Cometh the hour, cometh Yasuhito Endo as one of Asian football's genuine stars took control of the 89th Emperor's Cup final at the National Stadium in Tokyo. The recently crowned Asian footballer of the year scored twice and laid on another as Gamba Osaka overpowered Nagoya Grampus 4-1 in front of 42,140 fans, who turned out in bright sunshine in the Japanese capital. The scoreline somewhat flattered the Osakans, who found themselves locked in a battle of attrition during a tense first half. In-form Brazilian striker Lucas Severino opened the scoring for Gamba as early as the sixth minute, however Nagoya hit back through Naoshi Nakamura as the two sides went into the interval locked at 1-1. The second half continued in much the same vein, with Australian striker Josh Kennedy going agonisingly close to handing Nagoya the lead, only to miss Magnum's cut-back by a matter of inches. In the end it was Endo who conjured the headlines, as he beat two defenders before slamming an accurate strike past Japan team-mate Seigo Narazaki to restore Gamba's advantage with just thirteen minutes remaining. Gaps opened up at the back as Nagoya poured forward in search of another equaliser, and the Osakans exploited them to the fullest as Endo laid on a chance for veteran midfielder Takahiro Futugawa to sidefoot home. Endo himself added Gamba's fourth with a stunning half-volley late on, as the defending champions sent off retiring goalkeeper Naoki Matsuyo on a high. Gamba's win means that fourth placed J. League finisher Sanfrecce Hiroshima claim Japan's final place in the 2010 AFC Champions League, with Gamba having already qualified via a third place finish in the league. For Nagoya it was a case of what might have been, as Dutch Eredivisie-bound Maya Yoshida ended his stint with the Aichi outfit on the losing side. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Soccer News football

Defending champions Gamba Osaka will meet Nagoya Grampus in the 2009 Emperor's Cup final, after the duo conjured nervy wins in a pair of tense semi-finals on December 29. Just over 25,000 fans turned out at the National Stadium in Tokyo as Gamba's veteran Brazilian striker Lucas Severino gave the Kansai side an early lead against outsiders Vegalta Sendai. The underdogs hit back through Takayuki Nakahara's strike just before the hour mark, however the reliable Lucas notched again soon after, as Akira Nishino's battle-hardened Gamba moved into another showpiece final. Only a penalty shoot-out could separate Shimizu S-Pulse and Nagoya Grampus in front of just under 20,000 fans in the day's earlier fixture at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi, as Dragan Stojkovic's gritty Nagoya outfit prevailed following a 1-1 draw. Japan international Shinji Okazaki opened the scoring for Shimizu, however Nagoya hit back from the penalty spot, with Keiji Tamada slotting home from twelve yards after former S-Pulse man Alex had gone down inside the box. With the scores still level after thirty minutes of extra-time, the match went to penalties - with Shimizu defender Daisuke Ichikawa missing the vital spot-kick, as his effort clattered against the crossbar. There was high drama from the final kick of the shoot-out, as Keita Sugimoto smashed his penalty against the underside of the crossbar, only to see the ball cannon down off Shimizu goalkeeper Kaito Yamamoto and in. Nagoya's dramatic shoot-out win sees them move into their first Emperor's Cup final since 1999, when current coach Stojkovic inspired Grampus to their last major trophy with his exploits on the pitch. The New Year's Day final brings to an end the 2009 Japanese season, with Gamba and Nagoya both looking to lay their hands on the final piece of silverware for the year. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Soccer News football

When the dust had settled on another gripping J. League title race, many wondered whether anyone could stop Kashima Antlers after they picked up their third straight Japanese crown. They got an answer - of sorts - after Gamba Osaka dumped the Antlers out of the season-ending Emperor's Cup at the quarter-final stage. Gamba's belated victory came courtesy of a brace from ex-Oita Trinita striker Masato Yamazaki, who scored either side of a goal from Kashima front man Yuzo Tashiro. The Osakans march on to a semi-final showdown with promoted side Vegalta Sendai, who shook off any ill-affects from their recent J2 title celebrations to beat a star-studded Kawasaki Frontale. In front of a packed house of 18,340 fans at Yurtec Stadium in Sendai, the hosts prevailed thanks to a 2-1 extra-time victory. Yuki Nakashima opened the scoring for the hosts, and Vegalta looked to be cruising to a place in the final four until Kazuhiro Murakami drove home a stoppage-time equaliser. There was to be no monumental fightback from Frontale, however, as Vegalta striker Tomoyuki Hirase scored a late winner to seal Sendai's place in the semi-finals. The other semi-final will be contested by Tokai rivals Shimizu S-Pulse and Nagoya Grampus, although both sides experienced contrasting fortunes in their quarter-final matches. Shimizu required a dramatic extra-time winner from veteran defender Arata Kodama to seal a 3-2 win over a plucky Albirex Niigata, with Kodama's goal coming just a minute from full-time. Meanwhile, Nagoya cruised past cash-strapped local rivals FC Gifu courtesy of a 3-0 win in front of 12,211 fans at Mizuho Stadium, with Australian international Josh Kennedy scoring a hat-trick. The win sets up an intriguing final four clash with regional rivals Shimizu S-Pulse on December 29, with Shimizu set to enjoy the lion's share of support as the two sides run out at Ecopa Stadium. The other semi-final will take place at the National Stadium in Tokyo , as the four remaining Emperor's Cup combatants fight for their place in a New Year's Day showdown. Online Betting Bonus Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Soccer News football

Their campaign could hardly have been more exhausting, but Gamba Osaka are the Emperor's Cup champions after beating underdogs Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 in front of 44,066 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Gamba started the season by lifting the exhibition Pan-Pacific Championship in Hawaii last February. Since then the Osakans have taken part in the J. League, the League Cup, the inaugural Suruga Bank Championship held in Osaka, the AFC Champions League - which Gamba won, the FIFA Club World Cup and, of course, the Emperor's Cup. As if Gamba's gruelling campaign wasn't enough, the Osakans needed extra-time to beat Kashiwa Reysol in the final, just as they required extra-time to see off Yokohama F. Marinos in the semi-final three days earlier. Ryuji Bando was the hero for the Kansai side, coming off the bench to score a dramatic 117th minute winner, with Bando keeping his cool to slot home after his initial strike was blocked. The victory assures Gamba a place in next season's AFC Champions League - which Gamba would otherwise have missed out on - despite the fact that they are the defending champions. After the game coach Akira Nishino told reporters, "we had a strong desire to win this tournament and qualify for the Asian Champions League." "As the Asian champions, we couldn't afford to miss out on the next tournament." Gamba will join Kashima Antlers, Kawasaki Frontale and Nagoya Grampus as the Japanese representatives in next season's revamped AFC Champions League. Both Gamba and Kashiwa Reysol will take a well-earned rest following a long campaign, with Reysol's losing coach Nobuhiro Ishizaki moving north to take over at recently relegated J2 outfit Consadole Sapporo. The new Japanese season gets under way in March, with the season-opening Super Cup between Kashima Antlers and Gamba Osaka set to kick off proceedings at the National Stadium on February 28. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

The long Japanese season comes to an end on New Year's Day, with an exhausted Gamba Osaka set to take on Kashiwa Reysol in the Emperor's Cup final. Gamba booked their place with an extra-time semi-final win over Yokohama F. Marinos at the National Stadium in Tokyo, with young striker Masato Yamazaki continuing his recent goal-scoring exploits as he found the net after a marathon 116 minutes. Kashiwa Reysol, meanwhile, came from behind to beat FC Tokyo 2-1 at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi in the other semi-final, as the Sun Kings booked an emotional send-off for coach Nobuhiro Ishizaki. Earlier this month Reysol officials announced that Ishizaki would not be in charge for the 2009 campaign, but despite that disappointment the veteran tactician has managed to guide his side into their first ever Emperor's Cup final. Tatsuya Suzuki opened the scoring for FC Tokyo - ironically he is on loan from Kashiwa Reysol - but substitutes Franca and Tadanari Ri turned the game on its head as they scored second half goals to send Kashiwa through to the final. Kashiwa may be renowned as one of the scrappiest outfits in Japanese football, but a hopelessly inappropriate pre-match headline on the Reysol website highlights that J. League clubs have a long way to go to match their more media savvy European counterparts.

At a time when the J. League is crying out for a team to take the championship by the scruff of the neck, the top five continue to falter in their race for the title. Kashima Antlers continue to lead the way on 54 points, but they will be disappointed with their most recent 0-0 draw at home to the defensive-oriented Albirex Niigata. Urawa Reds are a point further back in second, after they beat already relegated Consadole Sapporo 2-1 in front of 28,901 fans at the Sapporo Dome in their most recent clash. The Reds were forced to come from behind after the league's second-top scorer Davi notched his fourteenth goal of the season for Sapporo, before goals from Tatsuya Tanaka and Edmilson saw all three points head back to Saitama. Nagoya Grampus are the team to have stumbled the most in the run home. The Aichi club are on 52 points, but have picked up just four points from the fifteen on offer in their last five J. League games. Nagoya crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Kashiwa Reysol at a sold-out Kashiwa Hitachi Stadium last time out, and controversy reigned in the compact stadium when referee Yuichi Nishimura incorrectly ruled out a Frode Johnsen strike for offside. Although Nagoya went on to open the scoring through Yoshizumi Ogawa, late goals from Minoru Suganuma and Popo saw them crumble to a disappointing defeat. Oita Trinita were held to a scoreless draw by relegation candidates JEF United in front of 23,517 fans at the Kyushu Oil Dome, while Kawasaki Frontale were beaten 2-1 away at Omiya Ardija thanks in no small part to a wonder strike from Omiya striker Klemen Lavric. Oita are fourth in the table on 52 points, while a point further back fifth placed Kawasaki Frontale are ahead of a fast-finishing FC Tokyo on goal difference only, after the capital club thrashed Gamba Osaka 3-1 away from home in their last J. League clash. Things are just as tight at the bottom end of the table, where up to seven clubs are fighting for J1 survival. Consadole Sapporo were relegated weeks ago, while JEF United currently occupy the second automatic relegation place. Tokyo Verdy are in the promotion/relegation playoff place, but Jubilo Iwata are above them on goal difference only, after beating local rivals Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 in the Shizuoka derby last weekend. Omiya Ardija and Albirex Niigata are lying thirteenth and fourteenth respectively, but with both clubs currently on 38 points - just three points above an automatic relegation place, they are far from secure. The same can be said of Yokohama F. Marinos, who have picked up a total of 39 points, and although Kyoto Sanga FC will be pleased to have reached the 40-point mark in the league, they are still not mathematically safe from relegation with three J. League games remaining. In J2, Sanfrecce Hiroshima earned their ticket back to the top flight several weeks ago, with the southern club currently a massive twenty points clear of second place. The race for second place is tighter, but northern outfit Montedio Yamagata are in the box seat on 71 points - some five points above the promotion/relegation playoff place with three games remaining. Fellow northerners Vegalta Sendai occupy the promotion place after they drew 1-1 with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in front of 23,745 fans at Miyagi Stadium in their most recent match, with the trio of Shonan Bellmare, Sagan Tosu and Cerezo Osaka looking long odds to catch third placed Sendai in the run home. The J. League takes a break on the weekend of November 15/16 as the fifth round of the Emperor's Cup takes centre stage. Emperor's Cup The Japan Football Association has threatened Oita Trinita and JEF United with disciplinary action for fielding weakened starting elevens in their fourth round Emperor's Cup defeats last weekend. Oita Trinita lost out to Second Division local rivals Sagan Tosu, while JEF United were beaten by J1 rivals Shimizu S-Pulse in the fourth round of the Cup. Oita were coming off winning the League Cup final at the National Stadium in Tokyo three days earlier, while JEF United are fighting for top flight survival in the J. League. There were no major surprises in the fourth round, although reigning champions Kashima Antlers needed penalties to beat plucky Kokushikan University following an entertaining 2-2 draw. The fourth round clash between Gamba Osaka and J2 outfit Ventforet Kofu has been rescheduled for November 16. With the JFA continuing their practice of "hosting" a portion of the round of sixteen fixtures in neutral venues, the fifth round fixture list sees Urawa Reds take on bitter rivals Yokohama F. Marinos at Marugame Stadium, Vissel Kobe welcome Sagan Tosu to Kobe Wing Stadium, Jubilo Iwata take on the winner of Gamba Osaka and Ventforet Kofu at Yamaha Stadium, Omiya Ardija welcome Nagoya Grampus to Omiya Park, Kashima Antlers host Shimizu S-Pulse at Kashima Stadium, Albirex Niigata take on FC Tokyo at Tottori Stadium, Kashiwa Reysol face Kyoto Sanga FC at Toyama Stadium and Kawasaki Frontale take on last season's beaten finalists Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Nagasaki Stadium. Gamba Osaka crowned Asian Champions Gamba Osaka lifted the AFC Champions League after thrashing A-League outfit Adelaide United 5-0 on aggregate in their two-legged final. The Kansai club were always in control after hammering United 3-0 in front of a full house of 21,000 at Expo '70 Stadium on November 5, with Lucas Severino, Yasuhito Endo and a superb Michihiro Yasuda volley sending Akira Nishino's team on their way. It took Gamba just fifteen minutes to establish a 2-0 lead in front another capacity crowd of 17,000 at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on November 12, as Lucas Severino added to his goal from the opening leg by scoring a quick-fire brace to put the tie well and truly beyond doubt. Influential midfielder Yasuhito Endo won the final's Most Valuable Player award, as Gamba collected a third piece of silverware to add to their 2005 J. League title and 2007 League Cup trophy. Injuries cripple Okada's Japan Takeshi Okada has a selection headache to contend with, as injuries to key men Seigo Narazaki and Yuji Nakazawa have forced a reshuffle of the squad to take on Qatar in a World Cup qualifier in Doha on November 19. Urawa Reds goalkeeper Ryota Tsuzuki has been drafted in as cover for injured Nagoya shot-stopper Narazaki, while Shimizu S-Pulse defender Kazumichi Takagi replaces Nakazawa in the squad. Japan will warm up for their vital World Cup qualifier with a friendly against Syria at Kobe Wing Stadium on November 13, before travelling to the Gulf looking to add to the four points collected from their opening two final round World Cup qualifiers. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Kashima Antlers claimed a League and Cup double by lifting the season-ending Emperor's Cup in front of a sell-out crowd of 46,357 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo. The Ibaraki giants never looked threatened after they opened the scoring in the eighth minute, when young defender Atsuto Uchida thumped an unstoppable drive into the far corner of Hiroshima shot-stopper Takashi Shimoda's goal. Hiroshima were missing highly-rated youngster Yosuke Kashiwagi through suspension, after he picked up a yellow card in the southern club's 3-1 semi-final defeat of Gamba Osaka three days earlier. The Japan u-23 international was sorely missed, as Hiroshima rarely pressured newly crowned J-League champions Kashima, who beat Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 to reach the Emperor's Cup final. A comfortable Kashima victory was completed when veteran striker Atsushi Yanagisawa came off the bench to set-up fellow substitute Danilo with a cushioned pass, with the former Sao Paulo midfielder fairly lashing the ball beyond Shimoda to end the scoring. The win capped a remarkable season for Kashima - who won the treble in 2000 when they added the League Cup crown to their J-League and Emperor's Cup trophies, and who claimed the double in 2007 following their unlikely J-League triumph. Kashima will take on Chinese side Beijing Guoan, Vietnamese outfit Nam Dinh FC and Thai team Krung Thai Bank in the group stage of the 2008 AFC Champions League, having ended the long Japanese campaign as the premier team in Japanese football. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags J-League soccer football Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Following a dramatic end to a league campaign that saw Kashima Antlers unexpectedly lift their fifth J-League crown, the season-ending Emperor's Cup has taken centre stage in Japan. The 87th edition of Japan's oldest sporting competition has been whittled down to the last four from the more than 6000 teams that started, with J1 sides not surprisingly claiming all four semi-final spots. In the first semi-final, Gamba Osaka will take on Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi. Gamba booked their place in the last four with a Fifth Round win over Oita Trinita, before they needed extra-time to see off a stubborn Shimizu S-Pulse in the quarter-finals. Hiroshima were 2-0 winners over Jubilo Iwata in their Fifth Round tie, before beating FC Tokyo by the same scoreline in their quarter-final clash. The other semi-final sees newly crowned J-League champions Kashima Antlers take on Kawasaki Frontale at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Kashima have relied upon goals from wantaway striker Atsushi Yanagisawa to fire them into the last four of the Cup, after Yanagisawa struck deep into extra-time against both Ventforet Kofu and non-league outfit Honda FC, as Kashima struggled to book their place in the semi-finals. By comparison Kawasaki Frontale have enjoyed a much easier run. They beat Vissel Kobe 3-0 in the Fifth Round, before barely breaking a sweat in registering a 2-0 win over J2 side Ehime FC in their quarter-final. The final of the Emperor's Cup will take place at the National Stadium in Tokyo on January 1. 2008 Japan fixture list announced The 2008 fixture list for the Japan national team has been announced, with the Blue Samurai set to embark upon qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Japan kick-off the year with friendlies against Chile and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the National Stadium in January, before their World Cup campaign gets under way against Thailand at Saitama Stadium on February 6. Japan will also participate in the East Asian Championship, which takes place every three years and which will be hosted by China in 2008. Japan will face DPR Korea, Korea Republic and hosts China at the tournament in late February. Takeshi Okada names training squad New Japan coach Takeshi Okada has named his first training squad since taking over from Ivica Osim. There were no surprises, although Kashima Antlers duo Daiki Iwamasa and Yuzo Tashiro were handed their first call-up's, as were FC Tokyo defender Yuhei Tokunaga and Gamba Osaka youngster Michihiro Yasuda. Okada told the press that he would also consider Europe-based trio Naohiro Takahara and Junichi Inamoto of Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Basel midfielder Koji Nakata for selection in 2008. Only Takahara and Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura featured regularly in the Japan side under Ivica Osim. Meanwhile Osim has left the intensive care unit of a Chiba hospital, as he makes a recovery from the stroke that ended his reign as Japan coach in November. Japanese Players Overseas Naohiro Takahara and Junichi Inamoto: Eintracht Frankfurt Former Boca Juniors striker Naohiro Takahara has endured an injury-plagued second season at Bundesliga side Eintract Frankfurt, starting just four of his eight league appearances. Takahara's only league goal this season came in a 5-1 thrashing away at 1.FC Nürnberg. Meanwhile Junichi Inamoto has enjoyed a brighter spell in Frankfurt, starting eleven league games at the mid-table German side. Shunsuke Nakamura : Celtic Scottish Player Of The Year Shunsuke Nakamura has started just seven leagues for Glasgow giants Celtic, having also endured an injury-riddled season. Nakamura's last start came in a 3-0 win over Motherwell back on October 27, with a knee injury potentially ruling Nakamura out of Celtic's upcoming UEFA Champions League tie with Barcelona. Daisuke Matsui : Le Mans Winger Daisuke Matsui is back in favour at French Ligue 1 side Le Mans, with new coach Rudi Garcia's side flying high in fifth place in Le Championnat. Matsui has started fifteen league games this season, scoring twice. Koji Nakata : FC Basel Former Kashima Antlers midfielder Koji Nakata has featured in all of Swiss club FC Basel's league games this season, with Basel currently six points clear of rivals FC Zürich going in to the winter break. Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Alex : Salzburg Ex-Gamba Osaka defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has started ten of Salzburg's league fixtures, most recently in Salzburg's top-of-the-table clash with Sturm Graz on December 15. Meanwhile ex-Japan international Alex continues to be linked with a move back to the J-League, with former club Urawa Reds the most likely destination for the versatile player. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags J-League soccer football Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Sanfrecce Hiroshima have endured a horrendous season in the J-League. Relegated in a play-off with the third-place team from J2, Kyoto Sanga, Sanfrecce have played most of the season in front of sparse crowds at their cavernous Big Arch Stadium. Today, however, there was reason to celebrate as the team in purple defeated Jubilo Iwata in the Emperor's Cup to keep their season alive. Two sublime left-footed free kicks from Koji Morisaki sealed the win in front of only 3,177 die-hard supporters. Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League Sanfrecce Betting

For the third season in a row, the J-League title race will be decided on the final day of the season. That's because Urawa Reds lost 1-0 to second-placed Kashima Antlers in front of 62,123 fans at Saitama Stadium on November 24, thanks to midfielder Takuya Nozawa's solitary strike. Kashima had defender Toru Araiba controversially sent off for a second bookable offence after just forty-two minutes, and referee Kenji Ogiya again grabbed the headlines when he sent off Kashima substitute Yuji Funayama for "spitting" with just seconds remaining. Urawa fans claimed that Funayama had spat in their direction, but television replays suggest that Funayama simply spat on the ground before attempting to take a throw-in.