J1 League

Game 7

Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0 Shonan Bellmare

Date: Saturday March 29th, 1 pm

IAI Stadium Hihondaira (Shizuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS Kitagawa (11), Matsuzaki (28), Kitagawa (67)

YELLOW CARDS Takahashi (65)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK Kitagawa (11)

ATTENDANCE 17684

LINE UP

GK Oki

DF Sumiyoshi, Takahashi, Takagi

MF Yoshida Inui, Bueno, Uno, Matsuzaki, Kitazume

FW Kitagawa

SUBSTITUTIONS

Nakahara on for Matsuzaki (79)

Yajima on for Inui (79)

Kozuka on for Kitagawa (79)

Yumiba on for Bueno (82)

Kotake on for Kitazume (87)

REPORT

A solid and timely win against a difficult opponent in this “Shirasu Derby”!

For the first time this year we witnessed the right balance between a solid defense and at long last a productive offense.

The data at the end of the game were a bit misleading showing only 8 attempts at goal against 6 in spite of heavy domination. On the other hand, Shonan concentrated on defense whatever the costs giving away a massive 25 penalties and numerous corner kicks but were crafty enough to escape with only two yellow cards, although the first of them cost them dearly.

The game did start with some controversy in the 9th minute when some blunders by the Shonan defenders allowed a very dangerous incursion by pressing S-Pulse players with the last one, Uno, being felled down inside the box. Although S-Pulse did score after the foul, the advantage had not been allowed. They still benefitted from a penalty kick although the last Shonan defender escaped with only a yellow card. Kitagawa did not make any mistake from the spot to give an early lead to Shimizu.

In the 20th minute Shonan had their first chance when the S-Pulse’s defense allowed a dangerous cross but the last header flew past the far post.

In the 21st minute Bueno sent Kitazume along the right flank. The latter beat his opponent before sending the perfect low cross to Inui but the latter shot directly into the scrambling opposite keeper.

2 minutes later Matsuzaki feinted his way along the right flank before swerving back inside and passing to Kitagawa running inside the box on his right but the latter’s cross evaded everybody.

But in the 28th minute some beautiful passes resulted in Uno sweetly sending Bueno running through the middle before he passed to Matsuzaki on his right for the latter to calmly score from close range.

In the 46th minute S-Pulse somewhat lived dangerously before managing to repel the last shot with a massive defense.

In the 50th minute Shonan did score but the S-Pulse’s defense had managed to trap the last opposite forward into offside to see the goal cancelled.

2 minutes later it was the turn for Shonan to live very dangerously but their keeper somehow managed to catch Yoshida’s low cross in extremis.

In the 62nd minute S-Pulse should have scored after a fine counter but the last shots could not find their way into the goal thanks to some desperate lunging tackles and blocks by their opponents.

In the 62nd minute Shonan did score again on a sudden counter but once again the goal was disallowed for offside.

In the 67th minute S-Pulse put the game on ice when Shonan committed an atrocious blunder which resulted in Bueno sending Kitagawa running all alone inside the box before slotting the ball past a desperate keeper. Kitagawa’s celebrations were quite muted in spite of his 4th goal in 7 games, knowing too well it had been a gift.

Let us hope that S-Pulse’s renewed form will stay with them during the very busy April schedule starting with a difficult away game at Urawa next Wednesday. But more and more young players are featured if a bit late in the game at times and the welcome competition for spots in the absence of some regular players should become a positive force!

NEXT GAME

J1 League

Game 8

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Urawa Reds

Date: Wednesday April 2nd, 7:30 pm

Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama)