Two teams dropped from Indonesian League

(Spotted over at Jakarta Casual) Promotion / relegation is a great system. It ensures that the quality of a league stays strong by removing the worst each season and giving a chance to new blood. It also gives hope to lower-division fans that on ...

Daily Dose 5.12.08

Some news to read as you use a corpse head to smoke marijuana: Because 2000 naked people are the obvious way to promote a footy tournament (Euro 2008 at WCB) An England fan's ode to the Polish National Team (Poland Euro 2008) Photo Gall ...

J League Update: Antlers continue to tumble

At my old high school, our symbol was the Buck, leading not only to a ridiculous mascot that looked more like a moose, but also to a principal's office filled (creepily) with trophy deer heads. Over in the J League, no stranger itself to ridiculous ...

Japanese Footballer Still Fighting "Garlic Ban"

Japan is arguably the wackiest corner of the football world right now. Don't believe me? Did you not read about the J-League underwear thief? And if you need more Japanese wackiness, then how about the case of Kazuki Ganaha? The Kawasaki Frontale ...

The Case of the Mysterious J-League Underwear Thief

An unnamed J-League footballer was arrested this week for breaking into a 21 year old woman's apartment and stealing her panties. The 26-year-old Kashiwa Reysol player also stole her phone and some other stuff. But let's focus on the panties. Appa ...

Weekend Recap: Burning Up

How did those weekend games we talked about on Friday come out? Saturday Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United Chelsea's Michael Ballack put away a penalty in the 86th minute, and suddenly we have a title race. Manchester United could have essentiall ...

Weekend Watch: Keeping in Step

A quick look at some of the games going on around the world this weekend: Saturday Chelsea vs Man Utd Chelsea need to win this one. Simple as that. They're three points behind Manchester United with three games to go, so this is thei ...

J League Update: Mon the Gas Men

Another weekend is in the books for the best league in the world (in terms of mascots and light shows), the J League. It was a mostly cagey matchday, with Kashima, Urawa, and Osaka all managing only draws. Two exceptions to the luke warmth that wa ...

J League Update: Kashima battles the Red Diamonds (and loses)

First Flaming Lips reference on the front page of the Offside? Until proven wrong, I'm claiming it. It's been a crazy weekend in the J League, with the first signs of vulnerability for defending champs Kashima Antlers, continued success for o ...

J League Update: This ain't your Grandpa's Grampus

We've made a pretty big deal here on the Offside (and rightfully so) about the MLS entering its thirteenth season, and thus, becoming a teenager. But if Americans are excited about their little league growing up so fast, think how the Japanese feel ...

Being Manchester United -- #24. Adoration All Over the World

United's Money Gathering Fitness Building Tour Stretches into China

So United's much publicized tour plops itself into China, more specifically the quite sunny Macao. The next victims opponents will be the tongue twisting Shenzhen Shangqingyin, a member of the Chinese Super League. Unsurprisingly, it appears that D

Just in Case You Weren't in Rainy Saitama on Tuesday

Guess who got the loudest cheer? [hint: it wasn't Darren Fletcher]

QPR Battle Aftermath

As you can see from the picture - fireball punches were flowing during the battle at QPR's training complex. The British players should count themselves lucky - for if the brawl had really been Tekken style they'd be doomed - as the boxing Brit in Tekken