Ybc Levain Cup Group B

Match 1

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Kawasaki Frontale

Wednesday April 8thth 7:00pm

IAI Stadium Nihondaira, Shizuoka

S-PULSE GOALS Oh Se-Hun (6), Shirasaki (7), Nakayama (70)

YELLOW CARDS

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK Against (82)

ATTENDANCE 6900

LINE UP

GK Okubo

DF Yoshida, Yakahasi, Ibayashi, Kitazume

MF Shirasaki, Miyamoto, Kamiya, Kishimoto

FW Nishizawa, Oh Se-Hun

SUBSTITUTIONS

Nakayama on for Nishizawa (66)

Kolloli on for Oh Se-Hun (66)

Inui on for Kamiya (62)

Matsuoka on for Shirasaki (72)

Kenmotsu on for Kishimoto (90 + 4)

REPORT

Well, well, well, …

Who would have believed that a second-string J2 League S-Pulse could beat a J1 League team (second-string, too, mind you!) they had not beaten for the last 8 years and 16 games?

The same second-string players have taken their chance well and will certainly be considered for selection into the first team soon or later!

No less than 9 new members started this game. And they did start very well. In the 6th minute Kitatsume produced the perfect cross from the right flank for Oh Se-Hun to rise above two defenders and head the ball home. In the very next minute S-Pulse attackers teased the opposite defense inside their box until Nishizawa fixed the Kawasaki goalkeeper sent a low cross for Shirasaki to slide in.

The rest of the first half was inevitably spent defending but we held firm, especially with goalkeeper Okubo producing some great last ditch saves.

The second half saw again the domination of Kawasaki who nonetheless had to wait until 67th minute when they produced a super goal that the defense could do not much against.

But 3 minutes later unfazed S-Pulse attackers ran around Kawasaki’s defense in their own box until Nakayama struck home from short range.

It was then back to more domination from Kawasaki but the defense held well enough. They conceded a somewhat unlucky penalty in the 82nd minute but showed great perseverance and resilience to hold onto their narrow lead until the final whistle.

This is really encouraging as it will create more competition for places in the first team and more reasons to improve on the past performances, which in particular witnessed too weak finishing.

We shall know quickly enough next Sunday at home against the present J2 League leaders, Oita Trinita!

NEXT GAME

Meiji Yasuda J2 League

Match 4

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Oita Trinita

Sunday April 12th 2:00pm

IAI Stadium Nihondaira Shizuoka