J1 League

Game 31

Shimizu S-Pulse 0-0 Urawa Reds

Date: Tuesday September 23rd, 6:00 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS

YELLOW CARDS Nakahara

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 17202

LINE UP

GK Umeda

DF Hasukawa, Kim Min Tae, Sumiyoshi

MF Yamahara, Bueno, Kozuka, Miyamoto, Kitazume, Matsuzaki

FW KItagawa

SUBSTITUTIONS

Taakagi on for Kitazume (46)

Yajima on for Miyamoto (46)

Toshiki Takahashi on for Matsuzaki (56)

Inui on for Kozuka (56)

Nakahara on for Kitagawa (85)

REPORT

Frustrating draw in spite we did not do much to win it!

On the positive side, our defense is working beyond expectations as shown in the last five matches dealt with 2 wins, 3 draws but only 1 goal conceded.

Due to a crowded schedule, while the same back 3 were kept, changes had to be processed in midfield and attack, which did not result according to our hopes.

The data once again did not make for a pleasant reading:

Dominated in possession 57 % to 43%, and passes, 577 to 437, literally bombarded in attempts at goal to the tune of 23 to 9 and shots on target by 9 to 2, and conceding pass accuracy 87% to 83%. We only barely did better in corner kicks by 6 to 5.

Not much a recipe for a win!

At least we secured another point which keep us safely above the red zone.

We had the first chance of the game in the 13th minute when Matsuzaki was allowed some space to try his luck from just outside the box following an interception by Sumiyoshi but the ball just flew past the far post.

In the 17th minute we had our first big piece of luck when a cross was met at the far post but the ball somehow hit the framework before Umeda could scramble to retrieve it.

In the 36th minute it was the turn of Urawa to benefit from some luck when a quick counter ended with Yamahara beating a stranded keeper only to see his shot bouncing from a running back into the hands of the same keeper.

In the 41st minute Urawa played around with our defense but their last shot only missed the far post by centimeters after brushing Umeda’s extended fingers.

In the extra time Urawa wasted a golden opportunity form meters away only to see the last shot barely missing the target.

The second half was too similar with Urawa bombarding us but wasting big chances.

In the 54th minute they shot wide with only a goal to take. One minute later a point-blank header was hurriedly parried into an opposing attacker who somehow volleyed the ball above the bar.

In the 62nd minute a rare break allowed Inui to try his luck from outside the box only to see the ball fly far above the bar.

In the 69th minute Urawa wasted another golden chance when they played inside our box only to see the last attacker foiled by another great save from Umeda 2 meters from goal.

Urawa continued to throw everything at us and in the 74th minute a very dangerous cross was volleyed just above the bar. In the 78th minute Umeda had to produce yet another firne save but punching a sharp long shot on its way just under the bar.

The 85th minute epitomized the whole game when we blundered the ball into the path of a running forward who had only Umeda left to beat only for the ball to fly past Umeda who had somehow managed to block the way.

The match ended with a relieved Umeda comforting his exhausted defense, but the rest of the team will have to step up!

Next Saturday we move to a perilous away match in Kobe against Vissel, a club presently fighting for the top spots. Are we going to become giant killers again away from home? We have nothing to lose therefore it could become a very interesting game for the joy of our fans!

NEXT GAME

J1 League

Game 32

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Vissel Kobe

Date: Saturday September 27th, 7:00 pm

NOEVIR Stadium Kobe (Kobe)