Actually got through watching all the games in a #JLeague matchday by the following Tuesday (well OK, two games weren't played because of the ACL, but still!) โ
10.03.2026 16:56
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Actually got through watching all the games in a #JLeague matchday by the following Tuesday (well OK, two games weren't played because of the ACL, but still!) โ
latest newsletter looking back at argentina's 2010 world cup. all the talent you could want, managed by diego maradona. www.graceonfootball.com/p/what-went-...
I strongly recommend catching a game at PriFoods Stadium if you get the chance.
Access is not the best & it feels like it might be windy most of the time due to the terrain, but the locals are friendly & the sightlines to the pitch are good!
Riku Handa was excellent at LB for Gamba, strong in the tackle, involved in a lot of possession in the final 3rd. Nullified Nagasaki's counters in defensive transitions in the 2nd half to keep them locked into their own half.
RB, LB, CB, what can't he do?
Riku Yamada had a good game for Nagasaki, this was the kinda performance I was expecting when he moved to Grampus after several good season with Ventforet Kofu.
Gamba Osaka vs. V-Varen Nagasaki: I thought VVN pressed well in the 1st Half & took advantage of mistakes to threaten off the counter. However once Gamba tightened things up in the 2nd half, it was pretty much one-way traffic. Only poor finishing made the game look closer!
Shion Nakayama got his 1st start for Verdy. Unfortunately didn't do a lot as he barely got on the ball despite some good movement... Verdy couldn't find him + Antlers defended well. Lots of hard work to keep Verdy's block but not what he's there for.
Hope he gets more chances!
Kashima Antlers vs. Verdy: I thought Kimito Nouno & Shuhei Mizoguchi had very good games.
I think Nouno in particular has improved a lot defensively so far this season, might be willing to revise my prior assessment of him if he keeps this up...
?? what is going on with Machida's passing in the 2nd half??
yeppp ๐
really lovely header by Riko Ueki to make it 1-0 for Japan Women's vs. Vietnam but... she's not ever likely to get a shot like that off outside of Asia ๐ #WAC2026
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Hidano has mostly been a poacher but aside from getting shots he makes a boatload of runs behind. He was a bit more active in possession play in this game which was nice. Does need to improve in hold-up play & general duels/physicality to be more involved though.
I've liked Renji Hidano | #่ฅ็ฐ้่ฎๆฒป this #JLeague season: notice here is how he makes that run behind, drags Fofana away which creates space for Shibato to receive to enter the box (well, off a deflected unintended pass though tbf).
Quick feet & trigger in the box to get the shot off too!
I wish I had a recording of it because it was fascinating hearing about his thought process & the discussions he had with Frontale's coaches!
There was a TV program last year which talked about how difficult it was for Tatsuya Ito to swap to the opposite side.
It was really interesting to hear about the kind of image/mental training he did to overcome the oddity of playing from a completely different perspective.
1st start for Yumeki Yokoyama but unable to show his best for Cerezo Osaka, esp. on the opposite Right Wing rather than Left.
Good opportunity to learn how to be a threat from both wings though. He cited Frontale's Tatsuya Ito as a role model due to his switch last season ๐ก
Ayase Ueda and Raheem Sterling teaming up! ... is a sentence I thought I'd never write ๐
Pretty impressive that Okayama managed to keep out Rafael Elias... restricted him to just two shots outside the box, both blocked, both coming within the first 11 minutes of the game.
Data scientist hell is when you're trying to grab the data from somewhere and the only source is a PowerBI dashboard with no download button.
Still can't believe this from Marinos. They do the whole "launch long to press the throw-in" kick-off routine, then they just lack any intensity whatsoever. ๐ค
FC Tokyo easily switch the field & one through-ball behind for Motoki Nagakura ...aaaand it's a goal!
WE WANT EIGHT
WE WANT EIGHT
FC Tokyo scored 33 seconds into the 1st half, and 52 seconds into the 2nd half!๐คฏ
Ryunosuke Sato's first #JLeague FC Tokyo goal !!! ๐ฅน๐ฅน๐ฅน
FC Tokyo vs. Yokohama F. Marinos is available on Youtube (in most countries) for free! ๐
www.youtube.com/live/Dt67nB2...
Rio Omori #ๅคงๆฃฎ็็ #FCๆฑไบฌ
bsky.app/profile/rbyr...
Nice to see Rio Omori get a start
Ryunosuke Sato starts again as well, on the Left
Yamato Naito is somewhat interesting. Just a poacher, doesn't do a whole lot else right now... Can't complain too much when he just... keeps scoring (4 goals so far). The Japanese Pippo Inzaghi...
Kofu are 2nd in their 100YV #JLeague group too btw.
Whenever i watch Freiburg I'm always in awe of .... Jan-Niklas Beste's beard. Truly magnificent ๐ง
