S-PULSE 0-1 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
IAI Stadium Nihondaira, Shizuoka


S-PULSE GOALS None
YELLOW CARDS Murata 33, Iida 90+4
RED CARDS None
ATTENDANCE 5658


LINE UP

GK Uekusa
DF Tatsuta, Byeon, Kakuda, Iida
MF Sugiyama, Kanu, Murata, Duke, Hiratsuka
FW Tiago


SUBSTITUTIONS

Edamura on for Murata (61)
Hasegawa on for Hiratsuka (72)
Matsubara on for Tatsuta (83)


REPORT

Shimizu’s Levain Cup campaign remained in search of a win after a second defeat in the group stage, this time against fellow promoted side Sapporo. In an open and evenly balanced game, the breakthrough came late on for the visitors, which they successfully defended for the game’s remainder.

The J. League Cup is often the stage for new faces, and so it was for S-Pulse with a number of home debuts. Among them were youngsters Tatsuta and Hiratsuka, both giving a good account of themselves. The former played the full 90 minutes, the latter made way for Hasegawa on 72 minutes, but not before going close to netting a first goal around the hour mark. Other debutantes included Kanu and Tiago, the second of which fizzed a long range effort just over the bar midway through the first half. With both showing industry and imagination, as they adapt to their new home and regain full match sharpness, they will only improve.

Alas it was white shirted Sapporo, a side including former Shimizu favourite and Shizuoka lad Shinji Ono, that prevailed on the night. Defender Ryosuke Shindo connected with an 81^st minute corner kick to send the hardy travelling masses wild and give them a three point souvenir to take 800 miles back to Sapporo. 4 group games still remain in the Levain Cup group stage, so with everything to play for, including a local derby, there is plenty of interest left yet in this year’s League Cup.

Action returns to the foothills of the Nihondaira mountain range on Sunday, with guests Omiya Ardija welcomed to a stadium surrounded on all sides by the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms. With the Shizuoka sakura in full bloom you may well be busy at a hanami party, and if that’s the case, be sure to stay in touch with all the action the moment it happens via our Twitter service: @spulse_eng

Forza S-Pulse!


NEXT GAME

Meiji Yasuda J1 League
Match Day 7
S-PULSE vs Omiya Aldija
Sunday April 16th, 1pm
IA I Stadium Stadium, Shizuoka