Defender Komiyama catches the eye as goals flow
July 17, 2007: The Asian Cup is not the only cup in town for Japanese players and fans at the moment, as there was a domestic treat during the storm-lashed weekend.
The four Nabisco Cup quarter-final second-leg ties yielded a total of 23 goals, with seven at Gamba Osaka-Urawa Reds (5-2), six each at FC Tokyo-Yokohama F Marinos (2-4) and Kawasaki Frontale-Ventforet Kofu (4-2), and four at Kashima Antlers-Sanfrecce Hiroshima (3-1).
On Saturday I took in Tokyo-Marinos at Ajista, and on Sunday Frontale-Ventforet at Kokuritsu, and both games were crackers.
Although Marinos won through only 4-3 on aggregate, they were 4-0 up in the second leg thanks to a dynamic performance by captain Koji Yamase. He was on fire in the soggy conditions, scoring the first goal with a lovely right-foot finish into the top corner and then chasing down a loose ball and crossing perfectly for Oshima to head the second.
I wondered if Yamase had a personal grudge against FC Tokyo, as he was on a one-man crusade to sink them. Plagued by injury during his career, he is still only 25 and has never looked sharper or more effective.
Another player who is impressing for Marinos is the 22-year-old left back Komiyama. He is bright, busy and plays at an intensity that appeals to national coach Osim. He has two good feet and does not hold back in the air, launching himself at anything that comes his way and winning some thundering headers.
On Sunday, Kofu striker Sudo was the unluckiest player around, scoring all five of his team's goals over two legs but still finishing on the losing side, against Frontale.
This was a fantastic match for the 10,000 fans who had defied the typhoon warning to trail to the capital. It was a true cup-tie played at beakneck speed with goals galore, one team in control then suddenly the other, and packed with incident such as the heated exchanges between Kofu teammates Akimoto and Inoue, and the wrestling match between Kofu defender Ikehata and Frontale striker Chong Tese.
Overall, Komiyama took my vote as Nabisco Cup New Hero for players aged 23 and below.
ends
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