MOIST 2007 Season Awards

I think I said, I can't be bothered to check but you can, that next up would be the comings and goings off the off-season. Well, I changed my mind because we still haven't signed Ronaldhino and I don't want to make him big-headed when he comes by giving him a whole post to himself.

So, whilst we wait for him to sign on the dotted line you can feast your eyes on the MOIST 2007 Season Awards. We have 4 categories: Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, Goal of the Season and Game of the Season.

Each category has 5 nominees and will be announced in reverse order. If you don't agree with the results, let me know. You'll be wrong but let me know anyway.


Player of the Season

5. Shimizu Norihisa
The much maligned, around these parts at least, Shimizu was something of a revelation this season. Although he didn't figure for a significant amount of the campaign he was a real threat and a livewire in the games he did play in. Moved into a wider position than his former off-the-striker role he was able to use his pace and experience to play havoc with full backs.
With a squad full of younger players it is unlikely that Shimizu will start many games in the 2008 campaign but his ability to come off the bench and make things happen combined with the experience he can pass down to the younger players should make him a vital cog in the works next season.

4. Yamase Yukihiro
Yokohama's very own Phil Neville didn't have to move cities to get from under the wing of his older brother and, in some ways, impressed more than Koji in 2007.
Playing on either flank, swapping sided regularly during a game, and often popping up in the middle, Yukihiro covered a lot of ground in his own, highly amusing comedy running way. Weighing in with a handful of goals and assists he had a great season and proved to be an additional attacking weapon from midfield. With more consistency through, perhaps, better rotation he should have a great 2008.

3. Komiyama Takanobu
After Dutra was told to pack his bags it seemed like their would be an unfillable hole down the left side of the field. However, this season, three players have shown that Dutra's departure wasn't the end of left-footed world.
Komiyama spent the season vying with Tanaka Yusuke, and occassionally Nasu, for the left-back spot and, in the opinion of MOIST, was the better full-back. Although he was initially third choice for the position he forced himself into the team and enjoyed a long run once selected. His battle with Yusuke next season should be interesting to watch.

2. Yamase Koji
Perhaps a shock choice for number 2 being the top scoring midfielder in J1 and the creative force in midfield but, although Koji has had a fantastic season and, hopefully, laid to rest any doubts about his injury proneness, he needs to work on one aspect of his game to make the jump to number one.
Now, this isn't to disrespect the man, but his dead ball delivery this season has been fairly woeful. When's he aimed for goal he's either hit the target of come damn close but when's he aimed for players he's usually found the other team. If he can improve on his delivery it's star number 4 for the Albatross Nation.

1. Kawai Ryuji
Oh, oh, oh, oh Kawai. Oh, oh, oh, oh Kawai. Oh, oh, oh, oh Kawai. Kawai Ryuji re-oh.
Yes, MOIST 2007 Player of the Season is midfield hardman Kawai Ryuji. Kawai was Mr. Consistency in 2007 mopping up in front of the back four. Indeed, he went above and beyond with 3 goals and a vastly improved passing performance. MOIST, we must admit, had a preference for the younger, more skillful Nasu in the middle of the park but Kawai has proved us wrong and brings to the team a great amount of steel that, perhaps, Nasu lacks. He also brings some comedy passing and comedy shooting but when they work, oh, yes, how they work! All-in-all: Legend.


Young Player of the Season


5~2. (clockwise from top left) Havenaar Mike, Inui Takashi, Mizunuma Kota, Hasegawa Aria Jasuru
The Young Player of the Year Award is a little different. This season the fans haven't been treated to a large amount of playing time from the youngsters so, rather than try and praise the players for their achievements in 2007 we are going to look at the potential of the cream of the crop.
From the brief amount of action we got to see from the 4 players on the left, it is clear that they all have the potential to be great players in the future.
Mike scored in 50% of his starting appearance (2 games, 1 goal) but was a constant threat when brought on at the end of games. More skillful use of him by Hayano could easily have seen him score more and the Marinos pick up more point.
Inui, who was told by Hayano he'd never play in the J-League again in 2007 early in the season and then was called into the team for the Nabisco Cup semi-final, struggled but showed some flashes of fantastic close control, trickery and skill. Again, he was often thrown in at the end of losing games when the opposition defence was sat back waiting for him and his brand of football perhaps wasn't what was needed.
Mizunuma Kota figured in the last few games of the campaign and showed a mature head on young shoulders. Unlucky not to open his account against Kobe, the U17 Japan captain could be the next big thing in Yokohama.
Aria, if he ever gets fit again, promises to be an exciting midfield option. Vieira-esque with his tall and rangey style he looks strong in the tackle, quick with his feet and has the ability to get from box to box.

1. Tanaka Yusuke
One of the few youngsters who got a run in the team this season and did well enough to be called into the Japan Olympic squad. His battle for left-back spot with Komiyama was interrupted when Hayano claimed he was too lazy at training. However, he seemed to have got that monkey off his back and worked hard enough to earn a recall towards the end of the season. Perhaps not as strong going forward as Komiyama but equally adept at the back he will hopefully be jetting off to Beijing this year to bring gold home to Yokohama.


Goal of the Season

5. Yamase Yukihiro vs Yokohama FC (August 11, Nissan Stadium)
25 yards out, left foot, top corner. Pick that one out.



4. Oshima Hideo vs Yokohama FC (August 11, Nissan Stadium)
Edge of the box, swivels, sidesteps, left foot, bottom corner. Hat-trick hero.



3. Kawai Ryuji vs Oita Trinita (April 22, Nissan Stadium)
Yokohama, Japan (MOIST News Agency) - Three minutes later it was 4-0. Possibly the pick of the bunch as Kawai strode upfield, picked up a ball from Yukihiro Yamase on the edge of box, cut inside past the despairing dives of two defenders before rolling the ball into the net. His third league goal in 3 seasons and, without a doubt, his best.
Sadly there are no highlights of the best goal of Ryuji's career, so the official MOIST report is al we have to remember his moment of magic by. If anyone has any clips please send me a message and let the world see this wonder strike.

2. Yamase Koji vs Ventforet Kofu (March 3, Nissan Stadium)
Suzuki to Aria, little lay off on the centre circle into feet, powerful run, ghosts past 2 defenders, flicks it past the keeper. Let the season begin.



1. Yamase Koji vs Urawa Reds (May 27, Saitama Stadium)
40 yards out, ball from Kawai, skips past a challenge, left foot, loops it over the keeper into the far corner. Reds drop two points, lose the title.




Game of the Season

5. vs Albirex Niigata (April 28, Big Swan)
6-0 away at the Big Swan right on the back of a 5-0 win over Oita at home. A fantastic set of results but 6 away from home edges it. This game also saw the worst penalty decision in the history of man.
1-0 Yamase Y (37), 2-0 Yamase K (38), 3-0 Yoshida (47), 4-0 Sakata (51), 5-0 Sakata (56), 6-0 Oshima (69).



4. vs Jubilo Iwata (August 29, Mitsuzawa Stadium)
After going down a goal early, the Marinos fought back in the latter stages of the first half before totally dominating and out playing Jubilo in the second.
0-1 Kaga (11), 1-1 Oshima (43), 2-1 Shimizu (55), 3-1 Yamase K (58), 4-1 Sakata (71).




3. vs Kawasaki Frontale (May 3, Nissan Stadium)
Not a classic by any means but a wonderfully committed display that overwhelmed a good Kawasaki side and recorded the first victory over our Kanagawa rivals.
1-0 Oshima (4), 2-0 Yamase K (66), 2-1 Magnum (77).



2 vs FC Tokyo (August 14, Aijinomoto Stadium)
After a listless 1-0 loss in the first leg of this Nabisco quarter-final, the Marinos raced into a 4 goal lead in the second leg. Two late FC goals made it a nervy finish but the team held out for a great victory. Sadly there are no highlights available of this game played in the driving rain which is notable for producing the only goal scored by a foreigner for the Marinos this season as well as Elthinho's sole appearance of the campaign.
1-0 Yamase K (19), 2-0 Oshima (48), 3-0 Oshima (68), 4-0 Marques (72), 4-1Ishikawa (78), 4-2 Kanezawa (87)

1 vs Yokohama FC (August 11, Nissan Stadium)
The ultimate in revenge against our cross city rivals. Maybe not the final nail in their J1 coffin - more like a bag of nails, a couple of handles and a large hole dug for them.
1-0 Oshima (30), 2-0 Sakata (44), 3-0 Yamase K (51), 4-0 Yamase Y (62), 5-0 Oshima (65), 6-0 Oshima (72), 7-0 Yamase K (74), 7-1 Hiramoto (82), 8-1 Oshima (88)







And that, MOIST fans, is the end of another long post. Hope you enjoyed it. We'll be back soon with all the comings and goings since the end of the 2007 season. Promise.