Thursday, March 1, 2007

J. LEAGUE 2007

By JAMES MULLIGAN

Staff writer

Last season: 14th

Manager: Jun Suzuki

Prospects: Mid-table, but better than last year

One to watch: Shingo Suzuki, a pacy left winger who scored nine league goals last season.

Masataka Sakamoto, a direct midfielder who played well in fits and starts for JEF United Chiba last season, has joined, and he should link up well with Suzuki in supporting the strikers.

The main man up front, Edmilson, should be hoping to improve on his disappointing 10 league goals last season, although this paltry amount was enough to make him the team's top scorer, which says it all.

Forward Masaki Fukai is another pacy addition who can take some of the burden away from the Brazilian, but Albirex will be without the services of playmaker Fabinho, who has been released.

The club has used its satellite team in Singapore to bring in two other players, Seigo Yoshizawa and Hideya Tanaka.

As usual, the massive crowds that flock to the Big Swan Stadium for home games will motivate the Albirex.

See related stories: Osim Jr. feels the pressure Captain Sato wants 3rd cup triumph S-Pulse's Fujimoto eyes national team Manager Oliveira places faith in forwards Vissel Kobe coach Matsuda welcomes changing of the guard German Osieck embraces Reds challenge Sef tips Grampus young guns

2007 J. LEAGUE TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS Urawa Reds Kawasaki Frontale Gamba Osaka Shimizu S-Pulse Jubilo Iwata Kashima Antlers Nagoya Grampus Eight Oita Trinita Yokohama F. Marinos Sanfrecce Hiroshima JEF United Chiba Omiya Ardija FC Tokyo Albirex Niigata Ventforet Kofu Yokohama FC Kashiwa Reysol Vissel Kobe

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