J1 League

Game 27

Shimizu S-Pulse 0-0 Avispa Fukuoka

Date: Saturday August 23rd, 6:00 pm

Best Denki Stadium (Fukuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS

YELLOW CARDS Min Taw Kim (55), Brunetti (76

RED CARDS Brunetti (82, 2nd yellow card)

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 11434

LINE UP

GK Umeda

DF Hasukawa, Brunetti, Min Tae Kim

MF Yamahara, Shimamoto, Capixaba, Bueno, Matsuzaki, Takagi

FW Toshiki Takahashi

SUBSTITUTIONS

Inui on for Capixaba (61)

Yajima on for Shimamoto (61)

Kitagawa on for Matsuzaki (61)

Sumiyoshi on for Toshiki Takahashi (84)

Yoshida on for Yamahara (78)

REPORT

Survival mode!

An important result after last week’s woeful performance!

We showed new grit and determination with notably the help of new recruit, South Korean Min Tae Kim in the middle of a defense which had thankfully switched back to a more flexible 3-back formation.

This time we were heavily dominated both in possession (57% to 43%) and passes (452 to 331). Corner kicks and pass accuracy were almost equal, but we were completely left behind at shots (14 to 5) with only one shot on target that have actually could have won the game against the run of play.

Against an incessant barrage from Fukuoka, we could only produce a few headings and attempts that erred away from goal. Our best and only chance came in the 69th minute when a good move along the right flank ended with Takagi on a one-on-one situation against the Fukuoka goal keeper but the angle was just too acute and the ball was palmed away. It would have been the jailbreak of the day if the move had succeeded in all honesty

But our defense won the precious point of the draw, even if they had to live dangerously, with Brunetti finally getting a red card for its second yellow one still 15 minutes away from time. And we somehow survived a ridiculous extra time in double digits

Now can we confirm next Sunday against a very dangerous nemesis in the name of Kashima Antlers? Our diehard fand certainly hope so!

NEXT GAME

J1 League

Game 28

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Kashima Antlers

Date: Sunday August 31st, 6:30 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)