S-PULSE 1-2 Nagoya Grampus
IAI Stadium Nihondaira

S-PULSE GOALS Kitagawa 20
YELLOW CARDS Takagi 57
RED CARDS
ATTENDANCE 6315

LINE UP

GK Kushibiki
DF Edamura, Miyamoto, Fukumura, Matsubara
MF Ishige, Mizutani, Murata, Takagi
FW Kaneko, Kitagawa


SUBSTITUTES

Sawada on for Muara (27)
Takeuchi on for Ishige (86)
Omae on for Takagi (87)


REPORT

A cool spring evening under IAI Stadium Nihodaira’s floodlights was the backdrop to a showcase of some of Shimizu’s brightest hopes for the future. While the game ended in victory for the visitors, four of the S-Pulse starting XI in their teens, and an average team age of just 21 years old, meant a lineup Shimizu’s youth system could be proud of.

From the 18 man squad, one third hard graduated from S-Pulse Youth. Of those six, Miyamoto, Ishige, Mizutani and Kitagawa began the game, and each played their part in an energetic and adventurous performance. Of those, it was18 year old Koya Kitagawa who had the stadium on its feet when he tucked home the opening goal in the 20^th minute. Edamura, a relative veteran, powered down the flank before curving in a low cross towards the advancing teenager. Kitagawa made no mistake in opening his S-Pulse account.

That lead was arguably late coming, given Shimizu’s early dominance. JFA Academy graduate Shota Kaneko, who turned 20 this month, come close to opening the scoring in the 13^th minute having benefited from Murata’s industrious forward run. Before the break Shimizu forced seven corners, and doubled the shot count of Nagoya, but the lead remained a slender one until half time.

The advantage lasted until the 66^th minute when Nagoya, who had found their way increasingly into the game, drew level via one of their own youngsters, 20 year old Tomoya Koyamatsu. That strike was added to with four minutes remaining by former S-Pulse favourite Novakovic. The late goal was enough to win the game for the Aichi team, and the result means Shimizu are unable to qualify for the knock out stage of this year’s league cup.

Elimination form the cup saw a sad end to this midweek fixture, but the fearless manner in which Shimizu’s young lions took the game to the opposition, and tireless effort they put in, gave the manager much to take much from the occasion. With one league cup group stage game remaining we will get another chance to witness S-Pulse’s next generation in action. On Wednesday May 27^th, away at Vissel Kobe, Shimizu will attempt to end the campaign on a high.

Keep the faith!


NEXT GAME

Meiji Yasuda J1 League 2015
1^st Stage, 13th Sec
Shonan Bellmare v S-PULSE
Saturday May 23th, 5pm
BMW Stadium, Shonan