11 Dec 2006(Mon)

December 9, 2006: Who is staying? Who is going? Who is coming?

These are interesting times in Japanese football as teams release players, release coaches, and search for replacements who may make them stronger for next season...or who may not.

Antlers have been busy, with the departure of manager Paulo Autuori, veteran players Narahashi and Honda and Brazilians Fernando and Alex Mineiro.

FC Tokyo will be changing manager, and Jean is going, too. I must admit, two or three years ago, I thought Jean was possibly the best foreign player in Japan, a no-risk, combative centre half who provided a weekly 90-minute study session for would-be defenders.

At Omiya Ardija, veteran Brazilian Toninho has played his last J.League game for the club, and manager Toshiya Miura will be on his way after the Emperor's Cup, possibly to Consadole Sapporo. That is what I heard on the "Rumour Mill" the other day, along with the following:

# Brazilian striker Bare is leaving Ventforet Kofu and joining Urawa Reds, and

# Omiya will appoint Pim Verbeek's brother as head coach, replacing Miura.

As I say, these are only rumours, and they may not happen. In English journalism we call it "kite flying" -- meaning some kites stay in the air, while others fall to the ground.

Bare would be a great signing for Reds, and proves their intent ahead of the Asian Champions League next season. Make no mistake, Reds are going for it next year, and the whole of Japan should be behind them as they make a serious attempt to win Asia's equivalent of the UEFA Champions League.

With midweek matches, maybe even in Australia, remember, Reds need plenty of fire power, even though they have Washington, Ponte, Yamada, Tatsuya and Nagai, among others.
I saw Bare play recently for Kofu at Saitama Stadium 2002, where he had a fine game. He is quick for such a big man, and is always dangerous when he has the ball. He is direct and positive, and has the happy habit of being in the right place at the right time to put a loose ball into the net.

If Bare joins Reds it would ease the strain on Washington without weakening the team -- and, of course, they could play together, with Ponte behind, if attack is more important than defence in some games.

I am sure next year will be very exciting for Reds fans as they take their "brand" across Asia, and no doubt Mitsubishi will be planning promotional campaigns for away games in vast potential markets.

Bare for Reds (but Gamba are keen, too), and the brother of former Ardija coach Pim Verbeek as Omiya manager...just rumours for the moment, so we will have to wait and see which kites fly and which tumble to the ground!

ends