J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP GROUP STAGE 1^th Sec
S-PULSE 1-0 Jubilo IWATA
IAI Stadium Nihondaira, Shizuoka


S-PULSE GOALS Tese48
YELLOW CARDS
RED CARDS 
SHOTS 7
CORNER KICKS 5
FREE KICKS 18
PENALTY KICK 
ATTENDANCE 8125


LINE UP

GK Nishibe
DF Shimizu, Kakuda, Futami, Ito
MF Musaka, Musaka, Murata, Kusukami
FW Tese, Duke


SUBSTITUTIONS

Taki on for Murata (63)
Takahashi on for Kusukami (77)
Hasegawa on for Duke (83)

REPORT

The first leg of four of the Shizuoka Derby for S-Pulse!

Honestly speaking it could have been called “The first leg of two of the Shizuoka Reserve Derby”, but in Team manager Jan Anders Jőnsson’s own words, the Levain Cup is as important as the J1 League Championship as he expects similar commitment and discipline in both competitions whatever the team selection. After all, the Levain Cup is a great opportunity for veteran players to make themselves remembered and for young players to acquire invaluable experience.

And the team did not disappoint our new Team Manager.

The first half although lively did not produce any goals but S-Pulse had the better opportunities. The game was fluid enough but both defenses held firm and gave little away.

The second half was another story. It could not have started better when in the first minutes Chong Tese jumped over every one to head into goal the perfect free kick taken by Kusukami not far from the left box corner. After that it turned increasingly into a domination by Jubilo who nonetheless forgot discipline as reflected by no less than three silly yellow cards. On the other hand the well-organized S-Pulse defense ably helped by all managed well enough to repulse their opponents’ assaults or force them into impossible shooting situations. Jubilo had nine attempts at goal but only twice did Nishibe have to exert himself into great parades. True to say a couple of shots flew close over the bar but that happened because Jubilo forwards were never really let free.

In the post-match press meeting Jőnsson praised all his players for giving out everything with special praise for Tese’s fine goal and Duke’s commitment and discipline for all to emulate.

It was certainly a great pleasure for the fans to be able to watch a totally different but fine team which who was not ready to accept its reserve team label. It bodes great things for this season and we will have no less than two competitions to really look forward to!

NEXT LEAGUE GAME

Meiji Yasuda J1 League
Match day 3
HOKKAIDO CONSADOLE SAPPORO vs Shimizu S-Pulse
Saturday March 10th, 7pm
Sapporo Dome