J2 League

Game 7

Shimizu S-Pulse 1-1 Tokushima Vortis

Wednesday April 3rd, 7:00 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS Braga (6)

YELLOW CARDS

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK Carlinhos (90 + 1)

ATTENDANCE 9520

LINE UP

GK Gonda,

DF Yamahara, Takahashi, Sumiyoshi, Yoshida

MF Nishihara, Miyamoto, Shirasaki, Nakamura, Braga

FW Chiba

SUBSTITUTIONS

Yajima on for Nishihara (62)

Carlinhos on for Chiba (62)

Matsuzaki on for Nakamura (74)

Tanque on for Braga (90 + 4)

Kitazume on for Yoshida (90 + 4)

REPORT

Frustrating draw! Last year’s headaches resurging again with a penalty against us in extra time?

Never underestimate a cornered and injured beast! After all, Tokushima was playing in the J1 not so long ago and their present bottom place is not due to lack of talent.

To make things worse this game was played on a Wednesday night, meaning less fans available under driving cold rain.

Once gain the composition had to be changed with more youngsters starting the game with high schooler Nishihara, and young Chiba for the first time in an unusual position as a striker. It certainly looked a bit makeshift, but what with a long season and unavoidable absences young blood has to be introduced early. It was also the occasion for new recruit Tanque to briefly appear.

Things started well enough in the 6th minute with Tokushima unable to clear a dangerous corner kick allowing Braga to score an opportunistic goal, the first one for his new club, out of a melee in front of the goal keeper who had parried a powerful heading by Takahashi.

But then S-Pulse somehow managed to waste chance after chance to kill the game once for all.

Two minutes later we failed to convert a great cross from Yoshida with the ball rolling past the near post.

In the 30th minute another excellent corner kick was missed from point blank three times.

In first half extra time S-Pulse were lucky to escape damage allowing a sole Tokushima forward to shoot among four defenders and Gonda somehow blocking the shot with his toes.

One minute later S-Pulse failed again when after an excellent maneuver past Tokuma’s right side allowed a last shot from inside the box but could not beat a desperate opposite keeper.

And things become to unravel for S-Pulse facing a team which had nothing to lose.

In the 55th minute a very dangerous cross was headed just over the bar.

In the 58th minute the post saved us from a corner kick being converted.

Tokushima was completely dominating the second half.

In the 78th minute Shimizu’s defense allowed a long-range attempt which luckily flew directly into Gonda’s arms.

And then 2 minutes in extra time some inept and clumsy defense allowed the dreaded penalty that Gonda was left with no chance to parry.

A game we should have won handsomely in the first half was woefully thrown away in the second half in the worst manner possible.

We certainly apprehend the next game away on Sunday in Kofu, but the season has been so unpredictable at all levels so far that we have a chance to show our nerve again!

NEXT GAME

J2 League

Game 8

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Kodu Ventforet

Sundayday April 7th, 2:00 pm

JIT Recycle Ink Stadium (Kofu)