September 24, 2003
Age of Parity? Or is it Mediocrity?

2 - 2

And the sad thing is, if not for the inclination of both coaches to "play for the draw", it might have been so much different. JEF United entered the game wanting dearly to win revenge for the loss that knoocked them out of the First Stage title race, and despite the absence of both starting strikers -- Choi Yong-Soo and Sandro Cardoza -- they put on an inspired performance in the first quarter hour minutes that produced a 1-0 lead. The goal was a bit flukish, with a misplayed trap by Seiichiro Maki bouncing back to him off a defender. However, the youngsrer responded with a flourish, driving the ball past the keeper and providing a chance for JEF to celebrate.

Urawa took some time to get themselves together in this match, though that has been a problem throuhgout the season. The Reds still do not play well as a team, but despite that lingering problem, the overflowing talent of the individual players eventually allowed them to establish clear control of the momentum, and in time, a goal was produced by U-22 Japan teammates Keita Suzuki and Tatsuya Tanaka. Suzuki carried a ball down the right wing with some clever feints and cutbacks which drew the defence forward. When the JEF back line had committed themselves sufficiently to produce a gap at the back, Suzuki lofted a soft ball over their heads for Tanaka to chase. The speedy striker dashed through the flat-footed defence and reached the ball a step ahead of the keeper, looping a soft arc over the outrushing keeper and into the back of the net.

But JEF responded with the same energy and attacking fury that they showed in the first half, almost immediately restoring their lead. A steal on the left side by Masataka Sakamoto produced the chance, and although it looked like Takenori Hayashi may have been a bit offside on Sakamoto's long breakaway pass, the linesman's flag stayed down and Hayashi tuched the ball underneath the keeper.

The Reds resumed the pressure once more, and after a series of half-chances, defender Ned Zelic knotted the score once again on a fine individual effort, overlapping through the defence, firing once, and -- when that effort was blocked -- collecting the rebound and sending a second blast into the low left corner.

But no sooner had the second goal hit the nylon than both teams suddenly seemed to turn off the spotlights, lower the curtain and prepare for their post-match showers. As all 22 players marked time waiting for the final whisltle, we could only think what a sad end it was to an otherwise stirring match

1 - 1

Kashima did manage to equalise, as a fine cross from Masashi Motoyama was headed home by Tomoyuki Hirase, but thereafter Kyoto brought in three additional defenders and played 11-men-in-the-box until the final whistle. At the end of the match, the Antlers fans booed long and loud, though it was unclear whether they were decrying the poor finishing of their own strikers, the dreadfully dull play by Sanga, or the inept performance of the officiating team. All three, it must be said, deserved every bit of jeering the fans could muster.

1 - 1

2 - 2

0 - 0

Elsewhere

Nagoya Grampus joined the Antlers at the top of the table following a victory over Cerezo Osaka. Now that they have joined the group at the head of the pack, we can probably expect them to start playing for draws, beginning next week.

Last and least, Vegalta Sendai continued their march towards relegation, losing a 1-0 decision to lowly Kashiwa Reysol.

Following the splurge of drawn matches this week, the league table looks almost identical to last week, with the sole exception of. Nagoya Grampus' move to the top of the table, level on points with Kashima.