Meiji Yasuda J1 League

Match 25

Shimizu S-Pulse 2-0 Gamba Osaka

Sunday August 14th 7:00pm

Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita

S-PULSE GOALS Kololli (73), Carlinhos (86)

YELLOW CARDS

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 20577

LINE UP

GK Gonda

DF Katayama, Tatsuta, Yoshinori Suzuki, Yamahara

MF Inui, Matsuoka, Shirasaki, Pikachu

FW Kitagawa, Santana

SUBSTITUTIONS

Carlinhos on for Kitagawa (60)

Kololli on for Pikachu (68)

Ronaldao on for Shirasaki (69)

Goto on for Inui (82)

REPORT

First consecutive wins of the season and it could not have come at a better time, what with keeping other relegation threatened clubs at arm’s length!

It was quite a bit of a pulsating game flowing into all directions but in the end, even with a little luck needed, S-Pulse came out a worthy winner!

Truth be told, the team has completely changed with basically the same players. But　the latter are being used in a new strategy obviously benefitting them.

The defense is more secure and active in initiating attacks and counter attacks, especially on the wings. That leaves more leeway and freedom to the midfield and forwards, with the latter freer to hound the opposition’s defense.

But the main difference is the use of deep bench increasingly becoming one of the most feared in the League.

The first half was a seesaw affair with S-Pulse getting the best chances.

In the 9th minute Tatsuta sent a long pass to Yamahara on the left flank who immediately sent Santana through. But the latter was denied by the post and Pikachu who had pounced on the rebound could not score from an acute angle.

In the 18th minute the S-Pulse defense could not clear well enough and Gonda had to stretch himself for a good save.

In the 30th minute a very dangerous Gamba attack down the right side was barely saved when Tatsuta somehow managed to block the ensuing cross without conceding an own goal.

In the 31st minute a good move ended with a short cross which almost found the net thanks to a diving side head by Pikachu.

In the 36th minute a good corner kick was met by a diving Yoshinori Suzuki but his heading unluckily bounced on the bar.

S-Pulse had had the better of the first half and should have led at the pause.

The second half was dominated by Gamba who against all odds missed a golden opportunity in the 64th minute when a corner kick got the whole S-Pulse defense out of place. Fortunately for them the last Gamba forward made a mess of it all tamely tapping the ball towards Gonda who managed to kick the ball away.

Head coach sensed it was time to use his bench weapons and sent in Kololli and Ronaldo soon after to help Carlinhos who had just entered the fray.

And it immediately paid dividends when in the 73rd minute when Tatsuta and Matsuoka combined to send Carlinhos through the middle. The latter sent the perfect pass to Kolloli running on his right side who coolly controlled the ball before sending a bullet across the goal inside the far post for a splendid goal.

In the 85h minute Santana took advantage of a Gamba midfielders’ blunder on the median line to run all the way into the box before sending the perfect short pass to Carlinhos running full speed on his right with the latter calmly shooting with his left foot past a helpless opposite goal keeper. The bench once again had struck!

Now, we have to confirm our rebirth at home on Saturday at home against one of the League top teams in the guise of Kashiwa Reysol. A win will certainly launch us on a splendid second half of the season!

NEXT GAME

Meiji Yasuda J1 League

Match 26

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Kashiwa Reysol

Saturday August 20th 6:00pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium Shizuoka, Shizuoka