J1 League

Game 25

Shimizu S-Pulse 0-0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Date: Sunday August 10th, 6:30 pm

Edion Peace Wing (Hiroshima)

S-PULSE GOALS

YELLOW CARDS Matsuzaki (42), Capixaba (64)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 23969

LINE UP

GK Umeda

DF Hasukawa, Brunetti, Sumiyoshi

MF Yamahara, Shimamoto, Capixaba, Matsuzaki, Bueno, Takagi

FW Toshiki Takahashi

SUBSTITUTIONS

Inui on for Matsuzaki (57)

Kitagawa on for Yamahara (57)

Yoshida on for Capixaba (70)

Nakahara on for Toshiki Takahashi (70)

Kitazume on for Takagi (82)

REPORT

A vital draw!

The more for it that it was grabbed against one of the J1 League top teams on their home soil in front of a large hostile attendance in difficult climatic conditions.

Apparently, we learned our lesson from the deplorable showing last Wednesday in front of the exact same venue.

First, we switched back to a more flexible 3-backs defense in a 3-6-1 formation and a change of personnel.

And we certainly showed more grit and pride, presaging a better ending pf the season.

We actually dominated in possession (58% to 42%), passes (435 to 313), and pass accuracy (78% to 70%), being basically equal in shots and shots on target although chances were very few. We did concede two yellow cards to none proving more aggressivity this time.

In the 9th minute Hiroshima missed their best chance of the day when a vicious cross found an unmarked forward whose heading flew directly to Umeda.

In the 23rd minute S-Pulse benefitted of a corner kick which was headed barely above the bar.

In the 41st minute Hiroshima showed little imagination after a good move was wasted by a long-range shot going wide.

In extra time it was the turn of S-Pulse of missing their best chance by inches when an excellent corner kick from Yamahara met Takagi’s header which was barely pushed back by a fully stretched opposite keeper.

In the 47th minute Hiroshima again wasted a good move with poor finishing flying over the bar.

In the 49th minute S-Pulse should have scored when they stole the ball to allow Takagi to shoot from inside the box but his shot was deflected at the last moment by a desperate Hiroshima defender.

In the 48th minute a good move ended with a diving header from new recruit Takahashi which barely rolled past the far post.

In the 63rd minute Hiroshima wasted a golden chance when they pressed the S-Pulse defense into an interception only to see the last shot flying over the bar.

In the 8th minute could and should have scored when a quick attack left him alone to beat the goalkeeper but his shot went directly into the legs of the Hiroshima guardian.

Both teams finished the match with another botched chance each.

All in all, it was a fair result which could have gone either way.

At least we showed better resolve and that should encourage to perform even better next Saturday at home against an old foe in the name of Yokohama F Marinos!

Note: we were refereed by a foreign official in the person of Ivan Barton from El Salvador!

NEXT GAME

J1 League

Game 26

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Yokohama F Marinos

Date: Saturday August 16th, 6:30 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)