Don’t call it a comeback, we’ve been here for years.
Actually, we’ve been really busy with, well everything. But, much like J-League this coming weekend, Aishiteru Tokyo is back and much like FCT will do our best in the “Post-W” struggle.
To start with, let’s get the big news out of the way.
Yuto Nagatomo, FCT and Japan’s star side back, has signed a one-year loan deal with newly-promoted Serie A side A.C. Cesena. He will be the 9th Japanese player to ply his trade in Italy, and the first defender.
He will apparently be back in Japan to greet fans following Saturday’s Vissel Kobe game, which should make the resumption of J-League play in Tokyo all the more memorable.
Best of luck to you, Yuto. Kick some Italian ass and be ready to lead Japan in four years in Brazil.
Five years, four months, and ten days have elapsed since FC Tokyo slayed Urawa Reds in penalty kicks to win the 2004 Nabisco Cup. In that space, Urawa has won 12 of 14 games played, with the other two matches (both at Ajinomoto Stadium) ending in scoreless draws. Indeed, it seems that some things in life are guaranteed: death, taxes, cherry blossoms blooming in the spring, and Urawa walking away from FC Tokyo with three points.
Like in 2009, Urawa will play host to Tokyo in its home opener after getting curbstomped 2-0 by reigning champions Kashima Antlers the previous week. Their offense will, again, be in disarray, and fans will, again, be wondering how Finke intends to salvage the team yet, as always, remain irrationally confident that Urawa will win all of the championships they are eligible for and a couple they probably aren’t.
Unlike last year, however, the Reds will not be facing a reeling Tokyo squad with a rookie goalkeeper that had surrendered four goals in a horrific opening day loss to Albirex Niigata a week earlier. Instead, their opponents will be riding the momentum of a breathtaking stoppage time victory and one of Japan’s most heralded back lines, with three of the four regular call-ups to the NT. Shuichi Gonda is no longer a frightened 20 year old, but instead a poised veteran who tied the J.League single-season shutout record and got a national team call-up of his own back in January. Naohiro Ishikawa, who missed last year’s Urawa match following his season-ending knee injury, is likely to be back in the lineup as a “super-sub” and is expected to contribute in a similar fashion to his picture-perfect assist in last week’s match. Hirayama, for several seasons a disappointment, may have finally awoken.
And that is why Tokyo could slay the Urawa dragon tomorrow in front of what’s sure to be a packed house at Saitama Stadium.
In various occasions throughout the last week, players including Hirayama, Nagatomo, and Gonda have made assertive statements regarding a Tokyo victory. And you know what? This year of all years, I think it might be time to belive them.
It’s generally being reported/predicted by the media that Jofuku will keep the same lineup from last week, and whether that’s the best idea or not it seems like there aren’t many better options.
The big question mark will, once again, involve Kajiyama and Ishikawa. Ishikawa is again set to come off the bench as a so-called “super sub”, but there are some rumblings about Kajiyama being ready to start. Unlike last week where the starting lineup was essentially announced on the FCT TV program “Tokyo Hotline,” it seems like Jofuku is playing his cards a little closer to his chest. There’s also a chance that Akamine could earn a start, adding to the mystery.
Or if Kajiyama can start, Gonda; Tokunaga, Morishige, Konno, Nagatomo; Nakamura, Kajiyama, Mukuhara (why not, at least he’ll play 90 minutes), Matsushita; Hirayama, Akamine/Suzuki
Hell, as long as I’m pulling names out of a hat let’s take a page from commenter Bobby Mann Ate My Leg and spin it a little: Gonda; Tokunaga, Morishige, Hiramatsu, Nagatomo; Akamine, Mukuhara, Konno, Matsushita; Hirayama, Ricardinho
I don’t imagine we’ll figure out what’s up until tomorrow, but the possibilities are certainly intriguing. I like Matsushita and want to see him get more playing time… I also want to see Nakamura come out and have a better outing than he did last week. At this point, Suzuki and Hanyu are really starting to become liabilities… Suzuki is a very servicable substitute but Hanyu’s days as a regular starter could be numbered.
In other news…
FC Tokyo announced the tentative signing of 16-year-old volante Shuto Kono on Friday. The young U-17 NT player is the first pro player to emerge from the JFA Academy, a school set up by the Japanese Football Association with the goal of raising Japan’s future elite class of soccer players. He was born and raised in Tokyo and has supported FCT his whole life, which makes him an ideal addition to the squad. Honestly, signing a 16-year-old probably doesn’t mean much in the short term, but there’s a possibility that Kono could be the next Yonemoto so in the long term it’s a very smart pickup for the team.
Sunday’s game is a near-sellout, with 2000 tickets set aside for match-day sales. Saitama Stadium’s capacity is about 63,000. Last year’s Urawa home opener, played in the rain, drew just over 50,000.
Speaking of rain, there’s none expected on Sunday: partly cloudy and around 11C/50F.
Sota Hirayama will contribute a monthly column to Weekly Soccer Magazine with his first article to appear in Tuesday’s edition.
FC Tokyo and derby rivals Kawasaki Frontale are set to announce details for this year’s Tamagawa Classico on Monday. In addition to the usual press conference, the Tower Records in Kawasaki will be selling the official “Tamagawa Classico Anthem” CD (featuring the track “Get The River Under Control”), claimed to be the first musical collaboration between two J.League squads. I’m sure it won’t be as bad as City Bred, Two Colors.
This is certainly not the news Tokyo fans were expecting to hear…
After a hard collision in front of a goal during an intra-team practice game, midfielder Takuji Yonemoto had to be carried off the field by trainers. He was examined today and based on the report on FC Tokyo’s website, his injuries very much mirror those that Ishikawa sustained last season (namely, a partial ACL tear on his left knee and meniscus damage).
The difference, however, is that that the two character that form the word “partial” were not present in the team’s announcement for Yonemoto’s test result, leading us to believe that the dreaded “2nd Year Jinx” has hit last year’s Nabisco Cup MVP in the worst of ways.
At worst, this could mean that Yonemoto will have to sit out the 2010 season, which would be a devastating blow to the team and to the young star. While Kajiyama has finally rejoined the team in his practice regimen, he still may not yet be battle-ready and thus Tokyo may be without the pillars of its formation for the beginning of the season.
Formation-wise it’s now pretty likely that Matsushita will start, and depending on how ready Kim is, Jofuku could choose to start him at CB and move Konno back to his old position of volante. Hiramatsu could play a factor too… the next week will be a tough one for Jofuku, but despite the severity of the potential loss I still don’t think it’s as bad as last year’s GK situation.
There will be many cranes folded tonight in the capital city. More to come when I have it.
In addition to the various rookies, Tokyo has brought in 3 experienced players and one rookie with international experience to fill out its squad for 2010.
Masato Morishige
Age: 22
Position: Center Back
Previous Club: Oita Trinita
A physical center back with strong heading ability and fast feed passes, Morishige was one of the few true prizes available during Oita’s post-demotion sell-off. Pursued by several teams, he was eventually acquired by Tokyo and is expected by fans and media to have a regular starting lineup spot (mostly occupied last season by Bruno Quadros). His physicality comes with risks as his rough play sometimes results in cards.
Possibly the surprise signing of the offseason, Matsushita is an all-purpose midfielder who brings not only 8 years of playing experience with him but a host of tools that Tokyo lacked in 2009: namely, superior crossing and placekick abilities. He debuted as a rookie with Gamba Osaka following his high school graduation, playing in his first pro match that summer. He made 14 appearances in the team’s 2005 championship season, but spent the first half of 2006 on the bench as the manager favored new signings. Following a 1.5-year rental to Albirex Niigata, he joined the Swans on a full transfer in 2008 and appeared in all 34 games in 2009. He’s a threat both offensively and defensively and will likely start the season in the place of the injured Kajiyama.
Ricardinho
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Previous Club: ABC FC (Brazil)
Because no team is complete without a Brazilian forward to provide speed, agility, and an excuse to hold Brazil Day events, the only question following Cabore’s midseason departure wasn’t whether Tokyo would sign another Brazilian, but who and when. Rumors surfaced of Ricardinho’s acquisition in December after word leaked on a Brazilian news site, and Japanese press eventually picked up the story as the team and player headed toward an agreement. Ricardinho is not just fast, but he’s young and eager to adjust to Japanese soccer. He also speaks English and has used it to communicate with his new teammates (particularly NT veteran Nagatomo). Ricardinho played for Brazil’s U-16 through 20 teams, and spent two years with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer before 2009′s loan to ABC FC.
Kim Young-Kwon
Age: 19
Position: Center Back
Previous Club: Jeonju University
Long-awaited by supporters, Kim’s signing was delayed as a result of the team wanting to make sure he recovered from injuries sustained in the fall. He’s okay, however, and he promises to be a potential force in Tokyo’s backfield. He’s tall, he’s got pinpoint long passing abilities, and came to Tokyo with a ridiculous bowl haircut the likes of which I haven’t seen since Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. If Konno gets named to the World Cup squad, expect Kim to start in his place in the May-June Nabisco Cup fixtures.
Transferred last summer to Espanola from Celtic in a major deal that saw Japan’s most visible player in Europe step foot onto the continent, Nakamura has been unable to break through with the team after 6 months of league play in part due to a language barrier, inability to get fit, and various injuries. With the World Cup about five months away, Nakamura’s main objective is to get back onto the field and prove his worth to Okada. This is especially true as strong “leader”-type players like Kashima’s Ogasasawa have begun making appearances on the NT in Nakamura’s absence.
According to Sponichi Annex, should this transfer go through Espanola would likely cancel a planned summer tour of Japan that would have netted nearly half a million Euros ($700,000) in revenue. As a result, the team would likely seek to recover some of that lost revenue in what would be a relatively high transfer fee.
Yokohama F. Marinos (the team Nakamura grew up playing with and what was thought to be his destination after Celtic) is in the lead to acquire the left-footed midfielder, but Kashima, Urawa, Gamba Osaka, and FC Tokyo are also named in the press as potential candidates.
Among fans, the general sentiment seems to be negative, with most criticism focusing on Nakamura’s fitness and strength especially compared with Kajiyama (maybe I just have blinders on but I think we could do with less Kajiyama, yet I digress) and others in Tokyo’s lineup. Another point on which I tend to agree on is that if Tokyo has the money to blow on a 3-month romp with an aging star arguably passing his prime, that money should instead be spent on a striker.
All involved parties apparently hope that the deal will go through in time for Nakamura to take the field on J.League’s Opening Day. Yet given that our first match is against Yokohama, it does appear likely that one way or the other Nakamura will step foot on Ajinomoto Stadium’s pitch.
In NT news, Sota Hirayama is likely to start for Japan in tonight’s match versus Hong Kong. Japan has played 180 scoreless minutes, with Saturday’s game against China ending in a shower of boos for the NT. Calls have been growing for Hirayama to start rather than appear as a mid-game substitution, and with Shimizu’s Okazaki likely out of the match with a knee injury it appears that #20 may take the field at 7PM. Meanwhile, former NT coach Philippe Troussier has criticized Hirayama for “trying too hard to control the game,” claiming that “[Hirayama] would be more effective with a simpler way of attacking.” Troussier, who let the NT from 1998 through the ’02 World Cup, further stated that Hirayama “…has potential, but isn’t at the top level yet.”
With the team firmly encamped in Miyazaki Prefecture (save for the 4 members who are currently with the National Team), there’s really not much to report on unless I want to translate the fluff articles on Chuunichi (which I don’t), talk about how Nao is injured again (which I don’t) or lament the failings of our national team (really, really, really, really don’t).
So now, late but still in time for the season opener, here’s info on Tokyo’s new faces courtesy of the official website. This first post will cover Japanese rookies, with the next post covering everyone else.
Kentaro Shigematsu
Age: 18
Postion: Forward
Previous club: FCT U-18
Info: A strong center-forward with the ability to create chances under pressure. Kentaro has contributed to the FCT U18′s success in the last three years and was an U-18 NT player in 2009. He’ll be wearing Akamine’s old number, #24.
Hideto Takahashi
Age: 22
Position: Center Back
Previous Club: Tokyo Gakuin University
Info: Takahashi, a Special Designation Player w/ FCT, has been named to the All-Japan College Team for 3 years in a row. A level-headed decision-maker whose accurate passes are often the start for counter-attacks. In a sign of the team’s confidence in his skills, Hideto will wear #4, Bruno’s old number.
Ryo Hiraide
Age: 18
Position: All-Around Defender
Previous Club: FCT U-18
Info: A teammate of Shigematsu’s on the U-18 NT, Ryo Hiraide is a physically equipped all-around defender. He’ll inherit #25 from Tokunaga.
Takumi Abe
Age: 18
Position: Side Back
Previous Club: FCT U-18
Info: With his small stature and high speed, Abe fits the mold of Yuto Nagatomo and could fill his position during NT absences.
The official schedule has been released… and the 2chantards got it right, as far as I can tell.
Bolded games are home, italicized games are Nabisco Cup fixtures.
Date
Day
Opponent
Location
Time
3/6
Saturday
Yokohama F. Marinos
Ajinomoto Stadium
2PM
3/14
Sunday
Urawa Reds
Saitama Stadium 2002
2PM
3/20
Saturday
Cerezo Osaka
Ajinomoto Stadium
7PM
3/28
Sunday
Omiya Ardija
NACK5
2PM
3/31
Wednesday
Nagoya Grampus
Kokuritsu
7PM
4/4
Sunday
Kawasaki Frontale
Todoroki
4PM
4/10
Saturday
Kashima Antlers
Ajinomoto Stadium
7PM
4/14
Wednesday
Omiya Ardija
NACK5
7PM
4/17
Saturday
Kyoto Sanga
Ajinomoto Stadium
5PM
4/24
Saturday
Gamba Osaka
Banpaku
5PM
5/1
Saturday
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Big Arch
7PM
5/5
Wednesday
Vegalta Sendai
Ajinomoto Stadium
2PM
5/9
Sunday
Montedio Yamagata
4PM
5/15
Saturday
Shimizu S-Pulse
Ajinomoto Stadium
2PM
5/22
Saturday
Albirex Niigata
Komazawa Stadium
2PM
5/26
Wednesday
Vegalta Sendai
7PM
6/6
Sunday
Kyoto Sanga
Ajinomoto Stadium
3PM
6/9
Wednesday
Cerezo Osaka
7PM
7/17
Saturday
Vissel Kobe
Ajinomoto Stadium
6:30PM
7/25
Sunday
Shonan Bellmare
Hiratsuka Field
6PM
7/28
Wednesday
Jubilo Iwata
Kokuritsu
7PM
7/31
Saturday
Albirex Niigata
Big Swan
7PM
8/8
Sunday
Nagoya Grampus
Ajinomoto Stadium
7PM
8/14
Saturday
Kashima Antlers
Kashima Stadium
7PM
8/18
Wednesday
Cerezo Osaka
7PM
8/21
Saturday
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Ajinomoto Stadium
6:30PM
8/28
Saturday
Vissel Kobe
7PM
9/12
Sunday
Urawa Reds
Ajinomoto Stadium
9/18
Saturday
Jubilo Iwata
Yamaha Stadium
9/25
Saturday
Omiya Ardija
Ajinomoto Stadium
10/3
Sunday
Shonan Bellmare
Kokuritsu
10/16
Saturday
Vegalta Sendai
10/23
Saturday
Albirex Niigata
Ajinomoto Stadium
10/30
Saturday
Shimizu S-Pulse
Nihondaira
11/6
Saturday
Gamba Osaka
Ajinomoto Stadium
11/14
Sunday
Yokohama F. Marinos
Nissan Stadium
11/20
Saturday
Kawasaki Frontale
Ajinomoto Stadium
11/23
Tuesday
Nagoya Grampus
11/27
Saturday
Montedio Yamagata
Ajinomoto Stadium
12/4
Saturday
Kyoto Sanga
In NT news, Nagatomo and Tokunaga were in the starting lineup against Venezuela last night. While the match was a somewhat boring and disappointing 0-0 draw, Hirayama did come on as a substitute and showed enough kiai to, in my opinion, earn a spot in the starting lineup during the East Asian Cup, which starts this coming weekend.
Speaking of the East Asian Cup, Ishikawa’s apparently done something to his calf and has been left off the starting roster. Here’s hoping it’s nothing serious!
I haven’t been able to put as much time as I’d like towards updating the site over the winter break, but I’m still posting odds and ends on Twitter via @aishiterutokyo so if you’re a Twitter user feel free to follow!
It seems like the team officially starts activities on the 24th, which generally means a press conference with the new players (and hopefully a sponsor announcement, and a foreign striker, and ponies and rocket cars for all).
For now, news in brief:
Schedule News
-The team will have training camp in Miyazaki Prefecture this year rather than spending a million dollars going to Guam.
-Preseason Match: 2/27 at home vs. Albirex Niigata. Not quite as exotic as vs. Consadole Sapporo in Okinawa last year but hey.
-Season Opener: 3/6 at home vs. Yokohama F. Marinos. This will be the second time the two squads have met on opening day; the first was 10 years ago as FC Tokyo won its first J1 match 1-0 on a late goal by Tuto.
-Week 2: 3/13 away at Urawa Reds. Again. Yippee. Given how much tickets go for I should just buy up as many as I can and make a profit.
Player Transfers
In: Morishige, Matsushita, and a bunch of kids from the youth squad
Out: Asari (retired), Fujiyama (to Consadole Sapporo), Kondo (to Consadole Sapporo), Bruno (unknown), Sahara (will return to Kawasaki Frontale), Moniwa (to Cerezo Osaka)
Rumors: A few still festering but nothing’s gained any traction beyond a day or two. As of right now the squad only has three experienced forwards (Akamine, Hirayama, and Suzuki) on the roster, plus I think one or two of the youth members.
NT News
-Hirayama is the new hero of Samurai Blue after scoring a hat trick to help a team of fresh faces come from behind in Yemen earlier this month. He, along with Ishikawa, Tokunaga, Nagatomo, and Konno will be on the squad for Japan’s match against Venezuela on 2/2.
-Depending on call-ups, these 5 players may be with the NT up through March 3rd, giving Jofuku difficult circumstances under which to plan his lineup.
As the season winds down to a close, we have stuff to look forward to (or not?) next season…
First, last week’s game against Vissel Kobe. We won, 1-0. Hiramatsu scored a fantastic header off of a Suzuki free kick in the 87th minute. If that was all you saw of the game, congrats: you saw the relevant bit.
Due to several fortunate results, Tokyo is now in sole possession of 5th place heading into the last game of the season vs. Albirex Niigata. A win, plus a Hiroshima draw or loss, would put Tokyo in 4th place. Not only would there be a decent bump to the end-of-season prize we would get from being in the top 8 (5th place receives 40 million yen while 4th gets 60 mil.), but we would have a Chance In Hell of going to the ACL next season.
I’m going to repeat that. Despite everything the team has been through we could still conceivably play in Asia. IF we get 4th place, and IF Kashima, Kawasaki, or Osaka wins the Emperor’s Cup. So, to start with, go Kyoto!
The Kobe match was also a day for farewells of various sorts. For starters, it was the final home game of “The Last Legends of Tokyo Gas” -- Satoru Asari (7) and Ryuji Fujiyama (8). With a combined 31 years of service for FC Tokyo and Tokyo Gas, the two players were often immortalized in gateflags simply as 社員. They were celebrated in a pre-game tifo:
Following the game the two players made tearful speeches to the home supporters. While Asari is officially retiring and may continue on with the team as a coach, Fujiyama had previously expressed his desire to continue playing “until my body falls apart” and, in a stunning announcement in front of the home crowd, announced that he will be playing for J2 side Consadole Sapporo next season.
After the speeches, the two players made their way around the pitch:
Unfortunately, it appears that the game was also the last stand at Ajinomoto for Bruno Quadros, who will not be resigning with the squad. I’m also seeing rumors that Hideki Sahara will be returning to Kawasaki Frontale.
In even less attractive news, I give you our 2010 uniforms:
The home kits are ugly as sin and I refuse to purchase one… what were they thinking with the ‘bib’ design? To be completely honest the photo of Nagatomo makes it look worse than it actually does due to the immense number of flashes going off at once. That said it’s still a mediocre design and adidas should be ashamed.
I could grow to like the away kit, though.
In other bulletpoint-worthy news…
-We’re after a bunch of players, and none of it’s worth reporting on until we actually sign someone.
-The team has withdrawn from its annual Guam Camp due to the costs involved (roughly $1 million) and will instead train in Miyazaki Prefecture this winter.
-World Cup draws announced! Japan in the pot with Holland, Denmark, and Cameroon. I say we have a fair shot.
Now, to get another hour or so of sleep before I go to El Loco for the match…
-In the hopes that he can possibly return before the end of the season, Naohiro Ishikawa has been recieving rehabilitation treatment at the team’s Kodaira training facility. The star midfielder has received countless letters of support including many from non-Tokyo supporters. Nao is scheduled to have a followup checkup on the 28th and the team will release details of his injury that day.
-Tokyo veteran Ryuji Fujiyama, who has been with the team for 16 years (extending back to the Tokyo Gas era), will be released following the 2009 season. The team has apparently offered Fujiyama a coaching position, but, in his words, “I intend to keep playing until my body falls apart.”
-Yuto Nagatomo rejoined the team in practice this week and is expected to start against Shimizu on Sunday.
-In the last week Touchuu (the FC Tokyo edition of Chunichi Sports) has ran articles claiming that Tatsuya Suzuki, Naotake Hanyu, and Sota Hirayama are all ready/willing to fill the goal-scoring gap left by Ishikawa. Where were they all season…?
Ticket News:
It appears that FC Tokyo may play up to 4 consecutive sold out J.League games in the next month:
-Tomorrow’s match against Shimizu sold out as of Thursday (10/23)
-the Nabisco Cup Final has long been sold out
-The team announced earlier this week that the lower bowl of Ajinomoto has been sold out for the 11/8 matchup versus Urawa
-Visitor end tickets for the late-November tie against Chiba sold out within minutes upon going on sale Friday.
And this morning the ‘remaining’ tickets went on sale for the Nabisco Cup (pretty much all credit card-only); I nearly got a ticket but Visa fucked things up and so no SB ticket for me (which if one looks at the prices at scalper shops, I could have sold for enough profit to pay for tomorrow’s trip to Shimizu). Me? Bitter. Somewhat. In fact very. But see below.
Note that this doesn’t include the 11/11 Emperor’s Cup Game, which takes place on a Wednesday night in Nagasaki and will attract maybe a couple dozen Tokyo supporters. Seriously, JFA, knock this neutral venue bullshit off.
-Dunno what LA12′s tifo display will be but ours (as in me and previous special reporter Andre) will be awesome. Pics this week, hopefully!
-Design tickets are in the mail! Here’s my haul:
Original Design Ticket 4x, FC Tokyo ticket lottery allotment 2x, SOCIO allotment 1x. These are all going for at least 6-7,000 yen each on the open market, but I am being a good supporter and giving them to friends at face value. Because lord knows I’m immoral in every other way so I might as well make up for it
also, Sunday's Emperors Cup 2nd Round match will be between the winner of Komazawa University and Verdy Youth. The latter would be fun, no?September 1, 2010 2:19
1-1 was your final, incidentally. Apparently away goals don't count in the Cup so Tokyo only has to win at Shimizu next Wednesday.September 1, 2010 2:19
Nagatomo selected to Goal.com's Serie A Team of the Week: http://bit.ly/claJgXAugust 31, 2010 8:56
And 0-0 is your final! A well-deserved point for Cesena and a good start to Nagatomo's Italian career. To bed with me! 夜通し組お疲れ様でした！おやすみなさいwAugust 28, 2010 8:40
Aishiteru-Tokyo.com was launched in April of 2008 when dokool decided to troll the Rising Sun Forums and was instead invited by other English-language J.League bloggers to start his own.
About the Writers
dokool lives in Tokyo, Japan, where he spends his nights at punk shows and his weekends at FCT matches (and more punk shows. He can be found at most home games (and reasonably accessible away games) in the LA12 cheering section, often snapping away with his DSLR.
Lantis, a friend of dokool's from the New England otaku scene, joined the site in early 2009 as an assistant writer (maintenance posts, compiling news from official sources, setting up templates, and poking dokool with a sharp stick until he writes his match reports).
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