Mito 1 - 3 Gifu

Mito is now 4 games without a win with an uninspired performance only slightly better than the Tochigi match. At least in this match Mito played solidly if unspectacularly for most of the first match and the last stretch of the second, but chances went largely unfulfilled. Mito's goal came from Takasaki with only a few minutes to go as Yoshihara juked past a Gifu defender, crossed into the penalty area, and Takasaki headed a bouncing shot that curled in as if thrown by a cricket bowler. This lit a fire under the Mito side to try to score the tying goal, but in that exuberance they allowed Gifu's last, game securing goal in injury time.

While Tosu won to move past Mito on goal difference, Mito was fortunate to have both Kofu and Shonan lose this round. The point gap for 3rd place is the same as it was before the loss, and still Mito can be promoted by winning 3 games more than Kofu and Shonan in the home stretch and having a better record than Tosu. The Tosu match coming up on Wednesday at Kasamatsu becomes huge and a win there would keep Mito in the race. A Tosu win, combined with top team wins, could end that hope. Although statistically any team in the top 12 right now is mathematically possible for promotion.

One of the reasons for the less than clockwork performance could be the travel. Because of the traffic expected on the long holiday, the team did not travel by bus on the highway but woke up early and took the express train and first bullet train toward Nagoya. I would find out later that the players were less than perfectly rested and comfortable.

Yoshiahara would be very charismatic and entertaining (although not very insightful) as guest on the After Game Show on SkyPerfecTV which also featured lots of Mito information.

Forward Yoshihara on TV Tonight

Mito forward Kota Yoshihara will be a guest on tonight's J. League After Game Show on SkyPerfecTV, broadcast after the final game of the day wraps up.

Public Viewing at Aeon Mall in Uchihara

Today's game at Gifu will be broadcast live at Mito's Uchihara Aeon Mall. There will be no charge to watch, of course, and a few plusses make this a bit more worthwhile than previous viewings in Kasama or Hitachinaka:

-2 players will be present, and will also have a signing.

-A museum style display of all uniforms since the JFL days will be set up.

-The first 20 people who sign up for SkyPerfecTV will receive a signed practice shirt.

So those who can't make the long drive to Gifu and don't have SkyPerfecTV can go see the game for free, sign up for SkyPerfecTV, and be motivated to do things like drive to Gifu to watch a game!

Mito 0 - 2 Tochigi

Due to the larger than usual number of people needing to leave soon after the match ended, there was a shuffle of the staff and I staffed the cheap seats for the first time in more than a year. On the plus side, I could finally join the cheering section for at least a small part of the game. On the minus side, I could clearly see the poor play that led to this poor result.

It was vintage Mito, which is not a good thing. Earlier in the year there were bad losses, giving up 5 runs, but those were with injured squads against top level teams. This was the first loss against a traditionally weak team this year where Mito's poor play outweighed the other team's effort, at least since the first match's loss at Ehime. Shimoda is out with a leg injury, but yesterday's starters were the choice line-up at the beginning of the season. On Tochigi's part, they have been on a good run since picking up Leandro, but he alone doesn't make the team much stronger than the teams Mito could not beat in the two previous matches.

From the field level (which is very hard to follow) and from the sound of the crowd when out of view it was clear that Tochigi was playing better than Mito in the first half. In the second half, I could see why. Both on the attack and in defense, there were more Tochigi players in front of the goal than Mito players. It would pay off for them in the second half as the player with a foot on the ball could pop it in for both goals.

Along with the previous two draws, this is the turning point for Mito's promotion chances. The team has to start winning again to take advantage of any slip up in the top teams. There is now an 8 point gap between Mito and the promotion spots with 11 matches left to play. Even if Mito would still be in 5th, two more losses against weak teams would probably make the run for promotion a 4 horse race.

Takasaki Named Most Impressive Player for August

J. League information site J's Goal has named Mito forward Takasaki as the most impressive player for August. He played a great month topped by a hat trick at home against Okayama.

This is the first time Mito has had two months in a row of having this web award, after keeper Honma won it last month.

The trophy presentation ceremony photo and interview will take place shortly and be posted at the following site:

http://www.jsgoal.jp/mip/index.html#j2

Mito 1 - 1 Yokohama

Despite skirting with the lowest place in the standings, Yokohama is now one of the very few teams Mito could not defeat at least once this year.

It was very painful for Mito fans who had braced for one more draw, until defender Suzuki crossed the ball right into Arata for an injury time header. Mito players and fans celebrated but the celebration ended in the 5th minute of injury time, as Yokohama managed a drawing goal in the last second of the game.

Players, fans, and coach Kiyama all yelled at the official after the game for at first announcing 4 minutes of injury time, then allowing 5 and a half minutes, letting Yokohama get two more chances to score before blowing the final whistle. Of course, the decision is final, but it is still very unfortunate. Luckily for the second round in a row other top teams would draw and the gap to 3rd place is the same.

The next match on Sunday at Kasamatsu against Tochigi should be a nice bounce back, unless they can extend their unlikely warm streak an extra week. Mito needs to win to have a chance to make movements toward the top 4. Mito needs at least a draw to secure the North Kanto trophy which would be Mito's first title of any type. If Mito loses, there is a chance that the team could drop to 6th place for the first time in a long time.

Mito 1 - 1 Sapporo

Mito fought hard and played well against a determined home Sapporo side and came back with a draw. It marked the second game in a row where Mito came back after allowing the first goal. After Sapporo scored in the 51st minute, Kota Yoshihara hit a great header about 10 minutes later to even it up.

It would have been a good game to win with Shonan and Kofu both drawing, but with Sapporo being the toughest team any of the top 6 teams had to face this round, it marks a potential important step.

Next match is at Yokohama on Sunday, and ironically in Mito's best season, the team has yet to beat Yokohama in their most tragic year. This will be the last chance and will be vital to keep promotion a chance, with still only 5 points below the promotion area.

Everybody Likes Stickers

The club has reached a deal to put stickers on all 3000 taxis in Ibaraki prefecture, advertising the final three home games that will christen the new K's Denki Stadium Mito. They will also be available for sale at games and the official shops for 200 yen so supporters can donate a little while at the same time helping to promote the matches.

I plan on getting a new car this month, so perhaps I'll get two!