Well 2008 and it seems that Verdy really enjoy monochrome. The home unis are pretty much the same save the absence of cyberagent on the front.
The all-yellow isn't my favorite. Last year's blue was excellent. This year kinda is a let down.
Here is a pic of Fukunishi sporting green
Leandro in white. I don't mind the white look but last years road uniform was something special. One thing we learned is that Leandro is very short.

Finally the pink is back and we know how Takagi responds to pink. The orange piping makes this the most hideous keeper kit since last year's Omiya Samon jubilee. This year it's Krappa.

Leandro in, Sonoda out and yes we have a schedule

I'll write it up this weekend, but real quick

Here is the link to the schedule

http://ameblo.jp/nobuyuki-s/entry-10067765523.html

Tough go till the derby on April 12th

Leandro officially signed with the squad yesterday

Keiji Sonoda is headed to V Varen Nagasaki........I have a scarf from V Varen Nagasaki

2 players go down...or up.

WE GOT LOTS OF NEWS SO LET'S DIG IN


1. Yes, we have a schedule.....or at least part of one. Those wacky guys in the J League scheduling department decided it would be groovy to have an old fashioned grudge match for Verdy's first game back. So Verdy gets to go back to where it all began for their first game in the big show........that's right, Verdy goes to Kawasaki! March 9th the green boys get to face Hulk, Masato Ohashi and Shinya Yoshihara in what could be an epic battle......or a Globetrotters/Washington Generals match......Who knows.

The Home opener sees Verdy take on Defending Champions Kahima and old friend Marquinios on the 15th. SUPER! the league must not like Tokyo having two teams in J1.

For the second straight year, J1 Champs will take on the cream of the J2 crop as Consadole takes a trip south to Kashima for their opener.


Taisei Fujita accepted a contract to play for Tokushima Vortis. Fujita only appeared in 10 games but I was impressed with him for the most part. I think Vortis will be a good situation for him.
AL BANGURA UPDATE: An arbitration panel ruled that Bangura offers enough to English Society to be granted a work permit. It's good news for now, but Bangura is still not quite out of the woods yet. He still needs to get a more permanent status before we can stop worrying. But great news nonetheless. Here's hoping he can stay for good.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7179542.stm

Finally, Adieu to Kento Tsurumaki who takes a 1 year trip north to Mito Hollyhock in hopes of getting some playing time. Tsurumaki last appeared with recent JFL promotees Fagiano Okayama, appearing in 19 games and notching 5 goals. Tsurumaki is just 20 years old so this could be a really good thing for the kid.

BTW.......Here is a list of all the home openers for J1 and J2

Go Thespa!

http://www.jsgoal.jp/news/00059000/00059648.html

I guess the Yokohama-Tokyo express goes both ways

News off the Verdy website is that Kenta Togawa is now headed to Yokohama FC. Togawa appeared in 32 games for Verdy last year, notching 1 goal in the process. He will reunite with Tsunami and former (and future) teammates Shingo Nejime and Takuya Yamada.

http://www.verdy.co.jp/news/topteam/?cmd=DispNews&news_id=399

Tubby is back!

Mr 20% is back in green. Verdys official website has reported that Kazuki Hiramoto has indeed returned from his less than successful stint in Yokohama. Hiramoto ended the campaign with 3 goals in 14 games for the fulie. Here's hoping he shrugs it off and moves forward from here.

http://www.verdy.co.jp/news/topteam/?cmd=DispNews&news_id=400

Yokohama FC Watch

With the Hiramoto departure, it's tough to figure out who is left on the squad who is not named Miura.

Well, let's try it

Coach Julio Leal and Takuya Takagi

GK Takanori Sugeno---Kashiwa Reysol 1

DF Motohiro Yamaguchi-retired 2

MF Daisuke Oku-retired 3

FW Tatsuhiko Kubo-unaffiliated 4

DF Ichiei Muroi-retired 5

MF Yohei Sakai-unaffiliated 6

DF Yoichi Akiba-unaffiliated 7

DF Kazuya Iwakura-unaffiliated 8

MF Jun Tamano-Tokushima Vortis 9

DF Norio Omura-Gainare Tottori 10

DF Takumi Wada- Tokyo Verdy 11

FW Kazuki Hiramoto-Tokyo Verdy 12

MF Tomoya Uchida-Omiya Ardija 13

MF Tomoyuki Yoshino-Gainare Tottori 14

MF Oh Beom Sook-Pohang Steelers 15

MF Marcos Paulo-Shimizu S Pulse 16

MF Catatau- Brasilense FC 17

MF Chong Yong De- Consadole Sapporo 18

DF Be Song jin- Thespa Kusatsu 19

DF Takanori Nakajima- Avispa Fukuoka 20

FW Takahisa Nishiyama- Kawasaki Frontale 21

MF Mitsunori Yabuta- FC Gifu 22

MF Hiromasa Kanazawa- Mito Hollyhock full transfer 23

Who's left?

Kohei extends his stay

Fagiano Okayama continues the tradition of stocking their squad with Verdy players by extending the deal of 19 year old forward Kohei Kiyama. Kiyama will be with the club until the start of 2009.

http://www.verdy.co.jp/news/topteam/?cmd=DispNews&news_id=398

Leandro deal coming very soon

Talk in the Brazilian Press is that Leandro will be bought for about 2 million US. News outlets in Japan had him down as a forward but it seems he is more in the model of Marcus......except he's not 80 years old.

http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas/2008/01/11/ult59u142474.jhtm

Kazuki's new diet plan?

Sponichi Annex spotted erstwhile Verdy superstriker at the Yomiuri training grounds this week. The report states that Hiramoto needs to lose 5 kilos before the start of the new campaign or, like me, he will find himself sitting on his ample derriere. The always generous CyberAgent have offered to help Hiramoto lose weight by lightening his wallet. Sponichi reports that Hiramotos donut money will drop from 210,000,000 yen to a paltry 60,000,000 yen......a 72% paycut.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2008/01/11/08.html

NASU IS SIGNING NUMBER 4

As expected Yokohama Central Defender Daisuke Nasu has joined Verdy. Nasu played 6 years for Yokohama before falling out of favor. He will be expected to slot in the always dangerous slot next to Yukio Tsuchiya because it seems nobody has been capable of consistently playing there.

http://www.verdy.co.jp/news/topteam/?cmd=DispNews&news_id=397

2 more off the list

First off, we say adieu to backup keeper Shinya Yoshihara, who heads back to Kawasaki after his 1 year loan. Yoshihara played admirably in 13 games for Verdy before getting injured. The writing was on the wall when Doi was signed in.

2 more of the WSM target 9 were snatched up by other squads when K-League striker Popo and Kawasaki MF magnum were snatched up by Kashiwa and Nagoya respectively. It seems like there are new big signings everyday and Tokyo teams aren't among them.

Anyhow, more reflections for the weekend.

Island of Misfit Toys

In 1964, a team of creative geniuses by the name of Rankin and Bass made a television show telling the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer using clay, marginally outdated actors, and sappy songs that stuck in your head for months. Nothing was ever the same. The most famous part of the show was the Island of Misfit toys.......a train with square wheels, a doll that cried grape jelly, a Charlie in the box. Year 2008 of Tokyo Verdy sees the squad using the same formula minus the songs and the clay...........unless you count the stuff in Rui's perm.

The newest target is recently release Yokohama Marinos striker and former National Teamer Takayuki Suzuki. Suzuki made his name up north in Kashima Red. Known as a "Defensive Striker", Suzuki has never been known to score in great numbers. His best scoring year was in 2001, when he notched 6 for the J League Champs. Suzuki has spent time in Brazil, Belgium, and most recently Serbia, where he played sparingly for Red Star Belgrade. Suzuki fits in perfectly in the Island of Misfit Toys as the striker that doesn't score.

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/soccer/jleague/news/20080105-OHT1T00027.htm

Coalition of the Underwhelming?

It's official......Takuya Wada has been signed by Verdy.

http://www.verdy.co.jp/news/topteam/?cmd=DispNews&news_id=394

So to get you up to date on signings thus far

In

DF Takuya Wada Yokohama FC
MF Takashi Fukunishi FC TOKYO
GK Yoichi Doi FC TOKYO
FW Hiroki Kawano Verdy youth
GK Tomoyuki Suzuki Kokushikan University
DF Sho Azuke Kokushikan University
Coach Takuya Takagi

Out

MF Yuskue Sato Tochigi SC
DF Naoki Mihara Fagiano Okayama
DF Takaya Shigemitsu Fagiano Okayama
FW Hulk Kawasaki Frontale
FW Martin Saito
DF Taisei Fujita
GK Shinji Muro
MF Masato Ohashi
MF Hiroshi Nanami Jubilo Iwata
MF Shin Kanazawa Omiya Ardija

The new target

Well, it's official.......the WSM list has been blown to smithereens. According to the Sponichi Annex of sports and soft core pornography (ohhhh, the classic is back...but seriously they advertise copius amounts of porn on that site), talks with Yasuhiro Hato have broken down and their sights are now set on Shimizu S Pulse man and former Takagi protege, Takumi Wada. Wada appeared in 23 games for Yokohama FC before Julio Real took over and decided he wasn't worthy of playing. How'd that work ou Julio?

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2008/01/03/05.html

In other news, Sports Hochi has Atsushi Yanagisawa joining up with the newly promoted Kyoto Sanga and not joining Verdy.

Our friend Gora has a mock up of Yanagisawa in purple here
http://sangananbanjin.blogspot.com/2008/01/news-happy-2008-and-here-comes.html
The Hochi article is here
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/soccer/jleague/news/20080103-OHT1T00061.htm

NAGOYA IN FOR BIG CHANGES

Rumors are that alot of changes are in store for the always underwhelming Nagoya Grampus not 8. Watch in a couple days and you might see this man sign for the Grampusistas
http://www.fc-redstar.net/seasonPlayerDetail.aspx?playerID=834&cultureID=1
Also look for Oita DF Takashi Miki to head north to Nagoya. I looked at the magic site so put money on it.

Finally.......I have been very impressed with J2 squad Shonan Bellmare and their moves. Not only did they add 16 goal scorer Lincoln from Avispa, they also added Yoshiro Abe from FC Tokyo via Kashiwa Reysol as well as two young guns from Urawa in MF Shunsuke Oyama (46 games for Ehime) and MF Yuya Nakamura. Also coming in are DF Kohei Usui who appeared in 27 games for Montedio and Niigata DF Hikaru Mita, who fell out of favor after starting the lions share of games for Niigata in 2006.

Amongst all the talk of Sanfrecce coming back with a super squad, Cerezo coming in with the young guns, and Avispa and Vegalta reloading, it would be wise not to overlook a team that was not too far away from promotion.

And the newest Brazilian is???????

This is San Paulo's own Leandro Lessa Azevedo, a 27 year old striker who is playing for San Paulo. Leandro is 170cm tall and can hold the ball in traffic......if you believe Sports Hochi.

The Hochi article is below
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/soccer/jleague/news/20071231-OHT1T00080.htm

東京Ｖがブラジルの名門・サンパウロＦＣのＦＷレアンドロ（２７）を獲得することが３０日、明らかになった。３年ぶりにＪ１復帰を果たした東京Ｖは、新助っ人に移籍金、年俸を合わせ４億円（推定）を投じる大補強を敢行。待望の突破力に優れたブラジル人ＦＷの加入で、Ｊ１定着、名門復活を目指す。
　３年ぶりのＪ１を戦う東京Ｖに加わるのは、サンパウロの「９番」だ。
　２００６年にフルミネンセから加入したレアンドロは１７０センチと小柄ながら、抜群のスピードと中盤もこなすテクニック、ドリブルを生かしたプレーを得意とするＦＷで、今季は国内リーグ戦３５試合に出場。守備でも豊富な運動量を生かして献身的にピッチを動き回る姿から、国内では「Ｇｕｅｒｒｅｉｒｏ（ゲレイロ＝ポルトガル語で戦士、勇士の意味）」の愛称も持ち、ブラジル代表候補にも挙げられてきた。
　今季、Ｊ２最多得点記録タイとなる３７ゴールを挙げ、Ｊ１昇格の立役者となったＦＷフッキ（２１）の川崎復帰が確定的となっており、ストライカーの獲得が東京Ｖ最大の補強ポイントに挙がっていた。残留に成功したＭＦディエゴ（２３）との交渉の一方、水面下で外国人選手数人をリストアップしていたが、関係者によれば、レアンドロとほぼ合意に達しているという。
　フロント側は苦しい台所事情を強いられる中、名門復活を期して“先行投資”。レアンドロに移籍金と年俸を合わせ推定４億円を投じる大補強を敢行した。元日本代表ＧＫ土肥洋一（３４）、同ＭＦ福西崇史（３１）＝いずれもＦ東京＝らの加入も正式決定し、緑の王国が華々しくＪ１の舞台に帰ってくる。
　◆レアンドロ・レッサ・アセヴェド（Ｌｅａｎｄｒｏ　Ｌｅｓｓａ　Ａｚｅｖｅｄｏ）１９８０年８月１３日、ブラジル・リベーランプレト生まれ。２７歳。９９年にボタフォゴに入団。コリンチャンス、ロコモティフ・モスクワ（ロシア）、ゴイアス、フルミネンセを経て０６年にサンパウロに移籍。背番号９をつけ０６、０７年のブラジル全国選手権連覇に貢献した。１７０センチ、６６キロ。
　◆横浜Ｍ・那須も　横浜Ｍのアテネ五輪代表ＤＦ那須大亮（２６）が来季、東京Ｖに完全移籍することが３０日までに正式決定した。年俸４５００万円（推定）の複数年契約で合意しており、近日中に発表される。那須は本職のセンターバックで勝負することを希望し、移籍を検討。ＤＦラインの柱として補強リストの筆頭に挙げた東京Ｖと代理人を通じて交渉を行ってきた。

Leandro bio here

http://globoesporte.globo.com/ESP/0,,AAL3846-4286,00.html
（
0）

2 come in from the list

The VERDY Website is reporting that Takashi Fukunishi has been signed after one less than stellar year at crosstown rival FC Tokyo. Fukunishi managed to be the second leading scorer on FCT with 6 goals, but last scored in September against Yokohama FC. Fukunishi is a two time member of Japan's World Cup and a personal favorite of Zico.
Another former National teamer and a surprise signing is longtime FC Tokyo starter Yoichi Doi. Doi got bumped halfway through this season for Hirshi Shiota. Now it remains to be seen if Shinya Yoshihara (long term loan from Frontale) or Takuya Takagi will be the odd man out in the keeper rotation.

So as it stands now, the lineup might look like this


HIRAMOTO

Diego

Fukunishi Hiroyama

Sugawara ONO


Kaimoto NASU Tsuchiya Hattori

Doi

Not a great lineup so far!

Omiya Ardija called back Shin Kanazawa after a two year loan to Verdy. Kanazawa fell in and out of favor with Ramos during his two year stint. Another one of my favorite Verdy player has left the team.

The list is now down to 8

2007 J League Newcomer of the year Takanori Sugeno officially joined bitter rival Kashiwa Reysol from recently departed Yokohama FC. Presumably, Sugeno will fill in to a role much like Kawasaki Frontale man Eiji Kawashima, who went from starter to apprentice under Seigo Narazaki.

http://blog.reysol.co.jp/news/2007/12/post_74.html

YANAGISAWA NOT HAPPY?

It seems mercurial Kashima striker is souring on the negotiating techniques of messrs. Hashiratani and Ramos. My babelfish is a little confusing but I think somebody pushed to hard for a signature and Ramos had to smooth it over with Yanagisawa. Not helping matters is that rival Kyoto's main point man in recruitment of the former National teamer is none other than longtime Kashima defender and current Kyoto coach Yutaka Akita

http://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/p-sc-tp0-20071228-300672.html

http://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/p-sc-tp0-20071230-301448.html

Nasu to get the 5 shirt

Yokohama F Marinos DF Daisuke Nasu will don the 5 shirt next year if he so chooses to join Verdy next campaign, according to Sports Hochi. So 1 out of 9 ain't bad I suppose

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/soccer/jleague/news/20071229-OHT1T00044.htm

PURPLE PEOPLE PUSH FOR PRESTIGIOUS PRIZE

Impressed, huh! Anyhow, the dismally underacheiving Sanfrecce Hiroshima squad have turned the Emperor's Cup competition on its ear with a 3-1 victory over Nabisco Cup winners Gamba Osaka. Sanfrecce moves onto the final against J league champs Kashima Antlers for a chance to pull off the biggest upset since Thespa Kusatsu managed to beat Yokohama F Marinos with only 9 men.

Fatty Fatty 2 by 5

While there is nothing wrong with wanting to be the next Diego Maradona, someone needs to tell Kazuki Hiramoto that he should go with the 1986 model and not the more recent mode. Sponichi Annex is reporting that Hiramoto met with Coach Hashiratani today and came in at a remarkable 20% body fat. Hiramoto wasted away on the Yokohama FC bench after transfering in May. Not a good way to make a good impression and another sign that Hiramoto doesn't get it.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2007/12/27/07.html

Yokohama FC Watch

Fulie nation saw all three of their late season foreign imports depart the squad. Korean MF Oh Beom Sook, MF Marcos Parana, and MF Catatau all leave after varying degrees of success. Rumors have it that Sagan Tosu refuse Anderson and former FC middle man Augusto will be two of the targets for 2008.

THE NINE

Weekly Soccer Magazine has a list of the 9 players Verdy is looking at in terms of upgrading the squad next season.

GK Yoichi Doi
Former team FC TOKYO
Age 34
2006 World Cup member Doi has seen his stock fall drastically after being usurped in the other Tokyo teams lineup by Hitoshi Shiota. Would I sign him.......2 years ago, yes. Today, not so much.
Other teams in pursuit Kyoto Sanga FC

GK Takanori Sugeno
Team Yokohama FC
Age 23
The former Verdy youth player and 2007 J1 Newcomer of the Year would be a definite upgrade to half the squads in J1. Young and capable of taking a team to a championship, his capable hands kept the Fulie from being even more embarassing. Would I sign him.......YES
Other teams in pursuit Kashiwa Reysol

DF Daisuke Nasu
Team Yokohama F Marinos
Age 26
Nasu has seen his time cut back in the last two years after being a regular. The Athens Olympian would pair with Yukio Tsuchiya in the middle. Not the largest guy for a defender, Nasu would benifit from learning from the equally undersized Tsuchiya. There lies the problem.
Would I sign him........yes, for the right price.

DF Yasuhiro Hato
Team Omiya Ardija
Age 31
Hato has been less than stellar in the back for Omiya since his signing from the (then) relegated Reysol squad. Not my favorite player by any stretch of the imagination, but maybe he'd be better teaming up with old friend Tsuchiya. Would I sign him......considering his lack of good service and mental mistakes, I'd say no. I think Kaimoto needs to be upgraded and I'm not sure he is.

MF Takashi Fukunishi
Team FC Tokyo
Age 31
The mainstay of SAMURAI BLUE since the 2002 World Cup, Fukunishi was jettisoned from the gasmen after one lackluster season. A decent passer and scoring threat, Fukunishi is not the fleetest of foot. Pairing him with Hiroyama would be suicide. Would I sign him......I think his best days are behind him and the qualities he has, experience, is in abundance on this squad already.
Other teams in pusuit Consadole Sapporo

MF Magnum
Team Kawasaki Frontale
Age 25
Magnum has been the off again/on again schemer in the middle for Kawasaki Frontale the past year and a half. Injuries and erratic play have deemed the Brazilian expendable. Would I sign him......when he is on, he is a very good J1 level player. Unfortunately, that's rare. With Diego in the fold, one of the other two has to be a dependable player and he's not....as the third Brazilian, he'd be allright. Maybe.
Other teams in pursuit Nagoya Grampus 8

FW Atsushi Yanagisawa
Team Kashima Antlers
Age 29
Another one of the old World Cup guard, Yanagisawa is shopping for a new squad after falling down the 2007 Champions depth chart. Maybe confidence is the key for the mercurial striker.
Would I sign him........for the right price, he has scored big goals, including the one against Honda FC to put them in the Emperors Cup semifinal.
Other teams in pursuit Kyoto Sanga FC

FW Popo
The K League scoring machine is rumored to be headed for Japan. Don't know enough about him to have an opinion.
Other teams in pursuit Kashiwa Reysol

FW Shota Matsuhashi
Team Oita Trinita
Age 25
The speedy wing would fit right in to the system Verdy is trying to run, although he is coming off a disappointing season. Matsuhashi would be my choice of the field players on this list, so yes I'd sign him.
Other teams in pursuit Albirex Niigata Vissel Kobe

Yokohama FC watch
DF Kosuke Yatsuda joined the team from FC Tokyo. Yatsuda managed one game for FCT, being the victim in the fabulous Leandro effort. Yusuke Sudo joins from Nagoya to help shore up the midfield. Finally Yusuke Nakata comes in from Vegalta Sendai to help shore up the defense.

Finally, in a curious move, Yusuke Sato heads to Tochigi SC in the JFL. Why, I have no idea, I think the guy could fight for a starting spot on half of the J2 squads next campaign, but maybe he has a big check coming. Good luck and Vaya Con Dios!

One more out......but who's coming in?

Verdy.......NOT VERDY 1969!......confirmed the 1 year loan of part time U-23 player Yugo Ichiyanagi to perennial 4th place finisher Vegalta Sendai. Ichiyanagi got into 8 games for Verdy this year, failing to crack the lineup over Kenta Togawa, Seichiro Tomisawa, and Shigenori Hagimura. One of the failings of an otherwise sucessful 2007 was the failure to truly develop young talent like Ichiyanagi. Good luck to Yugo, here's hoping you pick up your game.

Speaking of Last Year's model, NIKKAN SPORTS is reporting that Verdy are now trying to outbid Kyoto for the rights to FW Atsushi Yanagisawa. Yanagisawa saw limited time this season, netting 5 goals. He did however net the game winner in extra time to avoid an embarrassing loss to Honda FC (ERRRRRRR, I mean a hard fought battle against a quality squad, ERRRRRRRRR).

来季Ｊ１に昇格する東京Ｖが鹿島ＦＷ柳沢敦（３０）獲得に乗り出すことが２１日、関係者の話で分かった。今季３７得点でＪ２得点王のＦＷフッキが川崎Ｆに復帰したことから、新たなＦＷ探しが急務。関係者は、出場機会の減少などから移籍を志願している柳沢について「リストに入っているのは間違いない。おそらく交渉することになると思う」と話した。今後、本格交渉に入る見込みだ。
　柱谷監督も「柳沢が欲しい。とにかく点を取れるやつが欲しい。経験もあるし、老け込むにはまだまだ早い」と明言。この日、就任が決まっている高木コーチとも、柳沢について話し合ったという。柳沢は現在３０歳で移籍金は発生せず、すでに京都が獲得オファーを出している。

Another Kashiwa player on the radar is 22 year old MF Chikashi Masuda. Masuda, who fell out of favor right about the time Kashima started their run to the championship, scored 3 goals in 23 games. Masuda can play anywhere in the midfield but was stuck at right back for most of his tenure. The U-22 member is also being pursued by Oita and Vegalta. Sanspo has the story here

http://www.sanspo.com/soccer/top/st200712/st2007122305.html

Yokohama FC WATCH

More little blue are jumping ship as Korean MF Chong Yong De makes his move to Consadole permanent. Mini midfielder Tomoya Uchida has been rumored by numerous outlets to be venturing inland to Saitama to don the orange of Omiya. G!G!O!A! has a more detailed story here http://furtho.blog4.fc2.com/blog-entry-1068.html#comment

Finally, I'd like to say thank you agin to all of you that have been reading this blog.......Thursday marked the end of year 2 of Soilent Green and I have appreciated all the feedback, even if I don't respond. The bet part of the blog has been the comments from people as close as Saitama, to varied places such as Ibaraki, Tokyo, Spain, England, Hawaii, Chile, Norway, and numerous other spots that have slipped my mind (Yamanashi?).

As a blast from the past, I republish the first post ever from frequent contributor and superfan Nick........

Can`t believe how many players have left either!!As our two best players; Washington and Soma were always going to leave but Im surprised anybody bothered picking up the most hapless defenders ever to grace the field!!i thought we`d still have the treat of seeing them bumble along in J2. Also Ramos reaks of "numpty" don`t reckon he`ll be around too long....my wish is to see Takagi shown the exit on account of his appalling haircuts for the last few seasons. Any team that has a dandelion in a pink top in nets deserves relegation!! We can`t complain really.. Its gonna be a long season me thinks. If Ramos is on about raiding the retirement home, how about Big Pat Mboma, or Edmundo.I hear Bobby Charlton is free on most Saturday afternoons.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone out there! Here's hoping your team finishes a distant second to the little orange monsters in Saitama!

Too much to say!

We will start with the important news first...........Al Bangura. It looks like he is going to get a reprieve, which is gret news. Fans all across England have spoken out on the stupidity of deporting a kid whose life is threatened. Well, the home office has decided to let him apply for a work permit. It's not done, but it's looking alot better! Here's hoping for a Merry Christmas for Al.

Now Verdy newsapalooza......

Not a surprise but Hulk is going back to Kawasaki to team with Juninho. Not sure if this is a good thing for Kawasaki, considering that both players need the ball to be effective. It is bad for Verdy, who I don't think will try to fill the void with Kazuki Hiramoto.

Diego signed an extension for next year. If he comes in shape, he should be physical enough to be decent. If he comes in like last year, it's gonna be dreadful.

Yusuke Sato gets cut. After a bright start, Sato seemed to trail off, getting intermittent shots at playing time. Sato probably wasn't cut out for J1, considering he's been J2 most of his career. I think he'll find another gig somewhere.....I liked him as a player but he wasn't consistent.

Takuya Takagi joins new man Hashiratanis coaching staff. I think it's a good signing because he had some time as a top guy, he's still relatively young, and he can do the job if Hashiratani stumbles.

Verdy also changed their name officially to Tokyo Verdy......dropping the most endearing part of their name, 1969. Don't like it but whatever.....Grampus dropped the 8.

3 new prospects came in as well.......U17 National teamer and Verdy Youth star Hiroki Kawano joins the squad after his final 8 appearence in the Sahara cup. DF Sho Asuke and GK Tomuyuki Suzuki come in from Kokushikan University. Wait till the end of the year and the signings should stepped up big time.

Yokohama FC Watch

Nikkan sports is reporting that former Jubilo, Marinos, and Yokohama FC MF Daisuke Oku will retire and pursue coaching opportunities.

Former Verdy youth MF Yusuke Sudo joins Yokohama FC from Nagoya Grampus 8
Yusuke Nakata joins as well from Vegalta Sendai.

BIG NEWS

I'll write more tomorrow but as expected, Diego signs an extension and Hulk leaves for Frontale. Also, Yusuke Sato gets the hook and Takuya Takagi is hired on as a coach.