J2 League

Game 27

Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0 Ventforet Kofu

Sunday August 17th, 6:30 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS Carlinhos (32), Braga (57), Yakub (90)

YELLOW CARDS

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 16943

LINE UP

GK Gonda

DF Yamahara, Sumiyoshi, Takahashi, Kitazume

MF Carlinhos, Uno, Inui, Miyamoto, Braga

FW Kitagawa

SUBSTITUTIONS

Hasukawa on for Takahashi (52)

Yajima on for Carlinhos (73)

Nakamura on for Miyamoto (73)

Yoshida on for Braga (83)

Yakub on for Kitagawa (83)

REPORT

An important win with this Mount Fuji Derby victory, the more for it that it has expanded the lead dividing us from 3rd-placed Nagasaki. It also shows some welcome continuity with the previous result achieved in similar fashion.

Truth be told, for all the domination achieved during the game it might have been a different story if Lady Luck had not helped us during the first quarter of a game which later became more one-sided in our favor.

In the very 5th minute some inept defense allowed a dangerous shot from just outside the box which fortunately flew directly into Gonda’s arms.

In the 10th minute we were even luckier when a quick Kofu’s free kick sent Utaka, a former member of S-Pulse past everyone. The latter managed to lob Gonda but Takahashi extended himself to the limit to clear the ball off the line.

In the 30th minute we were even luckier when we allowed Adaiton inside our box only to see his shot hit the bar. This proves to be Kofu’s vey last chance.

Right after Braga brought the ball to the middle before passing it to Inui on his left who relayed it to Yamahara running along the right flank. His perfect cross found Carlinhos who did not miss such a juicy chance with an easy volley

The game changed completely in S-Pulse’s favor in the very first minute of the second half when Adaiton did not stop when Gonda rushed forward to save a dangerous forward pass with the Kofu forward kneeing Gonda’s face as he lay on the pitch. It ended into a straight red card for the most dangerous Kofu player.

From then on it was all attack by S-Pulse. In the 56th minute Inui saw his excellent shot from an aggressive Kitagawa’s pass barely parried over the bar.

One minute later the same Inui sent a pass from inside the box to Yamahara whose shot swerved past a flat-footed defense and the hands of the goal keeper before Braga tapped in an easy goal.

In the 72nd minute Inui could not convert a quick counter after a clever pass by Carlinhos with his shot beating the keeper but rolling past the near post.

In the 90th minute a long clearance reached Yakub who helped it along with a fine chest control towards Yajima before the latter passed it back to the Ghanian who beat the running inside the far post for his second goal in three games, all a s a substitute proving the great mid-season recruiting.

A fine win in the end but a somewhat careless first quarter.

S-Pulse will have to concentrate from the beginning to beat low-ranked Kagoshima in Kyushu next Saturday!

Last but not least former S-Pulse members Utaka and Renato walked around the ground to salute and greet their former club fans after the game!

NEXT GAME

J2 League

Game 28

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Kagoshima Unitde

Sunday August 24th, 7:00 pm

Shiranami Stadium (Kagoshima)