Kansai Roundup (Round 6)

Sorry for missing a round, but I was busy last weekend. So here we are with another rundown on our local teams. (Tokushima Vortis had a week off this week, allowing the injured Tomohiro Tsuda a bit more time to recover ahead of the Shikoku Derby.)

Kyoto Sanga 0-2 Nagoya Grampus

Another game another two goals for the Red Whales. Although Kyoto played reasonably well and had their chances to get back into the game, they were unable to find that extra bit of class to really test the visitors.

Omiya Ardija 1-3 Gamba Osaka

Akira Nishino is clearly a great coach, inspiring his team to its first win of the season with his half time team talk and changes. MInd you, he was lucky his team was still in the game at half time, let alone on level terms at 1-1. Fujigaya kept the Suita team in the game with a string of fine saves in the opening 45 minutes, which would otherwise have seen them three or four goals behind and out for the count.

Yokohama Marinos 0-0 Cerezo Osaka

Cerezo earn another draw, even surviving the dismissal of one of their best players, Martinez at the end of the first half. See Peter's report on the game for more details. So despite a shaky start on their return to j1, the pink half of Osaka is level on point with its blue rivals from Suita.

Vissel Kobe 0-2 Montedio Yamagata

The battle of the likely relegation candidates saw the visitors earn all three points despite Vissel having much the better of the game. The absence of Popo and Okubo proving fatal for their chances of converting their possession into goals. A result that leaves the home team second from bottom.