We Was Robbed...

Both the Blues and Kobe were robbed blind on Sunday, failing to get the points they deserved. Wolves got a last-minute equaliser against the Blue Boys (1-1), whilst Vissel succumbed to an unjust 2-1 defeat to leave a very nervy run-in in the last three games of the season.

I could tell I wasn't having particularly good luck the day before, when we went to Joypolis, a massive games arcade in Okayama City. First I came LAST in the four player racing game, when I was winning for most of it, upholding my country's pride against the others from New York, New Zealand, Canada and Wales (truly an international contest) until disaster struck on the home straight. Then, the Welshman beat me 1-0 as Angola on a football game. I was England. (Still, McClaren's team would've probably lost 2-0).

So anyway, we set out on Saturday full of confidence for the day ahead. In fact this blaze attitude led to us catching numerous trains in several different directions until we finally emerged outside of the Wing stadium. At the start of play, with four games left, the top of the J2 table looked like this:

1. Kobe Vissel..................84
2. Yokohama FC.................83
3. Kashiwa Reysol...............82

Last week we'd lost 4-3 to Reysol, meaning they'd clawed themselves back into it. Yesterday we were playing Yokohama, in a 'very top of the table' clash. Getting there early meant we had time to waste lots of money on Kobe stuff before the game, including another dangly thing for the cellphone, and a very nice scarf. I was also interviewed by Radio Osaka, and asked to give a simple message in English about the game. I went for "Come on Kobe: Back of the Net!", which was soon followed up with "Murder, She Wrote!" from Phil, much to the puzzlement of the interviewer. Anyway, we'd got tickets for the Nutter Stand this time, and it certainly didn't dissapoint! The atmosphere was infinately better than last time, we were standing and singing all game. The singing was led by the hardcore skinheads in black bomber jackets to our left, and included some great songs including one to the tune of Yellow Submarine. Before the game we all held up cards to show a big Kobe badge; and our cause was boosted by the return of Stuart Baxter, our ex-manager, who we noticed on the bench. He'd left as manager a few months ago and moved to Scandinavia, but obviously missed "the Blood" so came back as a coach; what a legend!

The first half an hour was scrappy, with Yokohama maybe slightly edging it. However, in the 35th minute they burst to life, sweeping through our defence before cutting in a ball from the left to the far post. Our keeper had no chance as Shoji Jo powered home to make it 1-0. There was no immediate response, and as the half time wistle was blown things didn't look good. Stu must have had a word at half time, as we looked a lot better after the break. Yokahama began to time-waste, but in the 55th minute gave away a free kick on the right, just outside the penalty box. Our captain and hero, Atsu, curled in what looked like a cross, but it evaded everyone and ended up in the top right-hand corner! Que wild celebrations, and hi-fives from all the Japanese people around us. It looked like we were gonna go on and get the three points, however, completely against the run of play, in the 70th minute Yokohama broke away; our keeper saved a first shot, but the rebound was powered in by Alemao. 2-1. The rest of the game involved frantic attempts to equalise; corners, free kicks, and a header that we somehow managed to plant wide from all of 6 yards out. The goalie even came up for the last corner of the game, but it wasn't to be. Yokohama got all the decisions from the ref, who was absolutely useless. Plus they were constantly feigning injury and time-wasting, leading to a bad-tempered end to the game.

As the final whistle blew we slumped in our seats; as things now stand we could be facing the play-offs to get up into J1.

It was a fun day out, however there is certainly a significant cultural difference in the way Japanese and British people support football teams. Whilst the Bomber Jacket Crew sang almost constantly for the 90 minutes (see half-time skindhead makeover photo above), they didn't once react to events on the pitch. When the ref was letting Yokohama get away with murder, and their players were time-wasting, I felt like I was the most annoyed person in the stand! No-one else reacted- they just kept singing. There was no jeering when the opposition blazed shots over, or taunting of the opposition players and fans. The most the crowd stretched to was the odd boo. Other than that it was Kobe song after Kobe song; cool, but not quite the same as such classics as "Your support is f*cking shit", "The referee's a w*nker", and "Oh Ashley Cole, What A F*cking Ar****le."

So yeah, less swearing than at English footie grounds as well. I guess ultimately the crowd didn't seem to share my anger and frustration, which was annoying. It's all very well getting behind the team etc etc etc, but you also need to vent your frustration at the ref, missed chances and cheating by the opposition. While I had opportunities in abudance to moan about the Blues back home, no one else seemed to want to share in the moaning culture at Kobe.

Final table stands like this...

1. Yokohama FC....................86
2. Kashiwa Reysol..................85
3. Kobe Vissel....................84

Our final games are:

Thursday 23rd Nov: Kusatsu (12th in table/13) vs Kobe
Sunday 26th Nov: Kobe vs Shonan (11th)
Saturday 2nd Dec: Sendai (5th) vs Kobe

Will we get promoted? Or will we have to settle for the playoffs? Find out here!