Surprises in the J-League
By: 21 | May 29th, 2009With the J-League on hiatus will June 19, it is time for a general re-cap of the first twelve weeks. If there is a surprise, it certainly isn’t that the Kashima Antlers appear to be running away from the league with Urawa Red Diamonds are in hot pursuit but the collapse of Ōita and rise of Albirex Niigata.
Flipping the table on its end, injuries have played a major part Ōita Trinita’s complete collapse. The defensive powerhouse has given up one goal shy of their entire total last year, have only a single win to speak for and are nearing panic mode to avoid relegation. While there is time to climb safety, the injuries to Yasuhito Morishima, Daiki Takamatsu, Tatsuya Ikeda, Roberto, Edimilson and Ueslei, just to name a few have left them a shell of their former self.
J2 could be quite interesting next year with Ōita possibly headed there but one team who won’t be headed down is Albirex Niigata who are nestled third in the table and only three points behind the Reds. A final day victory over Gamba Osaka gave them a bit of a cushion from relegation last year but few would have expected the club to a emerge with well-disciplined style that oozes fundamentals and patience.
Category: J League News
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I have to say that Oita’s collapse has been sad to see. But Albirex has really surprised me. Gamba has surprised me by being so far back already. Sanfrecce and Yamagata have really been impressive since being promoted. Yamagata I think will be fighting relegation though.
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