17 Oct 2005(Mon)

October 14, 2005 -- Watch out this weekend for Osaka.

Gamba?

No, Cerezo actually.

Take a quick look at the first division table and then at this weekend's fixtures, and the scene could be very different come Sunday afternoon.

Just in case you'd forgotten what was happening in J1 due to yet another break -- and anyone could be forgiven for this -- Gamba are top with 51 points from 26 games. Antlers are second with 48 and Cerezo third on 43.

There are still eight games to play, worth, of course, 24 points, so there is plenty of time for things to change.

Like this weekend maybe.

Gamba are away to Vissel Kobe on Saturday night, and on paper this looks a certain three points for Gamba.

But the match is a Kansai derby, and Vissel are playing for pride and for points as they try to climb off the foot of the table, five points behind Verdy. Of course it would be a big surprise if the bottom club beats the top club, but they say that the form book goes out the window in a local derby, even when 31 points separate the two teams.

On Sunday, Antlers are playing Jubilo at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa. This is not a local derby, but it's Japan's equivalent of "El Classico" between two teams steeped in tradition (well, by J.League standards).

Jubilo could win this one, as they are not exactly out of the title race yet themselves, in fourth place with 42 points.

As for Cerezo, they are at home Saturday to struggling Omiya Ardija, whose fine start to the season is now keeping them out of the two automatic relegation places...but only just.

Just think, Vissel shock Gamba in the Kansai derby...Jubilo beat Antlers in the "J.Classico"...and Cerezo, almost unnoticed, beat Ardija at home in Nagai Stadium.

Then the top positions would be Gamba (51), Antlers (48) and Cerezo (46)...only five points separating the top three with seven games remaining.

There's no pressure on Cerezo. They've been enjoying themselves climbing the table, as Gamba, Antlers, Reds and Marinos have been feeling the heat, and they should be relaxed going into the Omiya game.

So why shouldn't they continue to play in this style, leaving Gamba and Antlers to knock each other to a standstill like two boxers in the ring.

ends