| Shots | |||
| All attempts | Goals | On target | Off target |
| 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Blocked | Inside Pen. Area | Outside Pen. Area | Woodwork |
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Passes | |||
| All | Completed % | Received | Attacking third |
| 42/47 | 89% | 53 | 18/23 |
| Assists | Chances created | Free Kick | Long |
| 0 | 1 | 0/0 | 1/1 |
| Short | Forward | Backward | Square |
| 41/46 | 12/15 | 21/21 | 9/11 |
| Attack | |||
| Crosses | Take-ons | Corners | Offside passes |
| 0/1 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 0 |
| Defence | |||
| Tackles | Interceptions | Blocks | Clearances |
| 2/2 | 1 | 0 | 0/0 |
(Data from Opta)
In an impressive Premier League debut, Shinji Kagawa was a candidate for Manchester United’s best performer in their opening game of the 2012/13 Premier League season. While the 2011/12 Runners-up were defeated 1-0 by Everton at Goodison Park, Kagawa provided a composed, assured display in a central attacking midfield role. Drifting between and across Everton’s defensive lines, the 23-year old’s movement ensured he was one of the most heavily involved of Alex Ferguson’s outfield players, only Paul Scholes and Tom Cleverley proving to be a more regularly used conduit in receipt of possession. Here are the relevant statistics in full:
| Passes (All) | Passes Completed | Passes Received | Attacking third |
| 68/75 | 91% | 70 | 33/37 |
| Assists | Chances created | Free Kicks | Backpasses |
| 0 | 4 | 0/0 | 0 |
| Passes Long | Passes Short | Passes Forward | Passes Backward |
| 2/2 | 66/73 | 19/23 | 23/23 |
| Passes Square | Crosses | Dribbles | Tackles Won |
| 26/29 | 2/2 | 2/3 | 1/1 |
(Data from Opta)
(Yuki Nagasato’s first-half strike gave the Nadeshiko victory over Sweden in the 2012 Sweden Invitational, Japan finishing runners-up in the three-member tournament behind the United States with one win and one defeat)
The Japan women’s national football team wrapped up their participation in the 2012 Sweden Invitational with a 1-0 win against the host nation. Yuki Nagasato prodded home on the 27th minute for her second goal in the competition and her third in consecutive matches, and was the only Japanese player to have found the net in the round-robin tournament. Norio Sasaki fielded a relatively young side for the match, captain Aya Miyama, second-choice goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto, midfielder Megumi Kamionobe and forward Kozue Ando the only players in the starting line-up over the age of 25. Homare Sawa, Nahomi Kawasumi, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Shinobu Ohno and Yukari Kinga were named as substitutes.
The defeat was the second in as many years for the Blågult at the hands of Japan having exited the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the semi-final stage in a 3-1 loss, and they meet again on 28 July at the City of Coventry Stadium, their fixture the pick of the Group F games in the London 2012 Olympic Women’s football tournament.
Hindering their final preparations is news that Rumi Utsugi, who was stretchered off the field in the 4-1 defeat versus the US after a poor challenge from Carli Lloyd, has suffered knee ligament damage. The 23-year old midfielder, who supported her teammates in the Sweden match from the sidelines, has not yet been ruled out of making the final Olympic squad, Norio Sasaki confirming that an assessment will be made in early July.
The Under-20 Japan women’s national team completed their two match series versus the United States with honours even, a 1-0 loss on 17 June followed by a 2-0 defeat three days later, as they continued their preparations for the forthcoming World Cup as hosts. In keeping with their respective senior sides, both nations will begin the tournament among the favourites and should they top their groups as expected, a prospective meeting could only occur in one of the medal matches. Japan begin their campaign on 19 August versus Mexico at the Miyagi Stadium.
Shinji Kagawa has departed Narita Airport for his medical at Manchester United, notes the Mainichi Shimbun. The Samurai Blue international’s stay in the UK will be of a very short duration, with his return home expected to be on 23 June.
And finally, the Mainichi also confirms that Kuniya Daini is the President-Elect of the Japan Football Association, and will replace the outgoing Junji Ogura at the expiration of his term. Daini, who represented his country 44 times in a playing career that spanned nearly a decade, and as a defender played for Mitsubishi Motors, the predecessors of Urawa Red Diamonds, has been a Vice-President of the JFA since 2006.
(The first-half from the Young Nadeshiko’s Group C fixture versus England in the 2010 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, their only victory of a tournament from which they exited at the group stage, finishing third behind Mexico and Nigeria. Japan will once again meet Mexico in the group stage in the 2012 tournament, doing battle with El Tricolor at the Miyagi Stadium on 19 August. The second period can be viewed here)
In the biggest news of the day, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund both announced separately that terms have been agreed for the transfer of the Bundesglia club and Japan international Shinji Kagawa to the English Premier League side. The Asahi Shimbun notes that while full details have not been disclosed, the expected transfer fee is in the region of £12 million, rising to a potential £18 million. The deal is subject to a medical and acquiring the necessary work permit for the UK, together with Kagawa formally signing the contact. While the attacking midfielder does not strictly meet the criteria necessary to obtain a work permit on the basis of not having made the requisite number of appearances for the Samurai Blue, it is expected to be a formality on ‘exceptional talent’ grounds.
The 23-year old Kobe native confirmed in remarks to reports at a training session in Saitama that he is yet to sign any contract, adding that he is not willing to discuss his own future and wants to focus instead on the national side and their two remaining 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in June. Japan meet Jordan on Friday, before flying to Brisbane for the 12 June tie against Australia.
The Asahi Shimbun also reports that the Japan Football Association has announced a 21-strong squad for the Nadeshiko’s trip to Sweden, where they will participate in the 2012 Sweden Invitational. Japan will contest the round-robin tournament with their fellow London 2012 Group F rivals and the United States, who they will meet in a major final for the second time in as many years if the seedings for the competition hold true, having triumphed over Team USA in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Homare Sawa, who has fully recovered after being struck down with benign paroxysmal postural vertigo, is included in the travelling party together with 2011 AFC Women’s Player of the Year and captain Aya Miyama, while Ami Otaki receives her first call up to the senior team. The full squad is as follows:
| Position | Name | Club |
| GK | Miho Fukumoto | Okayama Yunogo Belle |
| GK | Ayumi Kaihori | INAC Leonessa |
| DF | Yukari Kinga | INAC Leonessa |
| DF | Kyoko Yano | Urawa Reds Ladies |
| DF | Azusa Iwashimizu | NTV Beleza |
| DF | Aya Sameshima | Montpellier HSC |
| DF | Saori Ariyoshi | NTV Beleza |
| DF | Saki Kumagai | 1. FFC Frankfurt |
| MF | Homare Sawa | INAC Leonessa |
| MF | Aya Miyama | Okayama Yunogo Belle |
| MF | Nahomi Kawasumi | INAC Leonessa |
| MF | Megumi Kamionobe | Albirex Niigata Ladies |
| MF | Mizuho Sakaguchi | NTV Beleza |
| MF | Asuna Tanaka | INAC Leonessa |
| MF | Rumi Utsugi | Montpellier HSC |
| FW | Kozue Ando | FCR 2001 Duisburg |
| FW | Shinobu Ohno | INAC Leonessa |
| FW | Yuki Nagasato | 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam |
| FW | Ami Otaki | Olympique Lyonnais |
| FW | Megumi Takase | INAC Leonessa |
| FW | Mana Iwabuchi | NTV Beleza |
The Yomiuri Shimbun adds that the squad for the London 2012 Olympic Games will then need to be reduced to eighteen players, with those getting the nod for the trip to London to be decided by manager Norio Sasaki in early July.
Japan are set to play Mexico, Switzerland and New Zealand in the FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup. With Homare Sawa presiding over the draw, the Young Nadeshiko will begin their Group A campaign against Mexico on 19 August at the Miyagi Stadium, where they will meet New Zealand three days later, before playing the Swiss in their third and final group match at the National Olympic Stadium on 26 August. Should Japan progress to the quarter-final stage, they will meet one of Brazil, South Korea, Italy or Nigeria on 30 August. The World Cup final takes place on 8 September at the National Olympic Stadium.
And finally, Zdenko Verdenik is the new manager at Omiya Ardija. The 63-year old, who had spells in charge at JEF United, Nagoya Grampus and Vegalta Sendai between 2000 and 2004, remarked that he was delighted to be working at a J.League Division 1 club again, and will take the reins at the Squirrels prior to their Matchday Fourteen clash against Kashima Antlers on 16 June.
(A compilation of Kunishige Kamamoto appearances and goals. The legendary Japanese striker looks set to lose his record as the youngest player to score ten times for the Samurai Blue, as Shinji Kagawa has the opportunity to surpass his feat provided he finds the net within 67 days)
Japan women’s national team head coach Norio Sasaki has confirmed that the Nadeshiko will meet France in Paris on July 19, as a final warm-up match prior to the Olympic football tournament which begins a week later.
Should the competition proceed on the basis of current ranking, the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup holders will come face-to-face with Les Bleues, deemed the sixth best national side in the world by FIFA, in the quarter-finals.
The Sankei Shimbun states that Cerezo Osaka captain Teruyuki Moniwa, injured in the 2-1 defeat by Kashiwa Reysol at the Kincho Stadium, is expected to return within ten days as tests revelased that the 30-year old defender had sprained his right foot. Turning its attention to the Under-23 side, the Sankei adds that Hiroshi Ibusuki has been a dynamic force in practice for the Toulon Tournament, the 21-year old striker’s height providing an added dimemsnion in attack for Under-23 coach Takashi Sekizuka.
I will be live-blogging Japan’s first game in the tournament from 16:30 BST/00:30 JST, so please join me at that time for team news, with kick-off scheduled for 16:45 BST/00:45 JST.
And finally, Sports Nippon notes Shinji Kagawa will become the youngest Japanese national team player to score ten goals should he add to his current tally of nine goals in 29 appearances against Azerbaijan. Legendary Japanese striker Kunishige Kamamoto, who scored an extraoadinary 202 times in just 251 appearances for Cerezo Osaka forerunners Yanmar Diesel and is thp goalscorer in history for the Samurai Blue, holds the current record.
The Asahi Shumbin leads with the news that Yahiro Kazama is expected to be appointed manager of Kawasaki Frontale, following the dismissal of Naoki Soma on 11 April. The 50 year old, who etched his name in Japan’s history books when he became the first player to score in the J.League, spent several years of his footballing career in Germany before joining Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s predecessor Mazda SC, and was capped 18 times by the Samurai Blue. He will leave his current position as head coach of the University of Tsukuba to join the Kanagawa Prefecture outfit, and it marks an interesting approach from the Frontale board, Kazama having never previously headed a professional team.
The Japan Under-23 national team is set to participate in the 40th edition of the Toulon Tournment, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun. This marks the first time that the age limit has been extended to Under-23 sides, having previously been restricted to Under-21 teams. The competition, which is not run under the auspices of UEFA or individual national football associations, runs from 23 May to 1 June. Japan has been drawn in Group A together with Morocco, the Netherlands and Turkey, and will be used manager Takashi Sekizuka as a warm-up before the 2012 Olympic Men’s football tournament commences on 26 July.
And finally, Premier League leaders Manchester United have tabled an offer to Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa which would see him receive a salary of approximately 88,000 GBP/108,000 EUR per week were he to agree to join the club, reports the Sankei Shimbun. The former Cerezo Osaka midfielder, whose contract expires with Die Schwarzgelben in June 2013, has not yet signed a newly improved deal from the German giants which would see his salary double if he chooses to stay at the Westfalenstadion, is expected to enter negotiations at the end of the Bundesliga season. This may come as early as Saturday 21 April should Bayern Munich fail to beat Werden Bremen.
Homare Sawa (8) in training with club side INAC Kobe Leonessa. The midfielder has endured a difficult recovery from BPPV, but may feature in the opening L.League game on 15 April (Image courtesy of the official INAC Kobe Leonessa blog)
The Asahi Shimbun focuses on the performance of Japan’s overseas players, starting with Samurai Blue Shinji Kagawa. The 23 year old attacking midfielder had a relatively quiet game for Borussia Dortmund in their 3-1 win away to VfL Wolfsburg, and was substituted after 81 minutes, but he would have recorded an assist had Robert Lewandowski not squandered a one-on-one opportunity with goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. Makoto Hasebe was an unused substitute for Wolsburg, and the Bundesliga turns its attention to the mouthwatering clash between table-topping Die Schwarzgelben and Bayern Munich, who lie only three points behind in second place and hold a significant advantage in terms of goal difference. With just five matches remaining in the Bundesliga season, the game at Borussia’s Westfalenstadion on 11 April will play a major role in deciding the destination of the league title.
Der FCB kept up the pressure on Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 triumph over FC Augbsurg at the Allianz Arena. The Fuggerstädter midfielder Hajime Hosogai, who played for all but 8 minutes of the match was unable to prevent his team from falling to defeat to the German giants, for whom Takashi Usami, on loan from Gamba Osaka, has since been moved to the reserve team.
Elsewhere in the division, Gotoku Sakai played the full 90 minutes for VfB Stuttgart as they completed a 4-1 victory at home to Mainz. The 22 year-old full-back has made a bright start to his Bundesliga career since joining Stuttgart on loan from Albirex Niigata in January, who have the option to make the deal permanent should he continue to impress. Fellow Die Roten teammate Shinji Okazaki also made an appearance, coming on as an 86th minute replacement for Martin Harnik.
And finally, the Sankei Shimbun notes the contribution Japan men’s national team goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima made to Lierse S.K.’s 2-1 play-off derby victory against K.V. Mechelen, saving spectacularly from Boris Pandža to prevent an equaliser. The play-offs, which are contested between those in seventh to fourteenth positions in the Belgian Pro League, are used to decide which teams will be the country’s representatives in the Europa League. Lierse are currently second in Group A after two matches, two points behind Cercle Brugge.
(2011 AFC Young Player of the Year Hideki Ishige scores for the J.League selection in the Fuji Xerox Super Cup 2011 Next Generation match)
The Asahi Shimbun reports that Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund is prepared to offer Shinji Kagawa double his current salary to retain his services until 2016. The attacking midfielder, who has been in scintillating form for the reigning champions in their attempt to win back-to-back league titles, and become only the third team in Bundesliga history to have won consecutive championships on two or more separate occasions, would see his salary increase to approximately €58,000 per week should he choose to accept the extension to his contract. Kagawa has previously confirmed that he would like to remain with the German giants, with Kagawa adding:
We are now negotiating over the renewal of my contract. [Staying is] what interests me right now although I know that foreign clubs have asked about me. But I don’t think it is the right time for me to leave this club.
The Asahi Shimbun also provides further detail on 1. FC Nürnberg’s interest in Cerezo Osaka’s burgeoning midfield star Hiroshi Hiyotake. The Under-23 Samurai Blue is reportedly the subject of a €1 million offer from Der Altmeister, and there is also speculation that Nürnberg could make a move for fellow countryman Takashi Inui. Any fee for the 23 year-old midfielder, who plays for 2. Bundesliga outfit VfL Bochum, would need to be in the region of €3 million.
Urawa Red Diamonds have bought the naming rights to the stadium the club describes as its spiritual home, according to the Mainichi Shimbun. The Komaba Stadium, now only used by the Reds for low-profile J.League matches owing to the much larger capacity at the Saitama Stadium, may now be renamed the Urawa Reds Stadium, having secured the rights from Saitama City for a fee of approximately €4.5 million per year for a minimum of three years. The Reds plan to reveal the name of the stadium to the public in mid-May.
And finally, Hideki Ishige, named by the AFC as the 2011 Youth Player of the Year, has signed professional terms with Shimizu S-Pulse, notes the Sankei Shimbun. The 17 year-old midfielder also impressed in the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Japan’s run to the quarter-finals, where they lost 3-2 to Brazil.
(Japan national team star Shinji Kagawa scores a spectacular volley to give Borussia Dortmund a 2-1 advantage away to FC Köln in the Bundesliga. Kagawa would net twice and create another in an eventual 6-1 win on 25 March, ensuring BVB maintained their five point advantage over closest rivals Bayern Munich with seven games to go)
The Asahi Shimbun confirms that Gamba Osaka have sacked manager Jose Carlos Serrao and assistant Wagner Lopes after the Suite-based club endured their worst ever start to a season, suffering five consecutive defeats across all competitions. Fitness coach Wellington was also fired, with general manager Hiroyasu Yamamoto choosing to resign.
In a statement posted on Gamba’s official website, club President Kikuo Kanamori said:
The team did not adapt to Mr Serrao’s footballing style, and began the season with five losses. Additionally, we came to this conclusion after the lack of ‘dynamic football’ [that should represent our club].
“However, Mr. Serrao conducted himself as a gentleman until the very end and is worthy of our thanks and respect.
Heading into the 2012 campaign, Gamba were widely predicted as favourites for both the domestic league and AFC Champions League, but a sequence of results which included a 2-1 loss to cross-city rivals Cerezo and two defeats in their AFC Champions League group in which they failed to score, has left them facing an early exit from Asia’s premier club competition and nine points from the top of the J.League table.
Masanobu Matsunami, who is commonly known as “Mr Gamba” having spent his entire senior career at the club, and who scored 45 goals in 280 appearances before moving into a coaching role under Yukio Nishino, has been appointed manager. He is joined by head coach Noritada Saneyoshi, the former defender who remained at Gamba for the duration of his career, while Koichiro Yoshimichi takes on strength and conditioning duties, with Katsushi Kajii assuming general manager responsibilities.
The Mainichi Shimbun reports on a remarkable performance from Samurai Blue Shinji Kagawa. The Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder scored twice, including a spectacular volley two minutes into the second-half to give his side a 2-1 lead, and helped create another with a clever backheel as the league leaders thumped FC Köln 6-1, maintaining their five point advantage over second-placed Bayern Munich with just seven games of the Bundesliga season remaining. The two goals for the Kobe native takes his total for the 2011-12 season to 11 in only 24 league games, together with 9 assists, and makes him the joint record leading scorer for a Japanese player overseas, matching Naohiro Takahara’s 11 for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2006-07 season.
And finally, the Yomiuri Shimbun notes that Venezuela will feature in the 2012 Kirin Challenge Cup, replacing Iran in the round-robin competition. The 2011 Copa América semi-finalists will face Japan on 15 August, the Samurai Blue subsequently meeting Spain on 7 September before taking on Iraq in their 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification – AFC 4th Round match four days later.
The Asahi Shimbun reports that J.League Division 2 side Yokohama FC has parted company with manager Yasuyuki Kishino. Kishino, who was appointed in 2010, led his side to an 18th placed finished in the 2011 season, and a single point from three matches so far this season has led to his dismissal. Kishino is the first J.League manager to lose his job this season. Head Coach Takaihro Taguchi has been appointed caretaker manager until the search for Kishino’s replacement has been completed.
Samurai Blue star and Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa had more reason than usual to celebrate in his appearance for Die Schawrzgelben on Saturday, the Asahi also notes. Kagawa netted the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen on his 23rd birthday to ensure table-topping Dortmund’s gap over second-placed Bayern Munich remained at five points, and helped Dortmund set a record unbeaten streak of 20 matches. Kagawa’s goal came in the 8th minute, and he nearly doubled his tally in the 24th minute, seeing Werder keeper Sebastian Mielitz palm his effort on to the post.
The Mainichi Shimbun leads with confirmation that 2012 AFC Champions League participants Kashiwa Reysol, Nagoya Grampus, Gamba Osaka and FC Tokyo have byes to the quarter-final stages of the 2012 J.League Cup. The tournament, for which entry is restricted to J.League Division 1 teams, sees the remaining 14 league teams split into two groups who play in a mini-league format, the winners and runners-up from both groups joining the Champions League teams in the last eight. The group stage commences tomorrow (20 March), with the final taking place on 3 November at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
And finally, the Yomiuri Shimbun focuses on the F.League, the top league for futsal in Japan. Nagoya Oceans have won the National Championships yet again, however Osaka came back from a goal down in a dramatic match at the Yoyogi National Gynasium to win 3-1 and secure second place in the tournament and their first medal-placing in two years, just a single point behind the eventual winners.
Former FC Yokohama manager Yasuyuki Kishino, who has been dismissed for poor performance. Kishino becomes the first manager to be fired by a J.League club this season (Image courtesy of news.kanaloco.jp)
