After the first two rounds of the J. League, four teams have a perfect record. Vegalta Sendai, Vissel Kobe, F.C. Tokyo, and Kawasaki Frontale have all started off with two wins. At the other end of the table, Kashima Antlers, Albirex Niigata, and Gamba Osaka have two losses. Here’s a roundup of some notable matches and the star performers.
Vegalta Sendai beat Kashima Antlers 1-0 on the first matchday. Defender Taikai Uemoto scored the only goal in the 62nd minute on his Vegalta debut. Keeper Takuto Hayashi made a fantastic reaction save onto the post to deny Juninho a headed equalizer. The match was on the one year anniversary of the Tohoku disaster, and it was great to continue to see some football in Sendai after such destruction. Hopefully Vegalta will be able to maintain their great start and continue to play well throughout the season. It would be great for the region. Highlights.
Championship favorites Nagoya Grampus got off to a good start to their season, beating Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 in the first round. As expected, they were good in defense despite Shimizu playing good short passes. Whenever a chance was created, reigning J. League Goalkeeper of the Year and former national team number one Seigo Narazaki was there to stop anything. Reigning top scorer Joshua Kennedy cooly slotted a penalty for the only goal of the game. Nagoya lost their next match 3-2 away to FC Tokyo. Based on how they played in this match, Shimizu are a team to watch this season. They won their second match 2-1 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Highlights.
Reigning champions Kashiwa Reysol have not enjoyed a great start to the season. After drawing their first match 3-3 to Yokohama F. Marinos, they lost their second match 1-0 away to Urawa Red Diamonds. Ranko Despotovic scored the only goal of the match, capitalizing on woeful defending by Jorge Wagner. In the second half, Leandro Domigues’s freekick came off the crossbar as Kashiwa tried to find an equalizer. Goalkeeper Nobuhiro Kato and midfielder Yosuke Kashiwagi were great for the Reds, who are coming off a terrible 2011 in which they barely avoided relegation. Highlights.
Cerezo Osaka won the first Osaka derby of the season by defeating Gamba Osaka 2-1. Branquinho’s 20th minute opener was canceled out by a great freekick from Paulinho. Both teams pushed for a winner, but in the end Kempes nodded home a high cross from Noriyuki Sakemoto to get his side a decisive second goal. Cerezo drew their first match, while Gamba has struggled and lost four straight in all competitions to start their season. Highlights.
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