S-Pulse 1-5 Sanfrecce Hiroshima
IAI Stadium Nihondaira

S-PULSE GOALS Tese 64
YELLOW CARDS Duke 22, Kakuda 65
RED CARDS None
ATTENDANCE 13053


LINE UP

GK Sugiyama R
DF Kamata, Kakuda, Hiraoka, Musaka
MF Honda, Edamura, Omae, Duke
FW Utaka, Tese


SUBSTITUTES

Kawai on for Duke (32)
Murata on for Edamura (62)
Inukai on for Hiraoka (83)


REPORT

Current Meiji Yasuda J1 League Stage 2 table toppers Hiroshima were the visitors to IAI Stadium Nihondaira on Saturday. It was the first afternoon kick off since the heat of the Shizuoka summer had abated, and a with a large visitor following adding a corner of purple to Nihondaira’s regular sea of orange, the stage was set for a game heavy with import to both teams.

While Sanfrecce began the contest atop Stage 2’s league ladder, working to book their place in the year-end championship playoffs, S-Pulse had the previous weekend slipped 8 points adrift from the safety zone. With six games remaining and 18 points left to play for, preservation of Shimizu’s unbroken stay in the top flight had began to look in serious danger.

Characteristic of a game with so much at stake, both teams were eager to take control from an early stage. Shimizu more than matched the visitors during the opening exchanges, and despite twice going close to opening the scoring, it was a counter attack from Hiroshima which finally did so. Forward Douglas finished a swift attack up the length of the pitch to make the score 1-0, and that lead was doubled five minutes later via a Hiroshima corner kick.

Blazing out of the traps at the start of the second half, S-Pulse’s industry was finally rewarded when Chong Tese pulled a headed goal back after 65 minutes. The strike was well deserved, and gave the hosts every hope of finding a way back. However, a swift pair of goals from Hiroshima substitute Asano on 75 and 80 minutes pushed the game beyond reach. A fifth Sanfrecce goal came courtesy of Kashiwa deep in additional time, with the full time whistle sounding seconds later.

This result ensures the forthcoming game with Matsumoto Yamaga is now of vital importance, but even then the value of a win is dependent on the outcome of other fixtures. The situation is a tough one for team and fans alike, but there is one certainty. The army of orange travelling to Nagano prefecture will give everything in supporting their team, not stopping until the game is done. Follow us on Twitter @spulse_eng for updates on the day, and stay tuned next week for the full match report.

Keep the faith!


NEXT GAME

Meiji Yasuda J1 League
2nd Stage, 13th
Matsumoto Yamaga v S-PULSE
Saturday October 3rd, 3pm
Matsumoto Football Stadium, Matsumoto