FC Tokyo 1-0 Chiba

J2 Matchday 37

Lucas: "That's me only one goal behind you now Mr. Salad!"
The Salad: "Oh shit, you're right!"

A wins a win, but the final home game of the season never came close to hitting the heights the crowd of 24,241 expected. Apart from Lucas' well-taken winner in the 77th minute, arguably the best moment of the night came when Dorompa Hiramatsu addressed the fans following the game, giving his critique of the goal celebrations of Naohiro Ishikawa and Tatsuya Yazawa, among other nuggets of wisdom.

We had set up fairly attacking, with Naotake Hanyu back in central midfield in place of the injured Casual, and Nao over his sniffles reclaiming his spot on the right with Yazawa in the hole behind Lucas. But yet again, we were very slow (too patient?) to get going in a frankly boring first half that saw the first meaningful chance fall to the visitors in the 22nd minute. From that Hitoshi Shiota saved with the ball going out for a corner, and after that was cleared we broke and Roswell shot from distance earning us a corner of our own, but nothing came from that either.

Masaki Fukai looked to be clean through for them later in the half but fired over as defensive pressure arrived just in time, and the rest of the first 45 was fairly pedestrian as we enjoyed more possession but lacked any sort of cutting edge, an all-too-familiar story this year. There was a half chance for Yazawa (who seemed a bit lost playing centrally) created by good work on the left from Sotan Tanabe and Kenta Mukuhara, but that was about as good as it got for The Gasmen.

There were no personnel changes at half time, but Big Bear switched Lucas and Yazawa around, and we were instantly miles better as the big fella was more involved in the withdrawn role. He can still get forward from there of course, as evidenced by his goal, but his deeper-lying brief played a role in chances in the first two minutes of the half for Ishikawa and Tanabe, both spurned but hints of a brighter Tokyo.

FC Tokyo v Chiba: Saturday 5.30pm

J2 Matchday 37 Preview

No need for this at training this week!!!

The job is done, we're heading back to the top flight next season, and the stage is set for us to turn on the style in the final home game of the season tomorrow against Chiba. The canary yellows have underachieved again this season, and will spend their third straight season in J2 in 2012. For us, its party time, and hopefully a big crowd will turn up to celebrate our promotion as J2 Champions.

US
Unavailable: Shuichi Gonda (Under 22 national team)

Finally, we are part of
the 'all in' campaign!

Same team as last week? Well it was looking that way until training yesterday, when Yohei Kajiyama fell foul to the injury bug, and as our promotion is settled there's no need to risk him tomorrow. ElGolazo are speculating that Kazumasa Uesato will replace him, but Kohei Shimoda didn't do much wrong in his start at Shonan, so I'd like to see him get another chance (especially as Uesato is on loan and unlikely to be with us next year).

Apart from that (likely) enforced change, we won't see the manager change the team that won 5-1 last time out. Speaking of the manager, this will be Kiyoshi Okuma's final home game in charge of the club. We've been critical of Big Bear during his second spell at the helm of the good ship FC Tokyo, but credit where its due, he has taken us straight back up and thats all we asked for at the start of the year.

JSoccer Magazine

With our promotion sealed and the J2 title wrapped up, I thought this would be a good time to let FC Tokyo supporters know about something I've been involved with and really hope to see succeed: JSoccer Magazine. I should've been plugging it from even before the first issue was published, but better late than never, eh?

The brainchild of Englishman Alan Gibson, who has done the lot in football in his time in Japan (apart from actually play in a J.League game!), JSoccer Magazine is the first football magazine to be released in Japan in English. I'm proud to say I've been a part of both the first two issues, and if you like what you see here you can order a copy of either or both by contacting Alan via email at alan@jsoccer.com (better for people in Japan), or through this link (for international readers).

The magazine is A4 size and printed in full colour, and both issues look absolutely great (these photos, taken at home on my phone, don't do it justice I assure you.

Issue 1

Alan resides in Kansai and spends a lot of time around Gamba Osaka, so its understandable that the cover of the Premier Issue (photo at top) features Takashi Usami and Yasuhito Endo, who were also both exclusively interviewed inside.

There are tons of great colour photos of the Team as One game, along with various articles on prominent players and club features (I found the one on Okinawan side FC Ryukyu very interesting), including...

It won't be especially pleasant reading for Tokyo supporters, but I told the story of our fall from grace and eventual relegation last season in a piece titled 'Capital Punishment.' Writing it brought back a lot of painful memories(!), but at the very least there are big photos of Gonda and Hirayama to look at!

Issue 2

Released last month, Issue 2 features Tadanari Lee and Freddie Ljungberg on the cover, and includes excellent features on Koreans in the J.League, 'Nadeshiko Japan,' Hiroshi Kiyotake, a tribute to Naoki Matsuda, a chat with ex-Tokyo forward Wagner Lopes, a view on Japanese football from two Australian supporters, and a piece by Tokyo Nerdy himself, Nick Wherton, about the green, less populated, side of the capital. As a teaser to Issue 2, you can read Nerdy's piece here, from the JSoccer website.

Pleasingly in Issue 2 there's also a strong focus on J2, with club profiles on Tokushima and Tottori, along with...

My J2 season-so-far piece 'Second Division, First in Drama!' (written at the end of September), focusing on the promotion race. Our struggles to get going, Chiba and Tochigi's fast starts (and eventual fadeouts), and the rise of newer teams Tokushima and Kitakyushu also get a mention. And as you can see above, as Alan obviously knows I'm a Tokyo fan, there's a belter of a photo of Naohiro Ishikawa (perfect for taking down to Kodaira to be signed at 'fan service' time?!) to boot.

Both issues have loads of other features, so why not grab a copy and have a look for yourself? As above, you can email Alan at alan@jsoccer.com, or order online at this link. He's also well worth a follow on twitter (@JSoccerMagazine), and always updates (often live from games in Kansai) scores and results from both J1 & J2.

As the slogan goes: JSoccer Magazine - Japanese Soccer From the Inside!

Tottori 1-5 FC Tokyo

(FC Tokyo are Promoted as J2 Champions)
J2 Matchday 36

They didn't know it at the time...but our promotion party
turned out to be a title celebration!

FC Tokyo entered the weekend knowing a single point would be enough to confirm our promotion back to J1 at the first attempt, even if Tokushima (3rd) and Sapporo (4th) won their games, but we went ahead and collected all three yesterday after a dominant display against the league's newcomers.

And on yet another astounding J2 weekend, by 3 o'clock today we had been crowned League Champions after Kitakyushu 'did us a favour' by - after first losing the lead themselves - fighting back from a goal down to win 3-2 at Tosu, further muddying the picture of which two of Tosu, Tokushima (level with Tosu on 65 points after coming from behind themselves to win 2-1 at Shonan) and Sapporo (stuck on 62 after throwing away a 90th minute lead at Kusatsu and losing 2-1) will be going up with us.

The away supporters presumably got their camel riding out of the way during the day, and perving at the Gainare Girls and slurping crab soup (perhaps at the same time?!) over and done with before the game in the cozy confines of Tottori Bird Stadium, where 5,746 rolled up for the clash of 19th v 1st.

Pick that one out... and sort out
your ponytail while you're at it.



If there were any concerns in the away end (and I can't imagine there were many, apart from wondering where Naohiro Ishikawa was: out of the squad with a cold?), they were settled by a brilliant 23rd minute free kick from Masato Morishige, his 6th goal of the season, that gave home keeper Kobari no chance.

That set the stage for a second half onslaught, that saw Lucas smash one past Kobari from the edge of the box in the 51st minute after good build-up work from Naotake Hanyu, and Tatsuya Yazawa made it three and game over with a screamer from a similar spot with 20 minutes left.

But we weren't finished there, and Tatsuya Suzuki belted one home with his left peg to make it 4-0 in the 80th minute as we were absolutely flying. There was the slightest of hiccups with five minutes left when Hitoshi Shiota dozed off in our net and let a catchable ball get through his gloves, allowing Masato Fukui to pull them back to 4-1, but Kazumasa Uesato had the last laugh in stoppage time when The Salad belted one at Kobari, Tatsuya's follow-up was pawed out by the keeper but Uesato made it third time lucky by firing into the roof of the net, his first competitive goal for the club.

Tokushima fought back to win as I mentioned at the top, but the big result for us was Kitakyushu's stunning win over Tosu today, which meant that Mr. Okuma's well-deserved victory toss celebrating our promotion turned out to be a title-winning one too, though I hope the players, and all the squad, will repeat the feat next Saturday evening at Aji Sta in the home finale.

Well done Big Bear. Job done!

We don't know who'll be joining us up in the top flight yet, but our promotion is done and dusted, and thank the stars for that!

Up the Gas!

Tottori v FC Tokyo: Saturday 5pm

J2 Matchday 36 Preview 


Tottori is Great!!!

After a stirring extra time Emperor's Cup win over J1 Kobe on Wednesday, FC Tokyo hit the road for the penultimate time this league season on Saturday when we pay our first-ever visit to the home of the Gainare Girls, Tottori. Oh, and the first year J2 team, Gainare. As we all know we're all but mathematically promoted, so for the travelling Gasmen supporters this is a great opportunity to visit a new club and a new ground safe in the knowledge that we'll be playing in J1 next season. And perhaps get some camel riding in if time permits...

US
Unavailable: Shuichi Gonda (Under 22 national team)
As noted above Shuichi Gonda will miss this game (and the final home game against Chiba) as he's away with the Under 22s, so Hitoshi Shiota will play in goal. Nothing else to report in regards to suspensions or unavailability, as thankfully our captain Yasuyuki Konno returned home in one piece from the kicking (literally) that North Korea handed out to the national team on Tuesday. I hope some day Konno writes a book, as I'm sure there'll be a whole chapter on the goings-on in that wacky country from the moment they arrived to spending four hours in immigration to the training session the day before the game with armed guards watching on to the game itself and so on. Absolutely fascinating, but thank the deity of whatever religion you follow that we weren't born there!

So Mr. Okuma will have a full squad of outfield players to pick from, meaning thats the end of Jade North's and Hokuto Nakamura's time in the XI (North was replaced by the returning-from-suspension Masato Morishige in the Emperor's Cup of course), but both performed admirably in their fill-in roles. The only point of contention then, with Naotake Hanyu certain to return after being rested on Wednesday, is which one of Tatsuya Yazawa, Naohiro Ishikawa and Sotan Tanabe will start on the bench. As it was Tanabe in the last league game you'd have to assume he will draw the short straw again, meaning we'll line up:

Shiota

Tokunaga Morishige Konno Mukuhara

Ishikawa Takahashi Kajiyama Yazawa

Hanyu

Lucas

Who's Going Up With Us?

      

Our ticket back up to J1 has been punched (even though we can't officially celebrate yet as our Magic Number is 1), as its practically impossible for the team in 4th, Sapporo, to catch us with three games left given our massive advantage in goal difference (ours is +41, theirs +15).

While its possible all of the top four could finish on 71 points (if we lose all three games, Tosu lose to Tokushima but win the other two, Tokushima and Sapporo win all three), thats extremely unlikely, so lets look at the final run-in for the five other teams still mathematically in the hunt, starting from the bottom (6th) up.

Firstly then, the two teams almost entirely out of the running, though they can't be ruled out 100% (yet).

6th - Kitakyushu (54, -1): Tosu (2nd) A, The Spews (7th) H, Oita (12th) A
With their horrid goal difference they need to win all three and have Sapporo AND Tokushima lose all three. Not going to happen, but they've been the story of the season and Yasutoshi Miura is Manager of the Year by a mile. If they can manage to take a point off Tosu this Saturday it will have major implications on the promotion chase, even though they'll be out of it.
5th - Chiba (55, +8): The Spews (7th) A, FC Tokyo (1st) A, Mito (16th) H
I predicted in my Run-In piece, written with ten games left, that their consecutive trips to Aji Sta would mark the end of their promotion hopes, but even if they beat The Spews on Sunday (which I don't think they will), if the two teams above them win this weekend that will be them out of it, even before we host them in Matchday 37. At least this season they have an excuse: Tor Hogne Aaroy missed 14 games with his knee injury.

While I'm talking about my Run-In piece, here are the point totals gained by the top six in the seven games since then:

1. FC Tokyo 14 (Just the one loss, to Oita)
2. Tosu 15 (Unbeaten in this time and 16 games total! One loss in their last 20!)
3. Tokushima 13 (Just two losses but they were big ones: v verdy & Sapporo)
4. Sapporo 9 (Three wins, four losses)
5. Chiba 5 (They simply don't deserve to go up: one win in last seven)
6. Kitakyushu 14 (I didn't even include them as they were 8th at that time)

FC Tokyo 2-0 Mito Hollyhock

Just a few thoughts on Saturdays game for those who can’t be arsed downloading the podcast….

There was a slightly subdued atmosphere around the ground before kick off as the crowd built up as the news that neither Tokushima or Sapporo had slipped up filtered through, meaning that there could be no official celebration on the day even though our much superior goal difference means it is all but sealed anyway. In the event, the crowd was actually a disappointing one of just under 23,000, meaning that in our estimation at least 10,000 were missing who had been to the Verdy game. Fair enough the derby is a big game but this is one which could have seen us clinch promotion - the fickleness of our support continues to frustrate. On the pitch Morishige was suspended and Konno was on international duty (indeed scoring in Tajikistan) which meant Jade North continued at centre back with the returning Tokunaga partnering him. Shimoda and the harshly treated Soutan were the ones from last week’s line up to miss out.

The first half was probably most notable for a fluffed save from a free kick from Gonda, who managed to get back and cover his own error just in time to save all our blushes. Apart from that all the first period provided was more evidence that we are a second half team, and it seems to be policy to try and tire out the opposition early on, which often has the additional effect of tiring out the crowd.

Into the second half, and again we were able to breakthrough from a set piece, this time Hideto glancing a fine header from Ishikawa’s corner into the net. After this the game opened up with Mito playing a much higher line, and we were able to take more advantage of this when Hanyu was replaced by The Salad. As a result of the change, Lucas dropped back in to the middle of the three behind the striker and looked much more impressive as a target man and attacking linchpin, a role that Hanyu I am afraid just is not up to. Tokyo were creating many more chances now, and Lucas fed a great ball through to Cesar who sped through and walloped it into the net for the second. A great goal which was almost re-enacted by Lucas a little later, but he could only find the side netting.

Things we learned;

 It might be time up for Hanyu, least in the role behind the striker. His vision is fine but speed of action is slow and he lacks the physicality to hold the ball up.

 Ishikawa might be more effective in short bursts after all, although as he is still our best attacking player it does seem daft to keep him on the bench.

 North is a steady, unfussy defender and the kind I have been hoping we acquire for a while, if we could keep him as well as the regular two for next year you could really say we had strength in central defence.

 The Salad rules.

To Tottori next week then where we should clinch it, and then hopefully a big party home to Jeffrey in a couple of weeks. Let’s see a big crowd for that one eh?

Gas Talk Episode 11

FC Tokyo 2-0 Mito

A strong second half performance saw FC Tokyo move to within a bee's pubic of a return to J1 today, and right after the game Graham and I retired to the back stairs at Aji Sta to record Episode 11 of Gas Talk. With promotion practically sealed, we were a little disappointed not to see more of a party atmosphere inside the ground, but at the same time understanding of the fact that the home end want to wait until its 100% certain, which is likely to be next weekend, when we visit Tottori.

This is a fairly tight 16 minutes, we discuss the team we put out, the game (obviously, though there wasn't much to say about the first half), and compliment The Salad and Jade North on their contributions. You know the drill: you can listen on the player below, download the mp3 by clicking on the Gas Talk logo, or wait for it on iTunes. Enjoy.

FC Tokyo v Mito: Saturday 4pm

J2 Matchday 35 Preview

Does Yuhei Tokunaga read On the Gas?
Tokyo Bairn's nickname for Mr. Okuma seems to have caught on!

After The Salad's brilliant brace at Shonan clinched a 2-1 win last Sunday (which allowed me to slightly relax my sphincter), FC Tokyo are within touching distance of an instant return to J1, nine points clear of 3rd & 4th with four games left. Tomorrow we have the chance to seal our spot back at the top table with a home game against J2 lifers Mito, and while I know I'm being a little presumptuous with my sign up at the top... stuff it, We're Going Up Tomorrow!

US
Unavailable: Yasuyuki Konno (national team)
Suspended: Masato Morishige (four yellows)
We get our two first-choice central midfielders back from suspension, but whether both Hideto Takahashi and Yohei Kajiyama play in midfield or not seems to hinge on the fitness of Yuhei Tokunaga. Our regular right back was set to play in the holding midfield role against Shonan, but a training ground injury the day before saw him ruled out, allowing Kohei Shimoda to make his first league start for the club.

If Tokunaga is fit for tomorrow he'll play alongside Jade North in central defence, replacing the suspended Masato Morishige, if not we'll probably see Takahashi in his original position, centreback, with Shimoda keeping his place alongside Casual in central midfield. But seeing as though Tokunaga was training yesterday you'd have to think he'll be ready to go and Takahashi and Casual will be reunited.

Shonan 1-2 FC Tokyo

J2 Matchday 34

Bang! Bang! The Salad bags a brace!

A much changed FC Tokyo lineup, missing Konno, Takahashi, Kajiyama and, after a training ground injury on Saturday, Tokunaga, headed down to Hiratsuka to face Shonan yesterday, cheered on by a big away support that clearly outnumbered those in the home end. The absence of those four automatic selections meant that the squad would be tested more than at any other time this season, but would the players filling their very big boots be up to the task?

Surprisingly, Kohei Shimoda was preferred over Kazumasa Uesato to start alongside Naotake Hanyu in central midfield, while as expected Jade North made just his second start of the season, Hokuto Nakamura came in at right back and Naohiro Ishikawa, captain for the day with Konno away, finally(!) made his first start of 2011 on the right flank, with Tatsuya Yazawa moving forward into 'Hanyu's hole' (ooh, er, mrs). Tokyo lined up thusly:

Gonda

Mukuhara North Morishige Mukuhara

Ishikawa Shimoda Hanyu Tanabe

Yazawa

Lucas

The first half was fairly even and ended goalless, but there were chances at both ends, the best for The Gasmen a 12th minute Yazawa header from Hokuto's cross that was heading in at the far post (I'd even gotten to my feet it looked a certain goal) before Shonan keeper Nishibe scrambled across to tip it round the post.

Shonan v FC Tokyo: Sunday 4pm

J2 Matchday 34 Preview

Don't make me play in midfield again boss...
I don't wanna...WAAAAH!

You getting a bit nervous? I sure am. Just two points from our last three games has seen FC Tokyo's buffer over fourth-placed Tokushima shrink back to seven points with five games remaining. We are still well and truly in the box seat make no mistake about it, but last season taught us to take absolutely nothing for granted with this team, so my sphincter will stay clenched until promotion is clinched and not a second before.

This Sunday we take the short trip down the Tokaido Line to Hiratsuka to face Shonan, just our fourth-ever league meeting after we won both games in J1 last season, and they fought back from The Salad's first minute goal to equalize and draw 1-1 in late May (Matchday 7).

US

Unavailable: Yasuyuki Konno (called-up to National Team)

Suspended: Hideto Takahashi, Yohei Kajiyama

3 Yellow Cards: Masato Morishige

After Mr Okuma's stubborn refusal to change the team during our five-games-in-two-weeks stretch, he'll be forced into massive reshuffling for this one, with our captain Yasuyuki Konno again away with the national team (he'll also miss Mito at home next weekend), and our first choice central midfield of Hideto Takahashi and Yohei Kajiyama - who have started every game together since Matchday 8 - both suspended after picking up their fourth yellows of the season in stoppage time of the derby.