24 Mar 2008(Mon)

March 21, 2008: Who would have thought that after three games in league and cup Frontale's Fab Four would not have a goal between them?

Juninho, Chong Tese, Kazuki Ganaha and Hulk have so far drawn a blank, with Frontale's only two goals to date coming from midfielders Mori (against Verdy) and Ohashi (Vissel). Ohashi's goal was a little gem, by the way; just a pity they were 4-0 down at the time.

The latest disappointment came against JEF United at a cold, wet and windy Todoroki Stadium on Thursday afternoon, when the Chiba defence held firm and their counter-attack produced two goals in a classic smash-and-grab raid.

It was interesting to see that Frontale manager Sekizuka had already abandoned his three-pronged strikeforce -- a commitment to all-out attack that suggested a name change may be appropriate: Kamikaze Frontale, perhaps?

Against Chiba, Sekizuka went back to the Frontale roots and played a 3-5-2 formation, with Ganaha and Juninho up front, Chong on the bench and Hulk injured. A close Frontale observer said it was, in fact, Hulk's heart that was injured...no goals, no longer the king like he was at Verdy, no confidence.

Could it be true? Has the Incredible Hulk turned into the Incredible Sulk so quickly?

I must admit I thought Frontale would do well this season, with no AFC Champions League commitments and a variety of explosive options up front to build on the solid base already in place.

They still might have a great season, of course, because there are 96 points to play for in the league and five more Nabisco Cup group games to overhaul Chiba.

Against JEF, though, they did not look like the big, bad bullies of old, battering teams into submission with their speed and power inside their Todoroki torture chamber.

Ganaha was off the pace; his replacement, Chong, was put in his place by a crunching Bosnar tackle on the left wing; and 19-year-old JEF substitute Yonekura was left to dance through the Kengo-free Frontale midfield to orchestrate the second-half counter-attacks.

Interesting player Yonekura. Same shirt number (22) as the departed "Goi Galactico" Hanyu, same high school as Hanyu, same position (attacking midfielder), but a rather different physique.

Whereas Hanyu buzzed around like a one-man ekiden team, Yonekura is more sturdy and robust, enabling him to win some physical battles in crucial areas of the pitch.

On the other hand, Frontale's most dangerous moments were the inswinging corners of Ohashi, who used the swirling gusts of wind to great effect and kept Tateishi on his toes.

ends