J2 League

Game 21

Shimizu S-Pulse 1-3 Blaublitz Akita

Sunday June 23rd, 2:00 pm

Soyu Stadium (Akita)

S-PULSE GOALS

YELLOW CARDS Carlinhos (52), Hara (74)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 6102

LINE UP

GK Gonda

DF Hamahara, Hara, Takahashi, Yoshida

MF Yajima, Nakamura, Miyamoto, Carlinhos

FW Kitagawa, Tanque

SUBSTITUTIONS

Takagi on for Yoshida (46)

Inui on for Nakamura (46)

Shirasaki on for Tanque (55)

Braga on for Yajima (67)

Matsuzaki on for Carlinhos (69)

REPORT

4 consecutive away losses finally dragged us down into the 3rd place…

Unfortunately, same old story…

We dominated possession, shared almost identical stats, but ended with being walloped out of context right from the first half like in the other defeats.

All our opponents have studied our weaknesses well and we have nt been able to overcome the same weaknesses.

The absence of Hasukawa and Sumiyoshi I the center of the defense is just hurting too much as we are forced to field players out of their normal positions and the latter are becoming targets for the opposition who care little about losing possession knowing too well chances are bond to come more than often.

Either we do not have able replacements or we stick to the same flawed strategy and tactics.

Truth be told having to play on the other side of side after long trips in half empty stadiums too distant for our own fans does not make things any easier.

If we do not remedy to this in a hurry this season could well into the same last year nightmare!

In the very 13th minute, we made things too easy for Akita leaving our left flank completely exposed and only watched when the ensuing cross allowed Akita all the freedom in the world to shoot from mid-range giving no chance to Gonda.

In the 24th minute we conceded a corner kick that was to easily headed but we were saved by a superb save from Gonda.

We understood it was not going to be our day when in the 40th minute Yamahara sent the perfect cross to towering Tanque, but for the umpteenth time the poor Brazilian saw his header hit the bar.

Two minutes later our defense was completely outplayed after a long clearance found an Akita forward alone amidst three S-Pulse defenders who first crossed the ball across the field before two consecutive headers combined for a sucker goal that was so easy to avoid.

The second half started after only a few minutes with the same poor lazy defense which allowed a corner kick to be headed too easily.

After that it was only a question of Akita holding the fort.

In the 70th minute Yamahara did well to keep possession on the right flank before passing back to Hara who scored an excellent mid-range low shot that beat the opposite goalkeeper completely.

It became a one-way traffic after that with S-Pulse attacking and Akita packing all their players in defense. We should have done better with two clear chances in the 78th and 81st minutes, but the writing had been on the wall after only 50 minutes with poor disorganized defense looking at each other in vital moments.

We now have two consecutive matches at home to surge back starting witn a difficult game on Sunday against Okayama who know us too well.

We certainly will need all the help from our fans and players back from injury!

NEXT GAME

J2 League

Game 22

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Fagiano Okayama

Sunday June 30th, 6:00 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)