J1 League

J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE WESTERN GROUP

Game 8

Shimizu S-Pulse 3-1 Sanfrecce Hisroshima

Date: Sunday March 22nd, 1:00 pm

IAI Nihondaira Stadium (Shizuoka)

S-PULSE GOALS Yoshida (19), Oh (21), Kitagawa (66)

YELLOW CARDS Kozuka (14)

RED CARDS

PENALTY KICK

ATTENDANCE 16012

LINE UP

GK Umeda

DF Yoshida, Park, Sumiyoshi, Kitazume

MF Uno, Bueno, Matsuzaki

FW Capixaba, Kitagawa, Oh

SUBSTITUTIONS

Chiba on for Matsuzaki (33)

Nakahara on for Capixaba (72)

Toshiki Takahashi on for Kitagawa (82)

Takagi on for Oh (82)

Ohata on for Park (82)

REPORT

BIG WIN!

Truth be told, the scoreline was a bit flattering, but the progress witnessed was at last undeniably confirmed.

In a season when a win within 90 minutes is proving difficult for any team, this second win is actually the last game of an unbeaten stretch of 7, taking us within one point of the current leaders in a highly contested group with 9 teams packed within a mere 3 points.

The big difference this time is that we were more clinical and took our chances sometimes against the run of play, especially in the second half. But it also sends a signal to all opponents that we are steadily becoming a team difficult to beat in regular time.

Looking at the match data, whereas we were dominated in possession, passes and pass accuracy we secured 10 shots at goal with 9 on target and 3goals, which made all the difference.

In the 19th minute we literally assaulted the Hiroshima goal with a good move with Kitagawa having a close shot first repulsed by the opposite goalkeeper. S-Pulse wrestled the rebound to send once again Kitagawa near the goal. His shot was only half cleared with the ball finally landing in front of 36-year-old veteran Yoshida who calmly fired from outside the box to beat everyone for his first goal of the season and his first goal in 5 years.

2 minutes later Sanfrecce made us a gift of a goal when the keeper hesitated too long in controlling a back pass only to see Oh running out of nowhere to slide the goal in off the very feet of a deflated goal keeper.

It was the first time we scored one and of course two goals inside the first half.

In the 37th minute Hiroshima somehow made a mess of a good enough chance inside the box with point blanks shots blocked at the last second and the final header flying over the goal.

In the 3rd minute of extra time, it was the time of Hiroshima to somehow scramble away from a gifted chance with the last shot being in extremis palmed away by their keeper.

The second half stared with a close free kick flying above the bar in the 48th minute.

In the 55th minute a dangerous attack by Sanfrecce finished bouncing away from the far post.

The goal following the corner kick was disallowed for offside.

In the 60th minute Umeda somehow caught the ball before it crossed the line by millimeters.

And in the 66t minute S-Pulse put the game on ice when Capixaba’s cross evaded everything before finding an unmarked Kitagawa who did not miss the chance from close range.

In the 83rd minute Hiroshima pulled back with one goal after the S-Pulse could not defend properly a long throw allowing a fine header to beat a desperate Umeda.

S-Pulse somehow survived a ridiculous 10-minute extra time for a fine victory.

Next game is a tough with a brought forward venue against Vissel Kobe in Kobe City.

Chance to confirm the good form!

NEXT GAME

J1 League

J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE WESTERN GROUP

Game 11 (match brought forward)

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Vissel Kobe

Date: Wednesday April 1st, 7:00 pm

NOEVIR Stadium Kobe (Kobe)