J2 League

Game 23

Shimizu S-Pulse 2-0 JEF United

Sunday July 6th, 6:30 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS Braga (7), Takagi (30)

YELLOW CARDS Naruoka (90 +2)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 17739

LINE UP

GK Gonda

DF Yamahara, Takagi, Takahashi, Hara

MF Braga, Miyamoto, Yajima, Nakamura, Matsuzaki

FW Kitagawa

SUBSTITUTIONS

Shirasaki on for Matsuzaki (4)

KItazume on for Braga (64)

Yoshida on for Yajima (84)

Naruoka on for Yamahara (83)

Tanque on for Kitagawa (83)

REPORT

Vital win!

The more for it was accomplished against a backdrop of ineligibilities, injuries and accidents.

We were deprived on mainstay game-makers Inui and Carlinhos absent due to accumulated yellow cards, a central defense still missing first-choice players still recovering from injuries, and to top it all Matsuzaki had to leave the field after only 4 minutes of actual play.

Nevertheless, we started the game on an ideal note when Yamahara in the 4th minute shot a long-range free kick just past the far post. But we did not have to wait long for Shimizu to open the score in the 7th minute when a long clearance by Gonda was controlled by Braga who ran into the box before sending a low cross which both evaded Shirasaki and the opposite goalkeeper for a somewhat lucky goal that calmed the nerves early.

In the 16th minute the same Braga sent Kitagawa clear but the latter botched his attempt.

One minute later the same striker was sent into the box by a sweet pass from Yamahara but once again it ended in failure.

But in the 30th minute Yakima surprised everyone with his corner kick except Takagi who had anticipated the move perfectly to meet it with a great low bouncing header that the opposite could do little to parry. A great first goal in J League for the youngster!

In the 51st minute a long-range attempt by Yamahara just flew past the far post for what would have been otherwise a sensational goal.

But JEF United did not give up and could have come back with a goal only a minute later when the S-Pulse defense allowed a bit too much space to allow them long-range attempts.

S-Pulse were starting things a bit too much for granted and only Gonda saved them with a classy diving parry in the 76th minute to fend away yet another mid-range shot.

Only 3 minutes later JEF wasted another great chance inside the box with the ball flying the bar after some inept defense.

S-Pulse should have made things easier when in the 84th minute Yajima’s excellent free kick was parried away with difficulty but Yoshida could only send the rebound centimeters above the bar.

All in all it was too much of the hard game predicted, but S-Pulse will need its mainstay players as soon as possible!

Note: we were graced with the presence of a Shimizu S-Pulse legend in the name of just retired Shinji Okazaki who watched the game in he company of former international mate Inui!

Next, we will a short break from the J2 League to host J1 League Kyoto Sanga on Wednesday for the 3rd round of the Emperor Cup.

Difficult what kind of team we will field against struggling Kyoto who nonetheless warrants top care efforts!

Let us hope for many fans who incidentally came in great numbers against JEF!

NEXT GAME

Emperor Cup 3rd Round

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Kyoto Sanga

Wednesday July 10th, 7:00 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)