Nagoya Claim Tokai Derby

Having taken a week off on Tuesday, thus allowing the Tokyo Gasmen an easy win, the Grampus players were back to their best again today. The dominated possession in easing to a 2-1 win at Iwata to ensure the end the season having never lost back-to-back league games. First half goals by Ogawa and Tamada seeing them through despite a spirited fight back by the home team.

Dani to Miss Final Three Games

Colombian midfielder Danilson will miss the last few games of the season after tearing a hamstring in the game against Shonan on Saturday. He is expected to be out for a couple of weeks. The influential volanté will be missed, but veteran Keiji Yoshimura forms an effective twin terrier combination with Naoshi Nakamura and they will not give opponents much time to dwell on the ball.

While Danilson is a strong contender for MVP for the second half of the season, our official MVP (Tulio) may well make a return to action for this game.

Grampus Clinch Title

Nagoya duly clinched their first J1 league title. Tamada's 12th goal of the season, heading home a pin-point cross for Keita Sugimoto, sealing the victory against Shonan. Meanwhile, the spluttering Antlers were held to a goalless draw by Kobe.

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Sunday Update

Here are few links to stories about this historic victory and Pixie's eclipsing of Arsenal Wenger as the best manager at the club. (No doubt the Gomiuri will catch up eventually.)

Japan Times: Grampus beat Bellmare, win first J. League title

ESPN: Nagoya Grampus win first title

AFC: Nagoya win J-League

Asahi News: Grampus win it all

Japan Times Still Hoping Hope against Hope

Andy McKirdy over at the Japan Times is still hoping for a close finish to this year's title chase. We will see what Vissel have to say about that. :-)

JapanTimes: Still work to do before Grampus lay hands on title

Young Grampi Advance to Emperor's Cup 1/4 Finals

The Grampus youngsters manage something their senior colleagues could not this year. A win over Albirex Niigata.
OK, they needed penalties after extra time to do so, but they eventually emerged victorious and players like Genta Matsuo and Tatsuya Arai will have gained invaluable experience and confidence. This was a hard earned win, which saw Niigata comeback from an Alex Santos early goal to force the game into penalties after 120 minutes.

Grampus Lineup
Yoshinari Takagi
Genta Matsuo, Mitsuru Chiyotanda (Tastuya Arai HT), Akira, Takeuchi, Alex Santos
Sho Hanai, Keiji Yoshimura (Ryota Isomura 63'), Taishi Taguchi
Keita Sugimoto (Hikaru Kuba 63'), Yuki Maki, Koji Hashimoto

Read Akiko Ito's usual excellent article in the Chunichi Sports here. (Japanese)

Grampus to Give Youngsters Chance in Emperor's Cup

Nagoya Grampus are expected to field a changed lineup for today's game against Niigata. Expect to see the likes of Sho Hanai and Taishi Taguchi get another chance for some competitive action. Of course, we are also likely to see Keiji Yoshimura back in action after his lengthy (5-month) injury layoff, so it should be a nicely balanced blend of youth and experience.

Igor Out for Six Months

Grampus midfielder Igor Burzanovic, one of our heroes on Saturday, is expected to be out for six months. He pulled lame about 30 minutes into Saturday's contest, and has been diagnosed with ligament damage. He was hobbling around on crutches after the game, and seemed reasonably relaxed, chatting to Ardija's Matto and waving to the crowd.

He is very disappointed to be ruled out for so long, and we wish him a speedy rehabilitation.

Grampus Close-in on Title

Even without the suspended Josh Kennedy and rested Tulio, Nagoya had too much height and power for Omiya to handle. The 1.8 m Burzanovic and 1.9 m Masukawa providing the goals that sank the visitors, although Igor's goal was a tap in from from a corner. The Orange brigade's cause was not helped by the expulsion of Ho shortly before half time.

The win sees us go to Shonan, to face the hapless Bellmare, with our eight point lead intact, and a chance to wrap up the title with three games to spare. Our biggest danger will be complacency against a team desperate to regain some pride.

Grampus Lineup
           Narazaki
Hayuma, Chiyotanda, Masukawa, Abe
  Naoshi (Alex 69'), Danilson, Burzanovic (Maki 33')
    Ogawa, Tamada, Magnum (Sugimoto 84')

Marquinhos Keeps Antlers in the Hunt

A 59th minute strike by their Brazilian forward sees Kashima earn a narrow 1-0 win and keep their faint hopes of a fourth straight title alive. Meanwhile, we still enjoy an eight point lead at the top, but now may have to wait a couple of weeks before being able to claim our first league title.

Japan Times: Antlers revive slim title hopes with win over Grampus

Maya Impresses in VVV Victory

Maya Yoshida made his second appearance for VVV in their 4-1 win over Willem II on Friday. He only came on as a second half sub, but seems to have impressed in his brief appearance, earning the highest rating of the VVV players. (At least, I think that's what the ratings on the left of the Limburger site means. )

Limburger.NL: Van Dijk begint met zelfde elf tegen Willem II (Dutch only)

Maya Finally Makes VVV Debut

Former Grampus defender Maya Yoshida, transferred to VVV Venlo last year, finally makes his debut for the club. His debut was delayed by a broken foot suffered in training shortly after his transfer in January. He had been training with Nagoya Grampus over the summer, so he should soon be back to full match sharpness. Looks like he needs to get up to speed PDQ. :-)



Mainichi Daily News: Yoshida makes debut but Venlo crash to 5-3 defeat