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	<title>The Japan Times &#187; J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK</title>
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	<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp</link>
	<description>News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More</description>
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		<title>Marinos eye title after breaking clear of chasing pack</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/09/25/soccer/marinos-eye-title-after-breaking-clear-of-chasing-pack/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=marinos-eye-title-after-breaking-clear-of-chasing-pack</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/09/25/soccer/marinos-eye-title-after-breaking-clear-of-chasing-pack/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Sep 2013 14:42:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shunsuke Nakamura]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tokohama F. Marinos]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=459981</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is still plenty of life left in the J. League title race, but after opening up a four-point gap at the top of the table last weekend, Yokohama F. Marinos have taken a bold step toward their first championship in nine years. Marinos came through a bruising encounter to beat Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 on [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Life goes on for Reysol after Nelsinho&#8217;s shock resignation</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/09/04/soccer/life-goes-on-for-reysol-after-nelsinhos-shock-resignation/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=life-goes-on-for-reysol-after-nelsinhos-shock-resignation</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/09/04/soccer/life-goes-on-for-reysol-after-nelsinhos-shock-resignation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:19:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Kashiwa Reysol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nelsinho]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=451216</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Kashiwa Reysol are still reeling from the shock resignation of manager Nelsinho last weekend, but with the club competing on four fronts heading into September, there is no time for an extended grieving period. Nelsinho stunned officials, players and fans last Saturday by announcing his intention to quit in the aftermath of Reysol&#8217;s 3-1 defeat [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Omiya taking massive gamble with Verdenik dismissal</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/08/14/soccer/omiya-taking-massive-gamble-with-verdenik-dismissal/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=omiya-taking-massive-gamble-with-verdenik-dismissal</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/08/14/soccer/omiya-taking-massive-gamble-with-verdenik-dismissal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Aug 2013 14:12:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Omiya Ardija]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zdenko Verdenik]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=430289</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The J. League has seen its fair share of bold managerial dismissals over the years, but few can rival the firing of Omiya Ardija&#8217;s Zdenko Verdenik last weekend. Verdenik paid the price for Omiya&#8217;s recent dismal run of form having overseen a fifth straight defeat in Saturday&#8217;s 3-0 home loss to Cerezo Osaka, with the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/08/14/soccer/omiya-taking-massive-gamble-with-verdenik-dismissal/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Weekend results deny Sanfrecce chance to stretch legs</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/08/07/soccer/weekend-results-deny-sanfrecce-chance-to-stretch-legs/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=weekend-results-deny-sanfrecce-chance-to-stretch-legs</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/08/07/soccer/weekend-results-deny-sanfrecce-chance-to-stretch-legs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:34:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Omiya Ardija]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[URAWA REDS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yokohama F. Marinos]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=425780</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima went into last weekend&#8217;s game against Urawa Reds with a real chance to pull clear of the chasing pack, but after crashing to a 3-1 defeat at Saitama Stadium, the top of the table now looks more congested than ever. A mixed sequence of results for the leading sides means Sanfrecce&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Gamba, Vissel on course for quick return to top division</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/07/03/soccer/gamba-vissel-on-course-for-quick-return-to-top-division/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=gamba-vissel-on-course-for-quick-return-to-top-division</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/07/03/soccer/gamba-vissel-on-course-for-quick-return-to-top-division/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:04:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gamba Osaka]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vissel Kobe]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=405203</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The J. League first division returns from its six-week international break this Saturday, but beneath the top flight the race for promotion is in full swing with the second division reaching its halfway point last Saturday. Going into Wednesday night&#8217;s fixtures, Gamba Osaka led the way on 46 points with Vissel Kobe two further back [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Fans, players show class in reaction to serious accident</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/05/09/soccer/fans-players-show-class-in-reaction-to-serious-accident/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=fans-players-show-class-in-reaction-to-serious-accident</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/05/09/soccer/fans-players-show-class-in-reaction-to-serious-accident/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 15:09:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Omiya Ardija]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sanfrecce Hiroshima]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=360049</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A serious accident that left two players in the hospital may have cast a pall over Monday&#8217;s match between Omiya Ardija and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, but the reaction of both sets of fans and players was a credit to the Japanese game. With the clash between league-leaders Omiya and defending champions Sanfrecce tied at 1-1 in [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/05/09/soccer/fans-players-show-class-in-reaction-to-serious-accident/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ardija not prepared to fade from memory after day in sun</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/04/25/soccer/ardija-not-prepared-to-fade-from-memory-after-day-in-sun/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=ardija-not-prepared-to-fade-from-memory-after-day-in-sun</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/04/25/soccer/ardija-not-prepared-to-fade-from-memory-after-day-in-sun/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:03:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Omiya Ardija]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=352931</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Omiya Ardija took center stage last Saturday after setting a new J. League record for consecutive unbeaten games, but the unheralded Saitama side can expect plenty more attention if it manages to maintain its impressive start to the season. Ardija beat local rivals Urawa Reds 1-0 to extend their unbeaten run to 18, moving past [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/04/25/soccer/ardija-not-prepared-to-fade-from-memory-after-day-in-sun/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Marinos turn back time with perfect start to new season</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/04/04/soccer/marinos-turn-back-time-with-perfect-start-to-new-season/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=marinos-turn-back-time-with-perfect-start-to-new-season</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/04/04/soccer/marinos-turn-back-time-with-perfect-start-to-new-season/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:05:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[J. League]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yokohama F. Marinos]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=339945</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yokohama F. Marinos may have one of the oldest teams in the J. League, but the three-time champions are aiming to have a vintage year after winning their first four games of the season. Marinos beat FC Tokyo 3-2 on Saturday to stand alone as the only side with a 100 percent record, with new [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/04/04/soccer/marinos-turn-back-time-with-perfect-start-to-new-season/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tradition there to be broken as new season gets started</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/03/07/soccer/tradition-there-to-be-broken-as-new-season-gets-started/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=tradition-there-to-be-broken-as-new-season-gets-started</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/03/07/soccer/tradition-there-to-be-broken-as-new-season-gets-started/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:05:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[J. League]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=207101</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The start of the 2013 J. League season last Saturday brought with it the chance for a new beginning, but some teams were more determined than others to break with tradition on the opening day. Urawa Reds went into their game at champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima having lost each of their previous five opening fixtures, and [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/03/07/soccer/tradition-there-to-be-broken-as-new-season-gets-started/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Promoted teams hoping to buck trend with J1 survival</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/01/17/soccer/promoted-teams-hoping-to-buck-trend-with-j1-survival/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=promoted-teams-hoping-to-buck-trend-with-j1-survival</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/01/17/soccer/promoted-teams-hoping-to-buck-trend-with-j1-survival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:33:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Emperor's Cup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[J. League]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=sports&#038;p=39562</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Teams around the J. League have been busy parading their winter recruits this week, but if the recent travails of several promoted sides are anything to go by, this year&#8217;s J1 new boys will need all the reinforcements they can get. Ventforet Kofu, Shonan Bellmare and Oita Trinita have all begun preparations for the top-flight [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/01/17/soccer/promoted-teams-hoping-to-buck-trend-with-j1-survival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Rudderless Gamba pay heavy toll for strategic mistakes</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/12/06/soccer/rudderless-gamba-pay-heavy-toll-for-strategic-mistakes/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=rudderless-gamba-pay-heavy-toll-for-strategic-mistakes</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/12/06/soccer/rudderless-gamba-pay-heavy-toll-for-strategic-mistakes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/12/06/%sports_category%/rudderless-gamba-pay-heavy-toll-for-strategic-mistakes/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gamba Osaka&#8217;s relegation to the second division feels no less shocking now that the dust has settled, but after spending only five weeks of the season outside the bottom three, perhaps the writing was on the wall all along. Gamba, J. League champions in 2005 and Asian Champions League winners three years later, fell through [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/12/06/soccer/rudderless-gamba-pay-heavy-toll-for-strategic-mistakes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sanfrecce, Vegalta prepare for final charge toward title</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/11/15/soccer/sanfrecce-vegalta-prepare-for-final-charge-toward-title/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=sanfrecce-vegalta-prepare-for-final-charge-toward-title</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/11/15/soccer/sanfrecce-vegalta-prepare-for-final-charge-toward-title/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:03:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aws.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/11/15/%sports_category%/sanfrecce-vegalta-prepare-for-final-charge-toward-title/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The 2012 title race has been one of the most open in J. League history, but with only three games of the season left to play, the championship contenders have finally been whittled down to two. Urawa Reds and Nagoya Grampus still maintain a mathematical interest in carrying off the silverware, but in reality the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/11/15/soccer/sanfrecce-vegalta-prepare-for-final-charge-toward-title/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Relegation fears cast long shadow over struggling sides</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/25/soccer/relegation-fears-cast-long-shadow-over-struggling-sides/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=relegation-fears-cast-long-shadow-over-struggling-sides</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/25/soccer/relegation-fears-cast-long-shadow-over-struggling-sides/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:04:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aws.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/25/%sports_category%/relegation-fears-cast-long-shadow-over-struggling-sides/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Another weekend of mixed results has left this year&#8217;s J. League championship race as opaque as ever, but after further movement at the bottom of the table, the relegation battle is looking even harder to call. Consadole Sapporo&#8217;s official status as dead men walking means there are only two demotion slots left to fill, and [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/25/soccer/relegation-fears-cast-long-shadow-over-struggling-sides/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Title-chasing pack slims down after weekend purge</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/04/soccer/title-chasing-pack-slims-down-after-weekend-purge/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=title-chasing-pack-slims-down-after-weekend-purge</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/04/soccer/title-chasing-pack-slims-down-after-weekend-purge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:02:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aws.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/04/%sports_category%/title-chasing-pack-slims-down-after-weekend-purge/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is still much to sort out before the identity of the 2012 J. League champion becomes known, but for perhaps the first time in a season that has consistently refused to produce a clear front-runner, a definitive shape is beginning to crystallize at the top of the table. Sanfrecce Hiroshima took a big step [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/04/soccer/title-chasing-pack-slims-down-after-weekend-purge/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Urawa eyeing immediate reward for improved season</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/09/20/soccer/urawa-eyeing-immediate-reward-for-improved-season/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=urawa-eyeing-immediate-reward-for-improved-season</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/09/20/soccer/urawa-eyeing-immediate-reward-for-improved-season/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:02:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
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		<description><![CDATA[Urawa Reds would have settled for a step in the right direction after escaping relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, but with a first J. League title since 2006 in sight with only nine games left to play, hopes of an unlikely triumph are gathering steam. Reds, who finished one place above [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/09/20/soccer/urawa-eyeing-immediate-reward-for-improved-season/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Slow and steady rise gives Sanfrecce upper hand in title race</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/08/23/soccer/slow-and-steady-rise-gives-sanfrecce-upper-hand-in-title-race/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=slow-and-steady-rise-gives-sanfrecce-upper-hand-in-title-race</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/08/23/soccer/slow-and-steady-rise-gives-sanfrecce-upper-hand-in-title-race/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:01:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aws.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/08/23/%sports_category%/slow-and-steady-rise-gives-sanfrecce-upper-hand-in-title-race/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There will be many more twists and turns before this season&#8217;s J. League title is won, but after opening up a four-point gap at the top of the table, the balance of power is steadily shifting Sanfrecce Hiroshima&#8217;s way. A 2-0 win over Albirex Niigata coupled with a scoreless draw between nearest challengers Vegalta Sendai [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/08/23/soccer/slow-and-steady-rise-gives-sanfrecce-upper-hand-in-title-race/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Early pace-setters Vegalta determined to last distance</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/04/26/soccer/early-pace-setters-vegalta-determined-to-last-distance/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=early-pace-setters-vegalta-determined-to-last-distance</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/04/26/soccer/early-pace-setters-vegalta-determined-to-last-distance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
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		<description><![CDATA[Skeptics may dismiss Vegalta Sendai&#8217;s position at the top of the J. League as a fad waiting to blow over, but each passing weekend brings fresh evidence that the Tohoku side intends to stick around for good. Vegalta gave their most emphatic display of the season with a 4-0 demolition of FC Tokyo on Saturday, [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
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		<title>Serrao debacle leaves Gamba searching for stability</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/03/29/soccer/serrao-debacle-leaves-gamba-searching-for-stability/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=serrao-debacle-leaves-gamba-searching-for-stability</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/03/29/soccer/serrao-debacle-leaves-gamba-searching-for-stability/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:02:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/03/29/%sports_category%/serrao-debacle-leaves-gamba-searching-for-stability/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There was always a danger that Gamba Osaka would need time to adapt to life without former manager Akira Nishino, but no one expected things to turn out quite so badly. After cutting ties with Nishino over the offseason following a decade at the helm, Gamba&#8217;s start to the new season could not have been [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/03/29/soccer/serrao-debacle-leaves-gamba-searching-for-stability/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Opening day gives hint of things to come in 20th season</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/03/15/soccer/opening-day-gives-hint-of-things-to-come-in-20th-season/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=opening-day-gives-hint-of-things-to-come-in-20th-season</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/03/15/soccer/opening-day-gives-hint-of-things-to-come-in-20th-season/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:05:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/03/15/%sports_category%/opening-day-gives-hint-of-things-to-come-in-20th-season/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The future is hardly set in stone after one round of matches, but as the J. League kicked off its 20th season on Saturday, there were some tantalizing glimpses of what lies ahead. The day began with a poignant meeting between two teams who were temporarily displaced from their stadiums after last year&#8217;s March 11 [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/03/15/soccer/opening-day-gives-hint-of-things-to-come-in-20th-season/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
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		<title>Reysol not content to bask in memory of glorious 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/02/02/soccer/reysol-not-content-to-bask-in-memory-of-glorious-2011/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=reysol-not-content-to-bask-in-memory-of-glorious-2011</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/02/02/soccer/reysol-not-content-to-bask-in-memory-of-glorious-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:05:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/02/02/%sports_category%/reysol-not-content-to-bask-in-memory-of-glorious-2011/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It would take a Herculean effort for Kashiwa Reysol to match their 2011 achievements over the coming season, but the reigning J. League champions see no reason why they cannot raise the bar and go even higher. Reysol won their first league title last season just a year after being promoted as second-division champions, and [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/02/02/soccer/reysol-not-content-to-bask-in-memory-of-glorious-2011/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
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		<title>Weekend fightback gives Reysol one hand on league title</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/11/24/soccer/weekend-fightback-gives-reysol-one-hand-on-league-title/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=weekend-fightback-gives-reysol-one-hand-on-league-title</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/11/24/soccer/weekend-fightback-gives-reysol-one-hand-on-league-title/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/11/24/%sports_category%/weekend-fightback-gives-reysol-one-hand-on-league-title/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nagoya Grampus will fight to the last breath to defend their J. League title, but there can be little doubt now that the 2011 championship is Kashiwa Reysol&#8217;s to lose. Reysol took a huge step toward their first-ever title on Sunday, coming from behind to beat Shimizu S-Pulse 2-1 and reopen the three-point gap at [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/11/24/soccer/weekend-fightback-gives-reysol-one-hand-on-league-title/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
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		<title>Everything to play for as three-way title race gets serious</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/11/03/soccer/everything-to-play-for-as-three-way-title-race-gets-serious/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=everything-to-play-for-as-three-way-title-race-gets-serious</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/11/03/soccer/everything-to-play-for-as-three-way-title-race-gets-serious/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/11/03/%sports_category%/everything-to-play-for-as-three-way-title-race-gets-serious/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nagoya Grampus won the J. League title a full 10 points ahead of second-place Gamba Osaka last season, but as the 2011 campaign enters the final stretch, the situation is anything but cut and dried. Grampus and Gamba again form part of a select group with serious designs on the silverware, but this time the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/11/03/soccer/everything-to-play-for-as-three-way-title-race-gets-serious/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Front four jostle for position heading into final stretch</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/09/15/soccer/front-four-jostle-for-position-heading-into-final-stretch/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=front-four-jostle-for-position-heading-into-final-stretch</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/09/15/soccer/front-four-jostle-for-position-heading-into-final-stretch/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/09/15/%sports_category%/front-four-jostle-for-position-heading-into-final-stretch/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is all but certain that the 2011 J. League champion will come from the four-team breakaway group that has formed at the top of the table, but with a quarter of the season still to play, that is about as clear as the picture gets. Gamba Osaka opened up a three-point gap over second- [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/09/15/soccer/front-four-jostle-for-position-heading-into-final-stretch/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
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		<title>Full-blooded competition a fitting tribute to Matsuda</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/08/11/soccer/full-blooded-competition-a-fitting-tribute-to-matsuda/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=full-blooded-competition-a-fitting-tribute-to-matsuda</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/08/11/soccer/full-blooded-competition-a-fitting-tribute-to-matsuda/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/08/11/%sports_category%/full-blooded-competition-a-fitting-tribute-to-matsuda/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last weekend&#8217;s J. League fixtures were always going to be difficult so soon after the shock death of former Yokohama F. Marinos and national team defender Naoki Matsuda, but in the event the passion and determination on show were a fitting tribute. Yokohama&#8217;s players could hardly have been blamed had their minds been elsewhere heading [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/08/11/soccer/full-blooded-competition-a-fitting-tribute-to-matsuda/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Marinos look to hold on after scratching five-year itch</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/07/21/soccer/marinos-look-to-hold-on-after-scratching-five-year-itch/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=marinos-look-to-hold-on-after-scratching-five-year-itch</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/07/21/soccer/marinos-look-to-hold-on-after-scratching-five-year-itch/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/07/21/%sports_category%/marinos-look-to-hold-on-after-scratching-five-year-itch/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The J. League has a new leader, and after more than five years away from the summit, Yokohama F. Marinos are not likely to give up first place without a fight. Kazushi Kimura&#8217;s side took advantage of previous pace-setters Kashiwa Reysol&#8217;s 3-2 defeat at Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday, drawing 1-1 with Omiya Ardija a day [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/07/21/soccer/marinos-look-to-hold-on-after-scratching-five-year-itch/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Reysol, Vegalta continue to impress in season of unpredictability</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/06/18/soccer/reysol-vegalta-continue-to-impress-in-season-of-unpredictability/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=reysol-vegalta-continue-to-impress-in-season-of-unpredictability</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/06/18/soccer/reysol-vegalta-continue-to-impress-in-season-of-unpredictability/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:00:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/06/18/%sports_category%/reysol-vegalta-continue-to-impress-in-season-of-unpredictability/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An impressive start from the less-fancied teams while the big guns struggled gave the early J. League table something of an upside-down appearance. Few expected it to last, but with almost a third of the season played, the underdogs continue to bark the loudest. Kashiwa Reysol lead Vegalta Sendai by two points at the top [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/06/18/soccer/reysol-vegalta-continue-to-impress-in-season-of-unpredictability/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Last season&#8217;s top four struggle to juggle commitments</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/05/26/soccer/last-seasons-top-four-struggle-to-juggle-commitments/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=last-seasons-top-four-struggle-to-juggle-commitments</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/05/26/soccer/last-seasons-top-four-struggle-to-juggle-commitments/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/05/26/%sports_category%/last-seasons-top-four-struggle-to-juggle-commitments/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Asian Champions League commitments have undoubtedly played a big part, but last season&#8217;s top four J. League teams were surely expecting a better start to the domestic campaign. While the rest of the league has played seven matches, involvement in the ACL means champions Nagoya Grampus and Cerezo Osaka have only six games under their [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/05/26/soccer/last-seasons-top-four-struggle-to-juggle-commitments/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Early leaders stake claim as J. League settles into stride</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/05/12/soccer/early-leaders-stake-claim-as-j-league-settles-into-stride/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=early-leaders-stake-claim-as-j-league-settles-into-stride</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/05/12/soccer/early-leaders-stake-claim-as-j-league-settles-into-stride/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/05/12/%sports_category%/early-leaders-stake-claim-as-j-league-settles-into-stride/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It may be five weeks behind schedule, but finally the J. League season is beginning to hit its stride. A flurry of action over Golden Week means every team barring those involved in the Asian Champions League has now played five games, with Kashiwa Reysol topping the table on 12 points ahead of Yokohama F. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/05/12/soccer/early-leaders-stake-claim-as-j-league-settles-into-stride/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Vegalta, HollyHock please fans with successful returns</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/04/28/soccer/vegalta-hollyhock-please-fans-with-successful-returns/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=vegalta-hollyhock-please-fans-with-successful-returns</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/04/28/soccer/vegalta-hollyhock-please-fans-with-successful-returns/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/04/28/%sports_category%/vegalta-hollyhock-please-fans-with-successful-returns/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Vegalta Sendai&#8217;s late win over Kawasaki Frontale gave the J. League a memorable story line on its return to action on Saturday, but the mere fact that soccer was back on the menu was the real victory. Coming back from a six-week layoff in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the feeling [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/04/28/soccer/vegalta-hollyhock-please-fans-with-successful-returns/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mental fortitude saves day for Grampus, Antlers</title>
		<link>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/03/10/soccer/mental-fortitude-saves-day-for-grampus-antlers/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=mental-fortitude-saves-day-for-grampus-antlers</link>
		<comments>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/03/10/soccer/mental-fortitude-saves-day-for-grampus-antlers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrew Mckirdy</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://awsadmin.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/03/10/%sports_category%/mental-fortitude-saves-day-for-grampus-antlers/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If Nagoya Grampus&#8217; and Kashima Antlers&#8217; failure to win their opening fixtures constituted good news for the rest of the J. League, the manner in which both teams eventually salvaged a point did not. Losing at home to less-fancied sides on the first day of action, both Kashima and defending champion Nagoya came roaring back [...]]]></description>
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