Plenty of Nothing

98th Emperor's Cup Final

Arsène Wenger won the Emperor's Cup in 1995 as manager of Nagoya Grampus Eight.

It's Urawa Red Diamonds vs Vegalta Sendai.

Urawa Reds have won the Emperor's Cup six times, most recently in 2006. Vegalta have never made it past the semi-finals until now. These two clubs have not met in the Emperor's Cup before. In league play this season Urawa won one game and there was a draw.

The winner of today's game will face J.League champion Kawasaki Frontale in the Super Cup in February.

This is the last Emperor's Cup of the Heisei era, as Emperor Akihito is scheduled to retire in April.

[Urawa Reds 1 - 0 Vegalta Sendai.]

Chuo University in the Emperor's Cup:

78回        R1        Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 0 - 4 Chuo University

                R2        Omiya Ardija 2 - 0 Chuo University

73回        R1        Seino Transportation SC 1 - 2 Chuo University

                R2        Chuo University 0 - 1 Shimizu S-Pulse

65回        R1        Yamaha Motors 2 - 0 Chuo University

56回        R1        Chuo University 2 - 0 Gonohe Town Hall

                R2        Hitachi 2 - 0 Chuo University

55回        R1        Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences 1 - 2 Chuo University

                R2        Chuo University 0 - 3 Hitachi

54回        R1        Chuo University 6 - 0 Iwate Teachers

                R2        Chuo University 0 - 2 Nippon Kokan

53回        R1        Chuo University 3 - 0 Nippon Steel Kamaishi

                R2        Chuo University 1 - 4 Toyota Motors

52回        R1        Chuo University 3 - 1 Nippon Steel Kamaishi

                R2        Towa Estate Development 2 - 0 Chuo University

51回        QF        Nippon Steel 6 - 1 Chuo University

47回        QF        Chuo University 4 - 5 Yanmar Diesel

46回        QF        Furukawa Electric 2 - 0 Chuo University

45回        QF        Toyo Industries 5 - 0 Chuo University

43回        QF        Sumitomo Rubber 2 - 1 Chuo University

42回        R1        Hokuyo Mozukai Club 0 - 7 Chuo University

                QF        Osaka Soccer 0 - 2 Chuo University

                SF        Chuo University 1 - 0 Toyo Industries

                 F         Chuo University 2 - 1 Furukawa Electric

41回        R1        Toyama Soccer 0 - 2 Chuo University

                QF        Chuo University 2 - 1 Kwangaku Club

                SF        Toyo Industries 0 - 0 Chuo University (Chuo won by lottery.)

                 F         Chuo University 2 - 3 Furukawa Electric

39回        R1        Toyama Soccer 0 - 13 Chuo University

                QF        Chuo University 4 - 1 Meiyu Club

                SF        Nagoya Club 0 - 3 Chuo University

                 F         Chuo University 0 - 1 Kwangaku Club

38回        R1        Toyama Shukyu-dan 0 - 6 Chuo University Club

                QF        Chuo University Club 0 - 1 Shida Soccer

37回        R1        広島専売 0 - 2 Chuo University Club

                QF        Kwangaku Club 1 - 2 Chuo University Club

                SF        Kwangaku Club 0 - 0 Chuo University Club (Chuo won by lottery.)

                 F         Chuo University Club 2 - 1 Toyo Industries

(Kwangaku Club must have had two teams entered in the competition.)

36回        R1        Chuo University Club 2 - 1 Kyoto Shiko

                QF        All Kansai University 1 - 3 Chuo University Club

                SF        Chuo University Club 2 - 2 Yawata Steel (Yawata won by lottery.)

35回        R1        Waseda University 2 - 2 Chuo University Club (Chuo won by lottery.)

                QF        Toyo Industries 0 - 1 Chuo University Club

                SF        All Rikkyo 1 - 2 Chuo University Club

                 F         Chuo University Club 3 - 4 All Kwangaku

34回        R1        Chuo University Club 1 - 1 Nippon Light Metal (Nippon Light Metal won by lottery.)

33回        R1        Chuo University 8 - 0 Kagoshima Soccer

                QF        Chuo University 1 - 2 Toyo Industries

98th Emperor's Cup, Semi-Finals

Montedio versus Vegalta in 2015. Source.

Match No. 85: Urawa Red Diamonds [1 - 0] Kashima Antlers

Urawa and Kashima have met three times before in the Emperor's Cup:

2006/12/29        Urawa Red Diamonds 2 - 1 Kashima Antlers        86回 SF

1992/12             Urawa Red Diamonds 2 - 1 Kashima Antlers        72回 QF

1988/12             Mitsubishi Motors 1 - 2 Sumitomo Metals              68回 R2

(Mitsubishi Motors = Urawa Red Diamonds, Sumitomo Metals = Kashima Antlers.)

Match No. 86: Vegalta Sendai [3 - 2] Montedio Yamagata

This is the Michinoku Derby, Michinoku being the name for that part of Tohoku. The last time these two teams met was in 2015 when both were in J1. They've never played each other in the Emperor's Cup until now.

Keio University in the Emperor's Cup:

72回        R1        Keio University 3 - 2 Kyoto Shiko

                R2        Keio University 0 - 1 JEF United Ichihara

71回        R1        Toyota Motors 3 - 0 Keio University

52回        R1        Keio University 4 - 2 Toyama Club

                R2        Yanmar Diesel 4 - 0 Keio University

51回        R1        Mitsubishi Motors 4 - 1 Keio University

49回        QF        Keio University 2 - 4 Furukawa Electric

40回        R1        藻友 Club 0 - 8 Keio BRB

                QF        Toyo Industries 1 - 2 Keio BRB

                SF        Hitachi 2 - 2 Keio BRB (Keio advance by lottery.)

                 F         Keio BRB 0 - 4 Furukawa Electric

39回        R1        All Matsuyama Commerce University 0 - 9 Keio BRB

                QF        Toyo Industries 1 - 0 Keio BRB

38回        R1        Hakodate City Hall 1 - 6 Keio BRB

                QF        Keio BRB 0 - 1 Kwangaku Club

37回        R1        Shida Soccer 0 - 5 Keio BRB

                QF        Keio BRB 1 - 3 Kwangaku Club

36回        R1        Hamamatsu Soccer 0 - 4 Keio BRB

                QF        Kwangaku Club 1 - 2 Keio BRB

                SF        Keio BRB 3 - 0 Toyo Industries

                 F         Keio BRB 4 - 2 Yawata Steel

35回        R1        Keio BRB 2 - 3 Osaka Club

34回        R1        Keio BRB 3 - 0 Kagoshima University

                QF        Tohoku Gakuin University 1 - 3 Keio BRB

                SF        Keio BRB 1 - 0 All Kansai University

                 F         Keio BRB 5 - 3 Toyo Industries

33回        R1        All Keio 9 - 0 Kariya Club

                QF        Rokko Club 1 - 3 All Keio

                SF        All Kwangaku 2 - 1 All Keio

32回        R1        All Keio 4 - 0 Sendai Soccer

                QF        All Keio 3 - 0 Toyo Industries

                SF        All Keio 1 - 0 Kwangaku Club

                 F         All Keio 6 - 2 Osaka Club

31回        R1        Matsuyama University 0 -10 Keio BRB

                QF        All Rikkyo 0 - 1 Keio BRB

                SF        All Kwangaku 0 - 4 Keio BRB

                 F         Keio BRB 3 - 2 Osaka Club

30回        R1        Keio University 4 - 0 Hiroshima Club

                QF        Keio University 3 - 0 Kyoto Club

                SF        Keio University 2 - 0 All Kansai University

                 F         All Kwangaku 6 - 1 Keio University

26回        R1        All Keio University 4 - 1 Urawa Club

                QF        University of Tokyo LB 3 - 2 All Keio University

20回        QF        Imperial University of Tohoku 0 - 3 Keio BRB

                SF        All 普成 1 - 2 Keio BRB

                 F         Waseda University WMW 0 - 1 Keio BRB

19回        QF        延禧専 0 - 4 Keio BRB

                SF        Keio BRB 4 - 1 Imperial University of Kyoto

                 F         Waseda University 2 - 3 Keio BRB

18回        SF        Kwansei Gakuin University 2 - 5 Keio University

                 F         Keio University 1 - 4 Waseda University

17回        SF        Keio University 6 - 1 Osaka Club

                 F         Kobe University of Commerce 0 - 3 Keio University

16回        SF        Keio BRB 13 - 0 Nagoya Pharmaceutical College

                 F         Poseung College 2 - 3 Keio BRB

12回        SF        Keio Club 3 - 0 Sakai Secondary School Club

                 F         Keio Club 5 - 1 Yoshino Club

10回        SF        Keio BRB 6 - 3 Nagoya Shukyu-dan

                 F         Keio RBR 0 - 3 Kwangaku Club

 9回         QF       Keio University 2 - 0 Imperial University of Kyoto

                SF        Keio University 2 - 2 Hosei University (Hosei won by lottery.)

 8回         QF       Keio BRB 2 - 1 Hiroshima Koto-shihan

                SF        Keio BRB 1 - 5 Waseda University WMW

He's got the shirt.

Morton and Mayo

Comedy team Morton and Mayo. Read about them.

It the Third Round of the 2018-19 Scottish Cup. Morton host Peterhead.

These clubs have met three times before in this cup. Morton won in 1937-38; Peterhead won in 2000-01 and 2008-09. Their most recent game in any competition took place on the final Saturday of the 2014-15 League One season at Cappielow. Morton won that game 3 - 1 and earned promotion. Peterhead have only won at Cappielow once, on Dec 20th, 2014.

Peterhead made it to this round by defeating Kelty Hearts 3 - 2. The Blue Toon are 2nd in League Two, where they have allowed only 9 goals in 12 league games. They did not make it out of the League Cup group stage, and they fell to Bohemians in Round Two of the Challenge Cup.

Peterhead manager Jim McInally has been in the post seven years, which is seven years longer than about a dozen other SPFL bosses. Only three -- McInally, Derek McInnes of Aberdeen, and Tommy Wright of St Johnstone -- have been in their jobs longer than four years. McInally was Morton boss from 2004 to 2008.

McInally recently delivered a seething interview in which he savaged the SPFL for its mishandling of the Challenge Cup, Morton for throwing their Challenge Cup First Round match against Dumbarton, and Morton exec Warren Hawke for being behind both travesties. Source.

Peterhead's Jamie Stevenson and Derek Lyle both played for Morton in years gone by.

Read the Peterhead fan forum, Sing When We're Fishing.

Morton need to win (or better yet, draw) this game if they hope to meet Plenty of Nothing's benchmark of 48 matches in 2018-19. If a replay is necessary it will be played November 27th. There have been only three replays so far this Scottish Cup, which is on the low side.

Number of Scottish Cup replays each year this decade:

2018-19          3    (to date)

2017-18          6

2016-17        20

2015-16        21

2014-15        16

2013-14        17

2012-13        17

2011-12        16

2010-11        25

Did a memo go round in 2017?

Other matches involving Championship sides today:

Beith [0 - 3] Ayr.

It's an Ayrshire derby.

Edinburgh City [1 - 1] Inverness CT (tomorrow)

Between them these clubs have only two losses in league action this season (but four in cup play).

QoS [4 - 1] Formartine

First meeting ever.

Alloa [3 - 0] Brechin

First Scottish Cup encounter since 1997.

Stenhousemuir [4 - 2] Falkirk. [Ha ha.]

See here and here for the history of Stenny versus Falkirk.

Also:

Fraserburgh [0 - 1] Auchinleck Talbot

This is Talbot's sixth game in this year's Scottish Cup.

Six Championship and ten League One clubs enter the Cup in this round, joining seven from League Two, three from the Highland League, four from the Lowland League, and Beith and Auchinleck Talbot from the juniors.

[Morton 1 - 1 Peterhead. Goal by McHugh. The replay is Tuesday in Peterhead.]

Championship: Ross County (3rd) [2 - 1] Dunfermline (7th)

Both these teams have a bye into the fourth round, so their November 13th match, which was pre-empted by Ross County's Challenge Cup quarter final last Saturday, fits here nicely.

Dundee United and Alloa played their Challenge-Cup-pre-empted game on Tuesday. The Tangerines won 4 - 2.

It's also Round Four of the Scottish Junior Cup. Let's watch:

Darvel [1 - 2] Largs Thistle

Carnoustie Panmure vs Troon [postponed]

Kilsyth Rangers [1 - 3] Hurlford United

1928-29. Morton entertained East Stirlingshire at Cappielow where they played to a 2 - 2 draw.

1951-52. Morton visited Hearts and lost 4 - 1.

Matches at Cappielow November 2018:

Nov 3        Morton 5 - 1 Partick

Nov 10      Morton 0 - 2 Alloa

Nov 12      Morton reserves 0 - 2 Motherwell reserves

Nov 15      Morton reserves 0 - 1 Manchester United U-23s

Nov 24      Morton [1 - 1] Peterhead

Arthurlie vs Brechin City. These two were together in the Third Division in 1923-24. Arthurlie won 4 - 0 at home, then Brechin won 2 - 0 at Glebe Park.

The SPFL is talking about creating a League Three which would take in four Highland clubs and four Lowland clubs plus four Premiership colt teams. Read about it here.

Kanto University League: Komazawa [1 - 0 ] Tsukuba

Here ends the 2018 Kanto University Soccer League schedule. [Tsukuba finished second, 8 points behind Waseda University.]

Kashima Antlers and Ventforet Kofu played their Emperor's Cup quarter-final on Wednesday. Kashima won 1 - 0. Because Kashima are into the FIFA Club World Cup this win triggers a rescheduling of the Emperor's Cup semi-finals and final. The semi-finals move from Dec 16th to Dec 5th, and the final from Dec 24th to Dec 9th, and I have to move some blog posts around.

The Canadian Premier League has bought the Ontario League 1. Story.

Danish 1st Division: Fredericia [3 - 0] Naestved

The Danish 1st Division is off until March.

Swiss Challenge League: Lausanne [5 - 1] Winterthur

Who won in Iceland this year? Valur finished first and go to the UEFA Champions League. Breiðablik, Stjarnan and KR advance to the Europa League. Our guys ÍBV finished sixth.

Who won in the Faroe Islands this year? HB finished first and make the Champions League. NSÍ, our guys B36, and KÍ go to the Europa League.

Who won in Sweden this year? AIK finished atop the Allsvensken and advance to the Champions League. Norrköping and Malmö go into the Europa League. Ex-Morton man Fouad Bacherou made 40 starts for Malmö but did not score.

Regionalliga Südwest: FSV Frankfurt [1 - 2] 1. FC Saarbrücken

It's the final round of the National Regional Football Champions League 2018 in Japan. The four clubs play a round robin to establish a pecking order for promotion to the JFL. They are FC Kariya, Suzuka United, Matsue City FC and J.FC Miyazaki.

[And the pecking order is: Matsue, Suzuka, Kariya, Miyazaki.]

It's also Round Two of the 40th Empress's Cup:

Match No. 17: Nippon TV Beleza (N1) [6 - 1] JFA Academy Fukushima

Match No. 18: Orca Kamogawa (N2) [6 - 1] Daito Bunka University

Match No. 19: Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies (N1) [1 - 0] Nippon TV Menina*

Match No. 20: Mynavi Vegalta Sendai Ladies (N1) [2 - 0] Waseda University

Match No. 21: AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies (N1) [4 - 0] Mukogawa Women's University

Match No. 22: Ehime FC Ladies (N2) [0 - 1] Tokigawa Gakuin High School

Match No. 23: Nippatsu Yokohama FC Seagulls (N2) [2 - 1] Kanagawa University

Match No. 24: Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies (N1) [5 - 1] Bunnys Kyoto SC (N2)

Match No. 25: Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara (N1) [3 - 0] Fujieda Junshin High School

Match No. 26: Sfida Setagawa FC (N2) [0 - 4] AS Harima Albion (N2)

Match No. 27: Iga FC Kunoichi (N2) [1 - 2] Teikyo Heisei University

Match No. 28: JEF United Chiba Ladies (N1) [2 - 0] Angeviolet Hiroshima

Match No. 29: Albirex Niigata Ladies (N1) [3 - 2] Okayama Yunogo Belle (N2)

Match No. 30: Nippon Sport Science University Fields Yokohama (N1) [1 - 0] JEF United Chiba Ladies U-18

Match No. 31: Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita (N2) [6 - 1] Nippon Sport Science University Fields Yokohama Satellite

Match No. 32: INAC Kobe Leonessa (N1) [4 - 0] NGU Loveledge Nagoya

*NTV Menina is NTV Beleza's academy team.

Chart showing Kuwait's FIFA ranking over the past ten years, from the Kuwaiti Football Association website:

98th Emperor's Cup, Quarter-Finals

Dear old Waseda University, pictured in 1909. Source.

It's the quarter-finals of the Emperor's Cup. The matches are:

Match No. 81: Urawa Red Diamonds [2 - 0] Sagan Tosu

Match No. 82: Kashima Antlers vs Ventforet Kofu [to be played Nov 21 because Kashima Antlers have an AFC Champions League semi-final at the exact same kick-off time.]

Match No. 83: Júbilo Iwata [1 - 1] Vegalta Sendai. [Vegalta win on PK.]

Match No. 84: Kawasaki Frontale [2 - 3] Montedio Yamagata [Upset!]

[Kashima Antlers' successes are causing fixture congestion on an international scale. Kashima play Tehran club Persepolis in the AFC Champions League final on Nov 3 and Nov 10. If they win that tournament they will advance to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, with games on Dec 15, 18 and 22.

Right now the Emperor's Cup semi-finals and final are scheduled for Dec 16 and 24. If Kashima win their Nov 21 Emperor's Cup quarter-final and the AFC Champions League final, then the Emperor's Cup semi-finals will be brought forward to Dec 5 and the final to December 9.]

Seven of the quarter-finalists are from J1. Montedio Yamagata play in J2 and are therefore our favourite, though if Vegalta Sendai win the cup that's okay too. Three were quarter-finalists in last year's Emperor's Cup: Kashima Antlers, Júbilo Iwata and Kawasaki Frontale. Three were League Cup quarter-finalists this year: Kashima Antlers, Ventforet Kofu and Kawasaki Frontale.

Only three of the eight have ever won the Emperor's Cup: Kashima Antlers five times, most recently two years ago; Urawa Red Diamonds six times, most recently in 2006; and Júbilo Iwata twice, most recently in 2003.

Which teams have won the Emperor's Cup/League Cup double? Kashima Antlers (1997, 2000); Gamba Osaka (2014); Cerezo Osaka (2017).

Waseda University in the Emperor's Cup:

96回        R1        Grulla Morioka 4 - 0 Waseda University

77回        R1        Kagawa Shiun Club 1 - 0 Waseda University

76回        R1        YKK 0 - 5 Waseda University

                R2        NTT Kanto 1 - 0 Waseda University

73回        R1        Waseda University 3 - 0 Hokuriku Electric Power

                R2        Waseda University 0 - 2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

71回        R1        Waseda University 1 - 2 Mazda

70回        R1        Waseda University 0 - 3 Yomiuri

66回        R1        Waseda University 0 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

63回        R1        Waseda University 0 - 2 Yamaha Motors

61回        R1        Waseda University 6 - 0 Gonohe Town Hall

                R2        Waseda University 0 - 3 Mitsubishi Motors

59回        R1        Waseda University 2 - 1 Tanabe Pharmaceuticals

                R2        Hitachi 1 - 0 Waseda University

58回        R1        Toyota Motors 0 - 1 Waseda University

                R2        Waseda University 1 - 3 Mitsubishi Motors

57回        R1        Waseda University 5 - 1 Sapporo University

                R2        Fujita Industries 3 - 2 Waseda University

56回        R1        Sapporo University 0 - 6 Waseda University

                R2        Waseda University 0 - 1 Mitsubishi Motors

55回        R1        Nippon Kokan 2 - 0 Waseda University

54回        R2        Honda 1 - 2 Waseda University

                R3        Toyota Motors 1 - 0 Waseda University

53回        R2        Meijo University 0 - 1 Waseda University

                R3        Furukawa Electric 2 - 2 Waseda University (Furukawa won on penalty kicks.)

52回        R1        Waseda University 2 - 3 Nippon Light Metal

51回        QF        Yanmar Diesel 3 - 1 Waseda University

48回        QF        Toyo Industries 0 - 2 Waseda University

                SF        Waseda University 3 - 4 Mitsubishi Motors

46回        QF        Mitsubishi Motors 1 - 3 Waseda University

                SF        Yawata Steel 1 - 2 Waseda University

                 F         Toyo Industries 2 - 3 Waseda University

45回        QF        Waseda University 3 - 0 Hitachi

                SF        Yawata Steel 4 - 3 Waseda University

44回        GS        Waseda University 1 - 2 Yawata Steel

                GS        Waseda University 4 - 0 Mitsubishi Motors

                GS        Waseda University 2 - 0 Kansai University

                GS        Waseda University 7 - 0 Nihon University

43回        QF        Waseda University 2 - 1 Toyo Industries

                SF        Waseda University 2 - 1 Kansai University

                 F         Hitachi 0 - 3 Waseda University

42回        R1        Waseda University 5 - 1 Kyoto Shiko

                QF        Waseda University 0 - 1 Toyo Industries

38回        R1        Waseda University 1 - 3 Yawata Steel

37回        R1        All Hokkaido 0 - 7 All Waseda University

               QF        All Waseda University 1 - 2 Toyo Industries

35回        R1        Waseda University 2 - 2 Chuo University Club (Chuo won by lottery.)

31回        R1        Waseda University WMW 8 - 0 Sapporo Club

                QF        Waseda University WMW 0 - 1 Sendai Soccer

30回        R1        Waseda University WMW 4 - 2 Nagoya Soccer

                QF        Waseda University WMW 7 - 0 Nittetsu Mining

                SF        Waseda University WMW 2 - 4 All Kwangaku

26回        R1        All Waseda University 2 - 1 Shonan Club

                QF        Tokyo Shukyu-dan 1 - 6 All Waseda University

                SF        University of Tokyo LB 2 - 0 All Waseda University

20回        QF        All 延禧 1 - 2 Waseda University WMW

                SF        Imperial University of Kyoto 1 - 2 Waseda University WMW

                 F         Waseda University WMW 0 - 1 Keio BRB

19回        QF        Waseda University 6 - 0 Kobe Higher Commercial School

                SF        Waseda University 2 - 2 All 普成 (Waseda won by lottery.)

                 F         Waseda University 2 - 3 Keio BRB

18回        SF        Yonhi College 2 - 2 Waseda University (Waseda won by lottery.)

                 F         Keio University 1 - 4 Waseda University

 8回        QF        Nagoya Technical College 0 - 2 Waseda University WMW

               SF        Keio BRB 1 - 5 Waseda University WMW

                F         Imperial University of Kyoto 1 - 6 Waseda University WMW

 7回        QF        Waseda Gakuin 1 - 0 Sendai Club

               SF        Kobe-Ichi Junior High School Club 1 - 0 Waseda Gakuin

I'm unsure whether Waseda Gakuin is connected to Waseda University.

98th Emperor's Cup, Round Four

Dragonfly and Lotus, by Takahashi Biho. Source. The team name and colours of Cerezo Osaka recall the sakura or cherry blossoms, but the original inspiration for the team's corporate sponsor Yanmar Diesel was the oniyanma or demon dragonfly. The company's logo can be read as a dragonfly's wings.

It's Round Four of the 98th Emperor's Cup, mostly. Today also sees one holdover match from Round Three. And two Round Four matches are delayed until September 26th).

Match No. 66: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1) [4 - 1] Nagoya Grampus (J1)

Match No. 73: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [3 - 1] Shonan Bellmare (J1)

Match No. 74: Sagan Tosu (J1) [3 - 0] Vissel Kobe (J1)

Match No. 75: Montedio Yamagata (J2) [1 - 1] FC Tokyo (J1) [Montedio win on PK.]

Match No. 76: Yokohama F. Marinos (J1) [2 - 3] Vegalta Senda (J1)

Match No. 77: Kashima Antlers (J1) [2 - 0] Sanfrecce Hiroshima

This game will be played on September 26th.

Match No. 78: Urawa Red Diamonds (J1) [1 - 0] Tokyo Verdy (J2)

Match No. 79: Cerezo Osaka (J1) [0 - 1] Ventforet Kofu (J2) [Upset!]

Match No. 80: Júbilo Iwata (J1) [4 - 2] Consadole Sapporo (J1)

This game will be played on September 26th.

Cerezo Osaka in the Emperor's Cup:

97回        R2        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 0 Niigata University of Health and Welfare

                R3        Albirex Niigata 2 - 3 Cerezo Osaka

                R4        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 0 Nagoya Grampus

                QF        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 0 Omiya Ardija

                SF        Vissel Kobe 1 - 3 Cerezo Osaka

                 F         Cerezo Osaka 2 - 1 Yokohama F.Marinos

96回        R1        Cerezo Osaka 10 - 0 R.Velho Takamatsu

                R2        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 1 Kyoto Sanga

                R3        Sagan Tosu 2 - 0 Cerezo Osaka

95回        R1        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 2 FC Osaka

94回        R2        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 2 Veertien Kuwana

                R3        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 0 Kataller Toyama

                R4        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 0 Júbilo Iwata

                QF        Cerezo Osaka 0 - 1 JEF United Chiba

93回        R2        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 0 Kansai University

                R3        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 0 Vissel Kobe

                R4        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 2 Sagan Tosu

92回        R2        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 0 Nara Club

                R3        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 1 Montedio Yamagata

                R4        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 0 Shimizu S-Pulse

                QF        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 2 Gamba Osaka

91回        R2        Cerezo Osaka 6 - 0 Hokkaido University of Education Iwamizawa Campus

                R3        Cerezo Osaka 3 - 0 Fagiamo Okayama

                R4        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 1 Vegalta Sendai (Cerezo won on penalty kicks)

                QF        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 2 Shimizu S-Pulse (Cerezo won on penalty kicks)

                SF        FC Tokyo 1 - 0 Cerezo Osaka

90回        R2        Toyama Shinjo Club 0 - 7 Cerezo Osaka

                R3        Sony Sendai 1 - 3 Cerezo Osaka

                R4        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Cerezo Osaka

89回        R2        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 2 Fukushima United

88回        R3        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 0 Sony Sendai

                R4        Omiya Ardija 1 - 0 Cerezo Osaka

87回        R3        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 2 Honda Lock

                R4        Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 0 Cerezo Osaka

86回        R4        Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3 - 0 Cerezo Osaka

85回        R4        Cerezo 1 - 1 Honda FC (Cerezo won on penalty kicks)

                R5        JEF United Chiba 2 - 5 Cerezo Osaka

                QF        Gamba Osaka 1 - 3 Cerezo Osaka

                SF        Shimizu S-Pulse 1 - 0 Cerezo Osaka

84回        R4        Thespa Kusatsu 2 - 1 Cerezo Osaka

83回        R3        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 1 ALO's Hokuriku

                R4        Cerezo Osaka 3 - 2 Gamba Osaka

                QF        Cerezo Osaka 3 - 2 Vissel Kobe

                SF        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 1 Kashima Antlers

                 F         Júbilo Iwata 1 - 0 Cerezo Osaka

82回        R1        Teihens FC 0 - 6 Cerzo Osaka

                R2        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 1 Sagawa Express Osaka

                R3        Kashiwa Reysol 1 - 2 Cerezo Osaka

                R4        Nagoya Grampus Eight 5 - 2 Cerzo Osaka

81回        R3        Cerezo Osaka 3 - 2 Oita Trinita

                R4        Sagawa Express 0 - 2 Cerezo Osaka

                QF        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 2 Kashima Antlers

                SF        Urawa Red Diamonds 0 - 1 Cerezo Osaka

                 F         Shimizu S-Pulse 3 - 2 Cerezo Osaka

80回        R3        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 1 Otsuka Pharmaceuticals

                R4        Urawa Red Diamonds 1 - 4 Cerezo Osaka

                QF        Vissel Kobe 2 - 2 Cerezo Osaka (Vissel won on penalty kicks)

79回        R4        Cerezo Osaka 3 - 4 Montedio Yamagata

78回        R3        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 6 Ventforet Kofu

77回        R3        Cerezo Osaka 5 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

                R4        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 3 Júbilo Iwata

76回        R3        Cerezo Osaka 3 - 1 Tokyo Gas

                R4        Urawa Red Diamonds 4 - 0 Cerezo Osaka

75回        R1        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 0 Hannan University

                R2        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 2 Kashima Antlers

74回        R1        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 0 Komazawa University

                R2        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 0 Verdy Kawasaki

                QF        Urawa Red Diamonds 0 - 1 Cerezo Osaka

                SF        Yokohama Marinos 1 - 2 Cerezo Osaka

                 F         Cerezo Osaka 0 - 2 Bellmare Hiratsuka

Prior to 1993 Cerezo Osaka were known as Yanmar Diesel.

72回        R1        NKK 2 - 3 Yanmar Diesel

                R2        Yanmar Diesel 1 - 2 Kashima Antlers

71回        R1        Yomiuri Club 3 - 2 Yanmar Diesel

70回        R1        Yanmar Diesel 0 - 3 Juntendo University

69回        R1        Sapporo Mazda 1 - 4 Yanmar Diesel

                R2        Honda 1 - 3 Yanmar Diesel

                QF        Nissan Motors 1 - 0 Yanmar Diesel

68回        R1        Yanmar Diesel 8 - 1 Sapporo University

                R2        Yanmar Diesel 0 - 1 Nissan Motors

67回        R1        Osaka University of Commerce 1 - 1 Yanmar Diesel (Yanmar won on penalty kicks.)

                R2        Sumitomo Metals 3 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

66回        R1        Waseda University 0 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

                R2        Mitsubishi Motors 0 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

                QF        Yanmar Diesel 0 - 3 Nippon Kokan

65回        R1        Yanmar Diesel 3 - 0 Cosmo Oil

                R2        Yanmar Diesel 0 - 1 Mitsubishi Motors

64回        R1        Nissei Plastic Industrial 0 - 3 Yanmar Diesel

                R2        Matsushita Electric 0 - 2 Yanmar Diesel

                QF        Yomiuri 2 - 0 Yanmar Diesel

63回        R2        Osaka University of Commerce 0 - 0 Yanmar Diesel (Yanmar won on penalty kicks.)

                QF        Mazda 2 - 3 Yanmar Diesel

                SF        Nippon Kokan 0 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

                 F         Nissan Motors 2 - 0 Yanmar Diesel

62回        R2        Matsushita Electric 2 - 4 Yanmar Diesel

                QF        Furukawa Electric 0 - 0 Yanmar Diesel (Yanmar won on penalty kicks.)

                SF        Fujita Industries 1 - 0 Yanmar Diesel

61回        R2        Yanmar Diesel 2 - 1 Toyota Motors

                QF        Yanmar Diesel 1 - 2 Nippon Steel

60回        R1        Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences 0 - 2 Yanmar Diesel

                R2        Tanabe Pharmaceuticals 1 - 0 Yanmar Diesel

59回        R2        Honda 1 - 2 Yanmar Diesel

                QF        Furukawa Electric 0 - 3 Yanmar Diesel

                SF        Fujita Industries 3 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

58回        R1        Yanmar Diesel 6 - 0 Osaka University of Economics

                R2        Yanmar Diesel 7 - 1 Nissei Plastic Industrial

                QF        Yanmar Diesel 2 - 2 Toyo Industries (Toyo won on penalty kicks.)

57回        R2        Fukuoka University 1 - 5 Yanmar Diesel

                QF        Yomiuri 0 - 2 Yanmar Diesel

                SF        Furukawa Electric 0 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

                 F         Yanmar Diesel 1 - 4 Fujita Industries

56回        R2        Yanmar Diesel 5 - 2 Fukuoka University

                QF        Yanmar Diesel 2 - 1 Toyo Industries

                SF        Yanmar Diesel 1 - 0 Nippon Steel

                 F         Yanmar Diesel 1 - 4 Furukawa Electric

55回        R2        Kyushu Sangyo University 0 - 4 Yanmar Diesel

                QF        Nippon Steel 0 - 2 Yanmar Diesel

                SF        Hitachi 1 - 0 Yanmar Diesel

54回        R3        Nagoya Club 2 - 5 Yanmar Diesel

                QF        Nippon Kokan 0 - 3 Yanmar Diesel

                SF        Yanmar Diesel 2 - 0 Mitsubishi Motors

                 F         Yanmar Diesel 2 - 1 Eidai Industries

53回        R3        Yanmar Diesel 4 - 1 Honda

                QF        Yanmar Diesel 1 - 0 Towa Estate Development

                SF        Yanmar Diesel 0 - 1 Mitsubishi Motors

52回        R2        Yanmar Diesel 4 - 0 Keio University

                QF        Furukawa Electric 1 - 4 Yanmar Diesel

                SF        Toyo Industries 0 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

                 F         Hitachi 0 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

51回        QF        Yanmar Diesel 3 - 1 Waseda University

                SF        Yanmar Diesel 7 - 1 Nippon Steel

                 F         Yanmar Diesel 1 - 3 Mitsubishi Motors

50回        QF        Yanmar Diesel 4 - 2 Hosei University

                SF        Mitsubishi Motors 2 - 2 Yanmar Diesel (Yanmar chosen by lottery.)

                 F         Toyo Industries 1 - 2 Yanmar Diesel

48回        QF        Yanmar Diesel 6 - 0 Rikkyo University

                SF        Yanmar Diesel 3 - 1 Yawata Steel

                 F         Mitsubishi Motors 0 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

47回        QF        Chuo University 4 - 5 Yanmar Diesel

                SF        Yanmar Diesel 1 - 2 Toyo Industries

98th Emperor's Cup, Round Three

Souvenirs of Travel, Second Series: Takamatsu Castle in Sanuki (1921), by Kawase Hasui. Source.

It's Round Three of the 98th Emperor's Cup. All the J3 clubs are out. Except for Nara Club, all the JFL clubs are out. Except for Kwansei Gakuen University, all the prefectural champions are out. Kamatamare Sanuki, about whom I did all this nice research, are out.

But our guys Mito HollyHock, Montedio Yamagata, Vegalta Sendai, Albirex Niigata and Consadole Sapporo are still in.

Let's carry on with this year's method and follow everyone.

Match No. 57: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [1 - 1] Mito HollyHock (J2) [Frontale win on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 58: Shonan Bellmare (J1) [0 - 0] V-Varen Nagasaki (J1) [Bellmare won on penalty kicks.]

This is the fourth meeting between these two in 2018. Bellmare beat V-Varen 2 - 1 in the first week of the league schedule. In Group D of the League Cup V-Varen won 2 - 1, and then Bellmare won 2 - 0.

Match No. 59: Sagan Tosu (J1) [3 - 1] Tokushima Vortis (J2)

Match No. 60: Vissel Kobe (J1) [6 - 1] JEF United Chiba (J2)

Match No. 61: Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [1 - 2] Montedio Yamagata (J2) [Upset]

Match No. 62: FC Tokyo (J1) [3 - 1] Albirex Niigata (J2)

Match No. 63: Yokohama F. Marinos (J1) [2 - 1] Yokohama FC (J2)

It's a Yokohama Derby!

Match No. 64: Vegalta Sendai (J1) [1 - 0] Omiya Ardija (J2)

Match No. 65: Kashima Antlers (J1) [5 - 1] Machida Zelva (J2)

Match No. 66: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1) vs Nara Club (JFL)
Nagoya Grampus (J1)

The penalty kicks at the end of Game 44 were disallowed because of a procedural error, and retaken on June 28th. This time Nagoya won. Sanfrecce and Grampus have their first league game on July 22nd. (Match No. 66 is postponed because of the flooding and landslides around Hiroshima.)

Match No. 67: Urawa Red Diamonds (J1) [2 - 1] Matsumoto Yamaga (J2)

Match No. 68: Kwansei Gakuen University (Kanto Student League 1) [0 - 1] Tokyo Verdy (J2)

Match No. 69: Cerezo Osaka (J1) [3 - 0] Zweigen Kanazawa (J2)

Match No. 70: Shimizu S-Pulse (J1) [0 - 1] Ventforet Kofu (J2) [Upset]

Match No. 71: Júbilo Iwata (J1) [4 - 1] Renofa Yamaguchi (J2)

Match No. 72: Consadole Sapporo (J1) [4 - 0] Avispa Fukuoka (J2)

Kamatamare Sanuki in the Emperor's Cup:

98回        R2        Yokohama FC 2 - 0 Kamatamare Sanuki

97回        R2        Ehime FC 2 - 1 Kamatamare Sanuki

96回        R1        Kamatamare Sanuki 1 - 0 FC Imabari

                R2        Kamatamare Sanuki 0 - 2 Ehime FC

95回        R1        Kamatamare Sanuki 1 - 0 Kochi University

                R2        Montedio Yamagata 3 - 1 Kamatamare Sanuki

94回        R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 0 Kamatamare Sanuki

93回        R1        Kamatamare Sanuki 7 - 2 Kagawa Prefectural Takamatsu Commercial High School

                R2        JEF United Ichihara Chiba 5 - 0 Kamatamare Sanuki

92回        R1        Saga University 0 - 5 Kamatamare Sanuki

                R2        Sagan Tosu 0 - 1 Kamatamare Sanuki

                R3        Kamatamare Sanuki 1 - 2 Urawa Red Diamonds

91回        R1        Yonago Kita High School 1 - 3 Kamatamare Sanuki

                R2        Yokohama F. Marinos 3 - 1 Kamatamare Sanuki

90回        R1        Kamatamare Sanuki 1 - 1 Kochi University (Kamatamare won on penalty kicks.)

                R2        Omiya Ardija 4 - 1 Kamatamare Sanuki

89回        R1        Kamatamare Sanuki 1 - 0 Tottori Dreams FC

                R2        FC Tokyo 4 - 0 Kamatamare Sanuki

88回        R1        Kamatamare Sanuki 1 - 0 Gainare Tottori

                R2        Tokushima Vortis Second 2 - 1 Kamatamare Sanuki

87回        R1        Kamatamare Sanuki 1 - 4 Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima FC

86回        R1        Kamatamare Sanuki 0 - 5 Rosso Kumamoto

In 2005 Kamatamare Sanuki were known as Takamatsu FC.

From 2000 to 2004 they were known as Sun Life FC.

81回        R1        Sun Life FC 0 - 4 Kunimi High School

80回        R1        Sun Life FC 0 - 5 Otsuka Pharmaceuticals

From 1991 to 1999 they were known as Kagawa Shiun FC.

79回        R1        Kagawa Shiun FC 4 - 3 Nissei Plastic Industrial

                R2        Honda FC 6 - 0 Kagawa Shiun FC

78回        R1        Kagawa Shiun FC 1 - 9 Kawasaki Frontale

77回        R1        Kagawa Shiun FC 1 - 0 Waseda University

                R2        Jatco 6 - 0 Kagawa Shiun FC

76回        R1        Toa University 3 - 4 Kagawa Shiun FC

                R2        Honda FC 3 - 2 Kagawa Shiun FC 

98th Emperor's Cup, Round Two

The Hakkō ichiu monument in Miyazaki was built in 1940 on the site of Emperor Jimmu's palace to promote the cause of Japanese expansionism. It was later rebranded for peace. Print by Tokuriki Tomikichiro. Source.

This is the round where J1 and J2 clubs enter and reality kicks in for a lot of prefectural champions. Again, let's watch all the games:

Match No. 25: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [3 - 2] Sony Sendai (JFL)

Match No. 26: Mito Hollyhock (J2) [2 - 0] Ehime FC (J2)

Match No. 27: Shonan Bellmare (J1) [1 - 0] Hokkaido University of Education Iwamizawa (Hokkaido Student League 1)

Match No. 28: V-Varen Nagasaki (J1) [2 - 1] Matsue City FC (Chugoku League)

Match No. 29: Sagan Tosu (J1) [7 - 0] Tadotsu FC (Shikoku League)

Match No. 30: Tokushima Vortis (J2) [1 - 0] Tochigi SC (J2)

Match No. 31: Vissel Kobe (J1) [3 - 0] Fukuoka University (Kyushu University League 1)

Match No. 32: JEF United Chiba (J2) [2 - 2] ReinMeer Aomori (JFL) [JEF win on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 33: Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [6 - 0] Vonds Ichihara (Kanto League)

Match No. 34: Montedio Yamagata (J2) [2 - 2] FC Gifu (J2) [Montedio won on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 35: FC Tokyo (J1) [4 - 2] Ryutsu Keizai University Dragons (JFL)

Match No. 36: Albirex Niigata (J2) [0 - 0] Kochi United (Shikoku League) [Albirex won on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 37: Yokohama F. Marinos (J1) [4 - 3] FC Osaka (JFL)

Match No. 38: Yokohama FC (J2) [2 - 0] Kamatamare Sanuki (J2)

Match No. 39: Vegalta Sendai (J1) [4 - 0] Thespakusatsu Gunma (J3)

Match No. 40: Omiya Ardija (J2) [1 - 0] Nagano Parceiro (J3)

Match No. 41: Kashima Antlers (J1) [6 - 1] Honda FC (JFL)

Match No. 42: Fagiano Okayama (J2) [0 - 1] Machida Zelvia (J2)

Match No. 43: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1) [2 - 0] Gainare Tottori (J3)

Match No. 44: Nagoya Grampus (J1) [1 - 1] Nara Club (JFL) [Nara Club win on penalty kicks. Upset!]

Match No. 45: Urawa Red Diamonds (J1) [3 - 0] YSCC (J3)

Match No. 46: Matsumoto Yamaga (J2) [1 - 1] Roasso Kumamoto (J2) [Matsumoto win on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 47: Gamba Osaka (J1) [1 - 2] Kwansei Gakuen University (Kansai Student League 1) [Big upset!]

Match No. 48: Tokyo Verdy (J2) [3 - 2] Kataller Toyama (J3)

Match No. 49: Cerezo Osaka (J1) [1 - 0] Tegevagaro Miyazaki (JFL)

Match No. 50: Kyoto Sanga (J2) [1 - 3] Zweigen Kanazawa (J2)

Match No. 51: Shimizu S-Pulse (J1) [1 - 0] FC Imabari (JFL)

Match No. 52: Ventforet Kofu (J2) [3 - 1] Ryutsu Keizai University (Kanto University League 1)

Match No. 53: Júbilo Iwata (J1) [3 - 2] Chukyo University (Tokai Student League 1)

Match No. 54: Oita Trinita (J2) [1 - 2] Renofa Yamaguchi (J2)

Match No. 55: Consadole Sapporo (J1) [2 - 1] MIO Biwako Shiga (JFL)

Match No. 56: Avispa Fukuoka (J2) [1 - 0] Kagoshima United (J3)

Notice how every J1 team gets home field advantage and an opponent from J3 or below, as do six J2 teams (the three demoted from 2017 J1, plus teams 4, 5 and 6 from 2017 J2).

Which teams play in Kyushu?

Kyushu is the southernmost of the four big Japanese islands. It's divided into seven prefectures: Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga, Kagoshima, Miyazaki. Though far to the south of it , Ryukyu (Okinawa) often gets rolled into Kyushu organizationally. The top soccer teams are:

J1    Sagan Tosu

J2    Avispa Fukuoka, Oita Trinita, Roasso Kumamoto, V-Varen Nagasaki

J3    Kagoshima United, Giravanz Kitakyushu

JFL    Honda Lock, Verspah Oita, Tegevagaro Miyazaki

Kyushu Soccer League:    Okinawa SV, NIFS (National Institute of Fitness and Sports) Kanoya SC, Nippon Steel Oita, J.FC Miyazaki, Kumamoto Teacher Kickoff Foundation, Kyushu Mitsubishi Motors SC, Kawasoe Club, FC Nakatsu, Kaiho Bank SC, Saga Lixil FC

Honda Lock SC are a JFL club based in Miyazaki on the east coast of Kyushu. Like Honda FC they are an affiliate of Honda Motors. They didn't make it to Round One this year, knocked out of the Miyazaki Prefecture final by Tegevagaro.

Honda Lock in the Emperor's Cup:

96回        R1        FC Ryukyu 1 - 0 Honda Lock

94回        R1        Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Nagasaki SC 1 - 2 Honda Lock

                R2        Yokohama F. Marinos 3 - 0 Honda Lock

90回        R1        Hoyo Atletico Elan 1 - 2 Honda Lock

                R2        Oita Trinita 3 - 2 Honda Lock

89回        R1        Honda Lock 4 - 0 Kumamoto Gakuen University

                R2        Tokyo Verdy 0 - 1 Honda Lock

                R3        Nagoya Grampus 2 - 0 Honda Lock

88回        R1        New Wave Kitakyushu 1 - 1 Honda Lock (Kitakyushu won on penalty kicks.)

87回        R2        Honda Lock 3 - 1 Wakayama High School of Kinki University

                R3        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 2 Honda Lock

85回        R1        Hachinohe University 2 - 6 Honda Lock

                R2        Mie Chukyo University 1 - 2 Honda Lock

                R3        Tochigi SC 0 - 1 Honda Lock

                R4        Kashima Antlers 7 - 0 Honda Lock

84回        R1        Honda Lock 4 - 1 Teikyo Daisan High School

                R2        Honda Lock 4 - 1 Nagano Elza

                R3        Consadole Sapporo 2 - 1 Honda Lock

81回        R1        Hosei University 1 - 0 Honda Lock

80回        R1        NTT Kumamoto 0 - 2 Honda Lock

                R2        Urawa Red Diamonds 9 - 0 Honda Lock

79回        R1        Honda Lock 0 - 5 Vegalta Sendai

98th Emperor's Cup, Round One

Hamamatsu on the Tokaido, by Kitsushika Hokusai. Source.

It's the first round of the 98th Emperor's Cup, when prefectural champions meet. Let's follow all the games.

Match No. 1: Iwaki FC (Tohoku League 2) [1 - 2] Sony Sendai (JFL)

In last year's cup Iwaki FC beat Norbritz Hokkaido and Consadole Sapporo before going down to Shimizu S-Pulse in Round Three.

Match No. 2: Hokkaido University of Education Iwamizawa (Hokkaido Student League 1) [1 - 1] Nirasaki Astros (Yamanashi League 1) [Hokkaido won on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 3: SRC Hiroshima (Chugoku League) [0 - 4] Matsue City FC (Chugoku League)

These two have already met in league play this season, with Matsue City winning 5 - 1 in Hiroshima.

Match No. 4: Tadotsu FC (Shikoku League) [2 - 2] Tokai University Kumamoto (Kyushu University League 1) [Tadotsu won on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 5: Fukuoka University (Kyushu University League 1) [1 - 0] FC Tokushima Celeste (Shikoku League)

Match No. 6: Sakushin Gakuin University (North Kanto University League) [3 - 3] ReinMeer Aomori (JFL) [ReinMeer won on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 7: Blaublitz Akita (J3) [0 - 1] Vonds Ichihara (Kanto League)

Match No. 8: Ryutsu Keizai University Dragons (JFL) [2 - 0] Yamagata University (Tohoku University League)

Match No. 9: Kochi United (Shikoku League) [2 - 0] Mitsubishi Mizushima (Chukogu League)

Kochi United beat Mitsubishi Mizushima 5 - 2 in the All Japan Regional Football Champions League last November.

Match No. 10: FC Osaka (JFL) [3 - 0] Tokuyama University (Chukogu University League 1)

Match No. 11: Thespakusatsu Gunma (J3) [2 - 1] Komazawa University (Kanto University League 1)

Match No. 12: Nagano Parceiro (J3) [3 - 2] Niigata University of Health and Welfare (Hokushinetsu University League 1)

Match No. 13: Arterivo Wakayama (Kansai League 1) [2 - 3] Honda FC (JFL)

Match No. 14: Gainare Tottori (J3) [1 - 1] Verspah Oita (JFL) [Gainare won on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 15: Nara Club (JFL) [2 - 0] Kanazawa Seiryo University (Hokushinetsu University League 1)

Match No. 16: YSCC (J3) [3 - 2] Tokyo International University (Kanto League 2)

Match No. 17: Suzuka Unlimited FC (Tokai League 1) [0 - 1] Kwansei Gakuin University (Kansai Student League 1)

Match No. 18: Kataller Toyama (J3) [1 - 0] Ococias Kyoto AC (Kansai League 1)

Match No. 19: Saga Lixil (Kyushu League) [0 - 3] Tegevajaro Miyazaki (JFL)

Match No. 20: FC Ryukyu (J3) [1 - 1] FC Imabari (JFL) [Imabari won on penalty kicks.]

Match No. 21: Grulla Morioka (J3) [1 - 2] Ryutsu Keizai University (Kanto University League 1)

RKU have two teams in this tournament.

Match No. 22: Saurcos Fukui (Hokushinetsu League) [2 - 3] Chukyo University (Tokai Student League 1)

Match No. 23: NK Kani (Gifu League) [0 - 3] MIO Biwako Shiga (JFL)

Match No. 24: Kagoshima United (J3) [3 - 0] Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science (Kyushu University League 1)

Honda FC have been around since 1971. They play at Miyakoda Soccer Stadium in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. Hamamatsu is the original home of Honda Motor Company, now headquartered in Tokyo. The club participated in the top level of Japanese soccer in the 1980s, but the club's corporate owners staunchly refuse to get involved in the J League. This seems a strange policy, especially as Júbilo Iwata, the former Yamaha Motor Company FC, also from Shizuoka, has attained all kinds of success in J1.

Honda FC in the Emperor's Cup:

97回        R1        Honda FC 3 - 1 Biwako Seikei Sport College

                R2        Júbilo Iwata 2 - 2 Honda FC (Júbilo won on penalty kicks)

96回        R1        FC Gifu 1 - 2 Honda FC

                R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 2 Honda FC

                R3        Grulla Morioka 1 - 2 Honda FC

                R4        FC Tokyo 2 - 1 Honda FC

90回        R1        Honda FC 7 - 2 FC Gifu Second

                R2        Shimizu S-Pulse 2 - 0 Honda FC

89回        R1        Mie Chukyo University 0 - 7 Honda FC

                R2        JEF United Chiba 3 - 0 Honda FC

88回        R1        Yokkaichi University 1 - 3 Honda FC

                R2        Hannan University 0 - 4 Honda FC

                R3        Sagan Tosu 4 - 0 Honda FC

87回        R2        Honda FC 2 - 0 Saitama SC

                R3        Tokyo Verdy 0 - 1 Honda FC

                R4        Kashiwa Reysol 2 - 3 Honda FC

                R5        Honda FC 2 - 0 Nagoya Grampus

                QF        Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Honda FC

86回        R3        Honda FC 1 - 0 Kochi University

                R4        Kashima Antlers 4 - 0 Honda FC

85回        R3        Honda FC 3 - 1 Fukuoka University

                R4        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 1 Honda FC (Cerezo won on penalty kicks)

84回        R2        Honda FC 3 - 2 Sapporo University

                R3        Honda FC 8 - 0 FC Central Chūgoku

                R4        Nagoya Grampus Eight 3 - 0 Honda FC

83回        R3        FC Tokyo 2 - 2 Honda FC (Tokyo won on penalty kicks)

82回        R1        Okinawa Kariyushi 2 - 3 Honda FC

                R2        Honda FC 3 - 0 Oita Trinita U-18

                R3        Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Honda FC

81回        R1        Kochi University 0 - 1 Honda FC

                R2        Honda FC 6 - Kainan

                R3        Shimizu S-Pulse 2 - 1 Honda FC

80回        R1        Tenri University 0 - 6 Honda FC

                R2        Honda FC 2 - 0 Nippon Steel Oita (?)

                R3        Kashiwa Reysol 2 - 1 Honda FC

79回        R1        Nangoku Kōchi FC 3 - 7 Honda FC

                R2        Honda FC 6 - 0 Kagawa Shiun Club

                R3        Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3 - 2 Honda FC

78回        R1        Tenri University 2 - 3 Honda FC

                R2        Honda FC 4 - 0 Hosho High School

                R3        JEF United Ichihara 0 - 2 Honda FC

                R4        Honda FC 1 - 3 Verdy Kawasaki

77回        R1        Blaze Kumamoto 0 - 2 Honda FC

                R2        Honda FC 3 - 1 Albirex Niigata

                R3        Kyoto Purple Sanga 3 - 2 Honda FC

76回        R1        Aoyama Gakuin University 0 - 4 Honda FC

                R2        Honda FC 3 - 2 Kagawa Shiun Club

                R3        Avispa Fukuoka 3 - 1 Honda FC

75回        R1        Yokohama Marinos 3 - 2 Honda FC

72回        R1        Honda FC 1 - 0 NEC Yamagata

                R2        Fujita Industries 3 - 1 Honda FC

71回        R1        Honda Motors 2 - 1 Fujitsu

                R2        Honda Motors 2 - 1 PJM Futures

                R3        Honda Motors 2 - 2 Mitsubishi Motors (Honda won on penalty kicks)

                SF        Honda Motors 1 - 1 Nissan Motors (Nissan won on penalty kicks)

70回        R1        Fujitsu 1 - 2 Honda

                R2        Mitsubishi Motors 0 - 0 Honda (Honda won on penalty kicks)

                R3        All Nippon Airways 1 - 2 Honda

                SF        Honda 1 - 2 Mitsushita Electric

69回        R1        Honda 4 - 3 Tsukuba University

                R2        Honda 1 - 3 Yanmar Diesel

68回        R1        Aoyama Gakuin University 0 - 8 Honda

                R2        Cosmo Oil 0 - 2 Honda

                QF        Yamaha Motors 2 - 0 Honda

67回        R1        Honda 2 - 0 Fujitsu

                R2        Honda 0 - 0 Fujita Industries (Honda won on penalty kicks)

                QF        Yomiuri 1 - 1 Honda (Yomiuri won on penalty kicks)

66回        R1        Honda 3 - 0 Kofu

                R2        Honda 5 - 1 All Nippon Airways

                QF        Honda 2 - 2 Yamaha Motors (Yamaha won on penalty kicks)

65回        R1        Toshiba 1 - 2 Honda

                R2        Toyota Motors 2 - 1 Honda

64回        R1        Honda 2 - 2 Tsukuba University (Honda won on penalty kicks)

                R2        Honda 1 - 0 Hitachi

                QF        Honda 0 - 1 Furukawa Electric

63回        R1        Honda 4 - 2 Toshiba

                R2        Honda 3 - 0 Sumitomo Metals

                QF        NKK 2 - 1 Honda

62回        R1        Fujitsu 4 - 3 Honda

61回        R1        Aichi Gakuin University 0 - 3 Honda

                R2        Nissan Motors 1 - 2 Honda

                QF        Honda 2 - 4 NKK

60回        R1        Honda 2 - 3 Tanabe Pharmaceuticals

59回        R1        Honda 3 - 0 Osaka University of Commerce

                R2        Honda 1 - 2 Yanmar Diesel

58回        R1        Honda 2 - 1 Kokushikan University

                R2        Honda 0 - 3 Furukawa Electric

57回        R1        Honda 1 - 0 Nissan Motors

                R2        Honda 0 - 2 Mitsubishi Motors

56回        R1        Yanmar Club 2 - 1 Honda

54回        R2        Honda 1 - 2 Waseda University

53回        R2        Kyoto Shiko 2 - 2 Honda (Honda won on penalty kicks)

                R3        Yanmar Diesel 4 - 1 Honda

97th Emperor's Cup Final

From Giant Killing, chapter 203.

It's Cerezo Osaka vs Yokohama F. Marinos at Saitama Stadium.

[Cerezo win 2 - 1. This is Cerezo's fourth Cup. They won it in 1968, 1970 and 1974 while they were known as Yanmar Diesel.]

Kashima Antlers in the Emperor's Cup:

96回        R2        Kashima Antlers 3 - 0 Kattaler Toyama

               R3        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Fagiano Okayama

               R4        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Vissel Kobe

               QF        Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

               SF        Yokohama F. Marinos 0 - 2 Kashima Antlers

                F          Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale

95回        R2        Kashima Antlers 3 - 1 FC Ryūkyū

                R3        Kashima Antlers 0 - 0 Mito HollyHock (Mito won on penalties)

94回        R2        Kashima Antlers 2 - 2 Sony Sendai (Sendai won on penalties)

93回        R2        Kashima Antlers 3 - 0 Sony Sendai

                R3        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Kyoto Sanga

                R4        Kashima Antlers 1 - 3 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

92回        R2        Kashima Antlers 7 - 1 University of Tsukuba

                R3        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Gainare Tottori

                R4        Kashima Antlers 3 - 1 Júbilo Iwata

                QF        JEF United Chiba 0 - 1 Kashima Antlers

                SF        Gamba Osaka 1 - 0 Kashima Antlers

91回        R2        Kashima Antlers 2 - 0 University of Tsukuba

                R3        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Kataller Toyama

                R4        Kashima Antlers 0 - 1 Kyoto Sanga

90回        R2        Kashima Antlers 6 - 0 Arte Takasaki

                R3        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Roasso Kumamoto

                R4        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Cerezo Osaka

                QF        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Nagoya Grampus

                SF        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 FC Tokyo

                 F         Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Shimizo S-Pulse

89回        R2        Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Arte Takasaki

                R3        Kashima Antlers 3 - 0 Avispa Fukuoka

                R4        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Vissel Kobe

                QF        Kashima Antlers 1 - 2 Gamba Osaka

88回        R4        Kashima Antlers 2 - 2 Kokushikan University (Kashima win on penalties)

                R5        Kashima Antlers 3 - 4 Shimizu S-Pulse

87回        R4        Kashima Antlers 2 - 0 Mito HollyHock

                R5        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

                QF        Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Honda FC

                SF        Kawasaki Frontale 0 - 1 Kashima Antlers

                 F         Sanfrecce Hiroshima 0 - 2 Kashima Antlers

86回        R4        Kashima Antlers 4 - 0 Honda FC

                R5        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Nagoya Grampus Eight

                QF        Kashima Antlers 3 - 2 Shimizu S-Pulse

                SF        Urawa Red Diamonds 2 - 1 Kashima Antlers

85回        R4        Kashima Antlers 7 - 0 Honda Lock

                R5        Kashima Antlers 3 - 0 Oita Trinita

                QF        Kashima Antlers 0 - 1 Omiya Ardija

84回        R4        Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Mito HollyHock

                R5        Kashima Antlers 3 - 2 Kawasaki Frontale

                QF        Kashima Antlers 0 - 1 Gamba Osaka

83回        R3        Kashima Antlers 3 - 2 Avispa Fukuoka

                R4        Kashima Antlers 3 - 2 Kashiwa Reysol

                QF        Kashima Antlers 4 - 1 Yokohama F. Marinos

                SF        Cerezo Osaka 2 - 1 Kashima Antlers

82回        R3        Kashima Antlers 4 - 0 Tokyo Gakugei University

                R4        Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Omiya Ardija

                QF        Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale

                SF        JEF United Ichihara 0 - 2 Kashima Antlers

                 F          Kashima Antlers 1 - 2 Kyoto Purple Sanga

81回        R3        Kashima Antlers 6 - 0 Nara Sangyo University

                R4        Kashima Antlers 6 - 0 Sagan Tosu

                QF        Cerezo Osaka 4 - 2 Kashima Antlers

80回        R3        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Sagan Tosu

                R4        Verdy Kawasaki 0 - 2 Kashima Antlers

                QF        Yokohama F. Marinos 1 - 1 Kashima Antlers (Kashima won on penalties)

                SF        Kashima Antlers 3 - 2 Gamba Osaka

                 F          Kashima Antlers 3 - 2 Shimizu S-Pulse

79回        R4        Kashima Antlers 1 - 2 Nagoya Grampus Eight

78回        R3        Kashima Antlers 3 - 1 Tsukuba University

                R4        Kashima Antlers 3 - 0 Bellmare Hiratsuka

                QF        Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

                SF        Yokohama Flügels 1 - 0 Kashima Antlers

77回        R3        Kashima Antlers 4 - 1 Juntendo University

                R4        Kashima Antlers 6 - 0 Avispa Fukuoka

                QF        Kashima Antlers 3 - 0 Gamba Osaka

                SF        Kashima Antlers 3 - 1 Tokyo Gas

                 F          Kashima Antlers 3 - 0 Yokohama Flügels

76回        R3        Kashima Antlers 2 - 0 Kansai University

                R4        Avispa Fukuoka 0 - 2 Kashima Antlers

                QF        Verdy Kawasaki 2 - 1 Kashima Antlers

75回        R1        Tokyo Gas 0 - 1 Kashima Antlers

                R2        Cerezo Osaka 1 - 2 Kashima Antlers

                QF        Fukuoka Blux 2 - 3 Kashima Antlers

                SF        Kashima Antlers 1 - 5 Nagoya Grampus Eight

74回        R1        Kashima Antlers 0 - 2 Tokyo Gas

73回        R1        Kashima Antlers 1 - 1 NKK (Kashima won on penalties)

                R2        Kashima Antlers 6 - 1 Tohoku Electric Power

                QF        Kashima Antlers 5 - 3 Nagoya Grampus Eight

                SF        Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Shimizu S-Pulse

                 F          Kashima Antlers 2 - 6 Yokohama Flügels

72回        R1        Nippon Steel Yawata 1 - 8 Kashima Antlers

                R2        Yanmar Diesel 1 - 2 Kashima Antlers

                QF        Urawa Red Diamonds 2 - 1 Kashima Antlers

Before 1992 Kashima Antlers were called Sumitomo Metals.

68回        R1        Doshisha University 1 - 2 Sumitomo Metals

                R2        Mitsubishi Motors 1 - 2 Sumitomo Metals

                QF        Sumitomo Metals 0 - 2 Fujita Industries

67回        R1        Sumitomo Metals 5 - 0 Kyoto Sangyo University

                R2        Sumitomo Metals 3 - 1 Yanmar Diesel

                QF        Toshiba 1 - 1 Sumitomo Metals (Sumitomo won on penalties)

                SF        Sumitomo Metals 1 - 2 Mazda

65回        R1        Mazda 1 - 0 Sumitomo Metals

64回        R1        Fujita Industries 4 - 0 Sumimoto Metals

63回        R1        Sumitomo Metals 2 - 1 Hitachi

                R2        Honda 3 - 0 Sumitomo Metals

60回        R1        Nissei Plastic 0 - 2 Sumitomo Metals

                R2        Sumitomo Metals 0 - 8 Fujita Industries

58回        R1        Sumitomo Metals 0 - 1 Furukawa Electric

57回        R1        Sumitomo Metals 3 - 2 NKK

                R2        Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences 0 - 1 Sumitomo Metals

                QF        Fujita Industries 4 - 3 Sumitomo Metals

Kashima has really benefitted from J1's home-field advantage. Beginning with this the 97th Emperor's Cup, home-field advantage  goes to the lower-ranked club in Rounds Three, Four and the quarter-finals.

Snapping a picture of Supporto! at the game is a thing in Japan.

Patrick Downie's Greenock

Patrick Downie (1854-1945) left behind a large body of Greenock townscapes, including this one, A View of William Street from Mid Quay, which you can see at the McLean Museum.

Morton are at home to Inverness CT. Their first meeting August 19th ended in a 1 - 1 draw.

ICT got off to a bad start this season, and occupied last place for a while, but they found their way forward around the beginning of October and now it's gotten practically impossible to score against them. If they win today they will be in sight of the promotion playoffs. Morton themselves need a win to keep within range of fourth place.

The last time ICT visited Cappielow was April 6th, 2010, when both clubs were in Division One. Inverness won 0 - 2. The last time Morton beat ICT at Cappielow was Nov 25th, 2000, also in Division One.

[Morton 1 - 0 Inverness. Goal by Harkins. This is Morton's first win against ICT in 17 years. Morton rise to fourth place. They are in a group of four teams -- Dunfermline, Morton, QoS and Livingston -- all with 26 points.]

1978-79. On this date in 1978 Morton hosted Celtic and won 1 - 0 on a penalty shot by Andy Ritchie. Attendance 12,636.

1933-34. Morton hosted King's Park and won 1 - 0.

Morton and St Mirren met Christmas Day 1933 at Cappielow in the Renfrewshire Cup final, but the game ended 3 - 3. They did not get around to the second leg until September 4th, 1934, when St Mirren won 8 - 0.

Morton have played ten Scottish League game plus one Southern League game on Christmas Day, the most recent one in 1971.

1944-45. Motherwell visited Cappielow and won 1 - 3.

What was Morton's most significant game against Inverness CT?

Nov 12th, 1999            Morton 5 - 1 Inverness CT

This was their second meeting and still stands as Morton's most lopsided win over ICT.

Other match of the day: Dumbarton vs Falkirk. The Sons can really put the boots to Falkirk's prospects with a win today. Dumbarton are eighth with 18 points, and Falkirk are 10 points behind them. [0 - 0.]

Bairns Cut Youth Academy. The irony! The board of directors of Falkirk FC, after surveying the wreckage of their plan for promotion, have axed their youth academy to redirect money to the first team. Dumbarton did something similar at the beginning of the season. It would be a great shame if Morton were to follow suit.

Current winless streaks (league + cup):

Falkirk                   8

Dunfermline          5

Brechin                 4

Livingston             2 

Morton                  1

Dumbarton            1

St Mirren               0

Dundee Utd           0

QoS                       0

Inverness CT         0

Last Sunday Hearts beat Celtic 4 - 0 and ended the Bhoys' 69 game domestic unbeaten streak, which went back to May 15th 2016 and included the entire 2016-17 season.

The SJFA is trying valiantly to finish Round Three of the Scottish Junior Cup. The matches were originally scheduled Nov 25th, but 22 of them were postponed due to the weather. Six of those were played on Dec 2nd, and 16 were postponed, and a draw necessitated a replay. All 17 of those matches were postponed on Dec 9th. Two were played and 15 postponed again on Dec 16th. 15 matches are scheduled for today. Round Four goes Jan 20th.

It's the semi-finals of the Emperor's Cup. [Today is Emperor Akihito's 84th birthday.]

Yokohama F. Marinos [2 - 1] Kashiwa Reysol

Cerezo Osaka [3 - 1] Vissel Kobe

Cerezo won this year's League Cup and finished third in J1. Kashiwa Reysol were 4th, Yokohama 5th, and Vissel Kobe 9th. Vissel Kobe beat Matsumoto Yamaga along the way to the semi-finals.

Matsumoto Yamaga in the Emperor's Cup:

97回        R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 4 - 0 MD Nagasaki

                R3        Sagan Tosu 1 - 2 Matsumoto Yamaga

                R4        Matsumoto Yamaga 0 - 2 Vissel Kobe

96回        R1        Matsumoto Yamaga 6 - 0 Tokuyama University

                R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 2 Honda FC

95回        R1        Matsumoto Yamaga 3 - 0 Saurcos Fukui

                R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 2 - 1 Zweigen Kanazawa

                R3        Shonan Bellmare 2 - 3 Matsumoto Yamaga

                R4        Vegalta Sendai 2 - 1 Matsumoto Yamaga

94回        R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 0 Kamatamare Sanuki

                R3        FC Tokyo 2 - 0 Matsumoto Yamaga

93回        R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 4 - 3 Thespakusatsu Gunma

                R3        Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 3 Sagan Tosu

92回        R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 3 Kyoto Sanga

91回        R1        Matsumoto Yamaga 3 - 0 Maruoka Phoenix

                R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 2 - 0 Yokohama FC

                R3        Albirex Niigata 0 - 1 Matsumoto Yamaga

                R4        Yokohama F. Marinos 4 - 0 Matsumoto Yamaga

90回        R1        Matsumoto Yamaga 7 - 1 Tamaho Club

                R2        Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Matsumoto Yamaga

89回        R1        Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 0 FC Kariya

                R2        Matsumoto Yamaga 2 - 0 Urawa Red Diamonds

                R3        Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 4 FC Gifu

88回        R1        Niigata University of Management 1 - 5 Matsumoto Yamaga

                R2        Saurcos Fukui 0 - 4 Matsumoto Yamaga

                R3        Shonan Bellmare 1 - 1 Matsumoto Yamaga (Matsumoto win on penalties)

                R4        Matsumoto Yamaga 0 - 8 Vissel Kobe

86回        R1        Matsumoto Yamaga 2 - 2 Doshisha University (Matsumoto win on penalties)

                R2        Nippon Steel Oita 3 - 1 Matsumoto Yamaga

Prior to 2004 Matsumoto Yamaga were known as Yamaga Club.

77回        R1        Brummell Sendai 7 - 0 Yamaga Club

39th Empress's Cup semi-finals were played Thursday:

NTV Beleza (N1) 2 - 1 Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies (N1)

JEF United Chiba Ladies (N1) 0 - 1 Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara (N1)

The final is tomorrow:

NTV Beleza [2 - 1] Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara

Beleza have won the cup eleven times before, Stella never.

66th All Japan University Football Championship:

Quarter-Finals (Dec. 18):

Match No. 17: University of Tsukuba 0 - 1 Tokyo International University

Match No. 18: Fukuoka University 2 - 3 Ryutsu Keizai University

Match No. 19: Hosei University 3 - 2 Biwako Seikei Sport College

Match No. 20: Juntendo University 2 - 2 Kansai University (Kansai won on penalty kicks)

Semi-Finals (Dec. 21):

Match No. 21: Tokyo International University 1 - 2 Ryutsu Keizai University

Match No. 22: Kansai University 1 - 1 Hosei University (Hosei won on penalty kicks.)

Finals (tomorrow):

Match No. 23: Ryutsu Keizai University [5 - 1] Hosei University

Hosei have won this cup twice before, Ryutsu Keizai once.

After half a season what does the table of Abruzzo derby games in Serie D, Girone F look like?

                        G    W    D    L    F    A    GD    P

Pineto              5     3     1     1    9    6    +3    10 

Vastese           5     3     1     1    6    4    +2    10

San Nicolo      5     2     0     3    7   12    -5      6

Avezzano        5    1      2     2    8    6    +2      5

L'Aquila           5    1      2     2    7    7      0      5

Francavilla      5    1      2     2    5    7     -2      5