[Video] Retro!!! Sanga's first victory in J-League

It came after 17 losses in a row, a neat record! Fortunately no relegation yet in those years!! It was my first time ever at Nishigyokoku!! Notice, among others, Ramos, Fujiyoshi and "Mr. Sanga" Noguchi (today a youth coach and commentator at Sanga). Also, since there were even less fans than now, the ultras occupied the small "goru no ura," behing the north goal, on the left side of the screen. Well, enjoy... I surely did!!

[News] Another Eight renew their contracts!

Another eight Sanga players have renewed their contract for the next season, including some of the big guns and our golden boy Watanabe (here in an 2006 picture). The others are: Hirai, Kuranuki, Tamura, Mito, Hirajima, Okubo and Tahara. We can also count in Paulinho, Mizutani, Tokushige and Nakatani. Thus, including the three high-school kiddos who have joined in november, the roster is now up to 23, as we wait confirmation about Sidiclei.
There are five players who still have not renewed their contracts: captainSaito, Kakuda, Teshima, Nakayama and Kato. The latter might follow Mio's route and find a J2 team where he will be a starting member, the other are probably waiting to know how the club will operate on the market. Should Sato come (still no news), we definitely have some overpopulation in the middle of the field...
Finally, we'll have to wait until 2008 to know about Yanagisawa and the Hiroshima players: Antlers and Sanfrecce will in fact play the final of the Emperor's Cup.

[News] Eight "Wonders" to stay in Kyoto...

Sanga has confirmed today eight players for the next season, for the most members of the "satellite" team, but also columns of past season's team such as Morioka and Ishii. Nishino will stay, as the youngsters Ando, Noborio, Sumida and Kang. The eight "wonder" is goalkeeper Ueno.
Kato has been officially presented (and apparently has signed a contract with Sanga-not only as coach- until 2015), while JEF's Sato(in the picture) seems VERY close to Sanga now, according to the Japanese media. Fukumoto, instead, preferred Gamba. I wish him the same luck Teshima had with them (grrrrrrrrrrrrr........)

[News] The Revenge of the Sidi

I believe Sanga has finally made a smart market move by taking back, after a few years the Brazilian veteran defender Sidiclei (in the picture, top). Sure, he is 35, but it is also true that he has been one of the best players in Gamba's recent cycle, and last season he has played 33 entire games out of 34 in J1!! Him and Morioka should form a solid central defense, with Teshima and Kakuda as relatively experienced replacements. Now we need side-backs... And for one coming back, there's one going away:
Mio (in the picture, bottom) is returning to Kofu, after 6 years of lights and shadows in Kyoto. Two awesome seasons in 2004 and 2005 in J2, but nothing too fancy in 2006's J1 and an embarrassing campaign this year: he started three times, to be substituted twice in the 59th minute, and once in the 37th, the latter after Sanga was down 0-3. Besides his huge front teeth, we'll remember his left foot that, when inspired, made us happy (J2) fans. Good luck Atsushi!!
Finally, after more speculations, gossips and controversial news it seems decided: Kato will stay as coach. I am genuinely happy for at least five reasons:
1) He piloted the team to J1 after Minobe tried to hijack our future;
2) he is a respected personality in Japanese soccer, who will hopefully bring in some good player;
3) We have a coach, finally;
4) We won't get some weird unknown Brazilian or Easetern European dude coming to mess up an already messy club;
5) I LIKE YOU, "Q" -- You really seem to be a nice chap!!
No answers yet from Fukumoto (probably going to Gamba, at this point...), Sato, Yanagisawa (to Verdy...?), etc...

[News] "Messy" Christmas from Kyoto Sanga FC

OK, I am trying to report news as good as I can, but it is not easy, as I deal with two hard-to-trust entities: one are the Japanese Sport newspaper, the other is none other but... Kyoto Sanga FC. In the end it seems as the dreaded (at least by me!) Tacak will NOT be Sanga's coach for next season. He was probably just paying a visit to Sanga Town, or maybe the negotiation failed, but in any case there is no evidence that he will be part of the coaching staff. As we haven't been capable to secure a decent coach, it seems as our beloved Kato "Q" will stay in charge, at least temporarily. His sidekick will be Akita. Now, the pros: both of them are highly respcted dudes in J-soccer, and they can convince some good players to join us. The cons: they are relatively unexperienced as coaches, plus Kato is supposedly a general manager, not a field coach... What will happen? We'll see, nothing is never too sure with Sanga!!
In the meantime, more voices and offers: Mio seems on his way back to Kofu, where he'll hopefully find some space; Nakatani, who was on a loan from Reysol has joined Kyoto for good; while the "bid of the day" is yet again for a very desirable player: Sato (in the picture) of JEF.
Finally, regarding the answers we're waiting for from potential incoming players, it seems like Fukumoto of Oita and Japan Youth NT has restricted his choices from four clubs to Gamba and Sanga only; while Yanagisawa has received a super-offer from Verdy, but is he willing to betray Antlers for some more dirty yen...?

[By the way...] How many meters was Makino offside??

Here's a snapshot from a clip taken by a Hiroshima fan (thanks, yohihakosa-san!). It was the 94th minute, and our defense cleared: when the ball (circled) got back in the box, look where was Makino (circled, too) and another couple of Sanfrecce's players...!! Geez, to get stuck in J2 for a goal blatantly offside would have REALLY killed me...

[Video] Best Goals of 2007

[News] Money and offers are out, but so far only Mizutani is in

The good news: Kyoto will invest ¥500.000.000 (+US 4.4 millions) in reinforcements, and has sent out offers to two more valid, young defenders: Inoha (FC Tokyo) and Mizumoto (JEF Chiba). The bad news is that the list of "offers" gets longer every day, but the only professional player who has joined Sanga so far is former Reysol goalkeeper Mizutani (in the picture) who, besides sporting a horrible hairstyle, we remember catching up tons of balls from his net when we used to play us (and lose to us) with Fukuoka. While is clear that Hiroshima players are still playing in the Emperor's cup and can't make decisions, it is not clear why all other players will not give an answer yet. No news also about the two foreign players who are supposed to join Paulinho in our gaijin trio, but voices are they're not necessarily be Brazilians.

[News] Formal offer for Yanagisawa

Kyoto has made a formal offer to Yanagisawa (in the picture), the 30yo former NT player who is leaving J1's champions Kashima Antlers. In the past season, he has played 19 games, for the most coming in from the bench, scoring five goals. In his career, he was for three years in Italy, where he failed to impress. Sanga has also put in yet another offer, for Kashiwa Reysol's goalkeeper Mizutani, who has played only in one game this past season. It also appears as Makino has decided to stay in Hiroshima for the next season, while Kashiwagi has turned down Kobe's offer. Again, a lot of bids and gossips, but still nothing much concrete...

[News] Less than three months to go...

J-League 2008 will kick-off on March 8th, for both J1 and J2 divisions. Soon we should have a complete schedule (that will include a summer pause for J1, due to the Olympic games in Beijing), while the fixtures will be published in January. Hopefully, Sanga will have a softer start than in 2006, when we had Marinos, Frontale and Jubilo in the first three games...!!
No news yet about Sanga's pre-season camp, but it is likely to be at Kagoshima, as usual.

[News] One more from the U20...?

After putting in offers for Kashiwagi (Sanfrecce Hiroshima) and Fukumoto (Oita Trinita), Sanga has now made a bid for a third player from the former Japan U20 National Team: Makino (Sanfrecce Hiroshima - in the picture). However, among the many offers and gossips, so far nobody has joined Sanga, and even the arrival of coach Takac has not been confirmed by the club. The only transfer that has been confirmed is our former third goalkeeper Nishimura, who is now with Nagoya Grampus. More transfer news: Former Sanga and NT player Akita has announced retirement last month, but might stay with Kyoto as coach; Kurobe, who was with Kyoto in 2002, after failing at Cerezo Osaka, Urawa Reds and JEF Chiba ha snow been offered a contract by J2's Avispa Fukuoka, and finally, among many names for Sanga 2008, one is very appreciated by the fans: Yanagisawa, who will leave Antlers.

[2007 MVP] Oretachi no Kyoto's MVP is...DAIGO WATANABE

Born in Nagasaki, just turned 23, Daigo Watanabe has been the most reliable, constant and decisive player of the season. He has played in three different positions on the right side, never disappointing his coach or his fans. Do you need proof of his efficacy? Check out the last crucial games of the season: in Sapporo, a key-goal; against Sendai, the winning assist; against Hiroshima at home, both goals originated from his passes. His tears after the final whistle in Hiroshima speak a lot for his attachment to our uniform... A really great season, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS, DAIGO!!

[News] Bring on the young guns

After showing sincere interest for Hiroshima's Kashiwagi, Kyoto has today made a formal offer for Oita's young defensive talent Fukumoto (in the picture). Together with Kashiwagi and other young chaps, he was an impressive players in last summer's memorable U20 World Cup. Besides Sanga, three more clubs are bidding on Fukumoto's contract for 2008: Gamba, Yokohama FC and his actual club Trinita.
Sanga has so far released nine players, plus Akita who has retired. While two (Kohara and Meta) are staying in Tochigi SC (JFL), the destiny of the others is unknown, but it is likely that some of them, such as Hoshi and Nakaharai will find good teams in J1 or at least in J2. Today's news associated our former goalkeeper Nishimura with Nagoya Grampus.
Finally, here are the name of the three High School players who will join Sanga's roster: Nakamura, William Rodriguez and yet another Kato.

[News] Who is this guy?

1 - He used to play with Osim, a long time ago.
2 - The last team he coached was Club Sportif Sfaxien, a club in Tunisia. That was in 2002. They did not win anything.
3 - He said he knows a little about Japanese soccer, as he watched the news on TV, back in Serbia.
4 - His name is Silvester Takac. Age 67.
5 - He will coach Kyoto Sanga FC in 2008.
No, I am not joking.

Well, somebody might have it even worse: Tokushima Vortis hired Minobe!! However, while we will probably plunge back into J2 by next May, Vortis at least can not be relegated.

On a happier note, Tokushige has transfered to Sanga for good (he was on a loan), while Hayashi is back from Jubilo. According to some fans writing on a Japanese forum, he will stay only if he is guaranteed to start. In that case, he probably won't stay. Considering his (mediocre) season in Iwata, we will probably survive.

[Video] Ceremony at Kyoto City Hall - More!!

Okini to kt865sanga for filming this!!

[News] Paulinho and Tahara to stay; Andre and Tiago released

Before leaving for Brazil on the 12th, Paulinho has declared to be "Very happy for the promotion to J1," and confirmed that he intends to honor his contract for the next two seasons. Tahara (in the picture, with Paulinho) as well, has already signed for 2008. Tiago and Andre, Sanga's two other Cariocas, will leave the club, and they will be replaced by two foreign players who will occupy the same positions: a central defender and a center forward. According to Kyoto's inside sources, it won't necessarily be two Brazilians. Both Andre' and Tiago have contributed to this year's promotion and have cheered us up with their typical Brazilian good attitude. Muito Obrigato and Buena Suerte, wherever they go!!
In the meantime, still no news about next season's coach, a factor that puts on stall Kyoto's transfer market.

[2007 MVP] Oretachi no Kyoto's MVP is...???

Kyoto Sanga FC gave its prize to Ishii. We join in congratulating Toshiya; however, we have picked another player... who?? Find out this next week, right here!!!

[News] Transfer Market

PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN ALREADY CUT FROM THE ROSTER:
Hoshi (26, MF); Mikami (27, DF); Nakaharai (30, MF/FW - In the picture); Meta (25, MF; this season on loan at Tochigi SC); Hashida (25, GK); Kohara (24, FW; this season on loan at Tochigi SC); Nishimura (23, GK).
Commentary: Nobody talks about it, but I am really saddened by the demise of Nakaharai. He joined us from Fukuoka and has a total of 301 games in J-League, with 30 goals. I wish he could find a good team. Hoshi, I wonder why did we pay his salary for in the last two seasons, while Mikami is probably the victim of our overpopulation in the back. For the two players who are at Tochigi, the jump from JFL (where they did not excel, by the way) to J1 was probably considered too big. Hashida has played a total of one game for Sanga (and got scored thrice), while Nishimura has been a starter for a few games in J1 (16 times), but, while it was hoped he could become an alternative to Hirai, failed to impress. I expect other players to be shredded soon.

PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN LINKED TO KYOTO SANGA FC:
Kashiwagi (MF, Sanfrecce Hiroshima); Sato (FW, Sanfrecce Hiroshima); Doi (GK, FC Tokyo); Matsui (MF, Le Mans).
Commentary: The only believable "scoop" so far seems to be Kashiwagi (19 - in the picture), who allegedly would like to play close to his birthplace (Hyogo prefecture). Sato, who could be a great addition and would form a kick-ass duo with Tahara, has seemingly promised eternal faith to Hiroshima. Moreover, we have Paulinho. Doi is a realistic opportunity, an experienced, reliable player, but Hirai did very well lately. Matsui is a dream, since Le Mans is actually fighting for a spot in the next edition of the Champions League.

PLAYERS WHO MIGHT RETURN FROM LOANS:
Hayashi (FW, 27 - in the picture), who did pretty bad in Iwata (2 goals in 13 games, always coming in from the bench; except for the last game), will seemingly return to Sanga. Meta and Kohara, as said above, will not return, and it is not known where will they play. Chances are they will stay in Tochigi, as the club has been accepted by J-league as a member, and just need to finish among the first four next season to be promoted in J2.

YOUNGSTERS WHO HAVE JOINED THE ROSTER: Three youngsters have been added to the roster. Two Japanese kiddos, and a South American who grew up in Japan.

[News] End of the season ceremony at Kyoto City Hall

Players and staff gathered in front of Kyoto City hall to thank the fans. It was a chance to give out some prizes: the MVP of the pick for the MVP of the season was Ishii, while other awards went to Paulinho (best Forward), Hirajima (best Defender), Tahara (Special prize), and Akita ("Best Effort" prize). Saito gave a very emotional speech, as you can see in the video.

[Video] Sanfrecce Hiroshima-Kyoto Sanga FC, Highlights

OFFICIAL HIGHLIGHTS

LAST TWO MINUTES (AMATEUR CAMERA, GOOD ANGLE)

[Game Report] Sanfrecce Hiroshima-Kyoto Sanga FC 0-0

Coming to you from our correspondent Dom, who kindly e-mailed us from his cellphone right after the game. THANKS DOM, YOU ROCK!!!
J1!
First half was difficult. I couldnt see us holding on. They made chance after chance while we made nothing. 36 (Nakayama?) [Nakatani, ndr] kept finding himself against 2 with only a little support from Saito. Half time I was trying to think what we could do to change as a 2nd half like the 1st would have probably killed us. They changed a midfielder and I dont know if it was that or an inspirational half time talk but the difference was huge. We created chances straight away and were the better team. Andre was brought on for Saito and seemed to cause havoc. He missed a chance from under 2 yards that he really should have scored. Tokushige came on for Tahara. We had a chance cleared off the line and Paulinho had a goal disallowed for offside. They were also making chances but I couldnt see them clearly. When they got 4 minutes of injury time I thought we would throw it away. Aki came on for Paulinho for the last 2 minutes and we hung on. It was magical. Worth the 25000 yen trip.

...wish you were here...

[News] *** KYOTO SANGA FC GOES TO J1 ***

[J1/J2 Promotion/Relegation Series] Sanfrecce Hiroshima-Kyoto Sanga FC 0-0

Sanga's starting eleven: (4-3-3) Hirai; Watanabe, Kakuda, Morioka, Teshima; Saito, Ishii, Nakatani; Nakayama, Paulinho, Tahara Coach: Kato.
On the bench: Ueno; Akita, Hirajima; Kuranuki, Tokushige; Andre, Nishino.
Attendance: 23162
Weather: Clear, Strong Wind.
Goals: none!
Subs for Sanga: Andre for Saito (56'); Tokushige for Tahara (67'); Akita for Paulinho (92').
Yellow cards (for Sanga): Ishii (90'); Hirai ('90).
Red cards (for Sanga): -
Shots: 18 to 10 for Hiroshima.
Man of the Match: Akita-sama!!
Pictures of the game: Click Here

[Video] Kyoto Sanga FC-Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Highlights and Goals

HIGHLIGHTS & INTERVIEWS

TAHARA 1-0 (28')

TAHARA 2-0 (39')

[J1/J2 Promotion/Relegation Series] Sanga Goals Pictures

TAHARA, 1-0 (28')

TAHARA, 2-0 (39')

[J1/J2 Promotion/Relegation Series] Kyoto Sanga FC-Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1

Sanga's starting eleven: (4-3-3) Hirai; Watanabe, Kakuda, Morioka, Teshima; Saito, Ishii, Nakatani; Nakayama, Paulinho, Tahara Coach: Kato.
On the bench: Ueno; Akita Hirajima; Kuranuki, Tokushige; Andre, Nishino.
Attendance: 12637
Weather: Clear.
Goals: Tahara 28'; 39' (assist: Watanabe).
Subs for Sanga: Nishino for Tahara (76'); Kuranuki for Paulinho (84'); Hirashige (SH, 88').
Yellow cards (for Sanga): Tahara (46'); Nakatani (80').
Red cards (for Sanga): -
Shots: 13 to 11 for Sanfrecce; one crossbar, one post for Sanga.
Man of the Match: Yutaka Tahara.
Pictures of the game: Click Here

[J1/J2 Promotion/Relegation Series] Paulinho is in!!

[J1/J2 Promotion/Relegation Series] Expected line-up for Sanga-Sanfrecce

According to Yahoo Japan, Paulinho is apparently in from the start, while the other two Brazilians will sit out at least for this first game. Coach Kato will seemingly play with the 4-3-3, as Sanga clearly needs to win this game. Thus, Hirai in the goal, Morioka and Kakuda in the middle of the defense, and Hirajima and Teshima on the sides. Midfield with Saito and Ishii behind Nakayama, and three-top with Tahara in the middle and Watanabe and Paulinho respectively on the right and on the left. Kick-off at 7PM, but being a mid-week game, the stadium is not sold out.

[J1/J2 Promotion/Relegation Series] Paulinho out for tomorrow's home game?

Latest news are bad news... It looks as Paulinho is still not recovered at 100% and might not be start tomorrow. He will probably begin from the bench, as in Gifu for the last J2 game of the season vs Kusatsu.
Gamba and neo-champions Kashima have already made an offer for Paulinho, should Kyoto fail to achieve promotion to J1. However, according to fans on Sanga's Yahoo Forum, Paulinho allegedly promised he will stay at Sanga next season, no matter in which division.
No news about Tiago and Andre's condition after the recent injuries.

[J1/J2 Promotion/Relegation Series] Home Game Poster

[J1/J2 Promotion/Relegation Series] Kumamoto and Gifu to J2

Next season's J2 will have 15 teams, as Rosso Kumamoto FC Gifu have earned promotion from JFL (third division) and J-status (congratulations!!). No news on how many games will be played (but I believe it will be 42: 14x3), and on the promotion mechanism. Whatever the case, this would be a great year to get the hell out of J2 for a while...

[J1/J2 Promotion/Relegation Series] It's Sanfrecce...

The glorious (euphemism) third place achieved by Sanga means we will play two games with Sanfrecce Hiroshima (third from last in J1) to see who will play J1 and who will play J2. Good news: Paulinho was on the bench today. bad news, even when they seldom win, Sanfrecce has some very good players, such as the two forwards Wesley and Sato.
Here is the schedule:

12/5 (Wed) Sanga-Hiroshima @19:00.
12/8 (Sat) Hiroshima-Sanga @16:00.

The same system of Champions Leagues is used, including extra times and PK in the second game if the result of both 90+90 minutes is identical.

Hiroshima are clearly better; however, it is just two games. Anything can happen.Even Sanga being lucky, for once...

[J2 - 52nd] Thespa Kusatsu-Kyoto Sanga FC 1-1

Tahara scored after 5'; and -as in the good old Minobe's days- we got tied after the 90th minute. Ando played a bit in the end. I think it is the first time since day 4 or so... Not much else to report. Sapporo turned their game around to finish first, and Tokyo was deservedly second. Now it is all in 180 minutes for us. Pictures of the game: Click Here