18 Apr 2004(Sun)

It is not hard to respect Jubilo Iwata.

But it is hard to like them.

At Kashiwa on Wednesday night, we saw the best and the worst of Jubilo.

In the first half they played some vibrant, attacking football, scoring two goals early on and looking as if they could win by maybe five or six goals.

In the second half it was a different story.

The second half was full of spoiling, gamesmanship and time-wasting, even after Dudu had been sent off after 58 minutes to reduce Reysol to 10 men.

I just don't know why Jubilo resort to these unpleasant tactics, because they are good enough to win matches in style rather than winning ugly.

I suppose they call it "professionalism"-Dunga style!

Their first goal was wonderful.

Fujita played the ball out to Nishi on the right wing, then continued his run toward the near post.

But Nishi did not need him. Instead he crossed deep to the far post, where Gral headed the ball back into the danger zone.

The old war horse Nakayama was so close to the goal he could smell the paint on the posts, and he launched himself at the ball to score with a diving header.

The goal highlighted the team work, the understanding, the ruthless precision of Jubilo Iwata.

When Fukunishi headed home an easy second, it looked like Jubilo could score any time they wanted.

This team, however, is not the youngest. Maybe they get tired, and this is why the tactics change. They save their energy for battles to come.

Whatever the reason, I really don't like watching the other side of Jubilo Iwata.

Players feigning injury, asking the referee to show an opponent the yellow card, delaying the taking of their own goal kick, free kick or corner....the Jubilo players know every trick in the book, and try to control the game instead of the referee.

For neutrals, therefore, it is hard to like Jubilo, even if we may admire them for what they have achieved.

ends