S-PULSE 2-3 G. Osaka

S-PULSE GOALS Utaka 56, Omae 64
YELLOW CARDS Musaka 71
RED CARDS none
ATTENDANCE 16027

LINE UP

GK Kushibiki
DF Inukai, Miura, Hiraoka, Fukumura
MF Honda, Musaka, Murata, Shirasaki
FW Omae, Nagasawa 

SUBSTITUTES

Edamura on for Inukai (19)
Utaka on for Nagasawa (54)
Duke on for Murata (82)


REPORT

When former S-Pulse manager Kenta Hasegawa faced off with Katsumi Oenoki at the IAI Stadium Nihondaira, it was a pairing going back forty years. Friends since primary school, the two ex Shimizu players now share a professional rivalry as managers of their respective J1 teams. Hasegawa returned to his old Shimizu stomping ground with the 2014 treble winning Gamba Osaka in tow, and while Oenoki’s team had failed to build on their opening week defeat if Kashima, another crowd of over 15000 had high hopes of a home win.

After an opening half played largely at the pace of the visitors, the score read 0-2, but less than 20 minutes after the restart S-Pulse had battled their way back on level terms. A first goal for the just-brought-on Peter Utaka, a well taken header at the far post, brought the game back within reach. Then followed a truly memorable goal from Genki Omae to restore parity. After a cross was dealt with by Osaka keeper Higashiguchi, he failed to check the coast was clear before dropping the ball to the ground. Omae, lurking just behind the oblivious goalkeeper, darted forward to snatch the ball and stroke it home. It was a remarkable goal, and leveled things up with 25 minutes left on the clock.

The wind in their sails, all the pressure was coming from the orange shirts. However, unable to make their industry pay, the ever dangerous Gamba Osaka retook the lead with 10 minutes remaining, and 2-3 is how it would stay. The result marks a sixth defeat in a row in all competitions, and everyone is hoping for a swift end to this run.

In the current of absence of Jubilo Iwata from the top flight, the next game offers something of a derby feel. A relatively nearby one hour by bullet train, Nagoya Grampus share an ever-present status in J1 with S-Pulse, which has meant a large number of games over the years, with some highly memorable encounters along the way. Join us on Saturday as we attempt to halt the current run with a win away in Aichi.

Forza S-Pulse!


NEXT GAME

Meiji Yasuda J1 League
1^st Stage, 6th Sec.
Nagoya Grampus v S-PULSE
Saturday April 18^th, 7pm
Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya