Meiji Yasuda J2 League

Match 1

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Mito Hollyhock

Saturday February 18th 2:00pm

IAI Stadium Nihondaira, Shizuoka

S-PULSE GOALS

YELLOW CARDS Ibayashi (38)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 14324

LINE UP

GK Gonda

DF Ibayashi, Takahashi, Suzuki

MF Ronaldo, Matsuoka, Yoshida, Yamahara

FW Kitagawa, Carlinhos, Santana

SUBSTITUTIONS

Nakayama on for Ibayashi (46)

Nishizawa on for Kitagawa (68)

Kololli on for Carlinhos (78)

Disaro on for Santana (78)

REPORT

2022 revisited?

A very disappointing draw indeed, even if it is the first game in a new League against unknown opponents.

We tend to forget how much the J2 League has improved over the years. Accordingly there is little difference between the J1 League and the upper half of The J2 League, notwithstanding the fact that our visiting opponents of the day had beaten Kashima Antlers in a pre-season match.

With opponents ho will most certainly concentrate on shutting shop we should play more attacking football instead of relying too much on counters and debatable possession.

We had 15 shots against Mito’s 5 although corner kicks were shared. We simply could have done better.

It all started with Kitagawa missing badly on an open goal in the 2nd minute chasing Gonda’s clever clearing.

In the 14th minute we were saved by the bar.

In the 23rd minute Gonda had to save his side twice when a corner kick could not be cleared.

Soon after it was the post who saved us after the defense had gifted the opposition with a silly blunder.

In the 44th minute Santana missed a golden occasion not being able to shoot inside the goal from less than 5 meters.

In the 50th minute Gonda almost injured himself when saving from another of his defense’ blunders.

In the 62nd minute a fine counter ended with Santana all by himself in front of the goalkeeper but the latter repulsed the strong but straight shot.

In the 68th minute Mito was saved by the bar following a great direct free kick by Yamahara from just outside the box.

The worst was to come when in the 91st minute Kololli’s powerful shot was parried directly by the opposing keeper into Nakayama who missed goal from 2 meters.

Most valuable players of the game: both keepers and their framework!

Again, we should have won that game, but the less said about finishing, the better!

Now, next Sunday we have to visit one of the best teams in the league in the shape of Fagiano Okayama who just beat Jubilo on their own ground.

Time to show what we can do!

NEXT GAME

Meiji Yasuda J2 League

Match 2

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Fagiano Okayama

Sunday February 26thth 1:00pm

City Light Stadium, Okayama