2012 Player Profiles: Fowards

10. Rafael - ラファエル - 27 May 1983 - 190cm / 80kg

It would be easier to write these profiles if we had any idea of what Jun Suzuki is thinking - assuming he is actually thinking something - about how Omiya might play in 2012. Rafael is a good example of that type of uncertainty - a skilful player, for sure, but one whose style fundamentally makes Omiya's attacking play slow down at points when it should be speeding up. How will Rafael blend with the faster wing play hinted at by the presence in the squad of Cho Young Cheol and Keigo Higashi? Is he that much of a goalscorer that he can get Ardija into the top half of the table? 

27. Masahiko Ichikawa - 市川 雅彦 - 17 Sep 1985 - 170cm / 67kg - NEWish

A truly mystifying decision was that which led Ichikawa to return to Omiya after spending 2011 on loan and on the bench at J2ers Tokyo Verdy. Ichikawa is a nice guy and keen as mustard to play football and score goals, but come on. If he wasn't good enough to get a starting place for a mid-table second tier team, how can he be good enough to get a place in our squad? 

29. Shintaro Shimizu - 清水 慎太郎 - 23 Aug 1992 - 176cm / 71kg

Teenager Shimizu joined Omiya in 2011 fresh out of high school football, where he starred for Saitama's Seibudai in the national high school tournament. Certainly Shimizu looked impressive enough at that level and he scored a lot of goals, but J1 is of course another matter. He got a sniff of the first team last year, but only in the occasional five-minute burst as a late substitute; maybe he'll get more of a chance this year.

32. Yu Hasegawa - 長谷川 悠 - 05 Jul 1987 - 187cm / 78kg - NEW

A big burly striker brought in as replacement for, and I can hardly bring myself to type these words, the departed Naoki Ishihara. Now fair's fair. Ishihara and Hasegawa are clearly very different types of players. And it could be that the big-guy-in-the-middle-with-two-fast-wingers will work for Suzuki. And it has to be said that Hasegawa has spent a lot of time with struggling teams. But, you know, three goals in the last two full seasons? Is that really good enough? Really?

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2012 Player Profiles: Midfielders

5. Carlinhos - カルリーニョス - 04 Mar 1983 - 170cm / 69kg - NEW

OK, here's where it gets serious. Can Carlinhos really be the player that Ardija fans have been looking for ever since the club moved up to J1 all those years ago? Someone to drive, direct, control and dominate the midfield? Someone with passing ability and vision, but yet bite in the tackle too? All that we know so far is that he ran the show after half time in the pre-season friendly against mighty Hangzhou Greentown... which obviously is not much to go on. Fingers crossed that Carlinhos turns out to be the real deal.

6. Takuya Aoki - 青木 拓矢 - 16 Sep 1989 - 179cm / 72kg

2011 was a year of contrast for Aoki, in which he scored his first ever goals as a pro (two in the same match, in fact, to claim an unlikely draw at Nagoya Grampus), cemented his place in the Ardija first team and... was dropped from the U22/U23 Japan squad that is heading for the London Olympics. He looks to be one of Jun Suzuki's favourites but whether Aoki really should be in the side ahead of someone like Kota Ueda is questionable. It's all a matter of balance. So what does Aoki do that other Omiya players just can't?

8. Keigo Higashi - 東 慶悟 - 20 Jul 1990 - 178cm / 69kg

Unlike Takuya Aoki, Higashi has held on to his place in the international set-up and there's the possibility that he could turn into a real star. But 2012 is a crucial season for him, in that he could take centre stage both in J1 and in the Olympics, or end up being marginalised due to the inconsistency that to some extent dogged him in 2011. There's no doubt that he has the potential to be a class player and a vital piece in the Omiya jigsaw.

9. Cho Young Cheol - チョ ヨンチョル - 31 May 1989 - 182cm / 74kg - NEW

The most eye-catching of Ardija's signings in the winter of 2011/2012, the former Yokohama FC starlet emerged as Albirex Niigata's best player in 2011 before being sold to Omiya in another manifestation of the Swans' eye-poppingly poor management. A left-side winger, Cho effectively replaces Chikara Fujimoto and in those terms represents a massive upgrade. Expectations are high that he can be one of the players, like Keigo Higashi and Carlinhos, who can take the Squirrels to the next level.

13. Daigo Watanabe - 渡邉 大剛 - 03 Dec 1984 - 171cm / 62kg

So is Watanabe another player who can take the Squirrels to the next level? I would wager that he cannot. A utility player, which in this instance can be taken to read Jack of all trades, master of none, Watanabe is the sort of guy that coach Suzuki thinks is just great. He slots into various positions on the right of defence and across the midfield but in reality contributes precious little to the team. The idea that he might get a starting place over Ueda is crazy, yet at the same time, in the world of Jun Suzuki, likely.

16. Jun Kanakubo - 金久保 順 - 26 Jul 1987 - 170cm / 64kg

A third-season wide midfielder, Kanakubo actually turned into one of the success stories of 2010, when in his rookie year he managed nineteen league appearances and even chipped in with a couple of goals, including a vital headed winner against FC Tokyo. In 2011 he was rather unlucky to be squeezed out as Fujimoto, Higashi, Watanabe and even, God help us, Hayato Hashimoto were preferred in his place. Kanakubo's a decent player and should get a chance.

17. Kota Ueda - 上田 康太 - 09 May 1986 - 174cm / 68kg

25 years old and signed a year ago from Jubilo Iwata, Ueda was a key signing for Ardija. He started out 2011 playing in central midfield alongside Takuya Aoki, perhaps lacking a bit of dynamism and forward movement but a tidy player who rarely made a mistake. Then later in the season Suzuki seemed to have a change of heart and dropped Ueda to the bench as part of a midfield reshuffle. Pre-season indications are that that's where Ueda's likely to remain for the time being - a distressingly poor use of resources.

18. Hayato Hashimoto - 橋本 早十 - 15 Sep 1981 - 175cm / 63kg

I realised a little while ago that Hashimoto will never leave Omiya and will always, always get his contract renewed. It's kind of like a social service. Hell, if he wasn't in the Ardija squad, what else could he do? In another example of Suzuki's lapses into madness Hashimoto managed to get a regular starting place for the last couple of months of 2011, despite never having shown any aptitude for J1-level football. I mean paying the guy a kind of pension is one thing, but letting him in the team? Get serious.

23. Shin Kanazawa - 金澤 慎 - 09 Sep 1983 - 174cm / 67kg

Kanazawa is a bit like a more capable version of Hashimoto, in that he's always going to be around the squad but sadly doesn't offer all that much when it comes to playing matches - more than Hashimoto, obviously, but really not that much. He's a central midfield terrier-type, keen and hard working but ultimately pretty limited. Rationally Kanazawa should be a substitute at most but he might end up as first-choice goalkeeper for all I know. 

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2012 Player Profiles: Defenders

2. Kosuke Kikuchi -  菊地  光将 - 16 Dec 1985 - 182cm / 72kg - NEW

Kikuchi comes in as a new signing from Kawasaki Frontale and many Squirrels fans will note first of all that he has taken the number 2 shirt from Taishi Tsukamoto, who at the end of 2011 was released from a playing contract two years after being diagnosed with cancer in his leg. Tsukamoto and Kikuchi played together at Komazawa University and it's to be hoped that this back story will motivate the former Frontale man, who's expected to take a first-team slot in the middle of Ardija's defence.

4. Yuki Fukaya - 深谷 友基 - 01 Aug 1982 - 180cm / 73kg

2012 is Yuki Fukaya's third season with Omiya and in all honesty it's not an arrangement that has worked out as well as Ardija followers will have hoped. He's a strong guy and occasionally contributes a goal via a bullet header from a corner, but as a defensive lynchpin it just hasn't happened. His lack of mobility and speed has caused major problems for the team and coach Jun Suzuki has struggled to work out what his best partnership in central defence really is. Starter or sub? Who knows.

14. Shusuke Tsubouchi - 坪内 秀介 - 05 May 1983 - 180cm / 75kg

Tsubouchi turned out to be the unsung Ardija star of 2010, his first season at the club - an unfussy but reliable central defender with excellent positional sense, who kept Mato Neretljak out of the team. That success must have left the player scratching his head at the way he was treated in 2011, when Tsubouchi effectively was a fourth-choice behind Fukaya, Kim Young Gwon and even Yosuke Kataoka. I'm not sure he deserves it, but I guess that makes him likely to be a reserve this year too.

20. Kim Yong Gwon - キム ヨングォン - 27 Feb 1990 - 186cm / 74kg

One of the very few bright spots of FC Tokyo's shock relegation season in 2010, Kim's failure to settle at Omiya contributed to Jun Suzuki's defensive headaches that continued throughout most of last season. The fact that the young South Korean international has stayed with Ardija suggests that both parties remain optimistic that things will work out in the long run, but Kim needs to sort out the communication side of things with his team-mates - and to start turning in regular performances worthy of a first team place.

22. Takumi Shimohira - 下平 匠 - 06 Oct 1988 - 178cm / 68kg - NEW

Young left-sided defender who has moved to Omiya from Gamba Osaka. Pre-season ahead of the 2012 campaign suggests that Shimohira will get a first team place, but there has to be a question mark over bringing in someone who wasn't a regular starter at a team with a notoriously poor back line. Nobody would be more pleased than I if he turns out to be a big success. However, does Shimohira really offer a step-up in quality over the alternatives?

24. Norio Suzuki - 鈴木 規郎 - 14 Feb 1984 - 177cm / 78kg

Signed in mid-season 2010 after a spell in France with Angers, Suzuki had experience of a J-League career dating back to 2002 to bring to the Omiya table and he quickly slotted into the team as a utility player capable of appearing in defence or midfield, mainly on the left-hand side. Not the most eye-catching member of the squad, Suzuki's a reliable reserve, doggedly determined and possessed of an enormous amount of energy, as well as being among the best taker of set pieces at the club. 

26. Kazuhiro Murakami - 村上 和弘 - 20 Jan 1981 - 178cm / 74kg

One of the Squirrels' main signings two years ago, Murakami was previously a regular in the Kawasaki Frontale side that had in 2009 finished second in the league. As with Fukaya, things have never gone quite as well as had been hoped for Murakami, who often seemed to find it difficult to mesh with his team-mates. There have been glimpses of what he can do, but with the arrival of Takumi Shimohira and the return to fitness of Daisuke Watabe, Murakami can't be sure of a starting spot.

30. Daisuke Watabe - 渡部 大輔 - 19 Apr 1989 - 170cm / 67kg

The former youth team product had a good start to 2011 and seemed to be bedded in as Jun Suzuki's right-sided wingback of choice. Not the most physically imposing defender, he nevertheless added a lot to the attack with his speed on the overlap and all that was missing was Watabe's first ever J-League goal. Then injury struck and he missed all the second half of the season, giving other players the opportunity to take his place in the pecking order. Watabe must be hoping he gets his chance to shine... and score.

34. Yosuke Kataoka - 片岡 洋介 - 26 May 1982 - 179cm / 73kg

Oh God oh God oh God. Sold by Omiya to Kyoto Sanga two years ago, it seemed extraordinary to some Squirrels fans that a J1 club should been keen enough to pay money for a player who never really convinced as a first-teamer despite having been on the Ardija scene for five seasons. What's worse is that Kataoka actually managed to work his way back into the first team, thanks to the general underperforming of others in the centre back role. Surely - surely - the signing of Kikuchi means he'll be a reserve. Please.

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2012 Player Profiles: Goalkeepers

1. Takashi Kitano - 北野 貴之 - 04 Oct 1982 - 186cm / 80kg

First choice for four years at Albirex Niigata, Kitano came to Omiya two years ago and immediately took over the goalkeeper's jersey from Koji Ezumi. In his first season Kitano ended up a clear winner in the GGOA Player of the Year readers' vote and 2011 was pretty solid too. His shot-stopping, cross-catching and concentration are all good and he's also able to control his penalty area and inspire confidence in the defenders around him - in other words, when fit Kitano's a definite starter.

21. Koji Ezumi - 江角 浩司 - 18 Dec 1978 - 191cm / 84kg

Now definitely a veteran at 33, previous Squirrels number one Ezumi is evidently happy enough to take a contract for the season knowing that, unless Takashi Kitano gets injured, he's set for a further year of sitting on the substitutes' bench and turning out only for Nabisco Cup matches. As such Ezumi represents a decent second choice - assuming he can retain his confidence and sharpness in the absence of much real first-team action.

31. Keiki Shimizu - 清水 慶記 - 10 Dec 1985 - 183cm / 75kg

Signed, what is it now, four years ago from JFL side Ryutsu Keizai University and still to make any impact whatsoever on the Squirrels first team. Shimizu is the new Nobuhisa Kobayashi, someone who never got close to playing serious football for Omiya in five seasons and who was then released to be the reserve keeper at another JFL team. It's a living, I guess. Maybe 2012 will be Shimizu's year. But I think we can almost guarantee that it won't.

35. Shuhei Kawata - 川田 修平 - 05 Apr 1994 - 185cm / 77kg

The latest in a long, long line of successes to be promoted from Ardija's youth set-up, Kawata sneaked into the first team squad 2011 but spent most of his time finishing his Geography homework rather than biting the ankles of the senior pros. He'll be along for the ride more than anything else; after all, he's eight and a half years behind Keiki Shimizu in the pecking order.

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2011 Player Profiles: Forwards

7. Lee Chun Soo - イ チョンス - 09 Jul 1981 - 173cm / 63kg

A former international for South Korea, Lee joined Ardija midway through 2010 and immediately went into the team as a partner up front for Rafael. Indications are that he looks likely to start 2011 as Omiya's main front player in a revamped 4-5-1 formation - but although Lee is very speedy and has undoubted skill, he actually isn't that much of a goalscorer. Whether that's the best use of Jun Suzuki's resources remains to be seen.



9. Naoki Ishihara - 石原 直樹 - 14 Aug 1984 - 173cm / 61kg

2010 was when Ishihara emerged as a player of true J1 quality. Unquestionably the best close-range finisher at the club, he's tough, fast and evidently happy to be kicked all day long by bigger defenders if it means he'll get a chance to score. Even so, the former Shonan Bellmare player has been squeezed out by the signing of Lee Chun Soo, so it could be that Ishihara will have to be content with developing his reputation as a super-sub.



10. Rafael - ラファエル - 27 May 1983 - 190cm / 80kg

Along with goalkeeper Takashi Kitano, Rafael is arguably the only player guaranteed a place in Ardija's starting line-up. Certainly a case could be made for his having saved Omiya from relegation in 2009, with his quality and unselfish ability to bring team-mates into the play. Last year Rafael underlined his importance to the Squirrels and one of the highlights of the close season came with the announcement that he would be staying at the club for another year.



29. Shintaro Shimizu - 清水 慎太郎 - 23 Aug 1992 - 176cm / 71kg - NEW

Teenager Shimizu joins Omiya for 2011 fresh out of high school football, where he starred for Saitama's Seibudai in the January national high school tournament. Certainly Shimizu looked impressive enough at that level and he scored a lot of goals, but J1 is of course another matter. A year of hoping to be a substitute in a Nabisco Cup group match would seem to lie ahead.



37. Rodrigo Pimpao - ホドリゴ ピンパォン - 23 Oct 1987 - 178cm / 69kg - NEW - LOAN FROM 03 AUG 2011 UNTIL 01 JAN 2012

Joined Omiya on loan halfway through the 2011 season when it was suddenly noticed that only having four forwards wasn't really sustainable. Rodrigo Pimpao spent the first half of the year at Cerezo Osaka, scoring four goals, but the Cherries didn't take up their option to extend his loan from Vasco da Gama. So how's he going to be used? Instead of Chun Soo? Chikara Fujimoto? Will he be yet another barrier in the way of Naoki Ishihara and a regular first-team spot? Only Jun Suzuki can know.

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2011 Player Profiles: Midfielders

6. Takuya Aoki - 青木 拓矢 - 16 Sep 1989 - 179cm / 72kg

In what was his third season with the club, 2010 was when Aoki finally made the breakthrough to become a first-team regular. The Squirrels had high hopes for him when he originally signed from the renowned Maebashi Ikuei high school, but it would be fair to say that since then Aoki hasn't quite fulfilled his promise, despite long-term involvement with the U22 national team. Will 2011 be the year he becomes a star?



8. Keigo Higashi - 東 慶悟 - 20 Jul 1990 - 178cm / 69kg - NEW

Another U22 international, Higashi made his J1 debut for Oita Trinita in 2009 while still only eighteen and he already has more than fifty league matches under his belt. It will perhaps be unlikely to see him start for Omiya at the beginning of the season, bearing in mind Higashi is set to be in competition for captain Chikara Fujimoto's place, but this exciting-looking player ought to get enough opportunities throughout the course of the year.



11. Chikara Fujimoto - 藤本 主税 - 31 Oct 1977 - 168cm / 68kg

Ohhhhh great. Another year, another contract for club captain and veteran Fujimoto, whose concrete contributions to the Ardija cause are by now so far in the past that many fans find it hard to remember anything much since his goal against Kashiwa Reysol in late 2005. Presumably he'll get a starting place again but at least coach Jun Suzuki was happy to substitute Fujimoto in 2010, so we should get more of glimpse of Omiya life post-Chikara. Oh happy day.



16. Jun Kanakubo - 金久保 順 - 26 Jul 1987 - 170cm / 64kg

A second-season wide midfielder, Kanakubo actually turned into one of the success stories of 2010, when in his rookie year he managed nineteen league appearances and even chipped in with a couple of goals, including a vital headed winner against FC Tokyo. New arrivals and the redeployment of other squad members like Daisuke Watabe mean that Kanakubo may actually find it tougher to get playing time this season than last.



17. Kota Ueda - 上田 康太 - 09 May 1986 - 174cm / 68kg - NEW

24 years old and signed from Jubilo Iwata, Ueda is a key signing for Ardija, as the club aims for its highest-ever J1 placing. Capable of playing across the midfield, Ueda looks set to take one of the more central, withdrawn roles, from where he will have time to spot opportunities further forward and dictate the direction of play... I hope. And I also hope Ueda won't pick up any injuries, given that he has something of a track record in that department.



18. Hayato Hashimoto - 橋本 早十 - 15 Sep 1981 - 175cm / 63kg

2011 will be Hashimoto's eighth season as a Squirrel and yet even now he has fewer than a hundred league games to his name. Previous coach Jang Wae Ryong rated him highly enough, unexpectedly shifting Hashimoto from the wing to a central role for most of the 2009 season, but Suzuki was a lot less keen and as such it's hard to believe that the 29-year-old will be much more than a substitute this year.



23. Shin Kanazawa - 金澤 慎 - 09 Sep 1983 - 174cm / 67kg

Despite being only 28 Kanazawa can probably be described as a veteran, especially as his Omiya career dates back to 2002. The last couple of seasons have been particularly successful as he's claimed a regular first-team spot in the middle of midfield with a series of energetic, tough-tackling performances. But Kanazawa is for 2011 in competition with Kota Ueda and Takuya Aoki for the two central positions - and he could be the one to lose out.



25. Taisuke Miyazaki - 宮崎 泰右 - 05 May 1992 - 167cm / 62kg

Miyazaki was last year's candidate to be promoted from the youth team and he did actually manage a handful of brief appearances in the first team, demonstrating a fair bit of skill and imagination as a wide midfield player. He's only eighteen and has a fight on his hands to get noticed, but the tricky Miyazaki's saving grace may be that he brings something just that little bit different to Jun Suzuki's squad.



27. Masakazu Kihara - 木原 正和 - 19 Apr 1987 - 164cm / 60kg

Signed from university football a year ago alongside Jun Kanakubo, in contrast with Kanakubo the teeny tiny Kihara never had much opportunity to see first team action. It's hard to see the situation changing in 2011 and he'll surely be relying on injuries to other players in order to make his way into the starting line-up. A year on the substitutes' bench at best would seem to beckon for Kihara.



30. Daisuke Watabe - 渡部 大輔 - 19 Apr 1989 - 170cm / 67kg

2010 when Watabe actually Did It. Like Taisuke Miyazaki, he's a youth-team product but since getting into the first team squad in 2008 Watabe didn't get much of a look-in until the arrival of Jun Suzuki, who seemed happy to use a notional striker either as an overlapping wingback or a winger. Two brilliant assists in the end-of-season draw with Albirex Niigata highlighted Watabe's skills and although it would have been great to see him score a goal himself, for the coming season he's now a real contender for a starting place.

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2011 Player Profiles: Defenders

2. Taishi Tsukamoto - 塚本 泰史 - 04 Jul 1985 - 177cm / 68kg

Diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the knee during the close-season a year ago, Tsukamoto's heartrending press conference at which details of his condition were announced will remain imprinted on the minds of everyone who has seen it. To their great credit the Squirrels have again kept him on a playing contract with his old squad number, more than just a gesture but a practical demonstration of support as a young man continues his recuperation after surgery and chemotherapy.



4. Yuki Fukaya - 深谷 友基 - 01 Aug 1982 - 180cm / 73kg

It was hoped that in 2010 Fukaya would form with Mato Neretljak one of J1's strongest central defensive partnerships, but for a variety of reasons that simply did not happen. Fukaya was expected to be a truly key squad member but although he mostly kept his place when fit, in all honesty the ex-Oita Trinita man was a disappointment. Speedy forwards in particular caused him big problems and it could be that the arrival of Kim Yong Gwon spells a year on the substitutes' bench for Fukaya.



13. Daigo Watanabe - 渡邉 大剛 - 03 Dec 1984 - 171cm / 62kg - NEW

After eight years and no fewer than three relegations with Kyoto Sanga Watanabe finally moves on to the bright lights of Saitama. For Omiya supporters the Nagasaki native will probably be best known for a stunning shot that he scored against the Squirrels in a league match in early 2008, but for the coming season Watanabe looks set to bring to the squad a level of competition on the right-hand side of defence. Not an obvious first choice, but then everyone said the same about Shusuke Tsubouchi last year.



14. Shusuke Tsubouchi - 坪内 秀介 - 05 May 1983 - 180cm / 75kg

When he arrived at Omiya a year ago on loan from Vissel Kobe via Oita, no-one expected Tsubouchi to be more than a reserve for higher-profile colleagues like Yuki Fukaya and Neretljak. Some fans observed ominously that his teams had an unfortunate habit of being relegated. But in fact, Tsubouchi was the unsung Ardija star of 2010, an unfussy but reliable central defender with excellent positional sense, who kept Mato Neretljak out of the team and can expect to be a first choice this year too.



20. Kim Yong Gwon - キム ヨングォン - 27 Feb 1990 - 186cm / 74kg - NEW

One of the very few bright spots of FC Tokyo's shock relegation season, in making the move to Omiya there is a lot of pressure in young Kim's shoulders. For he takes the place in the squad of Mato Neretljak, a player who had experience to go with his considerable physical stature. Kim turns 21 a few days before the 2011 season starts and some would say that it is be asking a lot for Ardija to rely on someone in a key position who has fewer than 25 league games under his belt. Will he have the quality to silence any doubters?



24. Norio Suzuki - 鈴木 規郎 - 14 Feb 1984 - 177cm / 78kg

Signed in mid-season 2010 after a spell in France with Angers, Suzuki had experience of a J-League career dating back to 2002 to bring to the Omiya table and he quickly slotted into the team as a utility player capable of appearing in defence or midfield, mainly on the left-hand side. Not the most eye-catching member of the squad, Suzuki nevertheless proved himself doggedly determined and possessed of an enormous amount of energy, as well as being among the best taker of set pieces at the club.



26. Kazuhiro Murakami - 村上 和弘 - 20 Jan 1981 - 178cm / 74kg

One of the Squirrels' main signings a year ago, Murakami was previously a regular in the Kawasaki Frontale side that had in 2009 finished second in the league. As with Yuki Fukaya, things didn't go quite as well as had been hoped for Murakami, who often seemed to find it difficult to mesh with his team-mates. There were glimpses of what he could do, such as the overlapping run and cross for Naoki Ishihara's late equaliser in the crucial end-of-season draw with Vissel Kobe, but Murakami has something to prove this year.



28. Shunsuke Fukuda - 福田 俊介 - 17 Apr 1986 - 186cm / 83kg - LOANED TO KATALLER TOYAMA, JULY

A big, physically imposing centre back who is entering his third season with Ardija after having graduated from Hosei University. Fukuda has made just a handful of appearances in league and cup competitions over the last couple of years and is still likely to be only fourth or fifth in line for a place in the team. He's a strong lad and it seems to be almost a matter of time before he gets loaned out to a J2 team to pick up more match experience.



32. Arata Sugiyama - 杉山 新 - 25 Jul 1980 - 167cm / 68kg

A year ago it was surprising to see a then 29-year-old who had played most of his career in J2 get signed, but with Tsukamoto tragically unavailable the first team right-back spot seemed to be Sugiyama's to lose - and he lost it. Most of the time coach Jun Suzuki seemed to prefer converted forward Daisuke Watabe on the basis that while their defensive capabilities were broadly similar, Sugiyama offered a lot less of an attacking threat on the overlap. There are still question marks as to whether he has the class to be a regular J1 player.



33. Shotaro Kudo - 工藤 将太朗 - 20 Jun 1993 - 181cm / 66kg

Teenager Kudo is a high-school student who unusually earned himself promotion in the autumn last year from Ardija's youth set-up to the first team squad. Fans will be aware of the poor record of ex-youth team members when it comes to the big boys' league, Ryohei Arai being the last skinny kid to walk the same path; Arai is now on loan at J2 club FC Gifu. Omiya need a good source of young talent and as such it's to be hoped that Kudo will be able to make the grade.



34. Yosuke Kataoka - 片岡 洋介 - 26 May 1982 - 179cm / 73kg - NEWish

Well, here's a player I never thought I'd have to bother with again. Sold by Omiya to Kyoto Sanga a year ago, it seemed extraordinary to some Squirrels fans that a J1 club should been keen enough to pay money for a player who never really convinced as a first-teamer despite having been on the Ardija scene for five seasons. To be fair Kataoka did a respectable job alongside Mato Neretljak in 2009, but having been mystifyingly re-signed he won't - surely - be more than a reserve this time.

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