Ventforet Planning Quick Return to J2?

Newly promoted Ventforet Kofu seem to be planning a quick return to J2. (Sorry, Ken.) They have signed Vissel defenders Daisuke Tomita and Teruaaki Kobayashi, who struggled to get into a team that only just avoided relegation by the skin of its teeth. (Of course, Yamanashi natives will be praying that Vissel's struggles were due to the pair's omission by former manager Miura.)

Takeuchi Loaned Out to JEF

Grampus central defender come wing back, Akira Takeuchi, has been loaned out to JEF United for a year. This should give him a better chance of getting regular first team football, but also suggests that Tatsuya Arai (currently in Spain training with Real Sociedad) is seen as a reasonable option as backup for Tulio, Masu, and Chiyotanda.

Official Grampus Press Release: 竹内彬選手、ジェフユナイテッド千葉へ期限付き移籍のお知らせ

Pedro Junior 'Lent' to Gasmen

Gamba's troubled Brazilian forward, currently on loan at SC Do Recif in Brazil, has been loaned out to FC Tokyo. This suggests that Gamba still has the right to decide where he plays and it is nice to see them allow him to try and resurect his career in Japan.

Josh to Miss Asian Cup

As expected, Aussie striker Josh Kennedy is set to miss the upcoming Asian Cup meaning that Grampus will have no players there, apart from former starlets Maya Yoshida and Keisuke Honda. This should mean that we have a reasonably fresh squad when the J.League kicks of on March 5th (provided Tulio, Josh, and Dani all get over their knocks).

Keita Lands in Tokushima

To no-one's surprise, Sugimoto joins Tomohiro Tsuda at Tokushima Vortis for next year. Tsuda is still on loan, but Vortis will have a couple of rapid whirlpools for at least one season. Let's hope it is enough to sweep them into J1.


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Football Japan name Asian Cup squad - Channel NewsAsia

Zaccheroni names former Grampus stars Keisuke Honda and Maya Yoshida in his final squad of 23 for the upcoming Asian Cup. So the only current Grampus player who may make the trip to Qatar is Josh Kennedy, who could miss it if his back does not respond to treatment in time.

Football Japan name Asian Cup squad - Channel NewsAsia