Michael Fitzgerald (Albirex Niigata)
Still in Asia, Michael Fitzgerald scored the opening goal for V-Varen Nagasaki in their 4-1 away win over MIO Biwako Kusatsu lifting them to fourth on the table in the third-tier Japanese Football League.
In Japan, Michael Fitzgerald was again deployed in midfield as V-Varen Nagasaki grabbed a five way share of the lead on the third tier Japanese Football League with a 1-0 win over Kamatamare Sanuki
abris2012-04-30 14:56:47
V varen nagasaki are 2nd on the standings in j league 3 and fitzgerald is on the verge to earn promotion to j league 2 with few games remaining on the season. «it remains to see if his performances in midfield this season will permit him to play with Albirex niigata in J league next season
In Japan Michael Fitzgerald scored the opener for V-Varen Nagasaki in their 2-1 away win over Blaublitz Akita. The win took Nagasaki to the top of the Japan Football League tied on points but with a game in hand.
V-Varen Nagasaki continue to bare down on promotion to J2, with three matches remaining Michael Fitzgerald's club is six points clear of their nearest rivals after a 1-1 draw with Sagawa Printing. The 2011 All Whites defender was pushed into midfield in the Japan Football League match playing the full 90 minutes.
Michael Fitzgerald and V-Varen Nagasaki had the opportunity to wrap up the Japan Football League title on the penultimate weekend of the season after they defeated YSCC 3-0. Second-placed Nagano's loss handed Nagasaki promotion to J2, the second tier of domestic football in Japan, with a round to play.
Machida Zelvia finished their first season in the J-League under manager Osvaldo Ardiles in last place. Zelvia will be relegated should Japan Football League champion V-Varen Nagasaki meet requirements for entry into the J-League.
first game in the j league 2 for fitzgerald is in less than a month with v varen nagasaki, on Marh 3th 2013. No news about any return to j league side albirex niigata
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/j-league-division-2/tabelle/wettbewerb_JAP2.html
Not even on the bench for the 1st game of nagasaki in the j league 2. Don't know if he is injured or maybe he went back to albirex niigata. Maybe somebody who speaks japanese can find the info in the internet
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/fagiano-okayama-v-varen-nagasaki/index/spielbericht_2287798.html
Not in the team this week either ill have a look round
seems to have a knee injury but still with the team
That explains the situation!
i know watch alot of j2 as my team gamba got relegated to it, we actually played v-veran nagasaki today 3-1 win to gamba. but was in team of year last year so when he recovers he will get time
He came on as a late sub in a 3-1 win over tottori so coming back from injury
He came on as a late sub in a 3-1 win over tottori so coming back from injury
If he gets regular game time at J2 level, it could put him back in contention of an All White spot.
He came on as a late sub in a 3-1 win over tottori so coming back from injury
If he gets regular game time at J2 level, it could put him back in contention of an All White spot.
J2 level is still rather average but i hope hes on his way up
He came on as a late sub in a 3-1 win over tottori so coming back from injury
If he gets regular game time at J2 level, it could put him back in contention of an All White spot.
J2 level is still rather average but i hope hes on his way up
It pretty decent there some good teams there. Kyoto and Kobe and osaka to name a few. Quite often the promoted teams have gone on to win j1 the next year. And gamba osaka were champs 3 years ago an now in j2 and not dominating. Very frustrating as a fan
facial injury
until approx.: Beginning of July 2013
Fitzgerald's application for Japanese citizenship was approved in May 2013. Now he is ready to train with his team who is 3rd in the standings in the j2
Unused sub in today s 2-0 home loss:
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/michael-fitzgerald/leistungsdaten/spieler_79314.html
He wasnt on bench again today, maybe injured again.... Played all of 2 minutes this season
You look at wrong team. Michael go back to J1 Team Albirex Niigata Tues 6 August. He on bench for J1 Albirex Niigata in Saturday game and debut in J1 as Sub in 67minute.
You look at wrong team. Michael go back to J1 Team Albirex Niigata Tues 6 August. He on bench for J1 Albirex Niigata in Saturday game and debut in J1 as Sub in 67minute.
Isn't j1 the top tier of Japanese football? If that is the case he deserves a look in at the all whites.
Yes J1 Top league in Japan.
You look at wrong team. Michael go back to J1 Team Albirex Niigata Tues 6 August. He on bench for J1 Albirex Niigata in Saturday game and debut in J1 as Sub in 67minute.
wow he has to. i know he has been injured for large parts of the season but he hasnt played when not injured, do you know why he has gone back?
personally its a little dissapointed i was going to go see him play next month
If Michael is getting minutes in J1 playing then Ricki can't really not afford not to have another look at him, especially since I believe over the last season or two he has been playing in a CM role.
However, Michael is not a favourite and we still have atleast 3 - 4 other strikers we can try at DM in the mean time.
That is a significant move up - no doubt he should be considered for the AW's again.
If Michael is getting minutes in J1 playing then Ricki can't really not afford not to have another look at him, especially since I believe over the last season or two he has been playing in a CM role.
However, Michael is not a favourite and we still have atleast 3 - 4 other strikers we can try at DM in the mean time.
Pretty sure he was playing in defense for nagasaki
I follow Japan football. My Team - Nagano. Nagasaki beat my team for J2.
Nagasaki coach play him last year for def midfield. He name in JFL top 11 2012.
He Japan citizen, no play for NZ.
I follow Japan football. My Team - Nagano. Nagasaki beat my team for J2.
Nagasaki coach play him last year for def midfield. He name in JFL top 11 2012.
He Japan citizen, no play for NZ.
I see from our reliable friend Wikipedia that his application for Japanese citizenship was approved in May 2013. I know Japan is funny about dual citizenship... so would this in anyway negate his availability for the All Whites? Sorry my knowledge on this topic is rather limited!
Edit - seems the forum isn't quite able to handle Japanese characters.
They are indeed very picky on that point. Many would have two passports and the world would be none the wiser. In his industry however it may be a bit more obvious. I seem to recall Rufer talking about this some time ago
I know some countries you can't lose your citizenship. I know if you give up you Australian citizenship you can just get it back an be a dual citizen that way. Not 100% sure about nz though. Imagine it will be the same and as he has already played for nz it shouldn't be a problem.
I know for sports japan often makes allowances, a lot of rugby players here have dual citizenship
P.s. gamba gamba, Osaka gamba. Top of j2 ATM
He's only played in friendlies for NZ though so he could still swap - if he was eligible for Japan when he played for NZ, which I'm unsure on. Is his mum Japanese?
I think the main issue is that as in the HAL there are foreign quotas. Michael won't be regarded as a foreigner any more.
It is interesting to see how this affects his AWs chances. Certainly worth a shot in the upcoming friendlies if available.
He has already been tried and found not good enough. Why would we revisit him?
I don't think you can have dual citizenship with Japan. And I remember something about his wanting to play for NZ causing issues. So maybe he isn't available for NZ anymore?
Certainly we should look at any player in the J1, especially young players who may have improved their game.
He has already been tried and found not good enough. Why would we revisit him?
IIRC correctly he was played as a wing back in the AWs 343. It has been 2 years and has played at an ok level, potentially now at a very good level and at almost being 25 could be hitting his peak in development. Plus, we are short in a position he has been playing. Maybe not enough games before November to experiment/see performance in a different position for the AWs/if he has improved.