J1 League

Game 20

Shimizu S-Pulse 0-0 Gamba Osaka

Date: Sunday June 15th, 6:30 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS

YELLOW CARDS Matsuzaki (76), Bueno (90)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 16401

LINE UP

GK Oki

DF Sumiyoshi, Hasukawa, Takahashi

MF Capixaba, Inui, Uno, Bueno, Nakahara, Yamahara

FW Kitagawa

SUBSTITUTIONS

Yajima on for Kitagawa (60)

Matsuzaki on for Nakahara (60)

Brunetti on for Capixaba (73)

Yumiba on for Uno (80)

Chiba on for Inui (80)

REPORT

Frustrating draw!

Although we were dominated both in possession (60% to 40%) and passes (566 to 375) as well in corner kicks (7 to 1), pass accuracy was basically equal as the number of attempts at goal. But we did have 8 shots on target against 6, a somewhat encouraging data.

But the end result is losing 2 precious points at home before a tricky away game against Nagoya Grampus, an adversary which has turned into a nemesis recently. We are at a running point of the League when a couple of games can make a total difference in a very competitive and unpredictable League.

In the 12th minute, the first notable attack of the day for S-Pulse epitomized the whole game, when Kitagawa failed to convert a superb attack on Gamba’s flank ending with Capixaba’a sharp cross the Shimizu forward met two meters from goal only for the ball to roll past the near post. You just cannot afford to miss such golden opportunities at this level.

In the 21st minute Keeper Oki was fully stretched to save from a corner kick which allowed Gamba shooting three times at goal.

In the 26th minute Oki again was there to intercept a dangerous cross after the ball had been too easily lost during a promising counter.

In the 31st minute we had done well to wrestle the ball twice in succession but Uno’s final mid-range shot just flew over the bar.

Two minutes in extra time we did produce another great move but the final shot was completely missed and the opposing keeper had no trouble to scoop the ball.

In the 49th minute Oki again had to save his side when a promising counter fizzled into a precarious situation with only the acute angle allowing Shimizu’s keeper to fend off a sharp shot.

In the 59th minute fans were all standing when first Capixaba’s splendid ran past Osaka’s right flank before sending the perfect cross that was shot directly to the opposite keeper with the ball bouncing up-field and once again Oki saved his camp in extremis for the same ball reaching once again Capixaba after a good maneuver around the box. The Brazilian’s perfect cross was met by Kitagawa into goal. Unfortunately, the ball had been handled together with the heading and the goal was erased.

In the 70th minute horrible defense by Gamba allowed a final shot by Bueno that was barely pushed away by the Gamba keeper.

In the 84th minute a good counter found Matsuzaki alone 10 meters from goal only to see his final effort fly over the bar.

For all the adverse domination we did all not to win a game which should have been comfortably enough won. Once again, we only have ourselves to blame.

We certainly wll need better finishing on Saturday!

NEXT GAME

J1 League

Game 21

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Nagoya Grampus

Date: Saturday June 21st, 7:00 pm

Toyota Stadium (Toyota)