The drive back was a little brutal but I'd gladly take on 5 more minutes if it meant 5 fewer for the Mito side... Mito played fairly well but if not for the final 3 minutes of the first half and the final 2 minutes of the second, it would have been a much more respectable 0-1 score. Including Emperor's Cup matches, the two teams have faced each other 7 times and Kashima has won them all with a total score of 19-2. This marks the third Ibaraki Soccer Festival in a row in which Mito allowed 4 goals.
Mito played a mix of starters and backups and Kashima played either a starting squad or starters and backups (I'm not familiar enough with the players). I was looking forward to seeing two players specifically; former Mito standout Chu-Ho Park and newly acquired Kota Yoshihara. Both are clearly yet to fit into the club and performed below what I'd expected. Park was consistently stopped by former partner Kanazawa, and he didn't seem to have the same ball control that he did for Mito last year. Yoshihara showed considerable talent, but not in the goal-scoring area that he had in previous exhibitions. He was able to keep the ball and feed it very well on the right wing side. In the middle or when trying to drive towards the goal, the ball would soon find itself in enemy... hands. Hopefully he can mesh a bit better in the team and his tactics would fare better against the likes of Tokushima than the best defense in Asia.
A fun outing in any case and the first chance in 2 months to meet many of the fans again.
21 February 2009
19 February 2009
Practice Match Results
Today, Mito defeated J1 side Yokohama F. Marinos in a friendly preseason match. It was played in 3 40-minute periods.
Mito 0-0 Yokohama
Mito 1-0 Yokohama
Mito 1-0 Yokohama
The first goal was taken by Kota Yoshihara, and the second by Shunichi Nakajima.
Yoshihara has now scored 3 goals in the two preseason matches he has appeared, against "stronger" opponents. Hopefully this is a good sign that he'll be a bigger force than his2 goals in 19 games last year.
Mito 0-0 Yokohama
Mito 1-0 Yokohama
Mito 1-0 Yokohama
The first goal was taken by Kota Yoshihara, and the second by Shunichi Nakajima.
Yoshihara has now scored 3 goals in the two preseason matches he has appeared, against "stronger" opponents. Hopefully this is a good sign that he'll be a bigger force than his2 goals in 19 games last year.
18 February 2009
Kota Yoshihara to Mito HollyHock
It was just announced that for his twelfth year in the J. League, forward Kota Yoshihara joins Mito, after playing for Sapporo, Gamba Osaka, and most recently Omiya Ardija.
He'll be the second most veteran player on the squad, with even more years as a professional than Mito's stalwart keeper Honma, who exemplifies the feeling of "veteran" for the Mito fan. Only defender Suzuki, who has played in the J. League since 1995, has been around longer. He's played in 325 league and cup matches, scoring 74 goals. He also played for the national team in 1999. Including play in the JFL (with Sapporo), this will be his 15th year.
Although Mito players have gone on to become national team members (most notably Marcus Tulio Tanaka), Yoshihara is the first former national team member to join Mito. While his best years are behind him, he still has a bit left in him as could be seen with two goals scored against Shonan in the recent training match. He'll not play over J2's rookie of the year Arata or Urawa rental Takasaki, but would likely be in an offensive side midfield position as a feeder to those two and taking shots when appropriate.
His statement to Omiya supporters:
「大宮のファン・サポーターの皆さんにはご心配お掛けしましたが、水戸ホーリーホックに加入することになしました。ディビジョンは違いますが、大宮と対戦することを楽しみにしております。これからも応援よろしくお願いします。」("I caused a lot of worry for Omiya fans and supporters, but it's come to pass that I join Mito HollyHock. Even though a different division, I look forward to playing against Omiya.I still ask for your support from now, too.")
His statement to Mito supporters:
「本当にいろんな思いを持って加入を決めました。声を掛けてくれた水戸に恩返しが出来るよう頑張ります。応援よろしくお願いします。」 ("I really put a lot of thought into it and then made the decision to join. I want to work hard and return the favor of Mito, who called out for me. I ask for your support.")
He'll be the second most veteran player on the squad, with even more years as a professional than Mito's stalwart keeper Honma, who exemplifies the feeling of "veteran" for the Mito fan. Only defender Suzuki, who has played in the J. League since 1995, has been around longer. He's played in 325 league and cup matches, scoring 74 goals. He also played for the national team in 1999. Including play in the JFL (with Sapporo), this will be his 15th year.
Although Mito players have gone on to become national team members (most notably Marcus Tulio Tanaka), Yoshihara is the first former national team member to join Mito. While his best years are behind him, he still has a bit left in him as could be seen with two goals scored against Shonan in the recent training match. He'll not play over J2's rookie of the year Arata or Urawa rental Takasaki, but would likely be in an offensive side midfield position as a feeder to those two and taking shots when appropriate.
His statement to Omiya supporters:
「大宮のファン・サポーターの皆さんにはご心配お掛けしましたが、水戸ホーリーホックに加入することになしました。ディビジョンは違いますが、大宮と対戦することを楽しみにしております。これからも応援よろしくお願いします。」("I caused a lot of worry for Omiya fans and supporters, but it's come to pass that I join Mito HollyHock. Even though a different division, I look forward to playing against Omiya.I still ask for your support from now, too.")
His statement to Mito supporters:
「本当にいろんな思いを持って加入を決めました。声を掛けてくれた水戸に恩返しが出来るよう頑張ります。応援よろしくお願いします。」 ("I really put a lot of thought into it and then made the decision to join. I want to work hard and return the favor of Mito, who called out for me. I ask for your support.")
14 February 2009
Practice Match Results
Mito played against two other J2 teams in away practice matches this week.
February 11 vs. Shonan Bellmare, 4 periods of 45 minutes:
Mito 0 - 1 Shonan
Mito 0 - 0 Shonan
Mito 1 - 0 Shonan
Mito 1 - 2 Shonan
Both Mito goals taken by an unsigned player under examination.
February 14 vs. Tochigi SC, 2 halves of 45 minutes:
Mito 1 - 0 Tochigi
Mito 3 - 0 Tochigi
First half goal taken by Mansho. Second half goals taken by Tsuruno, Kikuoka, and Takasaki.
February 11 vs. Shonan Bellmare, 4 periods of 45 minutes:
Mito 0 - 1 Shonan
Mito 0 - 0 Shonan
Mito 1 - 0 Shonan
Mito 1 - 2 Shonan
Both Mito goals taken by an unsigned player under examination.
February 14 vs. Tochigi SC, 2 halves of 45 minutes:
Mito 1 - 0 Tochigi
Mito 3 - 0 Tochigi
First half goal taken by Mansho. Second half goals taken by Tsuruno, Kikuoka, and Takasaki.
10 February 2009
Press Conference Report
Yesterday at 2PM, Mito's head management held a press conference regarding future plans for the club.
The schedule included:
-A screening of the J. League DVD regarding the 100 Year Plan, followed by the club's presentation on how it will fit into that plan.
-A presentation entitled "Mito's Restoration", with inflections on the club becoming a regional power as Mito city the eastern Japan power during the Tokugawa era.
-Announcement of a new strategy to strengthen the club by taking a nurturing attitude toward players and prospects. (It was this effort that helped star forward Arata to stay rather than go abroad or to a J1 club.)
-Announcement of a new 3 year plan to lead to the "Restoration": FC Mito SSS Plan
The "FC Mito Triple S Plan" is made up of three parts, of course:
STRONG
-Developing the top team into a J2 contender.
-Developing players who feel pride and dignity yet are disciplined.
-To spread the feeling of enjoying soccer through the players and community.
SATISFACTION
-Creation of a club ground (this summer) and having that ground and the club be the pride of the community.
-Create entertainment outside what ordinary soccer clubs fulfill.
-To become a self-reliant club through community openness and support.
SIDE BY SIDE
-To have all achievements be through the home community.
-To grow along with the city.
-To contribute to the community.
Through these pillars the team hopes to achieve the following in the 3 year span:
-To be basically profitable (that is, without the usual aid given by the League to J2 clubs).
-To have a total income of more than 360,000,000 yen (Approx. US$3.8 millon).
-To have an average of 5000 fans per home game.
-To finish 8th or above on the table.
-To have sellout matches.
The schedule included:
-A screening of the J. League DVD regarding the 100 Year Plan, followed by the club's presentation on how it will fit into that plan.
-A presentation entitled "Mito's Restoration", with inflections on the club becoming a regional power as Mito city the eastern Japan power during the Tokugawa era.
-Announcement of a new strategy to strengthen the club by taking a nurturing attitude toward players and prospects. (It was this effort that helped star forward Arata to stay rather than go abroad or to a J1 club.)
-Announcement of a new 3 year plan to lead to the "Restoration": FC Mito SSS Plan
The "FC Mito Triple S Plan" is made up of three parts, of course:
STRONG
-Developing the top team into a J2 contender.
-Developing players who feel pride and dignity yet are disciplined.
-To spread the feeling of enjoying soccer through the players and community.
SATISFACTION
-Creation of a club ground (this summer) and having that ground and the club be the pride of the community.
-Create entertainment outside what ordinary soccer clubs fulfill.
-To become a self-reliant club through community openness and support.
SIDE BY SIDE
-To have all achievements be through the home community.
-To grow along with the city.
-To contribute to the community.
Through these pillars the team hopes to achieve the following in the 3 year span:
-To be basically profitable (that is, without the usual aid given by the League to J2 clubs).
-To have a total income of more than 360,000,000 yen (Approx. US$3.8 millon).
-To have an average of 5000 fans per home game.
-To finish 8th or above on the table.
-To have sellout matches.
09 February 2009
Past Players and Future Rivals
On Sunday I took the drive to north Tochigi to see a practice match between Fukushima United FC and Arte Takasaki. Fukushima, in the Tohoku regional league, defeated JFL's Takasaki 2-0 on a high school's fairly nice artificial pitch over 3 35 minute periods.
I went for three reasons: to catch up with Fukushima player Koji Fukasawa, to see the former Mito players now playing for Fukushima, and to see if Takasaki has improved and if it could become a rival for Mito. With Tochigi's promotion, there are only three reasonable possibilities for the north Kanto derby to expand, all very unlikely... Takasaki could suddenly improve and join J2, Tonan SC Gunma could continue its progress and do the same, or champions Kashima could have a disastrous year and be relegated. Frankly, there is a much higher chance for Kusatsu, Tochigi, or Mito to be promoted before that.
Unfortunately it seems Takasaki still has fan problems. Two dozen Fukushima fans made the 2 hour drive, which is how long it took the 8 Mito fans who took the relatively nearby chance to see old players again. 5 Tochigi SC fans also took an hour drive to see Koji, and apparently they all knew me too and wanted a picture with both of us. Despite somewhat close and the first chance to see all the new players, only 3 Takasaki fans came to support. They are a BITTER group and would trash their team for the laugh. In a scene of great love of soccer and appreciation over hero worship, it was a disappointing sight.
On the toll road leaving Tochigi, I passed the Takasaki bus. The players looking out the window and made some small talk and pointed seeing me with all the Mito junk on my car.
About the match, all former Mito players did well, especially Ki-Su Kim and Naoya Ohashi. It was good to see Ohashi shine in a role that wasn't possible at Mito. Seeing a lower level of play was refreshing in some ways too, although all the players are still on pro contracts. However Fukushima players seemed attached to their former pro clubs... Players tended to wear the warm up gear of the highest level team they had played with. Only high school recruits warmed up in their own team's gear.
Ki-Su Kim goes over the last period's play
Naoya Ohashi hustles
Kim still has Mito on his mind 2 years later
Ohashi pulls a Mitre warm up OVER the pre-2006 Puma Mito gear. An impressive double!
Koji Fukasawa earns his keep
I went for three reasons: to catch up with Fukushima player Koji Fukasawa, to see the former Mito players now playing for Fukushima, and to see if Takasaki has improved and if it could become a rival for Mito. With Tochigi's promotion, there are only three reasonable possibilities for the north Kanto derby to expand, all very unlikely... Takasaki could suddenly improve and join J2, Tonan SC Gunma could continue its progress and do the same, or champions Kashima could have a disastrous year and be relegated. Frankly, there is a much higher chance for Kusatsu, Tochigi, or Mito to be promoted before that.
Unfortunately it seems Takasaki still has fan problems. Two dozen Fukushima fans made the 2 hour drive, which is how long it took the 8 Mito fans who took the relatively nearby chance to see old players again. 5 Tochigi SC fans also took an hour drive to see Koji, and apparently they all knew me too and wanted a picture with both of us. Despite somewhat close and the first chance to see all the new players, only 3 Takasaki fans came to support. They are a BITTER group and would trash their team for the laugh. In a scene of great love of soccer and appreciation over hero worship, it was a disappointing sight.
On the toll road leaving Tochigi, I passed the Takasaki bus. The players looking out the window and made some small talk and pointed seeing me with all the Mito junk on my car.
About the match, all former Mito players did well, especially Ki-Su Kim and Naoya Ohashi. It was good to see Ohashi shine in a role that wasn't possible at Mito. Seeing a lower level of play was refreshing in some ways too, although all the players are still on pro contracts. However Fukushima players seemed attached to their former pro clubs... Players tended to wear the warm up gear of the highest level team they had played with. Only high school recruits warmed up in their own team's gear.
Ki-Su Kim goes over the last period's play
Naoya Ohashi hustles
Kim still has Mito on his mind 2 years later
Ohashi pulls a Mitre warm up OVER the pre-2006 Puma Mito gear. An impressive double!
Koji Fukasawa earns his keep
2009 Schedule
The schedule is listed in the right bar, and will be updated with results during the season.
Mito lost out on the home game front and will be one of half the teams to have one more away game than home game this year. However, most of the teams hosting Mito twice in the triple round robin are fairly close, and for the first time in a long time the season ends with a home game so the players just have to say one farewell. Traveling to the last game and seeing a second emotional sendoff is an odd feeling.
Mito lost out on the home game front and will be one of half the teams to have one more away game than home game this year. However, most of the teams hosting Mito twice in the triple round robin are fairly close, and for the first time in a long time the season ends with a home game so the players just have to say one farewell. Traveling to the last game and seeing a second emotional sendoff is an odd feeling.
Exhibition Match: Mito 1 - 4 FC Tokyo
Mito traveled to western Tokyo for the first warm up with/against another team, playing 4 30 minute scrimmages and giving all the players a chance to see some time.
Tokyo won the first three scrimmages and Mito took the last one, with the goal coming from newly recruited midfielder Shimada.
Tokyo won the first three scrimmages and Mito took the last one, with the goal coming from newly recruited midfielder Shimada.
Mito Cleanup
On Saturday morning I joined the club staff and we all met with the Mito Women's Forum, a group of retired women of the community who volunteer for various functions. It's a yearly cleaning event that takes place before tourists arrive for one of the city's festivals.
Usually the club makes an appeal for supporters to help and throws in a player or two, but not this year. Ironically (or as planned, perhaps), the results were a lot more productive without a couple of dozen fans following the players around.
After the event I was introduced by president Numata to the forum as the club's "translator", which would be generous considering I translated a grand total of one poster phrase and two stadium board phrases over the course of last year.
Usually the club makes an appeal for supporters to help and throws in a player or two, but not this year. Ironically (or as planned, perhaps), the results were a lot more productive without a couple of dozen fans following the players around.
After the event I was introduced by president Numata to the forum as the club's "translator", which would be generous considering I translated a grand total of one poster phrase and two stadium board phrases over the course of last year.
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