J1 League

Game 14

Shimizu S-Pulse 0-3 Nagoya Grampus (“home game”)

Date: Saturday May 3rd, 2:00 pm

Japan National Stadium (Tokyo)

S-PULSE GOALS

YELLOW CARDS Kitagawa (32)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 53847

LINE UP

GK Oki

DF Yamhara, Uno, Takahashi, Kitazume

MF Capixaba, Bueno, Inui, Yumiba, Matsuzaki

FW Kitagawa

SUBSTITUTIONS

Yajima on for Yumiba (55)

Nishihara on for Capixaba (64)

Shimamoto on for Inui (64)

Ahmedov on for Kitagawa (64)

Takagi on for Yamahara (72)

REPORT

Lesson in reality!

Our worst defeat of the season and that against a team near the relegation zone on our “home ground” of the day!

Coach Akiba was the first to admit during the post-game interview that he had lost the battle of the coaches… against a former player and coach of Shimizu S-Pulse who knew us too well.

Truth be told, this year’s J1 League is just too congested because of the Golden Week when the League had to take the opportunity to cram as many games as possible at the best venues possible for expanded promotion and revenue. Unfortunately, history has repeatedly shown that we are not a club or team comfortable with such “home games” played away from our bases even if it is for the benefit of thousands of fans who live in the Capital.

But three games in 8 days after another heavy schedule is just too much for tired players bound to suffer from injury.

In the end we were completely outsmarted by a team fighting for their survival who on the day were far better and more motivated. The match data show twice as many attempts at goal by Nagoya and half as more free kicks. The numbers were only favorable to us with corner kicks. But Nagoya created boulevards around our makeshift defense and pummeled us without mercy.

Another match to forget!

Time to regroup for the next match tomorrow, another away trip this time against Kashima, a team near the top of the League. Not the best time to face them but we will have to bite the bit and fight it out until the end! We owe it to our fans!

NEXT GAME

J1 League

Game 15

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Kashiwa Reysol

Date: Tuesday May 5th, 4:00 pm

SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium (Kashiwa)