15 Nov 2007(Thu)

November 13, 2007: With all these mega matches around these days, it is difficult to know where to start this column.

So let's start at the top -- the top of J2, that is.

Under the former Omiya Ardija manager Toshiya Miura, Consadole Sapporo are approaching the finishing line of the long, long race for promotion.

After 46 of the 48 matches, Consadole have 87 points, two more than Verdy in second place. Kyoto Sanga FC are third with 81 points from 45 games, followed by Vegalta Sendai (80 from 45) and Cerezo Osaka (78 from 45).

The top two go up, the third-placed team plays the 16th-placed J1 team in the playoff, and at Sapporo Dome on Sunday, No. 1 meets No. 3...Consadole against Kyoto.

I caught up recently with "young Toshi" at Consadole's picturesque training ground at Miyanosawa. With Tudor House and the pink chocolate factory of (troubled) sponsor Ishiya on one side, mountains and even a windmill in the distance, it really is a lovely setting, especially in the bright sunshine of an early Hokkaido winter.

No wonder the manager was looking relaxed, despite the fact that his team resembles a marathon runner who has hit the front early, opened a huge gap and is now hanging on for dear life as the chasing pack breathes down his neck.

"I like living up here, you don't feel the stress," he told me, after the training session had finished and before he went on his daily 8-10 kilometre run round the pitch.

"Okada-san liked it as well," he added, referring, of course, to Takeshi Okada, who sought sanctuary in Sapporo after the madness of 1998.

Before the season started, I must admit I didn't think Consadole would be among the promotion candidates, with the likes of Verdy, Kyoto, Sendai, Cerezo, Bellmare and Avispa around.

"Me, too, I am surprised," said Toshi. "I thought maybe third or fourth would be good in the first season, and then next season we would be in a position to challenge. But we have been at the top since May and the players have handled it so well. They work hard every day."

They will need to keep working hard for a little bit longer. After Sunday's game against Kyoto, Consadole have a break until the last day of the season, December 1, when they are at home again, to bottom club Mito Hollyhock.

ends