Kyoto Sanga -- Preseason Summary
Kyoto Sanga may have abandoned the "Purple" in their former team name, but there are no indications yet that they have left behind their bittersweet legacy as the most frequently promoted (and the most frequently relegated) team in J,League history. The (formerly) Purple Yo-Yo is back in the top-flight division this year, and as usual, they have been tipped as early favourites to go back down to the J2 next season. Looking at the team's roster for 2008, we have a hard time finding any compelling reasons to disagree. The squad is certainly no more competitive than it was in 2006, the last time they visited the J1, so there is every reason to believe that their fate will follow its predictable course in 2008, as well. But lets consider the possible reasons why this year might be different.
Well, for one, the team has aqcuired Sidiclei from Gamba Osaka to shore up the center of their defence. Although the shiny-pated Brazilian is starting to show his age, he is definitely a big, powerful and clever-footed stalwart to build the defensive line around. This isnt Sidiclei's first visit to Kyoto. He played for the team in 1999, which happens to be the last time that Sanga managed to remain in the J1 for more than a single season. Then again, prior to 1999 there wasnt a J2, and therefore there wasnt any relegation. Oh well, it may not be the best of omens, but its better than nothing.
Apart from Sidiclei, the team's biggest off-season acquisition is Atsushi Yanagisawa, a player who is most famous for missing an unguarded net from ten meters out, in the 2006 World Cup match against Croatia. Not to dismiss his capabilities completely -- we have always viewed Yanagisawa as an extremely good team player and one who can do a lot of things other than score. The problem is that he can only do a lot of things OTHER THAN score.
There are a few other playres that can also help Sanga to improve somewhat compared with last season (when they just scraped through to promotion in the playoff against Sanfrecce. Tatsuya Masushima is a decent defender and both Yuto Sato and Takaaki Tosushige have contributed to solid J1 clubs in the past. All in all, Kyoto stacks up reasonably well against the other three top relegation candidates, so their situation in 2008 is far from hopeless. However, unlike the others, Sanga will not only be fighting against the rest of the league -- they must also struggle against the weight of history. And history says that they will be going down, After all, once a yo-yo finishes goiing up, there is only one place for it to go next.
2007 Finish: 3rd Place (J2)
2008 Forecast: 16th-18th Place
Roster Changes
IN |
| Pos. | Name | Former Team | Status |
|---|
| FW | Takenori Hayashi | Jubilo Iwata | Rental ends |
| FW | Atsushi Yanagisawa | Kashima Antlers | Full transfer |
| MF | Takaaki Tokushige | Cerezo Osaka | Rental->full transfer |
| DF | Yusuke Nakatani | Kashiwa Reysol | Rental->full transfer |
| MF | Yuto Sato | JEF United | Full transfer |
| MF | Daisuke Nakamura | Kinko Osaka HS | New signing |
| MF | Koken Kato | Funabashi HS | New signing |
| MF | Atariva | CRB | New signing |
| DF | Sidiclei | Gamba Osaka | Full transfer |
| DF | Tatsuya Masushima | FC Tokyo | One-yr rental |
| GK | Koichi Mizutani | Kashiwa Reysol | Full transfer |
OUT |
| Pos. | Name | New Team | Status |
|---|
| FW | Noboru Kohara | ----- | Retired |
| FW | Wataru Sumida | V Varen Nagasaki | One-year rental |
| MF | Daisuke Nakaharai | Avispa Fukuoka | Full transfer |
| MF | Daisuke Hoshi | Tochigi SC | Full transfer |
| MF | Atsushi Mio | Ventforet Kofu | Full transfer |
| MF | Kenichiro Meta | Tokushima Vortis | Full transfer |
| MF | Yuji Mito | Mio Biwako Kusatsu | Full transfer |
| DF | Yutaka Akita | --- | Retired |
| DF | Thiago | --- | Released |
| DF | Taskuya Mikami | Ehime FC | Full transfer |
| GK | Satoshi Hashida | Kataller Toyama | Full transfer |
| GK | Koji Nishimura | Nagoya Grampus | Full transfer |
