Toke-E-Yo
09-19-2005, 11:27 PM
Okubo sparks Mallorca revival
Sep 19, 2005
Ian Griffiths/FootballAsia.com
LONDON – Asian exports in Spain, Germany and France were, once again, busy making headlines this weekend during the latest round of matches in Europe.
SPAIN
Real Mallorca 5 – 2 Real Sociedad
2003 AFC Young Player of the Year Yoshito Okubo helped Mallorca register their first win of the season as the Japan international came off the bench to produce a stunning performance at the Son Moix Stadium.
Mallorca boss Hector Cuper, mindful that his charges have yet to spark this season, left the former Cerezo Osaka frontman out of his starting eleven – a decision that seemed to be backfiring as Sociedad, courtesy of goals from Alvaro Novo and Xavi Prieto, raced into a well deserved 2-1 half-time advantage.
Whatever the wily Argentinean tactician told his charges at the break clearly had a profound effect, as Mallorca started the second period in fine form.
Juan Arango’s header from an Alejandro Campano corner restored parity before Okubo – who had only just replaced Italian Cristiano Doni – supplied a superb cross that Arango powered past Asier Riesgo in the Sociedad goal.
The visitors from San Sebastian were stung into action and nearly drew level when Nihat Kahveci struck the Mallorca woodwork after being expertly found by Rekarte.
With five minutes remaining, Arango put the game beyond doubt when he bagged his hat-trick with a vicious shot that gave Riesgo little chance.
Not to be outdone, Okubo was once again in the midst of the action as the 23-year-old’s cross found Choutos, who dutifully registered Mallorca’s fifth goal of the game.
Okubo’s continued good work in Spain will no doubt please Mallorca’s management who recently handed the talented striker a one-year extension to his original six-month deal – reward for his overall contribution to the club’s successful battle against relegation at the tail end of last season.
GERMANY
Hamburg 1 – 1 Eintracht Frankfurt
In the Bundesliga, Korea Republic star Cha Doo-ri, another second-half substitute, scored a last gasp equaliser for Frankfurt to deny a lively Hamburg all three points.
The match saw a trio of Asian players appearing at some stage of the proceedings as, along with the visiting Cha, Iran’s Mehdi Mahdavikia was given a start by Hamburg’s Thomas Doll, whilst Japan hitman Naohiro Takahara also appeared before the end of what was an entertaining afternoon at the AOL Arena.
Just 48 hours after their 1-1 UEFA Cup draw with FC Copenhagen, the home team started their fifth league game of the season at break neck speed and could well have gone ahead after just five minutes when Bastian Reinhardt’s header was brilliantly turned away by Frankfurt keeper Oka Nikolov.
Hamburg’s Bosnian striker Sergej Barbarez also came close before Mahdavikia spurned the best chance of the opening half hour.
After being found in space by Benny Lauth, the Iran international placed his shot narrowly wide of Nikolov’s upright.
Frankfurt, content to soak up Hamburg’s relentless pressure and play on the counter-attack, nearly opened their account just before the break when Ioannis Amanatidis forced Wächter into an acrobatic save.
Neither team could gain the upper hand after the re-start until, with 85 minutes on the clock and with Cha still kicking his heels on the sidelines, Hamburg took the lead.
Recent signing Rafael van de Vaart’s pinpoint cross found Hamburg captain Daniel van Buyten who – having missed an earlier, much easier chance - scored with aplomb.
In a desperate attempt to salvage at least a point, Frankfurt coach Friedhelm Funkel threw on Cha – a move that paid handsome dividends deep into stoppage time.
A speculative ball found Cha at the far post and the lanky Korean – already a firm favourite with the Eintracht faithful – rose to head home past a despairing Wächter.
FRANCE
Le Mans 2 – 1 Sochaux
Japan starlet Daisuke Matsui was at the heart of yet another splendid performance by a Le Mans team who are taking France’s Ligue 1 by storm.
Having gained promotion last season, Frederic Hantz’s talented band of players have now amassed a highly respectable 14 points from their opening seven games.
It was Matsui who nearly nearly opened the scoring when his ninth minute free-kick from the edge of the penalty area was expertly saved by Sochaux custodian Teddy Richert.
Just before the half hour mark, Le Mans did take the lead as Yohan Hautcoeur volleyed home Matsui’s consummate right wing set piece.
Le Mans squandered several chances to double their advantage – something they were made to regret as their visitors drew level after 62 minutes when Moumouni Dagano played teammate Araujo Ilan in behind a ponderous home defence to score.
Sochaux’s joy was short lived however as, less than ten minutes later, Brazilian Vinicius De Melo ensured Le Mans’ fourth win of the season with an acrobatic overhead kick.
Our forgotten asians. still makin impacts
Sep 19, 2005
Ian Griffiths/FootballAsia.com
LONDON – Asian exports in Spain, Germany and France were, once again, busy making headlines this weekend during the latest round of matches in Europe.
SPAIN
Real Mallorca 5 – 2 Real Sociedad
2003 AFC Young Player of the Year Yoshito Okubo helped Mallorca register their first win of the season as the Japan international came off the bench to produce a stunning performance at the Son Moix Stadium.
Mallorca boss Hector Cuper, mindful that his charges have yet to spark this season, left the former Cerezo Osaka frontman out of his starting eleven – a decision that seemed to be backfiring as Sociedad, courtesy of goals from Alvaro Novo and Xavi Prieto, raced into a well deserved 2-1 half-time advantage.
Whatever the wily Argentinean tactician told his charges at the break clearly had a profound effect, as Mallorca started the second period in fine form.
Juan Arango’s header from an Alejandro Campano corner restored parity before Okubo – who had only just replaced Italian Cristiano Doni – supplied a superb cross that Arango powered past Asier Riesgo in the Sociedad goal.
The visitors from San Sebastian were stung into action and nearly drew level when Nihat Kahveci struck the Mallorca woodwork after being expertly found by Rekarte.
With five minutes remaining, Arango put the game beyond doubt when he bagged his hat-trick with a vicious shot that gave Riesgo little chance.
Not to be outdone, Okubo was once again in the midst of the action as the 23-year-old’s cross found Choutos, who dutifully registered Mallorca’s fifth goal of the game.
Okubo’s continued good work in Spain will no doubt please Mallorca’s management who recently handed the talented striker a one-year extension to his original six-month deal – reward for his overall contribution to the club’s successful battle against relegation at the tail end of last season.
GERMANY
Hamburg 1 – 1 Eintracht Frankfurt
In the Bundesliga, Korea Republic star Cha Doo-ri, another second-half substitute, scored a last gasp equaliser for Frankfurt to deny a lively Hamburg all three points.
The match saw a trio of Asian players appearing at some stage of the proceedings as, along with the visiting Cha, Iran’s Mehdi Mahdavikia was given a start by Hamburg’s Thomas Doll, whilst Japan hitman Naohiro Takahara also appeared before the end of what was an entertaining afternoon at the AOL Arena.
Just 48 hours after their 1-1 UEFA Cup draw with FC Copenhagen, the home team started their fifth league game of the season at break neck speed and could well have gone ahead after just five minutes when Bastian Reinhardt’s header was brilliantly turned away by Frankfurt keeper Oka Nikolov.
Hamburg’s Bosnian striker Sergej Barbarez also came close before Mahdavikia spurned the best chance of the opening half hour.
After being found in space by Benny Lauth, the Iran international placed his shot narrowly wide of Nikolov’s upright.
Frankfurt, content to soak up Hamburg’s relentless pressure and play on the counter-attack, nearly opened their account just before the break when Ioannis Amanatidis forced Wächter into an acrobatic save.
Neither team could gain the upper hand after the re-start until, with 85 minutes on the clock and with Cha still kicking his heels on the sidelines, Hamburg took the lead.
Recent signing Rafael van de Vaart’s pinpoint cross found Hamburg captain Daniel van Buyten who – having missed an earlier, much easier chance - scored with aplomb.
In a desperate attempt to salvage at least a point, Frankfurt coach Friedhelm Funkel threw on Cha – a move that paid handsome dividends deep into stoppage time.
A speculative ball found Cha at the far post and the lanky Korean – already a firm favourite with the Eintracht faithful – rose to head home past a despairing Wächter.
FRANCE
Le Mans 2 – 1 Sochaux
Japan starlet Daisuke Matsui was at the heart of yet another splendid performance by a Le Mans team who are taking France’s Ligue 1 by storm.
Having gained promotion last season, Frederic Hantz’s talented band of players have now amassed a highly respectable 14 points from their opening seven games.
It was Matsui who nearly nearly opened the scoring when his ninth minute free-kick from the edge of the penalty area was expertly saved by Sochaux custodian Teddy Richert.
Just before the half hour mark, Le Mans did take the lead as Yohan Hautcoeur volleyed home Matsui’s consummate right wing set piece.
Le Mans squandered several chances to double their advantage – something they were made to regret as their visitors drew level after 62 minutes when Moumouni Dagano played teammate Araujo Ilan in behind a ponderous home defence to score.
Sochaux’s joy was short lived however as, less than ten minutes later, Brazilian Vinicius De Melo ensured Le Mans’ fourth win of the season with an acrobatic overhead kick.
Our forgotten asians. still makin impacts