J1 League

Game 28

Shimizu S-Pulse 1-1 Kashima Antlers

Date: Sunday August 31st, 6:30 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS Toshiki Takahashi (20)

YELLOW CARDS Inui (52), Sumiyoshi (76), Kozuka (88), Kitagawa (90)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 17936

LINE UP

GK Umeda

DF Sumiyoshi, Hasukawa, Takagi

MF Yamahara, Bueno, Inui, Miyamoto, Matsuzaki, Yoshida

FW Toshiki Takahashi

SUBSTITUTIONS

Yajima on for Miyamoto (57)

Kitagawa on for Matsuzaki (70)

Kitazume on for Yoshida (70)

Kozuka on for Inui (81)

Chiba on for Toshiki Takahashi (81)

REPORT

Revival mode again!

It was even grittier the than the last game away, as this time we were facing the leader (until this day) of the J1 League, Kashima Antlers which we have never played comfortably against.

Although we were completely dominated in actual play (67% against 33% in possession, 673 passes against 346, 88% pass accuracy against 78%, 5 corner kicks to 2 and 17attempts at goal against 10), we still managed the same number (6) of shots on target.

But we had to defend, defend and defend. We did it uncompromisingly, earning yellow cards in the process to the tune of 4, our record of the year.

But at the end of the day, we had secured a vital point.

Right from the start, Kashima attacked and in the 5th minute they should done better, heading wide after teasing us around our box

But in the 20th minute our first attack completely surprised our opponent by passing quickly through their right flank with Matsuzaki’s last low cross perfectly slotted in by new recruit Toshiki Takahashi who scored his first goal for his new club.

In spite of being dominated we could have scored again in the 30th minute when a cross was met with a volley that the Kashima somehow parried.

But after that it was constant dangerous life. In the 3th minute we lost a ball too easily in midfield before Kashima wasted another chance just past the far post.

In the 43rd minute poor finishing and good goalkeeping by Umeda further frustrated Kashima.

Unbelievingly enough we should have extended our lead in the 54th minute following counter and a great cross which was headed by an unmarked Toshiki Takahashi only a foot past the far post.

In the 66th minute we had another chance only to see the ball fly in front of Kashima’s goal.

In the 69th minute, Umeda had to parry away a dangerous heading from a free kick just outside our box.

But in the 74th minute we too easily allowed a header from a corner kick that could have been avoiding with better defensive placing.

We still managed to botch a great chance in the 85th minute when after a quick counter along Kashima’s right flank ended with Kitagawa only to have to beat the coming keeper, but he inexplicably chose to try and pass the ball instead of taking his striker’s responsibilities. The ball was hopelessly lost and an even greater result has been thrown away even if we did not really deserve it.

After a long break we travel to bottom of the League, Niigata, where we will have to show better finishing!

NEXT GAME

J1 League

Game 29

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Albirex Niigata

Date: Saturday September 13th, 7:00 pm

Denka Big Swan Stadium