2009 J-League. The season so far.

Well, the J League is now halfway through and has been enjoying a little break, punctuated with the All-Star game on the 8th, with the J League All Stars taking on the K League All Stars from Korea.

As it stands, Kashima, last years Champions, are making fantastic progress towards holding on to their title. Kawasaki have managed to put a run together and take advantage of Niigata's recent stumbles to pull into third and haul Kashima to only an 8 point lead.

The big shock of the season however, is my home team (In Japan, anyway) Albirex Niigata. Ever since they broke into J-1 back in 2003, Albirex have enjoyed the 2nd biggest fan base, some of the most vocal fans, and lower table mediocrity. Apart from 2007 when they managed a respectable 6th. However, this year sees them currently lying 3rd, duking it out with Kawasaki for 2nd, and for a few weeks, flying high at the top for the first time in their history! It has tken Japan a little by surprise. Usually, the top teams feature at the end of the highlight programs in longer sections. But for some reason, Albi, despite being ranked in the top 3, still featured in the "rest of the teams" section. That situation has now changed.

So, the season so far.

Kashima Antlers. Coached by Oswaldo de Oliviera from Brazil (Kashima usually have Brazilian managers) the Antlers have a very strong squad they have maintained over the last few years. Lead by Marquinhos, Kashimas lead scorer, Kashima have not had to rely on any 1 player for goals, contributing from all over. However, the last 2 league games saw them wobble alarmingly to 2 defeats. However, the break will allow them a chance to regain the focus.

Kawasaki Frontale. Currently lying second taking advantage of Niigatas wobble. Another Brazilian leads the scoring in the form of Juninho. Kawasaki play some good football, but have had an inability to put away opponents. They will finish in the top 3.

Albirex Niigata. Now 3rd after an amazing first half of the season. The front line of Pedro Junior (Brazil) and Yuno (Japan!) have been steadily contributing goals without lighting aything on fire. However, where Niigata have improved is the defence. Last year, at the best of times, the defencive line looked somewhat uncertain together. This year, whilst still not filling me with complete confidence, and able to go on walkabouts, it has proved much more solid, allowing the team to make real headway. My hear hopes for top 3, and getting into the Asian Champions league, my head says achingly, 4 or 5.

Currently in 4th, the "big spenders" of the J League, Urawa Reds. Biggest fanbase, a squad full of stars including (ex-Niigata) Edmilson, this team, for some reason, has not been firing on all cylinders. However, ranked 4th, and only a point back. However, if they play the second half the way they played the first, and they finish 3rd, it will be down to Niigata fading away, not Urawas brilliance.

Shimizu S-Pulse. Usually a good all-round team that plays solid football, if not so pretty (The lurid kits they have worn in the past makes up for that!) Will finish fairly high.

FC Tokyo. A good side that promises so much, and goes on good runs, has a good number of the Japanese national team on the books, does rely on Naohiro Ishikawa for the goal production. However, he is producing, ranked as the J Leagues top scorer!

Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Solid team, nothing spectacular. However, Niigata, Kawasaki, and Urawa owe them drinks after Sanfrecce turned over Kashima in the last game before the break!

Gamba Osaka. A good team that has slid this year. Last year, they won the Asian Champions League, and are currently trying to defend the title. The team does look more tired this year!

Jubilo Iwata. This used to be one of the top teams, but have slid somewhat over the last few years. Mid-table mediocrity beckons.

Nagoya Grampus. Saw the return of Dragan Stojkovic. A top player for the team from the 80's to 90's, he hails from Serbia originally, and conducts all interviews in English! Last year, Nagoya finished 3rd, but this year they have slid down the table. Scoring is not a problem, with Davi providing a regular supply. The issue this year has been the defence has suddenly got all leaky!

Yokohama F Marinos. Bankrolled by Nissan, this team promises a lot. But not often delivers. There was a hope that the teams shining light Sunnoske Nakamura would return after finishing with Celtic, and wanting a return to Japan now his kids are getting older. Unfortunately, Nissan are in a lot of problems and could not pony up the money to pay for him, and he has ended up in the sunshine of Spain, playing for Espanyol.

Kyoto Sanga. A solid team if not that exciting. Nice kit though. Lovely shade of purple.

Omiya Ardija. A good team that has the ability to languish in the lower levels of the league, but then explode and knock off a top team! Wierd.

Montedio Yamagata. This years surprise team. Recently promoted from J-2, representing the small northern town of Yamagata. They have a small but hardcore support, and a hard working team to match. They are not star-laden, but they work hard together, and started the season at a burn! However, they have now been found out a little, and their league position of 14th reflects this. However, they do work hard (unlike Newcastle did as they crashed), and will work themselves away from trouble.

Vissel Kobe. A team that has had huge problems. Went bust, got bought by the guy who runs Rakuten, and had their colours changed to match the corporate colours of Rakuten. Did not sit too well with the fans. The team is still rebuilding. The team plays some good football at times, but also manages to implode on the field.

JEF United Chiba. Team backed bythe railways, been known as Tokyo JEF United, JEF United Tokyo, but now settled on naming themselves after where they play! This season has seen them not really progress, in spite of the teams best efforts.

Kashiwa Reysol. A team that manages to deliver in fits and starts. Not bottom. Only because Oita is worse! May not be able to do enough to save themselves from the drop.

Oita Trinita. The only team based on Japans southernmost island. Last year, qualified for the Pan Pacific Cup, ranked 4th, and where going places. Oita built a team from the back, and forgot to worry about the front. They managed to get their high ranking through having the tightest defence in the league. This year, the front line has been called upon to deliver more goals, but has been unable to, whilst the backline has not been quite so watertight this year! However, they have managed to score a couple of notable results such as a recent 2-1 win over Grampus. It got so bad that as of July 14th, the manager, Perecles Chamusca, got fired. Definately going to not avoid the drop!

This year has seen the usual suspects perform, or not. However, we have also seen some teams inexplicably slide, and others step up. As long as the second half of the season proves to be as good as the first, then we will be in for a ride until November!

Come on Niigata!