kashiwara 3-6 AS Laranja Kyoto
Sat 12 May: FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 3-1 Kobe FC 1970
Sun 13 May: Banditonce Kobe 5-0 Sanyo Electric Sumoto
1. FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 15 (+22)
2. Banditonce Kobe 12 (+17)
3. Ain Food 10 (+1)
4. FC Kyoto 1993 9 (-)
5. AS Laranja Kyoto 6 (-8)
6. Kobe FC 1970 3 (-7)
7. Sanyo Electric Sumoto 3 (-13)
8. FC Glaspo Kashiwara 1 (-12)
A very small picture of FC Kyoto 1993
The topsy-turvy season in Division 2 of the Hokushinetsu League levelled out somewhat on Sunday, although seemingly any team is capable of taking points from any of their rivals. The unfortunate exception to this rule are Toyama Shinjo Club, who like their neighbours Valiente Toyama in Division 1 are having a wretched campaign. A 5-1 home defeat to Ohara School JaSRA means that Shinjo have yet to gain a point all season and they are therefore rooted to the foot of the table.
But the top three teams did actually manage to win all their matches, Saurcos Fukui retaining pole position with a 3-1 win over Maruoka Phoenix. Hot on their heels, though, are both FC Antelope Shiojiri and Teihens FC, who both chalked up away victories at CUPS Niigata and Granscena Niigata respectively. It could be that the two promotion places will come down to a fight between that trio.
Granscena Niigata and Teihens go head to head
Sun 13 May: CUPS Niigata 1-2 FC Antelope Shiojiri
Sun 13 May: Granscena Niigata 2-3 Teihens FC
Sun 13 May: Saurcos Fukui 3-1 Maruoka Phoenix
Sun 13 May: Toyama Shinjo Club 1-5 Ohara School JaSRA
1. Saurcos Fukui 12 (+7)
2. FC Antelope Shiojiri 11 (+3)
3. Teihens FC 10 (+7)
4. Ohara School JaSRA 7 (+2)
5. Maruoka Phoenix 6 (-)
6. Granscena Niigata 6 (+1)
7. CUPS Niigata 6 (-4)
8. Toyama Shinjo Club 0 (-16)
Flag confusion at CUPS Niigata
But the top three teams did actually manage to win all their matches, Saurcos Fukui retaining pole position with a 3-1 win over Maruoka Phoenix. Hot on their heels, though, are both FC Antelope Shiojiri and Teihens FC, who both chalked up away victories at CUPS Niigata and Granscena Niigata respectively. It could be that the two promotion places will come down to a fight between that trio.
Granscena Niigata and Teihens go head to head
Sun 13 May: CUPS Niigata 1-2 FC Antelope Shiojiri
Sun 13 May: Granscena Niigata 2-3 Teihens FC
Sun 13 May: Saurcos Fukui 3-1 Maruoka Phoenix
Sun 13 May: Toyama Shinjo Club 1-5 Ohara School JaSRA
1. Saurcos Fukui 12 (+7)
2. FC Antelope Shiojiri 11 (+3)
3. Teihens FC 10 (+7)
4. Ohara School JaSRA 7 (+2)
5. Maruoka Phoenix 6 (-)
6. Granscena Niigata 6 (+1)
7. CUPS Niigata 6 (-4)
8. Toyama Shinjo Club 0 (-16)
Flag confusion at CUPS Niigata
Matsumoto Yamaga Club closed the gap at the top of the Hokushinetsu League Division 1 to just one a point on Sunday, thanks to a 3-2 win at Zweigen Kanazawa. Masato Katayama was once again the hero for Matsumoto with two goals, while leaders AC Nagano Parceiro let slip a 2-0 lead to draw with Japan Soccer College - the first time that they have dropped points so far this season.
With champions JSC holding onto third place in a very tight division, moving into the top half of the table are Ishikawa prefecture's Fervorosa, 6-2 winners over struggling Ueda Gentian. And Niigata University of Management climbed out of the relegation places with a potentially vital defeat of Valiente Toyama, who seem to be unable to compete at the higher level following promotion at the end of last season.
Introducing, from Ishikawa prefecture, Fervorosa
Sun 13 May: AC Nagano Parceiro 2-2 Japan Soccer College
Sun 13 May: Niigata University of Management 2-1 Valiente Toyama
Sun 13 May: Ueda Gentian 2-6 Fervorosa
Sun 13 May: Zweigen Kanazawa 2-3 Matsumoto Yamaga Club
1. AC Nagano Parceiro 13 (+13)
2. Matsumoto Yamaga Club 12 (+12)
3. Japan Soccer College 10 (+8)
4. Fervorosa 9 (+5)
5. Zweigen Kanazawa 9 (+3)
6. Niigata University of Management 4 (-14)
7. Ueda Gentian 1 (-13)
8. Valiente Toyama 0 (-14)
They might well be Zweigen, but they still lost
With champions JSC holding onto third place in a very tight division, moving into the top half of the table are Ishikawa prefecture's Fervorosa, 6-2 winners over struggling Ueda Gentian. And Niigata University of Management climbed out of the relegation places with a potentially vital defeat of Valiente Toyama, who seem to be unable to compete at the higher level following promotion at the end of last season.
Introducing, from Ishikawa prefecture, Fervorosa
Sun 13 May: AC Nagano Parceiro 2-2 Japan Soccer College
Sun 13 May: Niigata University of Management 2-1 Valiente Toyama
Sun 13 May: Ueda Gentian 2-6 Fervorosa
Sun 13 May: Zweigen Kanazawa 2-3 Matsumoto Yamaga Club
1. AC Nagano Parceiro 13 (+13)
2. Matsumoto Yamaga Club 12 (+12)
3. Japan Soccer College 10 (+8)
4. Fervorosa 9 (+5)
5. Zweigen Kanazawa 9 (+3)
6. Niigata University of Management 4 (-14)
7. Ueda Gentian 1 (-13)
8. Valiente Toyama 0 (-14)
They might well be Zweigen, but they still lost
Sunday's opening fixtures in this season's Hokkaido League were in general close-fought encounters, with last season's strugglers Tokachifairsky Genesis and newly-promoted side Hokushukai both obtaining good draws against Blackpecker Hakodate and Sapporo FC respectively. Sapporo Winds, who together with Hokushukai move up from the so-called Block Leagues that form the second tier of football on the island, went even better and pulled off a shock 2-1 win over Barefoot Hokkaido. But Norbritz Hokkaido, aiming for their fifth straight league title, were quickest off the mark thanks to a 3-1 defeat of Toyota Motors Hokkaido.
The traditional excellent view of Norbritz Hokkaido
Sun 13 May: Blackpecker Hakodate 1-1 Tokachifairsky Genesis
Sun 13 May: Hokushukai 1-1 Sapporo FC
Sun 13 May: Norbritz Hokkaido 3-1 Toyota Motors Hokkaido
Sun 13 May: Sapporo Winds 2-1 Barefoot Hokkaido
Look, it’s Blackpecker Hakodate, against Tokachifairsky
The traditional excellent view of Norbritz Hokkaido
Sun 13 May: Blackpecker Hakodate 1-1 Tokachifairsky Genesis
Sun 13 May: Hokushukai 1-1 Sapporo FC
Sun 13 May: Norbritz Hokkaido 3-1 Toyota Motors Hokkaido
Sun 13 May: Sapporo Winds 2-1 Barefoot Hokkaido
Look, it’s Blackpecker Hakodate, against Tokachifairsky
Just a matter of days after having been given a rough ride here on JNFN for their poor results so far this season, Renofa Yamaguchi have blown a huge hole in the Chugoku League title hopes of FC Central Chugoku. Renofa came from a goal down at half-time on Sunday to claim an excellent 2-1 win over the ambitious Shimane outfit. Combine this result with a sixth straight victory for champions and favourites Fagiano Okayama - who defeated the other main contenders, Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku - and there is all of a sudden a six-point gap at the top between Fagiano and FC Central.
But there was action aplenty elsewhere, too, as both Mazda SC and Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado picked up their first wins of the year. Promoted side Mazda overcame JFE Steel Western Japan, while Yamaguchi-based Kasado squeezed past a Hiroshima Fujita SC side whose decline from last season seems to be continuing. Luckily for all concerned, however, there is to be no relegation from the Chugoku League at the end of 2007, as the competition is to be expanded to ten teams next season.
Renofa Yamaguchi in orange scrap it out with FC Central
Sun 13 May: Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 1-0 Hiroshima Fujita SC
Sun 13 May: Mazda SC 2-0 JFE Steel Western Japan
Sun 13 May: Renofa Yamaguchi 2-1 FC Central Chugoku
Sun 13 May: Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 0-1 Fagiano Okayama
1. Fagiano Okayama 18 (+25)
2. FC Central Chugoku 12 (+9)
3. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 9 (+11)
4. Renofa Yamaguchi 8 (-4)
5. JFE Steel Western Japan 6 (-11)
6. Hiroshima Fujita SC 4 (-5)
7. Mazda SC 4 (-10)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 3 (-15)
A sunny day for Sagawa Kyubin and Fagiano Okayama
But there was action aplenty elsewhere, too, as both Mazda SC and Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado picked up their first wins of the year. Promoted side Mazda overcame JFE Steel Western Japan, while Yamaguchi-based Kasado squeezed past a Hiroshima Fujita SC side whose decline from last season seems to be continuing. Luckily for all concerned, however, there is to be no relegation from the Chugoku League at the end of 2007, as the competition is to be expanded to ten teams next season.
Renofa Yamaguchi in orange scrap it out with FC Central
Sun 13 May: Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 1-0 Hiroshima Fujita SC
Sun 13 May: Mazda SC 2-0 JFE Steel Western Japan
Sun 13 May: Renofa Yamaguchi 2-1 FC Central Chugoku
Sun 13 May: Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 0-1 Fagiano Okayama
1. Fagiano Okayama 18 (+25)
2. FC Central Chugoku 12 (+9)
3. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 9 (+11)
4. Renofa Yamaguchi 8 (-4)
5. JFE Steel Western Japan 6 (-11)
6. Hiroshima Fujita SC 4 (-5)
7. Mazda SC 4 (-10)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 3 (-15)
A sunny day for Sagawa Kyubin and Fagiano Okayama
It was business as usual in round 11 of the JFL on Sunday, with frontrunning trio Sagawa Kyubin SC, Rosso Kumamoto and FC Gifu all picking up wins in their matches. But how they achieved those victories was rather different and may provide some clue as to what will happen in the rest of the season. High-scoring Sagawa Kyubin put another four without reply past Alo's Hokuriku, Sho Gokyu grabbing two to bring his tally for the year to nine.
Things were nevertheless a bit tougher for Gifu and Rosso, the latter of whom trailed twice to Yokogawa Musashino - only for star striker Yutaka Takahashi to chip in with his usual pair of goals, including the winner three minutes from time. Gifu, meanwhile, overcame lowly FC Ryukyu only thanks to a 32nd-minute striker from former Kashiwa Reysol defender Kota Fukatsu. This means that there is now a five-point gap between Gifu in third and the next best teams, YKK AP and Tochigi SC.
Hisatomo Kaneko, on target for Sony Sendai...
In fact, YKK and Tochigi were matched up against each other, the Toyama-based YKK taking a 2-0 lead by half-time only to be pegged back by two goals in the last twelve minutes by Tochigi midfield man Masamitsu Kobayashi. But most of the other key action took place at the other end of the table. Arte Takasaki conceded two second half goals at TDK SC and now lie rock bottom, having scored just twice all season.
Sony Sendai at last broke their disastrous run of seven consecutive defeats with a creditable draw at Honda FC, while there were valuable away wins for FC Kariya at Sagawa Printing and Gainare Tottori at Mitsubishi Mizushima. Ryutsu Keizai University made it three wins in four matches with the 1-0 defeat of the ever-unpredictable JEF Reserves.
... and YKK AP scorer Sho Kitano
Sun 13 May: FC Gifu 1-0 FC Ryukyu
Sun 13 May: Honda FC 2-2 Sony Sendai
Sun 13 May: Mitsubishi Mizushima 0-2 Gainare Tottori
Sun 13 May: Rosso Kumamoto 3-2 Yokogawa Musashino
Sun 13 May: Ryutsu Keizai University 1-0 JEF Reserves
Sun 13 May: Sagawa Kyubin SC 4-0 Alo's Hokuriku
Sun 13 May: Sagawa Printing 0-1 FC Kariya
Sun 13 May: TDK SC 2-0 Arte Takasaki
Sun 13 May: YKK AP 2-2 Tochigi SC
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 28 (+22)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 27 (+14)
3. FC Gifu 26 (+8)
4. YKK AP 21 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 21 (+9)
6. Alo's Hokuriku 19 (-1)
7. Yokogawa Musashino 18 (+7)
8. Honda FC 16 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 14 (-)
10. TDK SC 14 (-3)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 13 (-3)
12. FC Kariya 12 (-4)
13. Gainare Tottori 11 (-4)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 10 (-6)
15. Sagawa Printing 10 (-9)
16. FC Ryukyu 8 (-13)
17. Sony Sendai 5 (-17)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-14)
Mitsubishi Mizushima go for goal in their defeat to Gainare Tottori
Things were nevertheless a bit tougher for Gifu and Rosso, the latter of whom trailed twice to Yokogawa Musashino - only for star striker Yutaka Takahashi to chip in with his usual pair of goals, including the winner three minutes from time. Gifu, meanwhile, overcame lowly FC Ryukyu only thanks to a 32nd-minute striker from former Kashiwa Reysol defender Kota Fukatsu. This means that there is now a five-point gap between Gifu in third and the next best teams, YKK AP and Tochigi SC.
Hisatomo Kaneko, on target for Sony Sendai...
In fact, YKK and Tochigi were matched up against each other, the Toyama-based YKK taking a 2-0 lead by half-time only to be pegged back by two goals in the last twelve minutes by Tochigi midfield man Masamitsu Kobayashi. But most of the other key action took place at the other end of the table. Arte Takasaki conceded two second half goals at TDK SC and now lie rock bottom, having scored just twice all season.
Sony Sendai at last broke their disastrous run of seven consecutive defeats with a creditable draw at Honda FC, while there were valuable away wins for FC Kariya at Sagawa Printing and Gainare Tottori at Mitsubishi Mizushima. Ryutsu Keizai University made it three wins in four matches with the 1-0 defeat of the ever-unpredictable JEF Reserves.
... and YKK AP scorer Sho Kitano
Sun 13 May: FC Gifu 1-0 FC Ryukyu
Sun 13 May: Honda FC 2-2 Sony Sendai
Sun 13 May: Mitsubishi Mizushima 0-2 Gainare Tottori
Sun 13 May: Rosso Kumamoto 3-2 Yokogawa Musashino
Sun 13 May: Ryutsu Keizai University 1-0 JEF Reserves
Sun 13 May: Sagawa Kyubin SC 4-0 Alo's Hokuriku
Sun 13 May: Sagawa Printing 0-1 FC Kariya
Sun 13 May: TDK SC 2-0 Arte Takasaki
Sun 13 May: YKK AP 2-2 Tochigi SC
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 28 (+22)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 27 (+14)
3. FC Gifu 26 (+8)
4. YKK AP 21 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 21 (+9)
6. Alo's Hokuriku 19 (-1)
7. Yokogawa Musashino 18 (+7)
8. Honda FC 16 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 14 (-)
10. TDK SC 14 (-3)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 13 (-3)
12. FC Kariya 12 (-4)
13. Gainare Tottori 11 (-4)
14. Mitsubishi Mizushima 10 (-6)
15. Sagawa Printing 10 (-9)
16. FC Ryukyu 8 (-13)
17. Sony Sendai 5 (-17)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-14)
Mitsubishi Mizushima go for goal in their defeat to Gainare Tottori
It's turning into a very disappointing season in the Chugoku League for Renofa Yamaguchi. The former Yamaguchi Teachers team changed their name at the beginning of 2006, as part of their overall intention of becoming a stronger team in the region before working up to the JFL and beyond. They made some good progress last year, but in 2007 seem to have well and truly stalled - and following on from Sunday's matches, Renofa are back in the bottom half of the Chugoku League table.
They conceded three second half goals to champions Fagiano Okayama to slip behind JFE Steel Western Japan, who were in turn 2-1 winners over Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado. While Fagiano were making it five wins out of five, at the other end of the table it looks like being a battle to avoid the wooden spoon between Yamaguchi's Hitachi and newly-promoted side Mazda SC, 2-0 losers at Hiroshima Fujita SC.
Renofa Yamaguchi prepare to get done over by Fagiano Okayama
Sun 06 May: Fagiano Okayama 3-0 Renofa Yamaguchi
Sun 06 May: Hiroshima Fujita SC 2-0 Mazda SC
Sun 06 May: JFE Steel Western Japan 2-1 Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado
1. Fagiano Okayama 15 (+24)
2. FC Central Chugoku 12 (+10)
3. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 9 (+12)
4. JFE Steel Western Japan 6 (-9)
5. Renofa Yamaguchi 5 (-5)
6. Hiroshima Fujita SC 4 (-4)
7. Mazda SC 1 (-12)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 0 (-16)
They conceded three second half goals to champions Fagiano Okayama to slip behind JFE Steel Western Japan, who were in turn 2-1 winners over Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado. While Fagiano were making it five wins out of five, at the other end of the table it looks like being a battle to avoid the wooden spoon between Yamaguchi's Hitachi and newly-promoted side Mazda SC, 2-0 losers at Hiroshima Fujita SC.
Renofa Yamaguchi prepare to get done over by Fagiano Okayama
Sun 06 May: Fagiano Okayama 3-0 Renofa Yamaguchi
Sun 06 May: Hiroshima Fujita SC 2-0 Mazda SC
Sun 06 May: JFE Steel Western Japan 2-1 Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado
1. Fagiano Okayama 15 (+24)
2. FC Central Chugoku 12 (+10)
3. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 9 (+12)
4. JFE Steel Western Japan 6 (-9)
5. Renofa Yamaguchi 5 (-5)
6. Hiroshima Fujita SC 4 (-4)
7. Mazda SC 1 (-12)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 0 (-16)
A goal in the very last minute was enough to win Wednesday's solitary JFL fixture for JEF Reserves against Mitsubishi Mizushima. Young striker Takenori Watanabe was the scorer and his effort moves an improving JEF side closer to the top half of the table in the traditionally very divided JFL. Mitsubishi meanwhile slip below Ryutsu Keizai University on goals scored.
JEF hero Takenori Watanabe
Wed 09 May: JEF Reserves 1-0 Mitsubishi Mizushima
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 25 (+18)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 24 (+13)
3. FC Gifu 23 (+7)
4. YKK AP 20 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 20 (+9)
6. Alo's Hokuriku 19 (+3)
7. Yokogawa Musashino 18 (+8)
8. Honda FC 15 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 14 (+1)
10. TDK SC 11 (-5)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 10 (-4)
12. Mitsubishi Mizushima 10 (-4)
13. Sagawa Printing 10 (-8)
14. FC Kariya 9 (-5)
15. Gainare Tottori 8 (-6)
16. FC Ryukyu 8 (-12)
17. Arte Takasaki 4 (-12)
18. Sony Sendai 4 (-17)
JEF hero Takenori Watanabe
Wed 09 May: JEF Reserves 1-0 Mitsubishi Mizushima
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 25 (+18)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 24 (+13)
3. FC Gifu 23 (+7)
4. YKK AP 20 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 20 (+9)
6. Alo's Hokuriku 19 (+3)
7. Yokogawa Musashino 18 (+8)
8. Honda FC 15 (+3)
9. JEF Reserves 14 (+1)
10. TDK SC 11 (-5)
11. Ryutsu Keizai University 10 (-4)
12. Mitsubishi Mizushima 10 (-4)
13. Sagawa Printing 10 (-8)
14. FC Kariya 9 (-5)
15. Gainare Tottori 8 (-6)
16. FC Ryukyu 8 (-12)
17. Arte Takasaki 4 (-12)
18. Sony Sendai 4 (-17)
