Asian Champions League MD3: Kyoto score five, Kashima lose more defenders

Kashima are having a much better time in Asia than they are in J1 atm. Three wins from three, nine points and top of the eastern standings. They also made seven changes from the Kashiwa defeat, including a start for 17-year-old Udenba in midfield. Thats a pretty big show of faith from Oniki. The first half was a bit frustrating. Kashima dominated possession but couldnt really break down Pohang's defensive block. Things improved after the break.

Suzuki was introduced at half-time, with Shibasaki and Matsumura following after 63 minutes. They gave Kashima more options around the penalty area and eventually the pressure told. Koike scored the opener, Cavric added another and Matheus Bueno finished things off. The Koike goal was particularly amusing. Hed only come on because Hirose went off injured after nine minutes, then made a brilliant run into the box and finished Bueno's delivery with his chest.

The bigger story is Kashima's injury situation. Hirose appeared to hurt the back of his right thigh and couldnt continue. Oniki said afterwards that he suspected a muscular problem, but the final assessment hadnt been made. And theres worse news for Kim Tae-hyeon. Kashima confirmed on Thursday that he fractured the upper part of his right tibia against Kashiwa on Saturday. The club arent publishing a recovery period. Thats two important defensive options with injury concerns.

Oniki admitted that the number of injuries is becoming particularly difficult to manage. For Sorare, Koike is suddenly a much more interesting candidate at right-back. He was already competing for minutes, and Hirose's injury could provide an opportunity. Ceará also returned from the bench late on, which is encouraging after his recent problem. I wouldnt automatically assume he starts against Cerezo on Saturday, but its a positive step. Kashima's depth is being tested quite heavily now.

Theyve managed it brilliantly in Asia so far. Less brilliantly in the league.

Another Asian win for Kobe. Three from three and another clean sheet. Not a particularly spectacular performance, but winning away in Korea with a heavily rotated side is a decent result. Skibbe changed seven starters from the Machida match. Osako, Erik and Thuler werent involved in the squad at all. Komatsu started up front, with Patrick and Hidaka also coming into the attacking positions.

Kobe have been dealing with a horrible schedule recently, and Skibbe had already discussed the number of tired and injured players before the trip. So I wouldnt automatically treat those omissions as new injuries. The game itself was pretty even. Daejeon caused Kobe problems on the counter and Gonda made an important save before half-time. But Kobe were organised defensively and eventually found the winner.

Sakai delivered an excellent cross from the right, and Komatsu headed home after 83 minutes. Hes becoming a particularly useful option for Kobe. He scored against Kashiwa earlier this month and has now delivered another important goal in Asia. I still wouldnt suddenly make him first choice ahead of Osako. The original selection decisions were clearly influenced by the schedule.

But Komatsu is increasingly showing he can start these games and contribute rather than simply being somebody Kobe bring on late. Gonda continued in goal too. Thats another important start and clean sheet, particularly given the recent competition with Maekawa. Id now have Gonda clearly favoured for the Nagoya match on Saturday. Not completely nailed long term, but the evidence is increasingly pointing towards him.

One other interesting thing was Daejeon manager Hwang Sun-hong's comments afterwards. He was particularly impressed by the intensity of Kobe's pressing and their speed in transition, suggesting that Korean teams need to improve in those areas. I think thats quite a useful observation. Kobe arent necessarily controlling every game with the ball, but their intensity and defensive organisation are consistently making life difficult for opponents.

What a stupid game. Kyoto were 2-0 down after conceding two penalties, then scored five without reply. And the most interesting part for me is that two players weve been watching for fitness reasons were central to the comeback. Marco Tulio scored twice. Rafael Elias also scored. Kyoto made seven changes from the Gamba match, with both Brazilian forwards starting alongside Everton Maceio. João Pedro also started in midfield, while Yun Seong-jun was used at right wing-back. An interesting setup.

The first half wasnt actually terrible in terms of chances created, but Kyoto were too stretched defensively and gave away two penalties. Appiah-Tawiah got one back from a Shichi corner just before half-time. Then Marco Tulio took over. First he scored an excellent direct free-kick. Four minutes later he volleyed home to put Kyoto ahead. Elias added the fourth before substitute Alex Souza scored the fifth.

Popovic felt Kyoto had been too stretched during the first half and made too many mistakes. He was considerably happier with their more direct attacking approach after the break. The selection implications are probably more useful than the five goals.

Marco Tulio is properly back in the conversation.

Hes only recently returned to competitive football. Two goals here are obviously encouraging, but he admitted afterwards that his physical condition still isnt at 100%. Thats important. Great performance, but I wouldnt automatically assume he starts and plays 90 minutes against Shimizu. Elias starting and scoring is another positive. He managed 72 minutes before Okugawa replaced him, having recently been limited by his own fitness problems.

Okugawa was back among the substitutes too, while Nagasawa returned to the squad. Kyoto suddenly have considerably more attacking options available. Thats good news considering their league form has been pretty grim. Theyre still 16th and havent won any of their last four J1 games. For Sorare, Elias and Marco Tulio both become more interesting, but their minutes remain a concern. Id also keep watching Shichi on set pieces. His delivery for Appiah-Tawiah's goal was excellent.

The bigger question now is how Popovic fits all these attacking options together when theyre fully fit.

A slightly frustrating one for Kashiwa. Theyd just beaten Kashima away and were looking to build on their 5-1 win against Port FC in the previous Asian game. But this was always going to be difficult with the turnaround and travelling to Thailand. Ricardo made eight changes from Saturday. Nagai continued in goal, with Mitsumaru, Yamanouchi and Koga in defence. Konishi, Harakawa and Yuba were also involved in midfield, while Yamauchi and Fujio started in attack.

Koizumi and Nakagawa were both left on the bench initially. Kashiwa had an excellent opportunity in the first half when Yamauchi played Fujio through, but the goalkeeper saved his effort. The second half was better. Ricardo introduced Koizumi and Nakagawa at half-time, and Kashiwa immediately looked more comfortable progressing the ball. They spent considerably more time in Ratchaburi's half and created opportunities, but couldnt get the goal.

Hosoya also came on and caused problems with his movement. Koizumi admitted afterwards that Kashiwa had adjusted their attacking approach at half-time, but was frustrated they couldnt take all three points. Id be a bit disappointed too. Kashiwa have enough quality to win this sort of match, although the schedule and eight changes provide fair context. The useful thing for Sorare is understanding which players Ricardo is protecting.

Koizumi and Nakagawa are still clearly important to his best team. Their benching here looks much more like rotation than a change in hierarchy. The goalkeeper situation is also worth watching. Nagai started again, giving him another clean sheet, although id still check the next team sheet before treating him as the permanent No.1. Fujio starting after Kakita played against Kashima also keeps that striker position interesting.

Hosoya is getting opportunities, but he still isnt an automatic starter. Kashiwa face Urawa on Saturday, which should be a much better guide to their preferred XI.

Gamba really should have won this. Plenty of decent opportunities and only one goal. Theyve now gone five competitive matches without losing, which is encouraging considering how poorly the league season had been going. But this was two points dropped for me. Myojin made significant changes again. Usami, Jebali and Yamashita were on the bench, with Meshino and Toshida starting. Welton returned to the XI, while Eli Adams and Juanpe played in midfield.

Juanpe's selection was particularly interesting. Hed only featured for the U21 side since arriving in August, so this was his senior debut for Gamba. He actually looked pretty decent. His passing helped Gamba switch play and find space in wide areas. He lasted 57 minutes before being replaced. I wouldnt immediately make him a J1 starter, but this gives Myojin another genuine midfield option. Gamba dominated the first half without taking their opportunities.

Then Buriram scored after a messy penalty-area situation involving Ichimori. Myojin questioned the refereeing decision afterwards, although he was also clear that Gamba should have finished their earlier chances. Thats fair. Gamba made three substitutions after 57 minutes, introducing Usami, Jebali and Mito. Nine minutes later Usami scored an excellent direct free-kick from a position close to the corner flag. Three consecutive competitive matches with a goal now.

Hes suddenly looking much more like the Usami we know. From a Sorare perspective, thats particularly interesting if he continues taking these opportunities. The issue remains his starting security during the busy schedule. Welton also hit the woodwork and looked dangerous, which is encouraging after his fitness problems earlier in the season.

Toshida had opportunities but couldnt score. His Asian record remains encouraging, although I wouldnt suddenly move him ahead of Jebali in the league hierarchy. Gamba face leaders Machida on Sunday. Thats a proper test of whether their recent improvement is genuine.

One other thing worth remembering is Ichimori's league suspension following his red card against Kyoto. Playing in the ACLE doesnt remove that J1 issue, so Higashiguchi remains the goalkeeper to consider for the weekend, subject to disciplinary confirmation.

Kashima: Three wins from three in Asia, but their defensive injuries are becoming a proper problem. Koike now has an opportunity, while Kim Tae-hyeon's confirmed fracture is a significant blow.

Kobe: Another excellent result given the rotation. Komatsu continues to deliver when called upon, and Gonda is strengthening his position as first-choice goalkeeper.

Kyoto: Probably the most encouraging selection developments. Elias and Marco Tulio both started and scored. Their fitness isnt fully settled yet, but the attacking options are improving considerably.

Kashiwa: Eight changes and a draw in Thailand. Koizumi and Nakagawa remain important, while the striker and goalkeeper hierarchies still need monitoring.

Gamba: Juanpe's debut was interesting and Usami's form is encouraging. The problem remains converting enough opportunities into goals.

Five things Im watching for the J1 weekend

1. Kashima's defence: Kim Tae-hyeon is now confirmed injured and Hirose needs further assessment. Koike looks the obvious right-back candidate, but Oniki has several decisions to make.
2. Kyoto's forwards: Can Elias and Marco Tulio start again on Saturday after their Asian minutes? Id be cautious about both playing another full match.
3. Kobe's rotation: Osako, Erik and Thuler missed the trip to Korea. Need to establish who returns for Nagoya rather than automatically marking them injured.
4. Kashiwa's preferred XI: Koizumi and Nakagawa were rested initially. Saturday's Urawa match should help clarify several positions.
5. Gamba's goalkeeper and attack: Higashiguchi is the likely replacement for Ichimori, while Usami, Jebali, Welton, Meshino and Toshida give Myojin plenty of attacking combinations.

Overall, the Japanese clubs are doing pretty well in ACLE. Kashima and Kobe have nine points, Gamba seven and Kyoto six. Kashiwa are a little further behind on four, but have enough quality to improve that. The problem for Sorare is that the extra matches are making lineups quite difficult to trust. Kobe changed seven starters and won. Kashiwa changed eight and drew. Kashima also changed seven and won 3-0.

Thats a pretty clear reminder that we cant simply take the Asian XI and assume those players will start in J1. The fitness and rotation information is what matters most. Another Asian round follows next week. Not much of a break from it.