J2 League

Game 38

Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 Roasso Kumamoto

Sunday November 10th, 2:00 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS Hara (61)

YELLOW CARDS Nishizawa (64)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 18046

LINE UP

GK Inokoshi

DF Yamahara, Hasukawa, Sumiyoshi, Hara

MF Yajima, Naruoka, Inui, Miyamoto, Braga

FW Gunji

SUBSTITUTIONS

Tanque on for Gunji (46)

NIshizawa on for Yajima (46)

Nakamura on for Miyamoto (78)

Kawatani on for Braga (78)

Takagi on for Naruoka (90 +2)

REPORT

Third win in a row on 1-0 score!

It was not pretty. It was almost ugly, especially in the first half against another opponent who chose to press us high in our own half during the first half before tiring in their endeavor.

With only Champions celebrations being the main feature of a venue which would not affect whatsoever the final standings of the League, this game has the merit to give a first chance in the case of young keeper Inokoshi and more opportunities to young players, notably Gunji, Kawatani and Takagi.

At the end of the day Kumamoto had more than two thirds of the possession and overdid us with by 12 shots on target to 1, a single opportunity we turned into a winning goal. Minimum effort in a game again won by our defense, not what you would really expect from a team prouding themselves on their attacking skills. We were equal only on corner kicks, 7 of them, bringing no result whereas it has been one of main weapons all season.

In the 18th minute we gave one of the many clearances too easily and gave a chance to Kumamoto to try their luck from just outside the box but the ball flew over the bar.

In the 31st minute Kumamoto blew away their best chance of the day when high pressure again allowed them to steal the ball in midfield before sending one their forward past our right flank who lobbed Inokoshi from close range but Hasukawa somehow managed to clear the ball off his line in a desperate lounge.

4 minutes later a dangerous cross from our left flan should have been converted by a lone Kumamoto forward but the ball flew directly into the arms of Inokoshi on the volley.

In the 42nd minute S-Pulse had their first chance when Braga intercepted the ball from the Kumamoto’s defense before moving around the box to pass to teenager Gunji’ whose shot was partly blocked at the last second.

We started at last to get some possession in the second half and in the 52nd minute substitute Tanque tried his luck from outside the box but his powerful shot flew over the bar.

But in the 61st minute Kumamoto could not completely repel a dangerous move from S-Pulse with the ball rebounding into the feet of Hara who produced a superb shot from just inside the box to beat the keeper the far top of the goal.

The only shot on target of the day resulting in the sole goal of the day.

In the 66th minute a good enough move ended with Inui’s long attempt striking the bar and the rebound could have gone anywhere after Kumamoto failed to clear properly.

In the 69th minute we were once again lucky to survive from a corner kick which was not cleared properly giving the chance to volley it to an unmarked Kumamoto forwards but Inokoshi produced a fine save before being helped by a defender somehow clearing the ball away inches past his left post.

In the 77th minute Kumamoto once again stole the ball in midfield but it ended with a shot a few meters away directly into Inokoshi’s arms.

In the 90th minute we should have scored a goal, albeit a sucker one at that, when a corner kick was cleared with the Kumamoto keeper leaving his goal empty but Tanque botched the ball over the bar.

Our tired defense then had to find extra will and luck to sail safely past the final whistle.

A win indeed, but one that leaves a lot of work to do before the next season.

But it is time to celebrate!

NEXT GAME

J1 League (2025)

Game 1

Shimizu S-Pulse vs TBD

Date: TBD

Venue: TBD