28 January 2009
Holiday Event
On February 3, next Tuesday, midfielder Kikuoka and forward Arata will don traditional costumes and throw beans at people. The Setsubun festival starts at Hachimangu (Mito's shrine of the god of war) at 5:30PM.
20 January 2009
New Captain, New Slogan, New Goal, New Uniform, Same Sponsors
With Hiramatsu going to FC Tokyo, the new captain will be defender Masashi Owada, in his 6th year at the club.
The slogan for 2009 is 「前へ」 ("Forward")
Coach Kiyama's goal for the year is a top 8 finish, which would be the first top half finish in the table for the team and mean finishing ahead of at least one former J1 club, which hasn't happened since 2006.
The uniform supplier remains Mitre, and the uniform sponsors remain K's Electronics and Mito Securities. Uniforms still appear to have the Ibaraki Airport logo on the sleeves as well.
The uniforms remain the same, which saves me a bit of money this year, but the goalkeeper uniform has undergone a style change. From either all green and all yellow to green/white and all black. I'm not sure about the purpose of adding a white section to the traditionally home green uniform, but the yellow would have to change due to new J2 arrivals Tochigi SC having exactly the same shade as their home color.
The slogan for 2009 is 「前へ」 ("Forward")
Coach Kiyama's goal for the year is a top 8 finish, which would be the first top half finish in the table for the team and mean finishing ahead of at least one former J1 club, which hasn't happened since 2006.
The uniform supplier remains Mitre, and the uniform sponsors remain K's Electronics and Mito Securities. Uniforms still appear to have the Ibaraki Airport logo on the sleeves as well.
The uniforms remain the same, which saves me a bit of money this year, but the goalkeeper uniform has undergone a style change. From either all green and all yellow to green/white and all black. I'm not sure about the purpose of adding a white section to the traditionally home green uniform, but the yellow would have to change due to new J2 arrivals Tochigi SC having exactly the same shade as their home color.
13 January 2009
Ibaraki Soccer Festival 2009
The annual match between Mito and national champions Kashima Antlers will take place on Saturday, February 21. Kickoff will be at 2PM at Kashima Stadium. Tickets will be available for 1000, 2000, and 3000 yen, and parking at private lots is a 500-1000 yen charge depending on walking distance.
Mito has never won this exhibition match, losing the previous installments 2-0, 2-1, 4-0, and 4-1. This year Mito looks to have a strong team with a chance but no team looks strong compared to Japan's most successful club.
Mito has never won this exhibition match, losing the previous installments 2-0, 2-1, 4-0, and 4-1. This year Mito looks to have a strong team with a chance but no team looks strong compared to Japan's most successful club.
12 January 2009
First Supporter Event of 2009
Over 40 of Mito's supporters gathered on Saturday for a few hours of slow pitch softball. Many familiar faces could be seen after almost a month apart... A long time in this community.
A mere 5 minutes from the future stadium site.
A good time was had by all who played as well as all who watched.
It seems I am a better player than heavy smoking middle aged and elderly soccer fans. Imagine that!
The next casual event is a free concert at Midorigaoka jazz studio on the 25th in North Mito with SHOTARO, a local singer who made Mito's first official song years ago.
A mere 5 minutes from the future stadium site.
A good time was had by all who played as well as all who watched.
It seems I am a better player than heavy smoking middle aged and elderly soccer fans. Imagine that!
The next casual event is a free concert at Midorigaoka jazz studio on the 25th in North Mito with SHOTARO, a local singer who made Mito's first official song years ago.
07 January 2009
Quick Staff Update, Arata's Future
Mito has hired a new general manager, Shoji Fujimura. Haven't met him yet.
The following world clubs have expressed interest in Mito's star forward Arata:
Millonarios (Columbia)
R.A.E.C. Mons (Belgium)
SK Dynamo České Budějovice (Czech Republic)
Chonburi (Thailand)
Foolad FC (Iran)
All teams are in their countries' top divisions of play. Millonarios is the most successful club in Colombian history and Chonburi is Thailand's current champion team.
And of course it seems every Japanese club would like to have him, and many are making bids of various quality.
While the club and fans want Arata to stay, the worst case scenario of a rental or buyout would mean some money available for the team to use. Arata signed a new contract in the middle of 2008 and likely is guaranteed through 2009 unless another team makes an offer Mito can't refuse.
The following world clubs have expressed interest in Mito's star forward Arata:
Millonarios (Columbia)
R.A.E.C. Mons (Belgium)
SK Dynamo České Budějovice (Czech Republic)
Chonburi (Thailand)
Foolad FC (Iran)
All teams are in their countries' top divisions of play. Millonarios is the most successful club in Colombian history and Chonburi is Thailand's current champion team.
And of course it seems every Japanese club would like to have him, and many are making bids of various quality.
While the club and fans want Arata to stay, the worst case scenario of a rental or buyout would mean some money available for the team to use. Arata signed a new contract in the middle of 2008 and likely is guaranteed through 2009 unless another team makes an offer Mito can't refuse.
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