Meiji Yasuda J1 League

Match 1

Shimizu S-Pulse 2-1 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 

Saturday February 19th 2pm

IAI Stadium Nihondaira , Shizuoka

S-PULSE GOALS Yoshinori Suzuki (68),

YELLOW CARDS

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK Saved by Gonda (37)

ATTENDANCE 9357

LINE UP

GK Gonda

DF Katayama, Yoshinori Suzuki, Tatsuta, Hara

MF Yamahara, Shirasaki, Takeuchi, Nakayama

FW Kamiya, Yuito Suzuki

SUBSTITUTIONS

Kololli on for Nakayama (46)

Takahashi on for Kamiya (63)

Taki on for Yamahara (84)

Miyamoto on for Takeuchi (84)

Kishimoto on for Hara (84)

REPORT

A Lucky draw? An unlucky draw?

A tale of Two half times!

In the first half we somehow got out of jail, in the second half we forgot to tightly close the gates!

It was never going to be easy considering the team had to be shuffled due to a full infirmary, but we still could field a decent if uncertain one thanks to judicious inter season recruiting which guaranteed the coverage of all positions.

Consadole started strongly against a timid S-Pulse still looking for their marks.

In the 6th minute we were saved by the post after Sapporo had broken past our left side exposing the team to a dangerous cross.

In the 15th minute once again Consadole sent a cross from the left flank. Three S-Pulse defenders managed only to interfere with one another leaving a boulevard and time to spare for Consadole’ Fernandes’ shot leaving no chance to Gonda.

The 35th minute witnessed the turning point of the game. A weak back pass was intercepted leaving another boulevard to Consadole’s attack. Their last shot was blocked by Tatsuta but he was vey unlucky to concede a penalty, the ball having brushed his side into his armpit. A fault he was not even carded for.

But Japan National Team goalkeeper Gonda judged Fernandes’ spot lick perfectly to save his side.

And the game changed physiognomy from that point.

In the 44th minute Yamahara missed the goal by a hairbreadth after a quick counter.

The second half witnessed S-Pulse’s all-out attack.

In the 55th and 56th minutes Consadole’s goalkeeper made two superb saves to deny Shirasaki and Kololli and frustration started to creep in, but in the 68th minute Hara threw a long pass from the median line to Yuito Suzuki who proved his international status by coolly controlling the ball, turn around and sprint past the last defender inside the box and beautifully beat the charging goalkeeper.

But in the 76th minute we were saved by the bar after some weak defense.

A draw was a fair result, but it could have gone either way!

Thinking of the adverse conditions, S-Pulse did much better than expected against a foe that has always relished this particular venue.

When more senior players have recovered from injuries and young players have found their markings, the team will surely realize their potential!

Next game takes place on Wednesday in Toyota City against Nagoya Grampus for the 1st game of this year Levain Cup edition. A good occasion for recruits and young players to prove themselves!

NEXT GAME

Levain Cup

B Group Match 1

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Nagoya Grampus

Wednesday February 22nd 2pm

Toyota Stadium, Toyota