S-Pulse 2-2 Nagoya Grampus
IAI Stadium Nihondaira, Shizuoka

S-PULSE GOALS Utaka 47, 70
YELLOW CARDS Inukai (7), Honda (64), Utaka (64), Duke (66)
RED CARDS None
ATTENDANCE 14497

LINE UP

GK Sugiyama R
DF Edamura, Jong-a-Pin, Jakovic, Inukai
MF Honda, Hattanda, Kawai, Duke
FW Omae, Utaka

SUBSTITUTES

Murata on for Omae (81)
Ishige on for Kawai (84)
Shirasaki on for Hattanda (88)


REPORT

S-Pulse welcomed Nagoya Grampus from neighbouring Aichi prefecture for a fixture that has gone some way to act as a place holder with the Shizuoka Derby currently off the menu. S-Pulse and Grampus have produced a number of entertaining and fiercely fought encounters in recent seasons, and Sunday proved no exception. Despite playing 37 minutes a man down, the visitors refused to be overcome, and at full time the spoils were shared.

A game which ended scoreless at halfway wasn’t to retain that status too long after the restart. Peter Utaka grabbed the first of a brace just two minutes into the second half when he converted Kawai’s cross. Nagoya’s defender Tulio saw a straight red card six minutes later, but S-Pulse couldn’t make the most of their man advantage. Indeed, it was the 10 men of Nagoya who netted next, by way of Kawamata’s penalty kick in the 65^th minute.

Utaka soon restored the Shimizu’s goal lead from within the penalty area, but with the clock reading 80 minutes former Shimizu goal-getter Novakovic equalized for his new team. Seven minutes of additional time weren’t enough for either side to find a winner, so 2-2 was the end result. Still searching for the first three points of the second stage, Saturday’s trip to Kawasaki will give S-Pulse their next opportunity to find that win.

With two games on the road next up, Shimizu fans must wait until the middle of August for the next home match. Shonan Bellmare will be visitors on August 12th for a Wednesday evening kick off. Bellmare have thus far been enjoying a good season, so will undoubtedly be accompanied by their travelling army who will contribute towards a cracking floodlit atmosphere. Be sure to join the thousands in the home end and help cheer your heroes on to victory!

Keep the faith!


NEXT GAME

Meiji Yasuda J1 League
2nd Stage, 4th Sec
Kawasaki Frontale v S-PULSE
Saturday July 25th, 7pm
Todoroki Stadium, Kawasaki