Japan coach Ivica Osim was forced to replace Ryuji Bando in his team for the AFC Asian Cup only hours before their departure for Vietnam after the Gamba Osaka forward suffered a muscle injury, the Japan FA said Wednesday.
FC Tokyo midfielder Masahiko Inoha was called up to replace Bando and will travel with the rest of the team to Hanoi.
Bando injured his right leg Tuesday during a training match against a university team in Chiba. He left the pitch in pain during the 1st of 2 60 minute sessions, which were held on the final day of the national team's 3 day training camp.
'I had always feared that we might have some injuries, and unfortunately, it actually happened to one player. He is an important player to us and I am not happy about this,' mentioned Osim following Tuesday's session.
The former Yugoslavia coach has already lost 2 defenders – Marcus Tulio Tanaka of Urawa Reds and Hiroki Mizumoto of JEF United Chiba, to injuries as he prepares his 23 man team member for their defence of the Asian Cup.
'Anyone would get injured as our players have a tight schedule, and everyone have given 100% in a game,' Osim lamented.
'We have got to make do in with the conditions presented to us however I hope that we are not going to have any more injuries to our players.'
Japan will leave for Hanoi Wednesday evening, where the reigning champions will take on Qatar on July 9, the UAE on July 13 and hosts Vietnam on July 16 in Group B.
23 June 2007
Japanese international midfielder Yuki Abe tuned up for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup with a goal to give defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds a 1-0 triumph over Shimizu S-Pulse in the J-League on Saturday.
The goal came in the 24th minute when Brazilian Ponte′s corner connected with Abe′s diving header. "I′m glad that I scored, however the game wasn′t over. I was more glad to win at the moment when I heard the final whistle," mentioned Abe after netting his 3rd goal of the season.
Urawa′s German coach Holger Osieck appeared satisfied with the display of his players. "It was a perfect week for us. We won all 3 games without losing a goal. Furthermore, our performances were very good. I feel my players have enhanced a lot this week," mentioned Osieck.
"I don′t point out a particular player, I only would like to praise everybody of the team. For example, Tulio is an important player and when he got an injury to be replaced, the substitute player did a very good job. It is the team′s possible that everybody can do the same. I really would like to praise all of my players," he added.
But Urawa did not close on front-runners Gamba Osaka, who overwhelmed FC Tokyo 6-2 later in the day with Brazilian forward Magno Alves and Ryuji Bando scoring 2 goals each.
Osaka raced on to 38 points to retain a 5 point lead over Urawa, followed by Albirex Niigata on 29 points, Jubilo Iwata on 28 and Kashima Antlers on 27.
Niigata defeated JEF United Chiba 2-1, and Iwata downed Kawasaki Frontale 3-2, whilst Kashima will play Nagoya Grampus 8 Sunday.
In other games, Yoshito Okubo was pulled down in the area in injury time and then scored a decisive penalty to give Vissel Kobe a 3-2 triumph over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Kashiwa Reysol were 4-2 winners over Yokohama FC, whilst Ventforet Kofu defeated Oita Trinita 2-0.
20 June 2007
Brazilian born Marcus Tulio Tanaka overcame an ankle injury to lead defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds to a 2-0 triumph over Vissel Kobe Wednesday in the J.League.
Tulio, who injured his right ankle Sunday, proved he could be ready for Japan′s defence of their AFC Asian Cup title next month by scoring his 1st goal of the season.
It came in the 39th minute when Brazilian midfielder Ponte sent the ball on a corner to set up Tulio′s six-metre header.
Brazilian forward Washington′s 1st penalty shot in the 27th minute was saved by Kobe goalie Tatsuya Umemoto, however Ponte cashed in on the 2nd opportunity to give Urawa a bit of insurance.
"I have lots of chances to score and I couldn′t before. I′m glad I in the end scored a goal today," mentioned Tulio.
"Our trainer had taken care of my injury. I′d like to thank him for being able to play on the pitch," he added.
"We are still behind Gamba Osaka, however it will be fine if we can finish top when the league ends. I′ll do my best for that."
Urawa enhanced their record to 8 wins, 6 draws and one defeat for 30 points, reducing the deficit to 5 points against Osaka, who were held to a goalless draw by Yokohama Marinos.
They were followed by Kashima Antlers and Albirex Niigata on 27 points, and Kawasaki Frontale, Shimizu S-Pulse and Jubilo Iwata on 25 points.
Brazilian Edmilson scored 2 goals as Niigata overwhelmed struggling Yokohama FC 3-1, whilst Kashima edged past Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 thanks to Brazilian forward Marquinhos′ goal in injury time.
Kawasaki drew with Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-1, Shimizu defeated Nagoya Grampus 8 2-1, and Iwata finished up with a scoreless draw with Omiya Ardija.
In other games, FC Tokyo defeated Ventforet Kofu 2-1, and JEF United Chiba edged out Oita Trinita 1-0.
18 June 2007
Japan′s JEF United Chiba have ordered rebel defender Ilian Stoyanov to remain at home after his stinging public attack on manager Amar Osim.
The J-League club said Monday that it had informed Stoyanov to remain in his house as punishment for last week′s outburst.
Whilst the punishment carries no legal weight, Stoyanov would risk further sanctions should he break Chiba′s curfew.
The former Bulgarian international missed JEF United′s 3-2 triumph over Ventforet Kofu, a result that brought the side′s run of 6 straight league and cup defeats to a halt.
Stoyanov threatened to walk out of the club unless they sacked Osim, son of Japan coach and former JEF United manager Ivica Osim.
The defender refused to back down after meeting Chiba officials Monday, prompting the club to extend his home confinement.
Chiba′s fortunes were in steep decline since Amar had taken over following his father′s decision to accept the Japan position last July.
Stoyanov, 30, snapped after an embarrassing 2-0 defeat by a university side, accusing Amar of incompetence and warning Chiba could be relegated unless the manager left.
Chiba are currently 2nd from bottom of the 17 team Japanese 1st division.
10 June 2007
Japan international midfielder Yasuhito Endo struck home a penalty to seal front-runners Gamba Osaka a 2-1 triumph over Yokohama FC in the J-League.
Endo calmly wrong-footed Yokohama goalie Takanori Sugeno in the 79th minute to add to Hideo Hashimoto′s goal in the 35th minute. Kazuki Hiramoto pulled one back late in the game.
"We could have scored more goals. We played aggressively, however we lacked accuracy with shots at goal. We must adjust it for our next game. However, it was good to win this kind of tough game," mentioned Osaka coach Akira Nishino.
Yokohama coach Takuya Takagi mentioned his players would not cope with Endo and Takahiro Futagawa, saying, "If Sugeno hadn′t saved well, I have no idea how lots of goals we could have lost."
Osaka, who have 9 wins, 4 draws and one defeat, rest on 31 points, 7 ahead of defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds, who play Sanfrecce Hiroshima Sunday. Kawasaki Frontale and Albirex Niigata have 23 points apiece, and Kashiwa Reysol and Nagoya Grampus 8 are both on 22 points.
Kawasaki twice came back from a goal down to draw with Nagoya 2-2, whilst the Brazilian duo of Marcio Richardes and Edmilson combined to secure Niigata a 3-1 success at Vissel Kobe′s expense. Kashiwa were held to a goalless draw by Omiya Ardija.
In other games, Kashima Antlers conceded a late equaliser to draw with Oita Trinita 2-2, whilst Yokohama Marinos beat JEF United Chiba 1-0.
