Quitting Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sljpc3UgWnA

Well, It's been a fun 3 years but now it's time to close up shop.

With the new and already outstanding TOKYO NERDY 1969 up and running, there is no longer a need for Soilent Green. 2 Verdy blogs in English is too much. Besides, if you want snark, DOKOOL is always willing to write a 5 page essay on why FC Tokyo is doing things much better than Verdy so you don't need me for that either.

What we do need however is an English Language Blog for all 36 J1 and J2 teams. Currently we have 18 teams covered by people from all walks of life. When I started, it was just Furtho at G!G!O!A!, the Grampalogue, and Shrimp at Yokohama FC along with Ken at RSN(The godfather of all J league writers) and Rie at the dearly missed Lost in Translation.

All of the new blogs are wonderful and appreciated, from the German who writes about Fukuoka, the Norwegian who writes about Cerezo, the Hawaiian Italian who writes about Kyoto, and the numerous Japanese, Americans, Australians, and Englishmen who have sites as well.Our own Mike Tuckerman has made a name for himself in the international papers......good for him, he actually has talent. And our man Vendo has cornered the market on Ibaraki J2 news.

I also want to thank Nick, the two Ultras and all the other folks who popped in and made the blog more interesting. Comments are appreciated always because half the time it feels like I'm talking to myself.

So I urge everybody to check out the new Verdy blog http://tokyonerdy1969.blogspot.com/
Soilent Green will stay up as a giant rotting memorial to Rui Ramos and the lost years of Tokyo Verdy but won't be updated much if at all.

Also check out all the blogs on J League teams.....the Gamba, Yokohama Marinos and FC Tokyo ones are works of art and the Frontale and Shimizu ones are great. Hands down the best one has to be Omiya though (not that I'm biased).

If you do feel the need to read my stuff, I post occasionally on another blog.....you'll figure it out.

And I see a certain team in Kanagawa has not been duly represented in the blogrolls.

http://fatsaco.blogspot.com/ Now we're at 19, bitches!

Am I the Joaquin Phoenix of the J League? I think I am!

I call SHONANIGANS!!!!!!!!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 1

Our friend Nick has jumped into the blogger fray with TOKYO NERDY 1969

http://tokyonerdy1969.blogspot.com/

I always thought the blog was most interesting when he would give sporadic game reports so now we might be able to see more of that.

One more big announcement tonight. Tune in!

Tsuyoshi goes to America!

Song of the day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYHfh94LfNw&feature=related

Well Tsuyoshi Yoshitake fans.......if you are wondering where the fleet footed lefty has been hiding, wonder no more. Andrew Miller's Battery Shots blog has a list of players invited in to the USL 1 Charleston Battery training camp

http://www.charleston.net/blogs/battery/2009/feb/26/Battery/

If you are not familiar with the USL, it is the equivalent of J2 but with a bit of a twist. The USL has no real relationship with the MLS (unless you want to say animosity is a connection). A familiar face to Verdy fans is Takashi Hirano, who plies his trade at defending USL champs Vancouver. Good luck!

VERDY TIES RYUTSU KEIZAI

You might have already known this but Verdy played RKU in a training match and tied 1-1. Masashi Oguro scored the lone goal for Verdy in the second stanza. RKU came back and tied it 5 minutes later.

Tomorrow

There is a friendly scheduled at 11 between Verdy and Hokushinetsuupercalafragilisticexpialidocis league squad Matsumoto Yamaga FC from Nagano at the luxurious Verdy grounds. If anyoe decides to go, write somethin up and I will post it.

I PREDICT

Song of the day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASjvzZoH-mE&feature=related
early REM, like early Verdy was the best

Ken Matsushima has a more in-depth preview at RSN which is a pretty good read
Here it is
http://www.wldcup.com/Asia/news/2009/090221.html
The only thing I don't like about it is the 4th-6th place qualifiers......stop being such a sissy, pick it and stick with it.

Anyhow considering I have not really seen much of any of these teams and don't really know what the hell I'm talking about.......here is my expert opinion.

1. Cerezo Osaka- I'm not drinking the Culpi kool-aid here.....I think he gets canned after a slow start. I think they bring in someone who is able to get the young guys going past the also ran threshhold.

2. Consadole Sapporo- I am however drinking the Ishizaki kool-aid. He's a J League manager and if Verdy let him do the job in 2005, they would never have played in J2. Kashiwa will regret the move.

3. Ventforet Kofu- I thought they were coming around. They were the only one last year to stare down Hiroshima without blinking. AND they added Miracle Mo to boot......so that is nice!

4. Vegalta Sendai-Summer is warm, water is wet, and Vegalta is the last team to be eliminated from the J1 promotion. I think they need a good shaman or something.....I don't get it.

5. TOKYO VERDY- Not so much cause they are good but more so cause the rest of the league is fairly soft. Three or Four of the bigger names won't be with the team by the end. Which is good because I think the younguns are gonna get some shots to show that they are players. So it's gonna be a good thing. Seriously.

6. Shonan Bellmare- They have one of the older teams in the league and they opt for a U-23 manager. NIIIIIIICE! And Tuto? Really? F$$$ing TUTO? You deserve to stay in J2.

7. Avispa Fukuoka-Best team in Kyuushu playing in J2. The best team in Kyuushu period is New Wave Kitakyuushu, followed by the LA GALAXY.

8. Thespa Kusatsu- Did you know that the active J2 goalscoring leader of all-time plays for Kusatsu (Yasunori Takada with 70). freaky, huh? Nozomi Hiroyama is gonna tear J2 a new one.

9. Sagan Tosu- 5. That's the number of goals scored by Koji Hirose. He happens to be the top returning scorer for Tosu. Shimada was a nice pickup. And Takuya Yamada-EXOTIC TERMINATER CLAD IN SOFT PASTEL COLORS REMINISCENT OF AN EASTER PAGEANT joins up as well.

10. Yokohama FC- Look for them to start fast and then peter out like every other Higuchi team that ever played the beautiful game. At least the uniforms are better.

11. Mito Hollyhock- They play hard every game......which is something you can't say about at least 20 other teams in Japan.

GOD THIS IS TIRING........WHO CARES AFTER 11..........ok, let's continue. I can't even name the last 6.

12. Kattaler Toyama-Sure.
13. FC Gifu-OK
14. Roasso Kumamoto- Screw you Tetsu Kina.
15. Ehime FC-It seems like they get worse every year. The cartoons are nice though.
16. Tochigi SC- Allright, I saw them today and they looked awful. Really bad. No defense and not much of an attack to speak of. They have alot of big names but they ain't good.
17. Fagiano Okayama- Go Kosuke!
18. Tokushima Vortis-consistenly bad!

Top 5 scorers
1. Shinji Kagawa-Cerezo
2. Maranhao-Ventforet Kofu
3. Tomoyuki Arata- Mito
4. Tetsuya Okubo-Avispa Fukuoka
5. Leonard-VERDY

Best manager- Ishizaki
Best keeper- Shinji Muro Sagan Tosu
First manager fired- Naohiko Minobe Tokushima Vortis
Kazu goal total-1
Leandro goal total-0

Oguro goes to.........Vissel Kobe on a loan in July.


12.

NEWSAPALOOZA!!!!!!

4 games in the preseason hopper!

Verdy ties Thespa 3-3
Drops one to Reysol 1-0
Wins 2-1 over Yokohama on a Leonardo brace
and ties FC Gifu 1-1 on a Hiramoto goal

Sat League announced

Verdy gets placed in a 5 team pool with last years sat league playmates Omiya and Vegalta as well as Kashiwa Reysol and Consadole Sapporo

Soooooooo......if you like Yuzo Funakoshi, March 8th in Kashiwa is your first chance to watch him lumber up and down the pitch.
http://www.verdy.co.jp/guide/schedule/satellite.html

Finally, Nick reminded me of a band I liked but a song I didn't

this is the song of the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R136pVdgnPQ&feature=related

Finally......The player guides are out!!!!!!!

WSM is a bit disappointing.....Soccer Digest better have a better one!

This one is better

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Song of the day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFrhKs4ZAbg&feature=related

Somebody likes the Doors a bit too much!

First off, Verdy played FC Machida Zelvia in a trainer today and won 2-1 off of a brace by Leonard. Camp starts monday and they have a full slate with games against Thespa, Kashiwa, and Yokohama FC just to name a few.

We start off Soilent Green's barely trying preview of J2 with a visit to the 3 new kids on the block.

Kataller Toyama

Toyama was founded just two years ago, merging regional powerhouse clubs YKK AP and ALO's Hokuriku into one Toyama superclub. One year later, Kataller would find themselves promoted into J2 on the strength of a 3rd place finish. Unlike it's other promoted brethren, Toyama will stick with the core of the club that got them to J2.

The offense is led by the combination of striker Mitsuru Hasegawa and Hideyuki Ishida, who combined last year for 27 goals. Makoto Watanabe anchors the midfield.

A familiar face joins Kataller in defense with the addition of former Verdy defender Sho Asuke.

Not a lot of talent on this squad but it shouldn't matter in year 1.

FAGIANO OKAYAMA

Okayama has alot of similarities to their Toyama cohorts. They both entered JFL in 2007 and gained promotion to J2 in 2008. Okayama finished 4th, just grabbing the last promotion spot. Unlike Kataller, Okayama is not sitting still, bringing in 19 players with various levels of experience in the J2 game.

Fagiano will hope to put alot of goals in the net with a proloific trio of former Verdy man Kohei Kiyama (18 goals), Yasutaka Kobayashi (19 goals), and new signee Kohei Nishino (8 goals at Mito). You might remember Yuhei Ono and Naoki Mihara from their days on the Verdy practice fields.

TOCHIGI SC

Tochigi looks to be the strongest of the three debutants with a group of players on paper that boast a plethora of J league experience. The big signing was former Verdy DF Atsushi Yoneyama who looks to partner with another Verdy alum in captain Yusuke Sato in order to lock down the midfield. Manabu Wakabayashi comes home from Ehime to try and regain the touch that helped him lead the JFL in goals scored in 2005 before he was grabbed up by Omiya. Another Verdy OB is in between the pipes for Tochigi when dreadlocked shotstopper Kiyomitsu Kobari gets the nod.

Don't be too surprised if Tochigi is up near the top of the leader board midway through the season. they have a team of vets who have been through the wars before.

Schedulisimo

Song of the night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxoD_Ca8W9M&feature=related

I'll give you a more in-depth one later.

You asked so you shall recieve
http://www.j-league.or.jp/data/view.php?d=news&t=program&g=j2_1&y=2009

The first game is away at Tokushima
The first home game is versus pre-season favorite Cerezo Osaka

the last game is at home versus Consadole Sapporo.

And yes Vendo, in June Verdy has their blowout loss at Kokuritsu to Mito.

Meet your Verdy players 2009-Mids and Forwards

Song of the day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJEUSnLZDaM

Rumor in the dirtsheets is that Verdy will go 4-3-3 this year. I'm not sure yet how I feel about that.

Meet the Mids

5. Takahiro Kawamura- It seems like every year, Verdy has to fill it's Jubilo fetish with a member from the Championship teams of the early 2000's and Kawamura fits the bill. The 29 year old central mid comes in after traveling around with Cerezo, Kawasaki, and last year's version of Jubilo in order to fill in the spot left by the "talented" Takashi Fukunishi. Seems a little more like Harutaka Ono.

6. Tomo Sugawara- The gritty little product of the old Yomiuri youth system comes back for his 4th year manning the center of the field for Verdy. A tenacious defender, Sugawara makes up for lack of size and skill with speed and hustle. Unfortunately, Sugawara has been known to pick up small dings throughout the year that keep him out for one or two games at a time. Sugawara is one of a handful of Yomiuri Verdy guys to spend time in Brazil.

7. Hiroki Kawano- The future. Kawano came in as a speedy little wing from the Verdy youth system and scored 2 goals in limited minutes. Kawano was part of the U-20 squads that ventured to the Middle East in 2008-2009 to try and qualify for the U-20 World Cup. His most memorable quote was during one of his U-20 trips when he said something to the effect of, "I don't want to play Mito next year!" Verdy will play Mito 3 times in 2009.

8. Kosei Shibasaki- Versatile midfielder can play either in the center or on the wing. Last year was his first as a regular starter and full-time contributor after coming from Kokushikaan University. Not a great scorer, more of a disruptor in the midfield.

15. Kunihiko Takizawa- Takizawa is another member of Takagi's old Yokohama FC folly to join Verdy. A major contributor over the past 3 years to the Fulie, Takizawa made his mark as a member of Grampus is the early 2000's. Takizawa specializes as a left wing so expect him to challenge and provide depth on the left side of the field.

18. Genki Nagasato- After 3 years of prime time play for Shonan Bellmare, Nagasato inexplicably fell out of favor with the brass at the Kanagawa club and found himself out of a job starting the 2009 campaign. Nagasato is young and versatile. He can play all 6 offensive positions in the lineup. His problem is consistently finding the back of the net.

23. Masato Fujita- Highly touted project out of Meiji University. The MF/DF is said to play in the mold of Yukio Tsuchiya so he's come to the right place.

28. Kento Tsurumaki- Returns after a dissapointing stint at Mito Hollyhock. Tsurumaki looks to add depth on the wing and fill out the practice squad.

30. Yu Tomidokoro- Tomidokoro really started getting noticed after notching late goals in 2 straight Sahara Cup knockout games to help his team advance to a semifinal berth. Tomidokoro will probably learn from the sides early on, but Verdy brass are hoping that he can partner up with Kawano to lay the foundation for the next great Verdy squad.

31. Junpei Shinmura- Another Verdy youth product to not see much time on the field. Shinmura goes into camp as the number 1 backup in central midfield so we might get to see if he actually has some game or not.

Meet the Forwards

9. Masashi Oguro- The former J League scoring king and National Team player came back to Japan from a disappointing stint at Torino in Italy. Flush with cash and unrealistic expectations, Oguro was slated to fill in at Hulk's spot of playmaker. Unfortunately for him and the team, Oguro works best when he is A. in shape and B. playing with a creative partner up top. He had neither. Oguro was only able to manage two goals in 2008. Oguro will try to resuscitate his career in J2 as the main target man and possibly get noticed by a J1 squad desperate for scoring help.

10. Leandro-Last year's big offseason flop comes back for another year of competition with Verdy prodigy Kawano for the wing position. Managed to aid Hulk in disrupting team chemistry by showing up late from spring vacation without team permission. Had a couple bright moments and a few nice goals but mostly put in lethargic performances on the wing. Only one of two foreign players on the roster this year.

11. Leonard- Mystery man for Verdy who came in from the prestigious Aomori Yamada program and was immediately shipped off to Sagan Tosu for 2 years. Displayed up and performances and fell in and out of the starting 11 for the southern club. Can play as a target forward or on the wing.

13. Taira Inoue- Speedy striker has yet to find the back of the net in 2 seasons as a Verdy player. Kind of fell out favor with the constant upheval in the front. Very slight build and can get knocked off the ball in a crowd.

16. Kazunori Iio- Iio is one of those players who you have to marvel at. Not possessing either great speed or size. Iio always seems to be a guy who coaches really like to have on their squad. Iio comes into camp as the backup for the top and wing positions.

19. Yuzo Funakoshi- The big donkey comes back for one more stink with pockets a bit lighter after taking a pay cut. Funakoshi had the dubious distinction of only appearing in losing games for Verdy in 2008. Possibly his finest moment was scoring the goal that helped Verdy gain promotion in 2007. Funakoshi is the tallest player in the J league at 194 centimeters.

25. Kazuki Hiramoto- Hiramoto currently boasts the longest stint as a Verdy player, starting his 11th campaign. Last year was a disaster for the mercurial forward, coming into camp grossly overweight and putting in less than stellar performances. Hiramoto has on occasion put in great displays of ball skills and determination for goals in the past, so it is a mystery why he can't do that on a more regular basis. Another bad season could doom his career as a Verdy player.

27. Ryohei Hayashi- Hayashi comes out of the Verdy youth and Meiji University sytem to challenge for a spot as the main target man. Hayashi was recognized as a University best 11 member in 2007.

Meet your Verdy players 2009-Goalies and Defenders

Song of the day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBo4wZmH0UQ&feature=related Adieu Lux Interior......Rest in Peace!

First off.........Osama El Samni heads to FK Teplice in Czechoslovakia. In 2 years he couldn't crack the starting lineup.......that might have had something to do with Hashiratani and Takagi being player gatekeepers. Anyhow, the Egyptian-Japanese striker has a chance to make his mark in Europe......good luck!


Meet the Keepers

1. Yoichi Doi- The 35 year old keeper comes back to Verdy for a cut rate price after shockingly being told that his services were no longer necessary just days before the final game of the season. The former FC Tokyo stalwart and National Team keeper has lost a step but can conjure up classic performances between the pipes. With the athleticism gone, Doi now relies on good instincts and precise distribution to succeed. After 14 years of J1 play for Kashiwa, FC Tokyo, and Verdy, this will be Doi's first stint in J2. (2nd year with Verdy)

21. Yoshinari Takagi- The longest tenured consecutive Verdy player, Takagi comes into 2009 as a backup to Doi yet again. After 5 years of starting, Takagi found himself watching, only appearing in 3 cup games in 2008. Takagi has always had the talent and physical skills to be a decent J1 keeper but his iffy decision making and lapses in judgement at crucial times leaves coaches leery of completely putting their faith in the big man. (10th year with Verdy)

26. Takahiro Shibasaki- The first man in the net........if you have a training match with Arte Takasaki. Shibasaki starts year 9 as a professional keeper. He has appeared in 3 league matches and 1 cup game in stints with Verdy, Yokohama, and FC Tokyo. With 51 games this year, he might see a match or two.

34. Tomoyuki Suzuki- Suzuki starts his second year as the 4th keeper for Verdy and the presumed keeper of the future. Last year he apprenticed under the professional Doi.

Meet the Defenders

2. Kensuke Fukuda- The pressure is on young Fukuda in year 3 to show he can be a full-time side back. Fukuda has good speed and a nice cross but often misses on defensive assignments and can be overpowered in one on one situtations. Fukuda was unable to unseat (current JEF defender) Takumi Wada from the starting lineup in 2008. Now with the right side vacant, Fukuda heads into camp as the frontrunner for the job.

4. Masaki Iida- The big defender starts year 3 of his Verdy adventure. Wada saw some time in the lineup last year after toiling as a practice sqaud player in 2007. Iida is a good physical presence and will challenge for the starting spot at center back.

14. Seitaro Tomisawa- Tomisawa starts his 8th year with Verdy and is known for doing everything.......poorly. Tomisawa is a big, physical player who can play central defense, midfield, or side back and has the infuriating habit of following a good play with an awful decision. He probably will get the nod in Daisuke Nasu's spot at centerback.

17. Yukio Tsuchiya- Tsuchiya is a man who plays far bigger than his size. Tsuchiya had one of the few great years for Verdy but the wear and tear of the season seemed to slow him near the end. An unfortunate incident with Tatsuya Tanaka while at Kashiwa made him public enemy #1 with the Urawa crowd and drove him from Omiya to anchor Verdy. Tsuchiya will be 35 in July so it will be seen if he can keep up his physical, athletic style for much longer.

20. Kazuya Iwakura- Iwakura rejoins his former manager at Yokohama FC after a one year stint at New Wave KitaKyushu. Iwakura was brought in to compete with Fukuda at the right back position and provide some depth for the squad.

22. Toshihiro Hattori- Hattori comes back to captain the squad after a painful and well detailed break from the team a week before the end of the 2008 season. The longtime Jubilo and National team wing lines up on the left for the third year in a row after taking a huge paycut. Hattori will hit 36 this year, which is old but not uncommon for J2 defenders. Seemed to lose a step last year and relied more on physical play and theatrics when he was beaten. Good locker room presence.

24. Masahiro Nasukawa- Nasukawa's main job this year is to learn everything he can from Hattori and be ready to fill in on the left if he has to. Nasukawa is a highly rated prospect from the Aomori Yamada program and Chukyo University.

29. Takumi Wada- Wada was a starting member of the Verdy youth system that made two semi-final and one quarterfinal appearances in the three major club youth competitions in 2008. Wada is a speedy right back who should see most of his time in practice matches and training.

Numbers Game

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=f6RqcEuxY_Q

Influenza!!!! I'm sick!

Verdy puts up the numbers for each player this year. Before you check them out though, read this from the brilliant writer of 3rd Degree, Buzz Carrick. It has nothing to do with Verdy per se, but it outlines the importance of numbers in ways I never could
http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/

Allright here are the numbers

1. Yoichi Doi
2. Kensuke Fukuda
3. EMPTY
4. Masaaki Iida
5. Takahiro Kawamura
6. Tomo Sugawara
7. Hiroki Kawano
8. Kohei Shibasaki
9. Masashi Oguro
10. Leandro
11. Leonardo
12. YOU GUYS
13. Taira Inoue
14. Seitaro Tomisawa
15. Kunihiko Takizawa
16. Kasunori Iio
17. Yukio Tsuchiya
18. Genki Nagasato
19. Yuzo Funakoshi
20. Kazuya Iwakura
21. Yoshinari Takagi
22. Toshihiro Hattori (CAP)
23. Masato Fujita
24. Masahiro Nasukawa
25. Kazuki Hiramoto
26. Takahiro Shibasaki
27. Ryohei Hayashi
28. Kento Tsurumaki
29. Takuya Wada
30. Yu Tomidokoro
31. Junpei Shinmura
32. EMPTY
33. EMPTY
34. Tomoyuki Suzuki

Kits Ahoy!

Bonus Track http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc_ZNWBx7-M&feature=related

Like the home ones, don't like the road ones, and do I really need to say anything about the keeper jerseys?

VERDY VICTORIOUS IN FIRST TM

2 35 minute halves against Jobu University saw Verdy go old first and new second in a 4-3-3 alignment

ＧＫ　高木 Takagi

ＤＦ　福田 Fukuda、土屋、Tsuchiya 富澤 Tomisawa、永里 Nagasato

ＭＦ　河村 Kawamura 、菅原 Sugawara、滝澤 Takizawa

ＦＷ　飯尾、Iio 大黒 Oguro、平本 Hiramoto

they went down 1-0 at the half

ＧＫ　鈴木 Suzuki ＤＦ　岩倉Iwakura、飯田 Iida、新村 Shinmura、高橋 Takahashi(ユース)ＭＦ　弦巻、Tsurumaki ブルーノ Bruno (練習生)、柴崎(晃)ShibasakiＦＷ　レオナルドLeonardo、井上 Inoue、河野 Kawano

2-0 to the kids as Inoue and Leonardo scored.

Hattori gets the armband back and the new slogan is DASH 2009.

Sporting Verdy?

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=xrr81SRhp_s Andre 3000 down with Tokyo Hearts?

A couple of the Japanese Verdy blogs have pictures of the new unis......Celticy? Sporty? I kind of like em actually. Havent seen the road unis yet but I'm sure they will be posted tonight.

http://ameblo.jp/topop/entry-10201274711.html

http://ameblo.jp/daiyohei/entry-10201258865.html

A couple things quickly........Hagimura and Fukunishi officially called it quits. Hagimura will hold a coaching position with Verdy and Fukunishi will be on TV laughing at stupid comics and eating stuff.

Sorry I haven't written more.......Soilent Green is coming out my nose. I'm sick

New Schedule!

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=DnTmRKuMqqs

So yeah......Fukunishi turned down offers from Ehime and the K League to focus on his burgeoning career as TV Talent..........Ass.

Former Verdy DF/CM Atsushi Yoneyama heads to Tochigi. Say hi to Sato!

And finally from the J League website.......schedule day is February 2nd for the big boys and February 6th for the second division.........11 days and counting!

http://www.j-league.or.jp/release/000/00002799.html

Morning snippet

Fukunishi calls it quits?

Sponichi says yes
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2009/01/26/08.html

Or maybe Sponichi says Fukunishi likes salad.........my Japanese ain't so good!

WOW

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=7V6E8GXkN6Q&feature=related Not ashamed I like the angry Canadian.

enjoy the comic......Oguro gets man of the match so you know it's a fantasy!

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=xGyyB9OU66s

OK lots of news and little motivation to do this so let's do this quick!

First....that guy up above. Kazuya Iwakura. New Verdy member.......welcome!

Second.....former Verdy Kawasaki player and recent Consadole Sapporo retiree Junji Nishizawa joined the scouting staff for Verdy on the 19th.....welcome!

Third.....Technical Director Kato.....the guy who managed to blow up the team a week before the big game is out as of January 31st. The rumor is Kazu's brother Yasu Miura will take over ( how come that sounds like a cartoon pair of birds?).....soooooo....welcome!

Fourth...

New uniforms for 2009? This was on the site. Looks like there is a 40 year badge on the uni. The uniform looks the same but something is missing. I'll get to that in a minute.

The team announced Friday that no deal was done yet and NTV was super excited about the upcoming year and getting Verdy back to J1. http://www.verdy.co.jp/news/report/?cmd=DispNews&news_id=613

So in the 40th year of Verdy Yomiuri/NTV there is no sponsor on the jersey from either Yomiuri or NTV. Huh? Seem odd to you too?

More news and the season has begun

I'd be praying too if I had that lineup

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=209ArurxVG4&feature=related oddly fitting don't ya think?

Training started yesterday and all the boys were in full jog. I still think Iio should have to ride on the donkeys back.
Anyhow, the other tabloids picked up on the TOMAS story, including Yomiuri
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/soccer/jleague/news/20090119-OHT1T00278.htm
Mainichi
http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/soccer/news/20090120k0000m050053000c.html
Ramos has to have his say
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2009/01/20/05.html
Fan goes nuts over the possibility of the end of the Yomiuri era
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/flash/KFullFlash20090120009.html
TOMAS-no comment
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2009/01/20/06.html
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/soccer/jleague/news/20090120-OHT1T00057.htm

You can find the other ones yourself

40 Years is Enough for one company?

More on that later.........Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=QRrU-tG9uZw

First off.....Yoichi Doi is back after negotiating a lower salary. the 35 year old keeper played every minute for the squad in league play after coming over from FC Tokyo. In a bizarre personnel move, he was one of many cut before the penultimate game of the season. Average player last year.....should be good in J2. Welcome back

Sponichi Annex is reporting that Verdy is looking at picking up former Yokohama FC defender Kazuya Iwakura, a 23 year old defender who appeared in 23 games last seson for JFL side New Wave Kitakyushuu. Iwakura was let go after the termination of Takuya Takagi at Yokohama FC. Before that, he appeared in 16 games for the Fulie. http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2009/01/19/02.html

Now on to the BIG NEWS

Actually big rumor.........again Sponichi is repoting that Tomas and NTV/Yomiuri have worked a deal to take over controlling stake of the club. Article here http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2009/01/19/01.html

What I could Babelfish out of this article and summarize so you won't completely go to sleep

On the 18th, Tomas and I'm assuming NTV went into final stages of the company taking over 50% of the team......giving them a controlling stake in the club. They have a quote from President Hagiwara saying that they are in final stages and that NTV will have some stake in the club but not a major one (I'm guessing this is for broadcasting rights because they need to show something at 3 am ).

After a combination of high salaries and the demotion of the team to J2 in 2005, NTV-Verdy sustained losses of 1,200,000,000 yen. The speculation is that it would take 2,000,000,000 yen to keep the team going this year.

Sunny Side Up......the company connected with Hide Nakata and Masashi Oguro were the front runners for ownership but dropped out at the end of 2008. Tomas, a uniform sponsor since 2004 jumped in.

With the new owner, it looks like Technical Director Kato and President Hagiwara are out. Ramos might also step down after everything settles down. The new power player would be Yasutoshi Miura....the former Yomiuri FC/Verdy and Japan National Team defender and older brother of Kazu Miura.

Tomas has advertising stakes in other clubs, including Yokohama FC and FC Tokyo. NTV will still control 20%.

What is TOMAS

http://www.tomas.co.jp/english/index.html

TOMAS is a corporation specializing in education. It's better known as a Juku or Cram School specifically focusing on placing students in universities, high schools, and prestigious private junior high, elementary schools and pre-schools.

the company was founded in 1985 in Tokyo as Tokyo Man-to-Man schools but changed it's name to TOMAS.

TOMAS currently has 5 different types of companies dealing with specific educational subjects, including an international division and an internet specific division. http://www.tomas.co.jp/english/contents_4.html

I'm guessing that one or more of these school logos will be used on the jerseys each year.

TOMAS employs 214 full time instructors and employees and is worth 6.8 billion yen (according to their website as of March 2008). The chairman of TOMAS is Mitsugu Iwasa (pictured above).

Other fallout...........

It's not known what will happen to the land and affiliate clubs of Verdy. Sponichi is reprting that NTV Beleza could be renamed to something with a derivative of TOMAS.http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2009/01/19/03.html

What happens to the volleyball club and triathalon team is still a mystery.

Verdy will probably still play most of their games at Ajinomoto. However a map in Fridays edition of El Golazo showed that Verdy has a concentration of support from Tachikawa to Yomiuri land, consisting of 4 townships in Tokyo. I'm not completely sure if Nishigaoka is part of the 4 but looking at a refurbishment ala Omiya Koen might be something to pursue in the future. Verdy won't make money as the second tennant. TOMAS first needs to stabilize expenses and then look for other options.

I'm going to sleep now. I'll dig more tomorrow .

more later

Doi might return and Verdy gets a new sponsor.......TOMAS?

More tonight!

The Press Conference

Song of the past 40 years http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=hbhQURN9Szw&feature=PlayList&p=D0C2F575F185E85E&index=22

Yesterday was the big press conference to introduce the new guys and say nice things about the upcoming year.

Takagi talked about how great it was to be a part of the 40th anniversary team and how the number 1 priority is to get back to J1.

Let's build a new Verdy. No mention of a new slogan or new uniforms.....maybe that will be held on the Fan day on February 1st.

Going into camp

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=2rqCJdutB8I

Wow......rough day yesterday. Reading team president Hagimura try to spin the huge payout for Diego by saying.......OHHH, the player wanted to go nearly made me throw up. Don't lie about it. He might have wanted to go but there was no way you weren't taking that money.

Anyhow.....the team looks like it's gonna be what it's gonna be

DEPTH CHART

GK Takagi-Shibasaki-Suzuki

Takagi gets the job by default. The best thing for the team though is getting the kid in once in a while to see if he is a player. Shibasaki isn't much of an option but is a good backup.

LB Hattori-Nasukawa-Takizawa-Tomisawa

Budget boy gets a second chance at the spot after a huge pay cut. Nasukawa is the only long term challenge at the spot but I'm thinking the young guy only gets in if there is a crisis.

LCB Iida-Tomisawa-Fujita-Kawamura

I think Iida gets the nod initially because Tomisawa plays everywhere on defense and a team with no depth needs the flexibility on the bench.

RCB Tsuchiya- Tomisawa-Wada-Tsurumaki

Easiest position on the team to call. Put this in ink.

RB Fukuda-Tomisawa-Wada-Tsurumaki

The boy gets a 3rd chance to prove himself.

LM Iio- Kawano-Takizawa-Leonardo

Not sure about this position. Takagi may opt to move Iio up top. Too many options here and not enough differentiation.

LCM Sugawara-Kawamura-Tomisawa-Shinmura

Sugawara gets first crack at the space. Not much depth in the middle.

RCM Kawamura-Shibasaki-Tomisawa-Nagasato

Again I think Tomisawa gets the bench because he is more versatile than the new Jubilo man. Shibasaki could compete for the spot here as well

RM Leandro- Shibasaki-Nagasato-Tomidokoro

Yeah, I don't believe I'm putting him here either. He is the highest paid guy on the team though so he's gonna play until they can foist him on some Brazilian club. Everyone will get a shot here.

2nd FW Hiramoto-Leandro-Iio-Inoue-Leandro

Best of a weak bunch. If Hiramoto comes in with his head straight, he could have a big year.

Target FW- Oguro- Funakoshi-Hayashi

Best not to talk about this.

Big day for transactions

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Vaw-9WElAjc Bye Daisuke

This is going to be quic

OUT: Kosuke Kijima to Fagiano Okayama
Sho Miyasaka
Nozomi Hiroyama Thespa Kusatsu
Daisuke Nasu Jubilo Iwata
Diego Kyoto Sanga (Knew it was coming but still gutting. Is it just me or is the new trend in the Kansai area to not scout your own foreign players.........instead wait for others to do it. Gamba was notorious for it and now Kyoto seems to do the same thing. Shimizu tries doing sloppy seconds as well but they aren't as good as these two. Mehh.....one off the 29 predictions)

In: Kunihiko Takizawa Yokohama FC
Takahiro Kawamura Jubilo Iwata

Back: Toshihiro Hattori
Yuzo Funakoshi (2 out of 3, that's another one off my list)

The full squad is here http://www.verdy.co.jp/information/introduction/player.pdf

28 players for 51 games.........hmm.

Calendar

Song of the day http://video.aol.com/video-detail/pizzicato-five-lupin-the-3rd/3332066331

First things first.......guess that article about Togawa and Ichiyanagi coming back was way off!

The team announced that Togawa will stay at Yokohama FC after all on a full transfer.

Kind of a shock considering he only appeared in 9 games for FC but hey good luck!

Fan day is February 1st......should be a hoot. If anyone goes, take pictures and I'll put em up!

Training camp will be at Miyazaki for year number 3. The camp is only 9 days. I'm guessing it's a short one because the season is 51 games long! That and the fact that there are only about 20 players right now. Ugly!

Project 40

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=DB2W06oxDzs&feature=related

2009 marks the 40th of the team currently known as Tokyo Verdy and I need your help! I'm trying to gather a list of the 40 most influential figures in Verdy history. Send in nominees for the Verdy 40 and I will compile the list. Could be great players like Bismarck or Hashiratani or bad players like Dedimar or Kenichi Uemura. It matters not!

Just to let you know, Kazu, Rui Ramos and Hashiratani will be on the list so you don't have to nominate them. Eugene Killoran? Not so likely so you don't need to nominate guys like that either. They don't have to be players or coaches......they could be moneymen, announcers, GM's......sky's the limit!

Send em in. Arigato!

A portent of things to come?

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=YG3sS8RBdms&feature=related

Well Sponichi is churning it out again. Seems the re-signing of Hattori is a done deal...they are saying it will be 10,000,000 yen base with incentive kickers to jump it up to 12,000,000.

The same article also said that Verdy will target former Yokohama FC midfielder Kunihiko Takimura and Jubilo midfielder Takahiro Kawamura. Takimura appeared in 39 games scoring 0 goals but putting up 7 assists. Kawamura notched 1 goal in 11 games.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2009/01/09/02.html

Not so fast on Nasu!

Verdy TD Kato says no to a 1 year rental offer from Jubilo because Verdy only has him for 2 years. And one has passed.....do the math. Verdy has told the good folks at Iwata to buy him or back off.

So the team is starting to take shape.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2009/01/09/03.html

Finally say adios to Yugo Ichiyanagi who makes his loan to Sendai permanent. Fear not Chofu residents, your cars are safe!

Cash money

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=xGE4dnrPPZQ

We'll get to the gentleman above in a moment.

Big news out of Sports Hochi.......4 clubs are hot on the trail of Diego, including Kyoto, who is reported to have put up a record 470,000,000 yen bid for the services of the giant Brazilian playmaker. According to the paper, Diego and the club would like to stay together but if the money is getting into ridiculous numbers, it might be best for parties to take it.

Also according to the paper, it sounds as if Kyoto really want him. The numbers are gaudy but looking at the makeup and formation, it seems like a bad fit for Kyoto......what they might make up in goals, they'll lose in defensive coverage........and what happens with Sato who plays the exact same position as Diego? Sounds a little too much like fantasy football but if they are willing to shell it out, Verdy would be dumb not to take it.

Anyhow, I hope he stays but if he goes, he's not leaving the team in a bind and you can't really hate him for wanting to play top flight ball.

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/soccer/jleague/news/20090108-OHT1T00003.htm

Who is the man in the picture?

I'll tell you.......he is new signing Genki Nagasato, a 23 year old central mid from Shonan Bellmare. Nagasato had a bit of a down year after playing in a majority of games 3 years in a row. Overall, the 178cm mid played 102 J League games for Shonan, scoring 9 goals. Nagasato was cut from Bellmare at the start of December after not getting his contract renewed.

Coming in/Staying/Maybe going

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=PBlMrGgpwXE

Kento Tsurumaki comes back from Mito after playing a whopping 8 minutes. Nice! He is young though so that's a plus.

Good news from the front office, Taira Inoue and Hiroki Kawano both got re-upped for 2009

If you are keeping track at home, the team looks like this so far

GK Takagi, Shibasaki, Suzuki
DF Fukuda, Iida, Nasukawa, Fujita, Wada
MF Leonardo, Tsurumaki, Tomidokoro, Shinmura, Shibasaki
FW Inoue, Hayashi

Finally, there has been more rumblings that Daisuke Nasu will move from the 16th worst defense in the 2008 J League to Jubilo Iwata in order to bolster the 15th worst defense in J1.

Awesome! Looks like it's going to be a loan deal so if Jubilo goes down in financial flames like Verdy and Yokohama seem to be doing, then he can be rented to yet another team on the verge of monetary armageddon! Good Luck Daisuke!!!!

Just to let you know

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=1etr7Xrk_F8

Somebody on BS posted a blog site that has all the salaries of J1 players from 2008

Bit surprising actually
Hashiratani　44歳　３、５００万
Hattori　MF　35歳　５、０００万
Tsuchiya　DF　34歳　４、５００万
Fukunishi（FC東京→）　MF　32歳　４、０００万
Kaimoto　DF　31歳　３、０００万
Hagimura　DF　32歳　３、０００万
Nasu（横浜M→）　DF　26歳　２、５００万
Takagi　GK　29歳　２、５００万
Ono　MF　30歳　２、４００万
Hiroyama　MF　31歳　　２、０００万
Sugawara　MF　32歳　１、５００万
Doi（FC東京→）　GK　35 歳　１、５００万
Tomisawa　DF　26歳　１、２００万
Iio　FW　26歳　８００万
Funakoshi FW　31歳　７２０万
Yoshitake MF　27歳　７００万
Fukuda　DF　24歳　６００万
Inoue　FW　25歳　６００万
Hiramoto（横浜FC→）　FW　27歳　６００万
Wada （横浜FC→）　DF　27歳　５００万
Shibasaki　MF　24歳　４８０万
Shibasaki　GK　26歳　４８０万
Kawano（プロデビュー）　MF　18歳　　３６０万
Miyahara　DF　20歳　３６０万
El Samni　FW　20歳　３６０万
Shinmura　MF　20歳　３６０万
Iida（プロデビュー）　DF　23歳　３６０万
Asuke（プロデビュー）　DF　23歳　３６０万
Suzuki（プロデビュー）　GK　23歳　　３６０万
日本人選手総額　４億１、１００万〈10位〉 日本人選手平均　１、４６７万８、５７１円〈10位〉（昨季資料なし） 平均年齢　27.04歳〈1位〉（昨季より＋0.31歳）
Diego　MF　22歳　５、０００万
Leandro（サンパウロ〈ブラジル〉→）　FW　28歳　５、０００万
Francisimare（川崎→）　MF　24歳　年俸資料なし（２、０００万と推定）
Hulk（東京V→）　FW　22歳　１、０００万 *Kawasaki number
外国籍選手総額　１億２、０００万 全選手総額　５億３、１００万〈11位〉（昨季資料なし） 外国籍選手依

Are you serious, the 4th and 5th highest paid guys (Japanese) were Kaimoto and Hagimura?
And why would you cut Doi when he outplayed Takagi and made １、０００万 yen less? And if Hulk was only making that it's no wonder he blew up.

OK so a quick add up shows about 2億4,000万 cut from the payroll with no real boost.
http://www.geocities.co.jp/HeartLand-Gaien/7502/football/list08.html

Thank god......Actual news!

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=l7BwRL2yhGQ

Well another one hass left the nest. One year wonder Takumi Wada leaves the club after the agreement between Shimizu and Verdy expires. This was the second year in a row that Wada started for a relegated team after manning the back for Yokohama FC in 2007.

The next stop for Wada.......JEF Chiba. Playing with fire aren't we?

Larry can go back to sleep now.

Oh Lord.......

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=AO9dbmJ_2zU I played this one before but I think it's a good one!

Larry is back.....due to the overwhelming demand (and serious lack of news)

Here's some more

If Princess Diana were alive, she would absolutely be a Kyoto Purple Sanga fan. Think about it.

I'll let you in on a little secret, drinking an ice cold beer while watching Verdy makes the experience that much better. Take it to the bank.

I'm concerned that we might never know who killed Jon Benet Ramsey.

I think Verdy would get a little more pumped up if we played Kylie Minogues version of the Locomotion before each game http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=CcPofgs7vSs

OK, I'll give you a hint, Purple equals royalty and since she was a princess she would like Kyoto.

DeBarge was vastly underrated.

Y'know who would make a good Verdy manager.........Ossie Ardilles.

Dilbert would make a great Verdy mascot.

Kumi Koda......Hubba hubba!

Sometimes at halftime, I like to take a small nap.

Steven Segal would also be good in the role of Rui Ramos. Just saying.

Don't ever break wind in a half empty stadium. Trust me on this one.

I still don't understand why Verdy wear red and blue half the time.

Why is being Rick Rolled such a bad thing?

OK that's all for Larry......he'll be back unless there's actual news or I just get bored with the whole dang thing.

No News is Good News.....

When it means World Famous Newsman and #1 International Verdy fan Larry King comes back after a loooooooooooong hiatus to speak on soccer and life.

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=d8sf2dAZnwk&feature=related

Anyhow, Here's Larry!

Verdy had a rough season but they will bounce back.

Rui Ramos still looks like he could start for Verdy.

Mike Myers new comedy, "THE GURU" looks like a sure hit!

Relegation makes people sad.

Barack Obama will be the first African American President.........ever.

My favorite Verdy player of all time.........Rick.

There's a Japanese guy playing in Italy named Oguro, maybe Verdy should think about signing him.

The best team team in the J league comes down to wins, losses, and ties.

Why has there been no interest in a NASH BRIDGES movie? As my kids would say, Don Johnson is the bomb!

Speaking of movies, you know who would make a great Rui Ramos..........Heath Ledger. That kid is going places.

Akiko Wada is one handsome lady!

The best day to go fishing.........Tuesday.

The 3 players I'd pay to see play...........Kazu Miura, Kazu Miura, and Kazu Miura.

The league should make a special rule that allows him to score every game so we can see him dance.

How come there are no good mysteries based on a Safari adventure? Come to think of it pornography too!

I think that if Yuzo Funakoshi comes back, he should have to wear a hockey mask and carry Kazu Iio on his back like "Thunderdome"

Speaking of that......I saw Tina Turner the other day. As my kids would say, I'd tap that!

Final word.......Verdy won't win the J league championship unless they pick up that Oguro kid. They will however win the Nabisco Cup.

* The views expressed by Larry King do not reflect the views of Soilent Green, CNN, or Larry King. Any copying or reproduction without the express written consent of Larry King or Soilent Green would be downright shocking considering even I think this column sucks.

Vacation is over!

Shinnen Akimashite Omedetoo Gozaimasu!

Song of the day http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=908MNJnjSiQ&feature=related For the ladies of NTV Beleza.

This morning saw the only truly successful team in the whole Yomiuri/NTV family take on INAC in the ladies equivalent of the emperors cup. Needless to say, Beleza coasted to a 4-1 victory, completing the league-cup double and claiming their 5th cup crown in the past 6 years. It was a bittersweet day however as Shiho Onodera (bottom), Tomoe Kato (center), and Nao Shikata all took the field for the final time.

Here's hoping you find as much success off the field as you did on it.

29 predictions for 2009

Every year I make resolutions and every year I don't keep em so screw it. Here are my 29 predictions for 2009.

1. Funakoshi, Ono, and Hattori will all be on Verdy's opening day roster.

2. Diego will not.

3. Leandro will be on the roster but will be gone by July......nobody will miss him.

4. Martin Saito will find his way back onto a J2 roster and play his way into a regular spot.

5. Montedio will sign either Doi or Fukunishi.

6. They will be eliminated from J1 by October.

7. Consadole will be back in J1 in 2010. Verdy will not

8. Vegalta will be the first team to fire their manager. Toshiya Miura will replace him.

9. Cerezo will be promoted after they fire Levir Culpi at midseason.

10. Verdy will get off to a slow start and Sponichi will float numerous rumors that Takagi will be replaced by Rui Ramos. He won't.

11. The young guys will struggle at first but have breakthrough years, helping Verdy get promoted in 2011.

12. Kawano will be mentioned for National team duty. Oguro will not. His Verdy career will end at midseason

13. I will find a Mrs. Soilent Green.

14. I will also be out of tax hell.

15. Some idiot on Big soccer will post how awesome it's going to be for me to see Omiya play Verdy in J2 in 2010.

16. Their team will be relegated.

17. Sanfrecce will make no major upgrades thinking that they can compete. They will finish a respectable 8th. Hisato Sato will be top 3 in goals.

18. Tokushima Vortis will come in 17th.

19. Another big squad will find themselves in the same financial problems as Verdy and lose a major sponsor.

20. It won't be Yokohama.

21. SunnySide Up will be the new sponsor for Verdy. Sensing that the current team won't sell tickets, Nakata will unretire and suit up for Verdy. He will only last the season.

22. We will say goodbye to King Kazu, Gon, Fujita, and Okano in 2009.

23. Heath Ledger will win an Oscar for his role as the Joker.

24. Someone will throw a shoe at Verdy's president.

25. No fan boycott for Verdy.

26. Verdy will go with a striped kit ala Sporting

27. Kent Phillips will be hired by Mito Hollyhock fulltime.

28. Matsu won't protest anything this year.

29. All my readers will have the best year ever!

Happy New Year!