4 Mar 2004(Thu)

The Chiba Bank Cup has become one of the highest profile pre-season friendlies in Japan.

The 10th edition of this Chiba derby between Kashiwa Reysol and JEF United Ichihara was staged at Hitachi Stadium on Sunday afternoon, and the home side won convincingly 3-0. They now lead the series 8-2.

I was very impressed with Reysol. They looked sharp and hungry, and several young players are starting to establish themselves, suggesting the immediate future is brighter than the recent past.

These included Nagata and Kondo, both 20, at the back, and Otani, 19, in central midfield, alongside the veteran Shimotaira.

Off the bench came striker Yano and midfielder Yazawa, both 19, and defender Nakazawa, 21.

Reysol played with a vibrancy and a confidence I haven't seen for a few seasons, and made JEF look slow and confused.

The conditions were difficult, with a hard pitch and a swirling wind, but JEF had little to offer as an attacking force.

Without the Korean Eagle Choi Yong Soo, there was no focal point to the attack, no threat in the air, and it is going to take time for Marquinhos, a clever and skilfull player, to fit into the JEF system.

Reysol's new manager, Ikeya, was well prepared for the match.

He played Myojin on the right side of midfield, in front of the dependable, combative Watanabe (Takeshi), to stop the runs down the left flank of Murai, who is so important for JEF.

This tactic had the desired effect, and Murai looked lost for much of the game before coming off in the 79th minute. He gave the ball away too easily and couldn't find any room to work his magic down the wing. Still, this is early days, and his match fitness will improve in the next few weeks.

Reysol, on the other hand, looked ready to kick off the new season right away. Yamashita was a revelation up front, and his combination with Tamada--a left-footed striker who simply oozes class and natural talent--will keep defenders busy up and down the country this season.

The JEF fans were out in force on what was a colourful occasion: the yellow and black of Reysol's Yellow Monkeys at one end, and the brighter yellow, green and red of the away support at the other.

But only Reysol fans will have good memories of the 10th Chiba Bank Cup.

ends