It was very much business as usual in Division 1 of the Hokushinetsu League on Sunday - but as a consequence, the title race is effectively down to four clubs in this tightest of contests. Fervorosa's 3-1 loss at AC Nagano Parceiro means that they lie ten points off the lead and can thus be discounted as potential champions. Japan Soccer College continue to head the standings after a 3-0 win over Ueda Gentian and Matsumoto Yamaga Club lie just a point behind off the pace following their defeat of Valiente Toyama. The dark horses are Zweigen Kanazawa, who picked up a comfortable three points at home to Niigata University of Management to stay in touch at the top.
AC Nagano Parceiro maintain their title challenge
Sun 17 Jun: AC Nagano Parceiro 3-1 Fervorosa
Sun 17 Jun: Japan Soccer College 3-0 Ueda Gentian
Sun 17 Jun: Matusmoto Yamaga Club 3-2 Valiente Toyama
Sun 17 Jun: Zweigen Kanazawa 5-1 Niigata University of Management
1. Japan Soccer College 25 (+18)
2. Matsumoto Yamaga Club 24 (+31)
3. AC Nagano Parceiro 22 (+14)
4. Zweigen Kanazawa 21 (+13)
5. Fervorosa 15 (+9)
6. Valiente Toyama 6 (-10)
7. Niigata University of Management 4 (-44)
8. Ueda Gentian 1 (-31)
Yamaga in green put Valiente under pressure
AC Nagano Parceiro maintain their title challenge
Sun 17 Jun: AC Nagano Parceiro 3-1 Fervorosa
Sun 17 Jun: Japan Soccer College 3-0 Ueda Gentian
Sun 17 Jun: Matusmoto Yamaga Club 3-2 Valiente Toyama
Sun 17 Jun: Zweigen Kanazawa 5-1 Niigata University of Management
1. Japan Soccer College 25 (+18)
2. Matsumoto Yamaga Club 24 (+31)
3. AC Nagano Parceiro 22 (+14)
4. Zweigen Kanazawa 21 (+13)
5. Fervorosa 15 (+9)
6. Valiente Toyama 6 (-10)
7. Niigata University of Management 4 (-44)
8. Ueda Gentian 1 (-31)
Yamaga in green put Valiente under pressure
Six games into the campaign and the Hokkaido League continues to be dominated by Norbritz Hokkaido, 5-1 winners on Sunday at Sapporo FC. But while this is by and large to be expected, the success of second-place Sapporo Winds is far more of a surprise, given that they gained promotion from the second tier Block Leagues only at the end of last year. Their latest victory came at the expense of Toyota Motors Hokkaido, who drop down into third. Barefoot Hokkaido hold on to fourth despite losing at Blackpecker Hakodate, while Tokachifairsky Genesis managed their first win of 2007 in the bottom-of-the-table clash with Hokushukai.
Anyone can see that that’s Sapporo Winds against Toyota Motors
Sun 17 Jun: Blackpecker Hakodate 3-1 Barefoot Hokkaido
Sun 17 Jun: Sapporo FC 1-5 Norbritz Hokkaido
Sun 17 Jun: Sapporo Winds 4-0 Toyota Motors Hokkaido
Sun 17 Jun: Tokachifairsky Genesis 3-0 Hokushukai
1. Norbritz Hokkaido 18 (+20)
2. Sapporo Winds 13 (+2)
3. Toyota Motors Hokkaido 10 (-3)
4. Barefoot Hokkaido 9 (+3)
5. Blackpecker Hakodate 8 (-)
6. Sapporo FC 4 (-4)
7. Tokachifairsky Genesis 4 (-7)
8. Hokushukai 2 (-11)
Anyone can see that that’s Sapporo Winds against Toyota Motors
Sun 17 Jun: Blackpecker Hakodate 3-1 Barefoot Hokkaido
Sun 17 Jun: Sapporo FC 1-5 Norbritz Hokkaido
Sun 17 Jun: Sapporo Winds 4-0 Toyota Motors Hokkaido
Sun 17 Jun: Tokachifairsky Genesis 3-0 Hokushukai
1. Norbritz Hokkaido 18 (+20)
2. Sapporo Winds 13 (+2)
3. Toyota Motors Hokkaido 10 (-3)
4. Barefoot Hokkaido 9 (+3)
5. Blackpecker Hakodate 8 (-)
6. Sapporo FC 4 (-4)
7. Tokachifairsky Genesis 4 (-7)
8. Hokushukai 2 (-11)
It's now eleven wins from eleven for Fagiano Okayama in the Chugoku League, their latest a run-of-the-mill 6-0 crushing of Hiroshima Fujita SC. The main interest in this league has for some time been the close-fought battle for second place and the additional spot in the end-of-season promotion Play-offs. FC Central Chugoku currently lead Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku and Renofa Yamaguchi by the narrowest of margins, after FC Central and Sagawa scraped home against JFE Steel Western Japan and Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado respectively. Renofa, meanwhile, dropped vital points as they were held at home by Mazda SC.
More Fagiano Okayama fan paraphernalia
Sun 17 Jun: Fagiano Okayama 6-0 Hiroshima Fujita SC
Sun 17 Jun: FC Central Chugoku 2-1 JFE Steel Western Japan
Sun 17 Jun: Renofa Yamaguchi 0-0 Mazda SC
Sun 17 Jun: Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 4-3 Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado
1. Fagiano Okayama 33 (+62)
2. FC Central Chugoku 18 (+11)
3. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 18 (+11)
4. Renofa Yamaguchi 18 (-4)
5. Hiroshima Fujita SC 11 (-7)
6. Mazda SC 8 (-15)
7. JFE Steel Western Japan 7 (-24)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 3 (-42)
More Fagiano Okayama fan paraphernalia
Sun 17 Jun: Fagiano Okayama 6-0 Hiroshima Fujita SC
Sun 17 Jun: FC Central Chugoku 2-1 JFE Steel Western Japan
Sun 17 Jun: Renofa Yamaguchi 0-0 Mazda SC
Sun 17 Jun: Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 4-3 Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado
1. Fagiano Okayama 33 (+62)
2. FC Central Chugoku 18 (+11)
3. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 18 (+11)
4. Renofa Yamaguchi 18 (-4)
5. Hiroshima Fujita SC 11 (-7)
6. Mazda SC 8 (-15)
7. JFE Steel Western Japan 7 (-24)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 3 (-42)
After a busy Saturday, there were only three matches in the JFL on Sunday - but still some crucial action at both the top and bottom of the table. Most important of all, Rosso Kumamoto closed the gap on leaders Sagawa Kyubin SC to a single point with a 3-0 win over TDK SC, Yutaka Takahashi on target yet again for what was his fifteenth goal of the season.
YKK AP's Kohei Onishi scored the winner nine minutes from time during his team's match at home to declining 2006 champions Honda FC, putting YKK clear in fourth - while Honda, remarkably, slip below Mitsubishi Mizushima into the bottom half of the standings. FC Ryukyu meanwhile remain deep in trouble after their 4-1 defeat at a Sony Sendai team that have now won four in a row.
Sun 17 Jun: Rosso Kumamoto 3-0 TDK SC
Sun 17 Jun: Sony Sendai 4-1 FC Ryukyu
Sun 17 Jun: YKK AP 1-0 Honda FC
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 38 (+23)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 37 (+19)
3. FC Gifu 33 (+10)
4. YKK AP 28 (+9)
5. Yokogawa Musashino 25 (+8)
6. JEF Reserves 25 (+4)
7. Tochigi SC 24 (+7)
8. Alo's Hokuriku 24 (-2)
9. Mitsubishi Mizushima 22 (-2)
10. Honda FC 20 (-)
11. TDK SC 20 (-4)
12. Gainare Tottori 18 (-3)
13. Ryutsu Keizai University 18 (-4)
14. FC Kariya 17 (-6)
15. Sony Sendai 17 (-12)
16. Sagawa Printing 16 (-10)
17. FC Ryukyu 13 (-16)
18. Arte Takasaki 5 (-21)
YKK AP's Kohei Onishi scored the winner nine minutes from time during his team's match at home to declining 2006 champions Honda FC, putting YKK clear in fourth - while Honda, remarkably, slip below Mitsubishi Mizushima into the bottom half of the standings. FC Ryukyu meanwhile remain deep in trouble after their 4-1 defeat at a Sony Sendai team that have now won four in a row.
Sun 17 Jun: Rosso Kumamoto 3-0 TDK SC
Sun 17 Jun: Sony Sendai 4-1 FC Ryukyu
Sun 17 Jun: YKK AP 1-0 Honda FC
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 38 (+23)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 37 (+19)
3. FC Gifu 33 (+10)
4. YKK AP 28 (+9)
5. Yokogawa Musashino 25 (+8)
6. JEF Reserves 25 (+4)
7. Tochigi SC 24 (+7)
8. Alo's Hokuriku 24 (-2)
9. Mitsubishi Mizushima 22 (-2)
10. Honda FC 20 (-)
11. TDK SC 20 (-4)
12. Gainare Tottori 18 (-3)
13. Ryutsu Keizai University 18 (-4)
14. FC Kariya 17 (-6)
15. Sony Sendai 17 (-12)
16. Sagawa Printing 16 (-10)
17. FC Ryukyu 13 (-16)
18. Arte Takasaki 5 (-21)
There's no doubting where the focus of attention lay on Saturday amongst the half-dozen JFL fixtures, as leaders Sagawa Kyubin SC hosted third-place FC Gifu. Sagawa have stumbled in recent weeks, managing just a single point from their last two games, but Sho Gokyu put them ahead early on with his thirteenth goal of the season. pulled Gifu level just before half time, only for Kento Hori to snatch all the points for the hosts with eight minutes remaining.
One remarkable feature of this season's JFL campaign, however, is the extent to which any of the teams chasing the top three of Sagawa, Gifu and Rosso Kumamoto have failed to mount any kind of consistent challenge. There were two further examples of this on Saturday, as Tochigi SC's year continued its steady decline when they could manage only a draw at home to Ryutsu Keizai University, while Yokogawa Musashino lost at home to improving Mitsubishi Mizushima.
Yokogawa Musashino on the attack against Mitsubishi Mizushima
Mitsubishi, like RKU in their third season in the JFL, have made impressive progress this year, having struggled to compete in both 2005 and 2006 following promotion from the Chugoku League. With star man Daisuke Matsuoka rattling in the goals - including the 64th-minute winner at Yokogawa, his ninth of the year - the Okayama-based team have now won four of their last five to move into a comfortable mid-table position.
While Tochigi and Yokogawa Musashino were dropping points, though, Alo's Hokuriku at least made some progress up the table via their first win in six games - but even that came courtesy of a Yuuya Nagatomi goal in the dying seconds against lowly Sagawa Printing. JEF Reserves could have gone fourth but were held 1-1 at Gainare Tottori and finally, there was at last some good news for bottom side Arte Takasaki, who picked up only their fifth league point of 2007 with a 1-1 draw at home to FC Kariya.
Goalscorer for Arte Takasaki, Masataka Imai. Wow. That’s hard to say
Sat 16 Jun: Alo's Hokuriku 1-0 Sagawa Printing
Sat 16 Jun: Arte Takasaki 1-1 FC Kariya
Sat 16 Jun: Sagawa Kyubin SC 2-1 FC Gifu
Sat 16 Jun: Gainare Tottori 1-1 JEF Reserves
Sat 16 Jun: Tochigi SC 1-1 Ryutsu Keizai University
Sat 16 Jun: Yokogawa Musashino 1-2 Mitsubishi Mizushima
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 38 (+23)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 34 (+16)
3. FC Gifu 33 (+10)
4. YKK AP 25 (+8)
5. Yokogawa Musashino 25 (+8)
6. JEF Reserves 25 (+4)
7. Tochigi SC 24 (+7)
8. Alo's Hokuriku 24 (-2)
9. Mitsubishi Mizushima 22 (-2)
10. Honda FC 20 (+1)
11. TDK SC 20 (-1)
12. Gainare Tottori 18 (-3)
13. Ryutsu Keizai University 18 (-4)
14. FC Kariya 17 (-6)
15. Sagawa Printing 16 (-10)
16. Sony Sendai 14 (-15)
17. FC Ryukyu 13 (-13)
18. Arte Takasaki 5 (-21)
One remarkable feature of this season's JFL campaign, however, is the extent to which any of the teams chasing the top three of Sagawa, Gifu and Rosso Kumamoto have failed to mount any kind of consistent challenge. There were two further examples of this on Saturday, as Tochigi SC's year continued its steady decline when they could manage only a draw at home to Ryutsu Keizai University, while Yokogawa Musashino lost at home to improving Mitsubishi Mizushima.
Yokogawa Musashino on the attack against Mitsubishi Mizushima
Mitsubishi, like RKU in their third season in the JFL, have made impressive progress this year, having struggled to compete in both 2005 and 2006 following promotion from the Chugoku League. With star man Daisuke Matsuoka rattling in the goals - including the 64th-minute winner at Yokogawa, his ninth of the year - the Okayama-based team have now won four of their last five to move into a comfortable mid-table position.
While Tochigi and Yokogawa Musashino were dropping points, though, Alo's Hokuriku at least made some progress up the table via their first win in six games - but even that came courtesy of a Yuuya Nagatomi goal in the dying seconds against lowly Sagawa Printing. JEF Reserves could have gone fourth but were held 1-1 at Gainare Tottori and finally, there was at last some good news for bottom side Arte Takasaki, who picked up only their fifth league point of 2007 with a 1-1 draw at home to FC Kariya.
Goalscorer for Arte Takasaki, Masataka Imai. Wow. That’s hard to say
Sat 16 Jun: Alo's Hokuriku 1-0 Sagawa Printing
Sat 16 Jun: Arte Takasaki 1-1 FC Kariya
Sat 16 Jun: Sagawa Kyubin SC 2-1 FC Gifu
Sat 16 Jun: Gainare Tottori 1-1 JEF Reserves
Sat 16 Jun: Tochigi SC 1-1 Ryutsu Keizai University
Sat 16 Jun: Yokogawa Musashino 1-2 Mitsubishi Mizushima
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 38 (+23)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 34 (+16)
3. FC Gifu 33 (+10)
4. YKK AP 25 (+8)
5. Yokogawa Musashino 25 (+8)
6. JEF Reserves 25 (+4)
7. Tochigi SC 24 (+7)
8. Alo's Hokuriku 24 (-2)
9. Mitsubishi Mizushima 22 (-2)
10. Honda FC 20 (+1)
11. TDK SC 20 (-1)
12. Gainare Tottori 18 (-3)
13. Ryutsu Keizai University 18 (-4)
14. FC Kariya 17 (-6)
15. Sagawa Printing 16 (-10)
16. Sony Sendai 14 (-15)
17. FC Ryukyu 13 (-13)
18. Arte Takasaki 5 (-21)
It almost seems as if it has already been decided who will be promoted from the Kansai League Division 2 at the end of this season, as the gap between Takada FC in second and university side Riseisha FC a place below them now stands at eight points. Riseisha slumped to a 5-0 crushing at the hands of champions-elect Hannan University, while Takada - coming off the back of three straight 1-1 draws - had an easy 3-0 win against bottom side Kihoku Football Group. Kihoku look certain to be go down to the Prefectural Leagues for next year, but the identity of the team to take part in the Relegation Play-off is far less certain. Kyoto Shiko Club and Kohga School managed a point apiece in a 2-2 draw, but Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe have now lost four of their last five following a 3-2 defeat at Hermano Osaka.
And this is Hermano Osaka
Sat 16 Jun: Hermano Osaka 3-2 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe
Sat 16 Jun: Kyoto Shiko Club 2-2 Kohga School
Sat 16 Jun: Riseisha FC 0-5 Hannan University
Sat 16 Jun: Takada FC 3-0 Kihoku Football Group
1. Hannan University 23 (+25)
2. Takada FC 21 (+15)
3. Riseisha FC 13 (-3)
4. Kohga School 12 (-5)
5. Kyoto Shiko Club 11 (+3)
6. Hermano Osaka 10 (-4)
7. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 10 (-8)
8. Kihoku Football Group 0 (-23)
And this is Hermano Osaka
Sat 16 Jun: Hermano Osaka 3-2 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe
Sat 16 Jun: Kyoto Shiko Club 2-2 Kohga School
Sat 16 Jun: Riseisha FC 0-5 Hannan University
Sat 16 Jun: Takada FC 3-0 Kihoku Football Group
1. Hannan University 23 (+25)
2. Takada FC 21 (+15)
3. Riseisha FC 13 (-3)
4. Kohga School 12 (-5)
5. Kyoto Shiko Club 11 (+3)
6. Hermano Osaka 10 (-4)
7. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 10 (-8)
8. Kihoku Football Group 0 (-23)
It was an excellent day all round for Banditonce Kobe in Division 1 of the Kansai league on Saturday. The 2006 champions pulled off a comfortable 3-0 win over relegation favourites from Osaka, FC Glaspo Kashiwara, while rivals FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu could only draw 3-3 at home to Ain Food. This gives Banditonce a two-point advantage at the top of the table and indeed potentially pulls Ain Food into contention for a place in the Regional League Championship Winners' Play-off tournament at the end of the year. In the other two matches, AS Laranja Kyoto beat Kobe FC 1970 to go fourth, while Sanyo Electric Sumoto moved away from the drop zone with a handy 2-1 win over FC Kyoto 1993.
The unmistakeable sight of Ain Food
Sat 16 Jun: Banditonce Kobe 3-0 FC Glaspo Kashiwara
Sat 16 Jun: FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 3-3 Ain Food
Sat 16 Jun: Kobe FC 1970 0-1 AS Laranja Kyoto
Sat 16 Jun: Sanyo Electric Sumoto 2-1 FC Kyoto 1993
1. Banditonce Kobe 24 (+30)
2. FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 22 (+25)
3. Ain Food 20 (+4)
4. AS Laranja Kyoto 15 (-6)
5. FC Kyoto 1993 9 (-8)
6. Sanyo Electric Sumoto 9 (-12)
7. Kobe FC 1970 4 (-14)
8. FC Glaspo Kashiwara 2 (-19)
The unmistakeable sight of Ain Food
Sat 16 Jun: Banditonce Kobe 3-0 FC Glaspo Kashiwara
Sat 16 Jun: FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 3-3 Ain Food
Sat 16 Jun: Kobe FC 1970 0-1 AS Laranja Kyoto
Sat 16 Jun: Sanyo Electric Sumoto 2-1 FC Kyoto 1993
1. Banditonce Kobe 24 (+30)
2. FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 22 (+25)
3. Ain Food 20 (+4)
4. AS Laranja Kyoto 15 (-6)
5. FC Kyoto 1993 9 (-8)
6. Sanyo Electric Sumoto 9 (-12)
7. Kobe FC 1970 4 (-14)
8. FC Glaspo Kashiwara 2 (-19)
第8回東日本社会人大会
Very brief initial details have been released of this year's 8th Eastern Japan Football Tournament. There is no sign yet of any information as to who will take part in the competition, but it will be staged on the weekend of 14 - 16 July in the city of Kai, Yamanashi prefecture. Last year's winners were TDK Akita, at that time representatives of the Tohoku region but now, of course, better known as JFL side TDK SC.
TDK were joined in the 2006 tournament by Norbritz Hokkaido and Shizuoka FC - representing Hokkaido and Tokai respectively - and three representative teams. A Gunma Prefectural XI flew the flag for Kanto, an Ishikawa side did the same for Hokushinetsu while the hosts, Fukui prefecture, were also allocated a spot. JNFN will provide more information about this year's competition as soon as it becomes available.
Very brief initial details have been released of this year's 8th Eastern Japan Football Tournament. There is no sign yet of any information as to who will take part in the competition, but it will be staged on the weekend of 14 - 16 July in the city of Kai, Yamanashi prefecture. Last year's winners were TDK Akita, at that time representatives of the Tohoku region but now, of course, better known as JFL side TDK SC.
TDK were joined in the 2006 tournament by Norbritz Hokkaido and Shizuoka FC - representing Hokkaido and Tokai respectively - and three representative teams. A Gunma Prefectural XI flew the flag for Kanto, an Ishikawa side did the same for Hokushinetsu while the hosts, Fukui prefecture, were also allocated a spot. JNFN will provide more information about this year's competition as soon as it becomes available.
... former Sagawa Kyubin Tokyo midfielder Yosuke Obayashi, released by the merged JFL big guns in the close season, has joined Hokushinetsu League Division One side Matsumoto Yamaga Club... strugglers FC Ryukyu have parted company with General Manager Ko Ishikawa...
There was supposed to be a full Tokai League Division 1 programme over the weekend, but the thunderstorms that caused Saturday's JFL game at FC Kariya to be delayed also led to the postponement of three Tokai League games - including that of leaders Shizuoka FC at home to Maruyasu Industries. The only fixture to take place was on Sunday, when Chukyo University beat bottom side Kasugai Club 1-0 to jump three places up the table.
Sun 10 Jun: Chukyo University 1-0 Kasugai Club
1. Shizuoka FC 12 (+16)
2. Yazaki Valente 12 (+12)
3. Fujieda City Hall 6 (-1)
4. Chukyo University 6 (-4)
5. Sagawa Kyubin Chukyo 4 (-1)
6. Honda Suzuka 4 (-8)
7. Maruyasu Industries 3 (-3)
8. Kasugai Club 0 (-9)
Sun 10 Jun: Chukyo University 1-0 Kasugai Club
1. Shizuoka FC 12 (+16)
2. Yazaki Valente 12 (+12)
3. Fujieda City Hall 6 (-1)
4. Chukyo University 6 (-4)
5. Sagawa Kyubin Chukyo 4 (-1)
6. Honda Suzuka 4 (-8)
7. Maruyasu Industries 3 (-3)
8. Kasugai Club 0 (-9)
There were only two games in Division 1 of the Tokai League on Sunday - a top-of-the-table clash and a potential relegation battle. Konica Minolta Toyokawa opened up a gap of three points over the rest of the pack by beating their nearest challengers Nagoya Club 2-1, while Morishin's FC stay rooted to the foot of the division after missing out in a 4-3 defeat at Toyota Football Group.
Sun 10 Jun: Konica Minolta Toyokawa 2-1 Nagoya Club
Sun 10 Jun: Toyota Football Group 4-3 Morishin's FC
1. Konica Minolta Toyokawa 13 (+10)
2. Nagoya Club 10 (+4)
3. Fuyo Club 6 (+1)
4. Mind House Yokkaichi 6 (+1)
5. MIE Rampole 5 (+1)
6. Toyota Football Group 4 (-2)
7. FC Kawasaki 1 (-4)
8. Morishin's FC 1 (-11)
Sun 10 Jun: Konica Minolta Toyokawa 2-1 Nagoya Club
Sun 10 Jun: Toyota Football Group 4-3 Morishin's FC
1. Konica Minolta Toyokawa 13 (+10)
2. Nagoya Club 10 (+4)
3. Fuyo Club 6 (+1)
4. Mind House Yokkaichi 6 (+1)
5. MIE Rampole 5 (+1)
6. Toyota Football Group 4 (-2)
7. FC Kawasaki 1 (-4)
8. Morishin's FC 1 (-11)
Marysol Matsushima bounced back from their shock defeat to Soma SC last weekend by thrashing Kanai Club 6-1 in the only Tohoku League Division 2 (South) on Sunday. They remain off the pace of the title race, with FC Perada Fukushima and Viancone Fukushima still the favourites.
Sun 10 Jun: Kanai Club 1-6 Marysol Matsushima
1. FC Perada Fukushima 13 (+23)
2. Soma SC 12 (+8)
3. Viancone Fukushima 10 (+15)
4. Marysol Matsushima 7 (+4)
5. Nakaniida SC 4 (-3)
6. Shichigahama SC 3 (-1)
7. Kanai Club 3 (-33)
8. Kureha 0 (-13)
Sun 10 Jun: Kanai Club 1-6 Marysol Matsushima
1. FC Perada Fukushima 13 (+23)
2. Soma SC 12 (+8)
3. Viancone Fukushima 10 (+15)
4. Marysol Matsushima 7 (+4)
5. Nakaniida SC 4 (-3)
6. Shichigahama SC 3 (-1)
7. Kanai Club 3 (-33)
8. Kureha 0 (-13)
Tohoku League Division 2 (North) champions FC Akita Cambiare recovered from the shock of two consecutive defeats by thrashing Hokuto Bank to move back up to the top of the table on Sunday. They face a battle with Tono Club for the championship this year, but it was Mizusawa Club who jumped into third place following a 2-1 win over Saruta Industry. Fuji Club 2003 slip down the table after a disappointing draw at bottom side Omiya Club.
Sun 10 Jun: FC Akita Cambiare 7-1 Hokuto Bank
Sun 10 Jun: Mizusawa Club 2-1 Saruta Industry
Sun 10 Jun: Omiya Club 2-2 Fuji Club 2003
1. FC Akita Cambiare 13 (+15)
2. Tono Club 12 (+5)
3. Mizusawa Club 8 (+3)
4. Fuji Club 2003 8 (+3)
5. Saruta Industry 6 (+1)
6. Vanraure Hachinohe 3 (-7)
7. Hokuto Bank 3 (-8)
8. Omiya Club 2 (-12)
Sun 10 Jun: FC Akita Cambiare 7-1 Hokuto Bank
Sun 10 Jun: Mizusawa Club 2-1 Saruta Industry
Sun 10 Jun: Omiya Club 2-2 Fuji Club 2003
1. FC Akita Cambiare 13 (+15)
2. Tono Club 12 (+5)
3. Mizusawa Club 8 (+3)
4. Fuji Club 2003 8 (+3)
5. Saruta Industry 6 (+1)
6. Vanraure Hachinohe 3 (-7)
7. Hokuto Bank 3 (-8)
8. Omiya Club 2 (-12)
There were three games played in Division 1 of the Tohoku League on Sunday, but favourites Grulla Morioka went top of the table for the first time this year. With previous leaders NEC Tokin not having a fixture, Grulla's 3-0 defeat of Furukawa Battery enabled the 2005 joint winners to overtake company outfit NEC on goal difference, whilst still having the advantage of a further game in hand. In the other matches, FC Primeiro put behind them their disappointing start to the season by beating Wiese Shiogama to move away from the bottom of the division, while Sendai Nakata Club gained their first points of the year at Nippon Steel Kamaishi.
Sun 10 Jun: Grulla Morioka 3-0 Furukawa Battery
Sun 10 Jun: Nippon Steel Kamaishi 2-3 Sendai Nakata Club
Sun 10 Jun: Wiese Shiogama 1-3 FC Primeiro
1. Grulla Morioka 15 (+13)
2. NEC Tokin 15 (+12)
3. Furukawa Battery 10 (-1)
4. Wiese Shiogama 7 (-)
5. Morioka Zebra 7 (-3)
6. FC Primeiro 6 (-2)
7. Nippon Steel Kamaishi 4 (-8)
8. Sendai Nakata Club 3 (-11)
Sun 10 Jun: Grulla Morioka 3-0 Furukawa Battery
Sun 10 Jun: Nippon Steel Kamaishi 2-3 Sendai Nakata Club
Sun 10 Jun: Wiese Shiogama 1-3 FC Primeiro
1. Grulla Morioka 15 (+13)
2. NEC Tokin 15 (+12)
3. Furukawa Battery 10 (-1)
4. Wiese Shiogama 7 (-)
5. Morioka Zebra 7 (-3)
6. FC Primeiro 6 (-2)
7. Nippon Steel Kamaishi 4 (-8)
8. Sendai Nakata Club 3 (-11)
A disastrous 5-2 defeat for Furukawa Electrics Chiba at Kanagawa Teachers means that there is suddenly daylight between the front two and the rest in the Kanto League Division 2. After being relegated last season, MSDF Atsugi Marcus are now well-placed to bounce back to the top flight following their 3-0 win at Yonoshukonkai, while Club Dragons claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over Hanno Bruder to remain second. At the bottom of the table, however, neither Ome FC nor Nirasaki Astros did their cause much good as they drew one apiece.
Sun 10 Jun: Club Dragons 2-1 Hanno Bruder
Sun 10 Jun: Kanagawa Teachers 5-2 Furukawa Electrics Chiba
Sun 10 Jun: Ome FC 1-1 Nirasaki Astros
Sun 10 Jun: Yonoshukonkai 0-3 MSDF Atsugi Marcus
1. MSDF Atsugi Marcus 17 (+12)
2. Club Dragons 16 (+16)
3. Furukawa Electrics Chiba 13 (-1)
4. Yonoshukonkai 10 (-)
5. Hanno Bruder 8 (-1)
6. Kanagawa Teachers 10 (-1)
7. Ome FC 8 (-8)
8. Nirasaki Astros 6 (-17)
Sun 10 Jun: Club Dragons 2-1 Hanno Bruder
Sun 10 Jun: Kanagawa Teachers 5-2 Furukawa Electrics Chiba
Sun 10 Jun: Ome FC 1-1 Nirasaki Astros
Sun 10 Jun: Yonoshukonkai 0-3 MSDF Atsugi Marcus
1. MSDF Atsugi Marcus 17 (+12)
2. Club Dragons 16 (+16)
3. Furukawa Electrics Chiba 13 (-1)
4. Yonoshukonkai 10 (-)
5. Hanno Bruder 8 (-1)
6. Kanagawa Teachers 10 (-1)
7. Ome FC 8 (-8)
8. Nirasaki Astros 6 (-17)
The main action was at the bottom of Division 1 of the Kanto League this weekend, for 2006 champions YSCC pulled off a shock 4-3 win at Hitachi Tochigi Uva to jump out of the relegation places. Toshiba Fuchu go to the foot of the table after they lost 3-2 at home to Saitama SC - and Yaita SC's draw at Toho Titanium still means that they are also in danger of playing lower division football next year. But FC Machida Zelvia's march towards the title continued, as they eased to a 4-0 win over Luminozo Sayama to maintain their 100% record.
Machida Zelvia’s ultras get a damn good soaking
Sun 10 Jun: FC Machida Zelvia 4-0 Luminozo Sayama
Sun 10 Jun: Hitachi Tochigi Uva 3-4 YSCC
Sun 10 Jun: Toho Titanium 1-1 Yaita SC
Sun 10 Jun: Toshiba Fuchu 2-3 Saitama SC
1. FC Machida Zelvia 24 (+18)
2. Hitachi Tochigi Uva 15 (+11)
3. Saitama SC 13 (-1)
4. Luminozo Sayama 13 (-2)
5. Toho Titanium 11 (-3)
6. YSCC 6 (-6)
7. Yaita SC 6 (-13)
8. Toshiba Fuchu 4 (-4)
Machida Zelvia’s ultras get a damn good soaking
Sun 10 Jun: FC Machida Zelvia 4-0 Luminozo Sayama
Sun 10 Jun: Hitachi Tochigi Uva 3-4 YSCC
Sun 10 Jun: Toho Titanium 1-1 Yaita SC
Sun 10 Jun: Toshiba Fuchu 2-3 Saitama SC
1. FC Machida Zelvia 24 (+18)
2. Hitachi Tochigi Uva 15 (+11)
3. Saitama SC 13 (-1)
4. Luminozo Sayama 13 (-2)
5. Toho Titanium 11 (-3)
6. YSCC 6 (-6)
7. Yaita SC 6 (-13)
8. Toshiba Fuchu 4 (-4)
Promoted from the Prefectural Leagues at the end of last year, Hannan University continue to lead Division 2 of the Kansai League and indeed remain undefeated after eight games of the 2007 season. The students could only draw 2-2 at home to Kyoto Shiko Club on Saturday, but their nearest rivals - Takada FC - were unable to close the gap, as they themselves also piicked up a single point with a draw at Kohga School. Riseisha FC stay third after their win at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe - but the big winners of the weekend were undoubtedly Hermano Osaka, who crushed bottom place Kihoku Football Group 6-1.
Lowly Kihoku Football Group
Sat 09 Jun: Hannan University 2-2 Kyoto Shiko Club
Sat 09 Jun: Kohga School 1-1 Takada FC
Sun 10 Jun: Hermano Osaka 6-1 Kihoku Football Group
Sun 10 Jun: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 0-2 Riseisha FC
1. Hannan University 20 (+20)
2. Takada FC 18 (+12)
3. Riseisha FC 13 (+2)
4. Kohga School 11 (-5)
5. Kyoto Shiko Club 10 (+3)
6. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 10 (-7)
7. Hermano Osaka 7 (-5)
8. Kihoku Football Group 0 (-20)
Lowly Kihoku Football Group
Sat 09 Jun: Hannan University 2-2 Kyoto Shiko Club
Sat 09 Jun: Kohga School 1-1 Takada FC
Sun 10 Jun: Hermano Osaka 6-1 Kihoku Football Group
Sun 10 Jun: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 0-2 Riseisha FC
1. Hannan University 20 (+20)
2. Takada FC 18 (+12)
3. Riseisha FC 13 (+2)
4. Kohga School 11 (-5)
5. Kyoto Shiko Club 10 (+3)
6. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe 10 (-7)
7. Hermano Osaka 7 (-5)
8. Kihoku Football Group 0 (-20)
2006 Kansai League Division 1 champions Banditonce Kobe continue to hold on to top place in the league this season, by the skin of their teeth from rivals FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu. Banditonce overcame FC Kyoto 1993 3-0 on Sunday to extend their goal difference lead over FC Mi-o, who had beaten relegation favourites FC Glaspo Kashiwara only 2-0 the day before. Nevertheless, Ain Food remain just two points behind the front pair after a 1-0 win over Kobe FC 1970, while AS Laranja Kyoto moved fourth as they beat Sanyo Electric Sumoto.
Hirotaka Uchibayashi, scorer of FC Mi-o’s opener
Sat 09 Jun: AS Laranja Kyoto 3-2 Sanyo Electric Sumoto
Sat 09 Jun: FC Glaspo Kashiwara 0-2 FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu
Sun 10 Jun: Ain Food 1-0 Kobe FC 1970
Sun 10 Jun: FC Kyoto 1993 0-3 Banditonce Kobe
1. Banditonce Kobe 21 (+27)
2. FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 21 (+25)
3. Ain Food 19 (+4)
4. AS Laranja Kyoto 12 (-7)
5. FC Kyoto 1993 9 (-7)
6. Sanyo Electric Sumoto 6 (-13)
7. Kobe FC 1970 4 (-13)
8. FC Glaspo Kashiwara 2 (-16)
Hirotaka Uchibayashi, scorer of FC Mi-o’s opener
Sat 09 Jun: AS Laranja Kyoto 3-2 Sanyo Electric Sumoto
Sat 09 Jun: FC Glaspo Kashiwara 0-2 FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu
Sun 10 Jun: Ain Food 1-0 Kobe FC 1970
Sun 10 Jun: FC Kyoto 1993 0-3 Banditonce Kobe
1. Banditonce Kobe 21 (+27)
2. FC Mi-o Biwako Kusatsu 21 (+25)
3. Ain Food 19 (+4)
4. AS Laranja Kyoto 12 (-7)
5. FC Kyoto 1993 9 (-7)
6. Sanyo Electric Sumoto 6 (-13)
7. Kobe FC 1970 4 (-13)
8. FC Glaspo Kashiwara 2 (-16)
Norbritz Hokkaido kept going their perfect start to the Hokkaido League season on Sunday, a straightforward 5-0 win over wooden spooners Tokachifairsky Genesis making it fifteen points out of fifteen for the reigning champions. Their nearest challengers are surprise packages Toyota Motors Hokkaido and newly-promoted side Sapporo Winds, who gained away wins at Hokushukai and Blackpecker Hakodate respectively. Barefoot Hokkaido stay fourth after a 2-1 win over Sapporo FC.
Make no mistake, young man, this is Norbritz Hokkaido
Sun 10 Jun: Barefoot Hokkaido 2-1 Sapporo FC
Sun 10 Jun: Blackpecker Hakodate 2-3 Sapporo Winds
Sun 10 Jun: Hokushukai 1-2 Toyota Motors Hokkaido
Sun 10 Jun: Norbritz Hokkaido 5-0 Tokachifairsky Genesis
1. Norbritz Hokkaido 15 (+16)
2. Toyota Motors Hokkaido 10 (+1)
3. Sapporo Winds 10 (-2)
4. Barefoot Hokkaido 9 (+5)
5. Blackpecker Hakodate 5 (-2)
6. Sapporo FC 4 (-)
7. Hokushukai 2 (-8)
8. Tokachifairsky Genesis 1 (-10)
Make no mistake, young man, this is Norbritz Hokkaido
Sun 10 Jun: Barefoot Hokkaido 2-1 Sapporo FC
Sun 10 Jun: Blackpecker Hakodate 2-3 Sapporo Winds
Sun 10 Jun: Hokushukai 1-2 Toyota Motors Hokkaido
Sun 10 Jun: Norbritz Hokkaido 5-0 Tokachifairsky Genesis
1. Norbritz Hokkaido 15 (+16)
2. Toyota Motors Hokkaido 10 (+1)
3. Sapporo Winds 10 (-2)
4. Barefoot Hokkaido 9 (+5)
5. Blackpecker Hakodate 5 (-2)
6. Sapporo FC 4 (-)
7. Hokushukai 2 (-8)
8. Tokachifairsky Genesis 1 (-10)
2007 Chugoku League champions-elect Fagiano Okayama have now scored an astonishing thirty three goals in their last four matches, the lastest obliteration of their opposition coming in the form of a 7-0 thrashing of JFE Steel Western Japan - the Pheasants's tenth consecutive league victory. With FC Central Chugoku not having a game, Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku bounced back after last week's shock defeat at home to Hiroshima Fujita SC, beating Mazda SC 2-1 to go joint third. But in the Yamaguchi derby, Renofa Yamaguchi scored five in the first half to cruise past neighbours Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado stunned their neighbours Renofa Yamaguchi and go second in the table.
Fagiano Okayama supporters prepare to wave their flags
Sun 10 Jun: Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 0-5 Renofa Yamaguchi
Sun 10 Jun: JFE Steel Western Japan 0-7 Fagiano Okayama
Sun 10 Jun: Mazda SC 1-2 Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku
1. Fagiano Okayama 30 (+56)
2. Renofa Yamaguchi 17 (+4)
3. FC Central Chugoku 15 (+10)
4. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 15 (+10)
5. Hiroshima Fujita SC 11 (-1)
6. Mazda SC 7 (-15)
7. JFE Steel Western Japan 7 (-23)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 3 (-41)
Fagiano Okayama supporters prepare to wave their flags
Sun 10 Jun: Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 0-5 Renofa Yamaguchi
Sun 10 Jun: JFE Steel Western Japan 0-7 Fagiano Okayama
Sun 10 Jun: Mazda SC 1-2 Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku
1. Fagiano Okayama 30 (+56)
2. Renofa Yamaguchi 17 (+4)
3. FC Central Chugoku 15 (+10)
4. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 15 (+10)
5. Hiroshima Fujita SC 11 (-1)
6. Mazda SC 7 (-15)
7. JFE Steel Western Japan 7 (-23)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 3 (-41)
There was a thrilling day of action in the JFL on Sunday, with plenty of goals and more shock results to follow on from Sagawa Kyubin SC's defeat at home to YKK AP yesterday. FC Gifu failed to take advantage of Sagawa's slip-up as they themselves also lost, 2-1 to JEF Reserves. Star striker Shogo Kawano grabbed the winner two minutes from time to enable JEF to move into the top six as a consequence.
All of which was fantastic news for Rosso Kumamoto. For with both their nearest rivals losing, the ambitious Kyushu side went second in the table thanks to a terrific 4-2 win at last season's champions Honda FC. With the score tied at 2-2 with fifteen minutes remaining, Rosso's ex-Yokogawa Musashino forward Yosuke Kobayashi netted twice in the closing stages to claim a vital three points for his team.
Rosso Kumamoto star Yosuke Kobayashi
And it's Yokogawa who lead the chasing pack - now eight points behind the front three - after their 1-1 draw at TDK SC. Alo's Hokuriku also tied by the same score at Ryutsu Keizai University, while Tochigi SC's season goes from bad to worse. Among the early pacesetters and optimistic of achieving a J-League place via a top four finish, Tochigi's dismal 1-0 loss at Mitsubishi Mizushima sees them tumble to seventh spot in the standings - although Masato Kawaguchi's goal means that Mizushima are moving closer and closer to mid-table respectability, a real accomplishment for the Okayama side.
At the bottom of the division, however, Arte Takasaki are now nine points adrift from the other teams. They conceded twice in the closing stages at FC Ryukyu to lose 3-1, their eleventh league defeat in a row, while Sony Sendai's recent improvement in form continued with a third consecutive win - 2-1 at Sagawa Printing - to deepen the misery of Takasaki and their long-suffering supporters.
Mitsubishi Mizushima in red and white take on Tochigi...
Sun 10 Jun: FC Gifu 1-2 JEF Reserves
Sun 10 Jun: FC Ryukyu 3-1 Arte Takasaki
Sun 10 Jun: Honda FC 2-4 Rosso Kumamoto
Sun 10 Jun: Mitsubishi Mizushima 1-0 Tochigi SC
Sun 10 Jun: Ryutsu Keizai University 1-1 Alo's Hokuriku
Sun 10 Jun: Sagawa Printing 1-2 Sony Sendai
Sun 10 Jun: TDK SC 1-1 Yokogawa Musashino
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 35 (+22)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 34 (+16)
3. FC Gifu 33 (+11)
4. Yokogawa Musashino 25 (+9)
5. YKK AP 25 (+8)
6. JEF Reserves 24 (+4)
7. Tochigi SC 23 (+7)
8. Alo's Hokuriku 21 (-3)
9. Honda FC 20 (+1)
10. TDK SC 20 (-1)
11. Mitsubishi Mizushima 19 (-3)
12. Gainare Tottori 17 (-3)
13. Ryutsu Keizai University 17 (-4)
14. FC Kariya 16 (-6)
15. Sagawa Printing 16 (-9)
16. Sony Sendai 14 (-15)
17. FC Ryukyu 13 (-13)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-21)
... and RKU host Alo’s Hokuriku
All of which was fantastic news for Rosso Kumamoto. For with both their nearest rivals losing, the ambitious Kyushu side went second in the table thanks to a terrific 4-2 win at last season's champions Honda FC. With the score tied at 2-2 with fifteen minutes remaining, Rosso's ex-Yokogawa Musashino forward Yosuke Kobayashi netted twice in the closing stages to claim a vital three points for his team.
Rosso Kumamoto star Yosuke Kobayashi
And it's Yokogawa who lead the chasing pack - now eight points behind the front three - after their 1-1 draw at TDK SC. Alo's Hokuriku also tied by the same score at Ryutsu Keizai University, while Tochigi SC's season goes from bad to worse. Among the early pacesetters and optimistic of achieving a J-League place via a top four finish, Tochigi's dismal 1-0 loss at Mitsubishi Mizushima sees them tumble to seventh spot in the standings - although Masato Kawaguchi's goal means that Mizushima are moving closer and closer to mid-table respectability, a real accomplishment for the Okayama side.
At the bottom of the division, however, Arte Takasaki are now nine points adrift from the other teams. They conceded twice in the closing stages at FC Ryukyu to lose 3-1, their eleventh league defeat in a row, while Sony Sendai's recent improvement in form continued with a third consecutive win - 2-1 at Sagawa Printing - to deepen the misery of Takasaki and their long-suffering supporters.
Mitsubishi Mizushima in red and white take on Tochigi...
Sun 10 Jun: FC Gifu 1-2 JEF Reserves
Sun 10 Jun: FC Ryukyu 3-1 Arte Takasaki
Sun 10 Jun: Honda FC 2-4 Rosso Kumamoto
Sun 10 Jun: Mitsubishi Mizushima 1-0 Tochigi SC
Sun 10 Jun: Ryutsu Keizai University 1-1 Alo's Hokuriku
Sun 10 Jun: Sagawa Printing 1-2 Sony Sendai
Sun 10 Jun: TDK SC 1-1 Yokogawa Musashino
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 35 (+22)
2. Rosso Kumamoto 34 (+16)
3. FC Gifu 33 (+11)
4. Yokogawa Musashino 25 (+9)
5. YKK AP 25 (+8)
6. JEF Reserves 24 (+4)
7. Tochigi SC 23 (+7)
8. Alo's Hokuriku 21 (-3)
9. Honda FC 20 (+1)
10. TDK SC 20 (-1)
11. Mitsubishi Mizushima 19 (-3)
12. Gainare Tottori 17 (-3)
13. Ryutsu Keizai University 17 (-4)
14. FC Kariya 16 (-6)
15. Sagawa Printing 16 (-9)
16. Sony Sendai 14 (-15)
17. FC Ryukyu 13 (-13)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-21)
... and RKU host Alo’s Hokuriku
JFL leaders Sagawa Kyubin SC succumbed to a sensational 4-2 home defeat at the hands of a rampant YKK AP in one of the two league fixtures to be staged on Saturday. Midfielder Daisuke Asahi opened the scoring in the third minute and the visitors from Toyama were three up in only a little over twenty minutes. The loss is Sagawa Kyubin's second of the season to date and brings to an end their twelve-game unbeaten run. In the other match, Kohei Sakai's late goal was enough to claim all the points for FC Kariya against Gainare Tottori.
Daisuke Asahi, YKK’s former Kokushikan University midfielder
Sat 09 Jun: FC Kariya 1-0 Gainare Tottori
Sat 09 Jun: Sagawa Kyubin SC 2-4 YKK AP
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 35 (+22)
2. FC Gifu 33 (+12)
3. Rosso Kumamoto 31 (+14)
4. YKK AP 25 (+8)
5. Yokogawa Musashino 24 (+9)
6. Tochigi SC 23 (+8)
7. JEF Reserves 21 (+3)
8. Honda FC 20 (+3)
9. Alo's Hokuriku 20 (-3)
10. TDK SC 19 (-1)
11. Gainare Tottori 17 (-3)
12. Ryutsu Keizai University 16 (-4)
13. Mitsubishi Mizushima 16 (-4)
14. FC Kariya 16 (-6)
15. Sagawa Printing 16 (-8)
16. Sony Sendai 11 (-16)
17. FC Ryukyu 10 (-15)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-19)
Daisuke Asahi, YKK’s former Kokushikan University midfielder
Sat 09 Jun: FC Kariya 1-0 Gainare Tottori
Sat 09 Jun: Sagawa Kyubin SC 2-4 YKK AP
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 35 (+22)
2. FC Gifu 33 (+12)
3. Rosso Kumamoto 31 (+14)
4. YKK AP 25 (+8)
5. Yokogawa Musashino 24 (+9)
6. Tochigi SC 23 (+8)
7. JEF Reserves 21 (+3)
8. Honda FC 20 (+3)
9. Alo's Hokuriku 20 (-3)
10. TDK SC 19 (-1)
11. Gainare Tottori 17 (-3)
12. Ryutsu Keizai University 16 (-4)
13. Mitsubishi Mizushima 16 (-4)
14. FC Kariya 16 (-6)
15. Sagawa Printing 16 (-8)
16. Sony Sendai 11 (-16)
17. FC Ryukyu 10 (-15)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-19)
... Kyushu League side V Varen Nagasaki have signed 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder Bruno Carvalho from Japan Soccer College of the Hokushinetsu League. Shota Tanaka, a 23-year-old forward previously at Thespa Kusatsu, has in the meantime left V Varen after failing to make a first team appearance...
The shake-up of Shizuoka FC continues with the appointment of Takayuki Fujikawa as coach, previous incumbent Yasutoshi Miura moving upstairs to become technical director at the Tokai League hopefuls. Fujikawa, now 45, was on the staff at Cerezo Osaka until last month but has a long career in the Japanese game upon which to draw. He was a goalkeeper at Yomiuri Club from 1980 and after the J-League started remained with the new Verdy Kawasaki team until his retirement in 1995, when he stayed on at Verdy for several seasons as goalkeeping coach. Prior to moving to Cerezo, Fujikawa also worked at Vissel Kobe and Vegalta Sendai.
Takayuki Fujikawa in younger, sweatier days
Takayuki Fujikawa in younger, sweatier days
NEC Tokin maintained their position at the top of the Tohoku League Division 1 on Sunday with a 4-0 drubbing of bottom placed side Sendai Nakata Club. Still in second - and crucially with two games in hand over NEC - are pre-season favourites Grulla Morioka, 3-1 winners against shock strugglers FC Primeiro. The other two matches ended in draws, as Furukawa Battery kept going their good start to the year with a point at Wiese Shiogama, while Nippon Steel Kamaishi moved out of the relegation zone thanks to their 2-2 tie with Morioka Zebra.
A Wiese Shiogama free kick against Furukawa Battery
Sun 03 Jun: Grulla Morioka 3-1 FC Primeiro
Sun 03 Jun: Nippon Steel Kamaishi 2-2 Morioka Zebra
Sun 03 Jun: Sendai Nakata Club 0-4 NEC Tokin
Sun 03 Jun: Wiese Shiogama 2-2 Furukawa Battery
1. NEC Tokin 15 (+12)
2. Grulla Morioka 12 (+10)
3. Furukawa Battery 10 (+2)
4. Wiese Shiogama 7 (+1)
5. Morioka Zebra 7 (-3)
6. Nippon Steel Kamaishi 4 (-7)
7. FC Primeiro 3 (-3)
8. Sendai Nakata Club 0 (-12)
A Wiese Shiogama free kick against Furukawa Battery
Sun 03 Jun: Grulla Morioka 3-1 FC Primeiro
Sun 03 Jun: Nippon Steel Kamaishi 2-2 Morioka Zebra
Sun 03 Jun: Sendai Nakata Club 0-4 NEC Tokin
Sun 03 Jun: Wiese Shiogama 2-2 Furukawa Battery
1. NEC Tokin 15 (+12)
2. Grulla Morioka 12 (+10)
3. Furukawa Battery 10 (+2)
4. Wiese Shiogama 7 (+1)
5. Morioka Zebra 7 (-3)
6. Nippon Steel Kamaishi 4 (-7)
7. FC Primeiro 3 (-3)
8. Sendai Nakata Club 0 (-12)
Frontrunners Shizuoka FC and Yazaki Valente both made it four wins out of four since the stat of the season in Division 1 of the Tokai League on Sunday. Shizuoka, fresh from the announcement of their shirt sponsorship with Kazu Miura, celebrated with a 2-0 win at nearby Fujieda City Hall, while Yazaki put five past promoted side Honda Suzuka. In the one other fixture, Chukyo University gained their first points of the year by beating Maruyasu Industries 2-0, but are still in the relegation zone.
Sun 03 Jun: Chukyo University 2-0 Maruyasu Industries
Sun 03 Jun: Fujieda City Hall 0-2 Shizuoka FC
Sun 03 Jun: Honda Suzuka 1-5 Yazaki Valente
1. Shizuoka FC 12 (+16)
2. Yazaki Valente 12 (+12)
3. Fujieda City Hall 6 (-1)
4. Sagawa Kyubin Chukyo 4 (-1)
5. Honda Suzuka 4 (-8)
6. Maruyasu Industries 3 (-3)
7. Chukyo University 3 (-5)
8. Kasugai Club 0 (-8)
Sun 03 Jun: Chukyo University 2-0 Maruyasu Industries
Sun 03 Jun: Fujieda City Hall 0-2 Shizuoka FC
Sun 03 Jun: Honda Suzuka 1-5 Yazaki Valente
1. Shizuoka FC 12 (+16)
2. Yazaki Valente 12 (+12)
3. Fujieda City Hall 6 (-1)
4. Sagawa Kyubin Chukyo 4 (-1)
5. Honda Suzuka 4 (-8)
6. Maruyasu Industries 3 (-3)
7. Chukyo University 3 (-5)
8. Kasugai Club 0 (-8)
2006 Fukushima Prefectural League champions Soma SC continued their excellent start to the season on Sunday. Their 1-0 win over Marysol Matsushima - in what was the only fixture of the day in Division 2 (South) of the Tohoku League - puts them second in the table at the expense of neighbours Viancone Fukushima.
Sun 03 Jun: Marysol Matsushima 0-1 Soma SC
1. FC Perada Fukushima 13 (+23)
2. Soma SC 12 (+8)
3. Viancone Fukushima 10 (+15)
4. Marysol Matsushima 4 (-1)
5. Nakaniida SC 4 (-3)
6. Shichigahama SC 3 (-1)
7. Kanai Club 3 (-28)
8. Kureha 0 (-13)
Sun 03 Jun: Marysol Matsushima 0-1 Soma SC
1. FC Perada Fukushima 13 (+23)
2. Soma SC 12 (+8)
3. Viancone Fukushima 10 (+15)
4. Marysol Matsushima 4 (-1)
5. Nakaniida SC 4 (-3)
6. Shichigahama SC 3 (-1)
7. Kanai Club 3 (-28)
8. Kureha 0 (-13)
It was all change at the top of Division 2 (North) of the Tohoku League on Sunday, as previous leaders FC Akita Cambiare lost for the second week running. In pole position now are Tono Club, champions of the division in 2005 but a club who have subsequently failed to compete with the challenge of a strong Cambiare side. The other two fixtures, meanwhile, ended in draws between mid-table pair Fuji Club 2003 and Mizusawa Club, and between strugglers Vanraure Hachinohe and Omiya Club.
Sun 03 Jun: FC Akita Cambiare 1-3 Tono Club
Sun 03 Jun: Fuji Club 2003 2-2 Mizusawa Club
Sun 03 Jun: Vanraure Hachinohe 2-2 Omiya Club
1. Tono Club 12 (+5)
2. FC Akita Cambiare 10 (+9)
3. Fuji Club 2003 7 (+3)
4. Saruta Industry 6 (+2)
5. Mizusawa Club 5 (+2)
6. Hokuto Bank 3 (-2)
7. Vanraure Hachinohe 3 (-7)
8. Omiya Club 1 (-12)
Sun 03 Jun: FC Akita Cambiare 1-3 Tono Club
Sun 03 Jun: Fuji Club 2003 2-2 Mizusawa Club
Sun 03 Jun: Vanraure Hachinohe 2-2 Omiya Club
1. Tono Club 12 (+5)
2. FC Akita Cambiare 10 (+9)
3. Fuji Club 2003 7 (+3)
4. Saruta Industry 6 (+2)
5. Mizusawa Club 5 (+2)
6. Hokuto Bank 3 (-2)
7. Vanraure Hachinohe 3 (-7)
8. Omiya Club 1 (-12)
There were only three games played in Division 2 of the Tokai League this Sunday, but Konica Minolta Toyokawa and Nagoya Club were both able to extend their gap between themselves as frontrunners and the rest of the chasing pack. Konica Minolta pulled off a 3-1 win at struggling FC Kawasaki, while Nagoya had a yet easier ride as they beat bottom side Morishin's FC 3-0. In the other game, newcomers MIE Rampole drew 0-0 with Mind House Yokkaichi to stay mid-table.
Morishin’s tackle each other against Nagoya Club
Sun 03 Jun: FC Kawasaki 1-3 Konica Minolta Toyokawa
Sun 03 Jun: MIE Rampole 0-0 Mind House Yokkaichi
Sun 03 Jun: Morishin's FC 0-3 Nagoya Club
1. Konica Minolta Toyokawa 10 (+9)
2. Nagoya Club 10 (+5)
3. Fuyo Club 6 (+1)
4. Mind House Yokkaichi 6 (+1)
5. MIE Rampole 5 (+1)
6. Toyota Football Group 1 (-3)
7. FC Kawasaki 1 (-4)
8. Morishin's FC 1 (-10)
The tigerish MIE Rampole vs Mind House clash. Grrrrrrowl
Morishin’s tackle each other against Nagoya Club
Sun 03 Jun: FC Kawasaki 1-3 Konica Minolta Toyokawa
Sun 03 Jun: MIE Rampole 0-0 Mind House Yokkaichi
Sun 03 Jun: Morishin's FC 0-3 Nagoya Club
1. Konica Minolta Toyokawa 10 (+9)
2. Nagoya Club 10 (+5)
3. Fuyo Club 6 (+1)
4. Mind House Yokkaichi 6 (+1)
5. MIE Rampole 5 (+1)
6. Toyota Football Group 1 (-3)
7. FC Kawasaki 1 (-4)
8. Morishin's FC 1 (-10)
The tigerish MIE Rampole vs Mind House clash. Grrrrrrowl
There were draws in three of the key JFL fixtures over the weekend and a low level of goalscoring generally in round 14 of Japan's third tier. Leaders Sagawa Kyubin SC were trailing to a 56th-minute Yutaka Takahashi goal at Rosso Kumamoto in the game of the day, only for defender Takashi Kageyama to grab the equaliser nine minutes later. But second place FC Gifu were unable to capitalise, as they were held to a tie at YKK AP - and the same thing happened at Tochigi SC, where the hosts are without a win in five matches after their goalless encounter with TDK SC.
Yokogawa Musashino moved fourth thanks to their 1-0 win over Honda FC on Saturday - but the big climbers of the day were JEF Reserves, who finally made it in to the top half of the table after they beat FC Kariya 2-0, thanks to goals either side of half time from defender Yuya Torikai and forward Kim Dong Soo. JEF were assisted in their jump up the table not only by Honda's defeat but also that of Alo's Hokuriku, who surprisingly slumped to a 1-0 loss at home to Mitsubishi Mizushima, Shinpei Nakagawa getting the decisive goal.
Gainare Tottori beat FC Ryukyu 3-1 on Saturday with a hat-trick from new striker Keigo Kamada, but it was not until the following day and Sony Sendai's 2-0 win over Ryutsu Keizai University that the Okinawans finally fell into the bottom two places. Nevertheless, Arte Takasaki remain at the foot of the division after they threw away a rare 1-0 lead to lose to Sagawa Printing. Former Thespa Kusatsu midfielder Yohei Takasu had opened the scoring for Arte just before the break, only for Hiroaki Takahashi and Hirokazu Otsubo to steal the points for Sagawa.
Flag-waving at Gainare Tottori
Sat 02 Jun: Gainare Tottori 3-1 FC Ryukyu
Sat 02 Jun: Yokogawa Musashino 1-0 Honda FC
Sun 03 Jun: Alo's Hokuriku 0-1 Mitsubishi Mizushima
Sun 03 Jun: Arte Takasaki 1-2 Sagawa Printing
Sun 03 Jun: JEF Reserves 2-0 FC Kariya
Sun 03 Jun: Rosso Kumamoto 1-1 Sagawa Kyubin SC
Sun 03 Jun: Sony Sendai 2-0 Ryutsu Keizai University
Sun 03 Jun: Tochigi SC 0-0 TDK SC
Sun 03 Jun: YKK AP 0-0 FC Gifu
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 35 (+24)
2. FC Gifu 33 (+12)
3. Rosso Kumamoto 31 (+14)
4. Yokogawa Musashino 24 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 23 (+8)
6. YKK AP 22 (+6)
7. JEF Reserves 21 (+3)
8. Honda FC 20 (+3)
9. Alo's Hokuriku 20 (-3)
10. TDK SC 19 (-1)
11. Gainare Tottori 17 (-2)
12. Ryutsu Keizai University 16 (-4)
13. Mitsubishi Mizushima 16 (-4)
14. Sagawa Printing 16 (-8)
15. FC Kariya 13 (-7)
16. Sony Sendai 11 (-16)
17. FC Ryukyu 10 (-15)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-19)
It’s JEF Reserves forward Kim Ding Soo
Yokogawa Musashino moved fourth thanks to their 1-0 win over Honda FC on Saturday - but the big climbers of the day were JEF Reserves, who finally made it in to the top half of the table after they beat FC Kariya 2-0, thanks to goals either side of half time from defender Yuya Torikai and forward Kim Dong Soo. JEF were assisted in their jump up the table not only by Honda's defeat but also that of Alo's Hokuriku, who surprisingly slumped to a 1-0 loss at home to Mitsubishi Mizushima, Shinpei Nakagawa getting the decisive goal.
Gainare Tottori beat FC Ryukyu 3-1 on Saturday with a hat-trick from new striker Keigo Kamada, but it was not until the following day and Sony Sendai's 2-0 win over Ryutsu Keizai University that the Okinawans finally fell into the bottom two places. Nevertheless, Arte Takasaki remain at the foot of the division after they threw away a rare 1-0 lead to lose to Sagawa Printing. Former Thespa Kusatsu midfielder Yohei Takasu had opened the scoring for Arte just before the break, only for Hiroaki Takahashi and Hirokazu Otsubo to steal the points for Sagawa.
Flag-waving at Gainare Tottori
Sat 02 Jun: Gainare Tottori 3-1 FC Ryukyu
Sat 02 Jun: Yokogawa Musashino 1-0 Honda FC
Sun 03 Jun: Alo's Hokuriku 0-1 Mitsubishi Mizushima
Sun 03 Jun: Arte Takasaki 1-2 Sagawa Printing
Sun 03 Jun: JEF Reserves 2-0 FC Kariya
Sun 03 Jun: Rosso Kumamoto 1-1 Sagawa Kyubin SC
Sun 03 Jun: Sony Sendai 2-0 Ryutsu Keizai University
Sun 03 Jun: Tochigi SC 0-0 TDK SC
Sun 03 Jun: YKK AP 0-0 FC Gifu
1. Sagawa Kyubin SC 35 (+24)
2. FC Gifu 33 (+12)
3. Rosso Kumamoto 31 (+14)
4. Yokogawa Musashino 24 (+9)
5. Tochigi SC 23 (+8)
6. YKK AP 22 (+6)
7. JEF Reserves 21 (+3)
8. Honda FC 20 (+3)
9. Alo's Hokuriku 20 (-3)
10. TDK SC 19 (-1)
11. Gainare Tottori 17 (-2)
12. Ryutsu Keizai University 16 (-4)
13. Mitsubishi Mizushima 16 (-4)
14. Sagawa Printing 16 (-8)
15. FC Kariya 13 (-7)
16. Sony Sendai 11 (-16)
17. FC Ryukyu 10 (-15)
18. Arte Takasaki 4 (-19)
It’s JEF Reserves forward Kim Ding Soo
