National team defeats J. League select squad in fundraiser match | The Japan Times Online

National team defeats J. League select squad in fundraiser match | The Japan Times Online

Football: Japan stars line-up for disaster victims

Football: Japan stars line-up for disaster victims

Al Ain Game Rescheduled for 12 April

The home leg of the ALC clash with Al Ain from the UAE, postponed in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, has been rescheduled for 12 April. Ticket information available in Japanese on the club's website.
AFCチャンピオンズリーグ2011「アルアイン戦（UAE）」 代替日決定及びチケット取り扱いについてのお知らせ | 名古屋グランパス公式サイト

J.League agrees to resume games on April 23 - English

Headline says it all. Will post links to the updates schedule when it is available. They have a lot of games to make up. (This also means that our next games should be the ACL clashes with FC Seoul, at Home on May 6 and Away on May 19. At least we will be fresh, if not to say rusty. )
asahi.com（朝日新聞社）：SOCCER/ J.League agrees to resume games on April 23 - English

Burzanovic Back in Japan Tuesday

Grampus midfielder, Igor Burzanovic will be returning to Japan on Tuesday.

ブルザノビッチ選手の来日について | 名古屋グランパス公式サイト

He will continue his rehabilitation, from the ligament damage suffered late last season, in Japan. (He obviously has not read the hysterical reports in the English media. The Montenegrin press obviously prefers to deal with facts rather than the panic-stricken imaginings of drunken hacks.)

AFP: Japan hero Honda freed for quake charity game

Former Grampus stars, Keisuke Honda and Maya Yoshida will be part of the Japan squad that takes on a J.League select team, managed by Grampus manager Stojkovic, in Osaka next Tuesday. All 12 Europe-based players have been released for this charity match, despite the clubs not being obliged to release any of them.

AFP: Japan hero Honda freed for quake charity game

Toyota City Looking for Volunteer Translators/Interpreters

Toyota City is looking for volunteers who can help translate/interpret for people in the disaster area. The main demand is for English, but they are also looking for Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish and Korean translators. Lend a hand if you can.
Information in Japanese can be found here:
ＴＩＡ 東北地方太平洋沖地震 「外国人被災者支援の緊急翻訳ボランティア募集」

Japan's nuclear crisis is not Chernobyl, say experts | News.com.au

Finally, some slightly less hysterical reporting of the current situation.

Japan's nuclear crisis is not Chernobyl, say experts | News.com.au

Gamba Fall to Teda in Violence Littered Battle of Tianjin

This game took place in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Japan the previous Friday. Although the home club sent a message of sympathy to Gamba, their rabid fans showed no such compassion and the game saw them throw several objects onto the field during the course of the game. Of course, the wimps at the AFC will take no action to stamp out this violence.

Tianjin came out looking much the shaper and better motivated of the two teams, and Fijigaya was forced to make an early save. Apart from wayward effort by Adriano, the opening few minutes were one-way traffic towards the Gamba goal. The home team had already seen one goal riled offside for offside, when they took the lead in the 25th minute, Chen Tao firing home a right foot shot. Lee pulled Gamba level a few minutes later, but the home team continued to look the more likely to add to their score. However, they failed to convert their possession into goals and the half ended with the scores still 1-1.

Gamba fell behind, when late first half sub Takagi was carded for a 'foul' in the area. Defender Cao Yang converted the penalty to give the home team the lead. Gamba made a immediate effort to get back into the game, but could not implement their passing game effectively enough to really trouble the home defence. Adriano, Lee and Futagawa all had chances to pull the Blues level, Cheered on by the feverish home crowd, Teda regained the initiative and closed out the game to secure the three points and go top of the group.

BBC News - In graphics: Fukushima nuclear alert

Tokyo Electric Power Co.,　(TEPCO) demonstrates to the world how not to control a disaster.
Radiation fears after Japan blastBBC News - In graphics: Fukushima nuclear alert

Nagai Rescues Grampus in Opener

Rookie Kensuke Nagai, proved a live wire when he replaced Mu Kanazaki 21 minutes into 2nd half. He forced a good save out of their Iikura and hit bar before being hauled back by Kurihara 4 minutes into added time. Josh Kennedy calmly converted the resulting penalty.

Once the speedy Nagai came on, we had the better of the game, but the Marinos could easily have scored more than their one goal. Fortunately, they didn't and Nagai and Kennedy combined to ensure we claimed a share of the points. It was another less then convincing display, but the team can only get better as its understanding improves. A vital point to start our defence of the league title.

The Japan Times View of the New Season

And finally, here is the Japan Times view.
Survival on top of agenda for J. League's lower half

J.League Previews; The Gomiuri's View Kensuke

Ostensibly about J.League youngsters, this Gomiuri article is mainly about Grampus rookie Kensuke Nagai. :-)
J.LEAGUE 2011 SPECIAL / The Kids are Alright / Hot newcomers look to fill gap left by overseas exodus

J.League Previews; The Gomiuri's View of J2

The first of a series of posts linking to previews of the big Kick Off tomorrow.
J.LEAGUE 2011 SPECIAL / J2's silver lining / League legends Kazu, Gon still kicking in 2nd tier

Grampus U-18s Bow Out of Viareggio Cup

The Grampus U-18s finally meet their match in Italy, coming up against in form Atalanta and bowing out at the final 16 stage. However, as the club report says they will have learned a lot from the trip and topping their group. Maybe we should field them in the ACL. ;-)
The Official Club report is here:
U-18イタリア遠征レポート（3/1）

Hangzhou Greentown 2-0 Nagoya Grampus

Nagoya fell to their Chinese opponents, mainly due to a lack of ideas when it came to breaking down their packed defence. We had much the better possession, but rarely turned it into clear-cut chances. Josh provided a weak finish to a good move midway through the first half, that was easily saved by their 'keeper.

A disappointing result, but an encouraging game in that the understanding between the players can only get better. (Several promising moves broke down in the final third of the pitch.) Josh Kennedy also looked close to match sharpness, despite his weak finish on our best chance of the game. Kensuke Nagai made a lively impression, and should prove a useful alternative when Tamada or Kanazaki are unavailable.
Hangzhou Greentown 2-0 Nagoya Grampus

Grampus Finish Top: Milan Eliminated

The Nagoya Grampus U-18s finished the group stare of the Viareggio Cup as group winners, with AC Milan at the bottom. A 1-1 draw with Sassuolo enough to secure the progress. The link below is to the match statistics for that match.
VIAREGGIO CUP

Here is the page with the full schedule and group tables.
Gironi eliminatori