Meiji Yasuda J2 League

Match 13

Shimizu S-Pulse 1-1 Tokushima Vortis

Wednesday May 3rd 2:00pm

Pocari Seat Stadium, Naruto

S-PULSE GOALS Suzuki (90 + 3)

YELLOW CARDS Ronaldo (90)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE13199

LINE UP

GK Gonda

DF Kishimoto, Ibayashi, Suzuki, Yoshida

MF Kamiya Ronaldo, Renato, Disaro

FW Kitagawa, Oh Se-Hun

SUBSTITUTIONS

Miyamoto on for Renato (46)

Santana on for Oh Se-Hun (46)

Inui on for Kitagawa (46)

Nakayama on for Disaro (63)

Nishizawa on for Kishimoto (69)

REPORT

We got out of jail, but it was all of our making whereas we could and should have won that particular game!

Truth be told, we had to field a different team because of a crowded three-game week, but unfortunately the starting members did not perform well enough and we did almost nothing of note during the first half.

We almost continually dominated the second half, but as justly pointed out by our head coach, a good half is just not enough!

In the 9th minute we lived dangerously on a corner kick, the favorite ploy of our opponents of the day. But were saved by weak finish by the last Vortis forward.

In the 32nd minute an inept move by our midfield gave away the ball but it was shot high over the bar.

The same happened in the 36th minute when Vortis’ last shot was just to weak to beat Gonda.

Finally, in the 40th minute we conceded a soft goal when a free kick from 35 meters away looped over a flat-footed defense to reach a lurking Vortis forward who somehow scored through a narrow angle.

Substitutes came on at the beginning of the second half and the game changed into our favor.

In the 63rd minute some desperate defense from Vortis only cleared the ball to land in front of Inui who barely shot over the bar.

In the 70th minute a corner kick was first repulsed by Vortis before Kamiya sent a looping cross from the right which was well met by Santana but his powerful heading flew over the bar.

In the 76th minute, Kamiya sent the perfect cross from a free kick just outside the box but Nakayama’s heading flew barely past the far post in what had been the best chance so far of the day.

We were getting desperate with a game slowly getting out of our hold, when at long last 3 minutes into extra time, Kamiya, once again, curved a low corner kick from the left for Ibayashi tipping away with his head over the defense to reach an unmarked Suzuki on the far side who made no mistake with an easy heading.

We showed a strong heart and will to pull out this draw with especially Kamiya proving to be our major weapon. Now, the forwards will have to perform better!

Next game is at home on Sunday against newly-promoted Iwaki.

Our fans should be able to rejoice!

NEXT GAME

Meiji Yasuda J2 League

Match 14

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Iwaki

Sunday May 7th 2:00pm

IAI Stadium Nihondaira, Shizuoka