Match Review 10th Sec : VS Mito Hollyhock at Kasamatsu Stadium on April 29

Okayama 0 Mito Hollyhock 1

It was fine weather on the first day of the golden week. Fagiano supportors came to the Stadium. The total attendance is 4,471.

Because of the recent tight schedule, the starting line-up of Okayama was quite different from the last sec. A goalkeeper, Nakabayashi, Iwamasa, Kukita and Kaji were listed as squads as well as the last weekend. An attacker, Kubo played as a starter for the first time this season.

During the first half, Okayama were mostly forced to play on their own side because of the rough pitch of the stadium. On the other hand, Mito dominated the match, and in the 20^th minutes, scored a memorable opener. Fagiano were not able to take any shots before the interval.

After the stressful first half, Fagiano's midfielder, Sekido got a penalty kick, but Hollyhock's goalkeeper, Homma showed a fine save. Fagiano failed to equalize the score. The head coach, Nagasawa, sent an ace forward, Oshitani to change the game, however, they couldn't obtain any points, defeated by Hashiratani's men. As a result, Fagiano struggles at 11^th place in the league.

At Kasamatsu Stadium on April 29

We got to Kasamatsu Stadium! It is enjoyable to stop by food stands. 

Lots of Fagiano supportors are excited at the home stadium of Mito Hollyhock! 

Mascots from Okayama also came to promote the tourism. They are called Momocchi on the left, Uracchi on the right. 

Match Preview 10th Sec : VS Mito Hollyhock at Kasamatsu Stadium on April 29

The overall record standing of Fagiano against Mito is two victories, six losses and five draws. It seems that Okayama are a bit weak in the match against Hollyhock.

The head coach of Mito is Hashiratani, former Japan international defender. He came into Mito as a head coach in 2011. A young striker, Miyaichi Tsuyoshi whose older brother, Miyaichi Ryo playing for FC Twente in Netherland, is the hope in Hollyhock. Another forward, Baba has already scored 3 goals after 9 sec and has been ever-present this season.

At last sec, Mito was defeated by Omiya Ardija. At the match, Hollyhock socored an opening goal, however, during the second half, Omiya scored two goals and Hashiratani's men were lost at the end.

Mito got down to 17 position with 8 points after 9th sec. Fagiano want to dominate the match, scoring an opening goal before the interval.

Match Review 9th Sec : VS Consadole Sapporo at City Light Stadium on April 26

Okayama 0 Consadole Sapporo 1  

For Fagiano, this is the home match again as well as the last match, 8th sec. 10,107 fans gathered at City Light Stadium. Sapporo have played in the division 1 before and is one of the top choices for the playoffs.

In the home team, defender, Ueda was listed as in the starting line-up for the first time this season instead of Takeda. Kubo, a forward was back on the reserve list. On the other hand, in the visitors, the former international, Inamoto played as a starter. The veteran has been ever-present since the opening of the league.

During the first half, Consadole dominated the match with more ball possession. Fagiano struggled to defend Sapporo's attacks in waves. In the extra time, Sapporo's midfielder, Miyazawa finally broke the deadlock.

After the interval, Consadole continued to take the control of the match. In the 13 minutes, Okayama's head coach, Nagasawa introduced two attackers, Kubo and Yajima into the pitch, however, failed to change the game. Fagiano were not able to restore parity to the last. 

Match Preview 9th Sec : VS Consadole Sapporo at City Light Stadium on April 26

Sapporo is one of the top choices for the playoff. Last term, the team finished at 10th position and failed to reach the playoff. In recent years, this former division 1 club has been struggling in the lower league. Last season, Fagiano played against the visitors two times, won at home stadium and lost in Sapporo.


This season, Sapporo bought the former international, Inamoto. He has played as a first string since the opening of this season and been highly beneficial to Consadole. Sapporo's attackers, Tokura and Nazarit are players to watch out for. They have scored 1 goal and 5 goals respectively. a legend, Ono has still been on the injury-list.


At 8th sec, Consadole defeated Mito Hollyhock with Tokura's brilliant decider in Sapporo. Reportedly, Consadole mostly took the control of the match. It seems that the visitors are gradually getting in shape.


Consadole currnetly stays at 10^th with 12 points. It is expected that the match is going to be heated because both teams are about as good as each other.

Match Review 8th Sec : VS Roasso Kumamoto at City Light Stadium on April 19

Okayama 3 Roasso Kumamoto 0

According to the weather forecast, it was rainy on that day, During the match, it stopped showering, however, less than 10,000, 7,060 supportors in total gathered at the stadium for the match.

In Fagiano, an attacker, Katayama was unable to appear because he was out of condition. Instead, the former Gifu forward, Someya was in the starting line-up. This sec, a midfielder, Seno was on the reserve list. He is from Okayama, so he is one of the popular men among locals. In Roasso, an ace forward, Hirashige positioned at front.

During the first half, the visitors gained the upper hand, creating lots of opportunities, however, they couldn't strike an opening goal. On the other hand, in the 30^th minutes, Kaji provided an accurate cross to Ito, who turned 28 years old one day before the match, scoring an excellent heading. The first half ended 1 – 0.

After the interval, Roasso still struggled to equalize the score. They suffered from the solid in Fagiano's defence. In the 12^th minutes, young hope, Yajima came on as a substitute and successfully changed game. 10 minutes after getting into the pitch, he scored another goal. In the 25 minutes, an ace forward, Oshitani made a decider, bring victory to Okayama. After 8^th sec, Fagiano goes up to 5^th with 15 points.

J league division 3:Renofa Yamaguchi & Gainare Tottori in a good start

Both Renofa and Gainare are based in Chugoku region and belong to division 3 this year. Last season, the former was successfully qualified for division 3. The latter has been in the third division since the demotion from division 2 in 2013.

Renofa is at the top spot in division 3 with four winning streak and no losses as of now. The newcomer is making a breakthrough in the league. The top goal scorer of Japan football league in 2014, Kishida has scored four goals in a row. Amazingly, the club's total goal is 15 goals. 

Tottori is one of the top choices for the upper league, however, Gainare stays at 5th position in the leauge. An remarkable player is Hatada. The midfielder has scored 3 goals after 5th sec. Brazilian, Fernandinho is go-to of the team. His performance is likely to determine the fate of Gainare.

Their match-up is popularly called derby match, PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU. They played at opening match on March 15 this season and Renofa won a maiden victory in J league.

Match Preview 8th Sec : VS Roasso Kumamoto at City Light Stadium on April 19

The overall record standing of Fagiano against Roasso is three victoires, four losses and three draws. Last season, Nagasawa's men played against the visitors two times, both in a tie. 


This season, the former Gumma ace forward, Hirashige joined Kumamoto. As of now, he scored one goal in total.  The former Japanese international attacker, Maki plays a role as a jorker. He is well experienced and talismanic in Roasso. Okayama young defender, Shinohara played in Kumamoto on a loan last year, however, he is on the injury-list.


At 7th sec, Kumamoto was defeated by Yokohama FC 0-1 because of the unlucky own goal. During the match, Roasso Attackers struggled to break down a disciplined Yokohama's defence.


Roasso currently stays at 17th postion with 6 points. In order for Fagiano to stay in the playoff race, Fagiano is required to dominate the match with various attacking tactics.

Match Review 7th Sec : VS Jubilo Iwata at Yamaha Stadium on April 11

Okayama 1  Jubio Iwata 1

Happliy, it was sunny on that day, therefore, the attandance for the match is 8,193. Jubilo is one of the high-fliers in the league in terms of strengths, financials and experiences.

In Fagiano, Yajima, under-23 international was in the starting line-up as well as last sec. Instead, an attacker, Katayama was on the reserve list. On the other hand, in Iwata, the former English international, Jay was back on the reserve list from his injury. However, Ueda has still been on the injury-list.

During the first half, the visitors took control of the match with pressures. An remarkable playmaker, Kobayashi struggled because of Fagiano midfielder, Chiaki's marking. In the 22nd minutes, an forward, Ito intercepted Iwata's pass and provided a cross to an ace player, Oshitani, scoring a memorable opener. In the 33th minutes, Jubio forward, Adailton equalized the score, assisted by Defender, Ota with a fast cross. 

Early part after the interval, Jubio's striker, Jay and Fagiano attacker, Katayama came on as a substitute to change the game. In the 40th minutes, Katayama, provided through-ball by Oshitani, fired narrowly wide. In the end, Nagasawa's men couldn't make surprises. Fagiano remains at 6th position with 12 points.

Fagiano Next has been suffering in a losing streak.

It's been almost a month since the new season in Japan football league began. This is the second year for the next team in the top of the amateur league. As of now, they have played five matches and lost all of these.

 

During recent years, products of Fagiano youth system increasingly join the next team, so most men are young with lack of playing experiences. They tend to sit back during the match and struggle to break opposition's solid in defence. It seems that the player with a leadership is needed in the team now.

The next stays at the bottom of the league after the 5th sec. In order to avoid the demotion to the lower league, they are expected to rouse themselves into action.

Match Preview 7th Sec : VS Jubilo Iwata at Yamaha Stadium on April 11

Jubilo is three-time J league champion and one of the top choices for the championship in division 2 this season. Iwata was demoted from division 1 two years ago and failed to get back to the top league last season.

 

The head coach of Jubilo is Nanami Hiroshi, who played in Italy for a year and at World-cup in 1998 for national team. In the home team, there are lots of brilliant players such as Matsui, Inoha, Komano. Those have played for  the national team before. Brazilian forward, Adailton is the person to watch out for. Former English national team member, Jay and former Fagiano member, Ueda Kota have been out currently because of injuries.

 

At last sec, Nanami's men completed a come-from-behind victory 3 - 2 against Yokohama FC. Jubio is the most scorer with 13 goals as well as Cerozo Osaka after the 6th Sec. For comparison, Nagasawa's men has scored 7 goals so far.

 

Jubilo stays at the top of the league with 15 points as of now. The team has been in a good shape with three consecutive vitories for last three matches. It is expected that Fagiano will mostly be forced to defend Iwata's attacks.

Match Review 6th Sec : VS Tokushima Vortis at Naruto Otsuka Sports Park Pocarisweat Stadium on April 5

Okayama 2 Tokushima Vortis 1

About 1,400 Okayama fans gathered at Pocarisweat Stadium for the derby match. The total attendance was 5,086. At the end of the second to last season, Fagiano was defeated in Tokushima and lost the ticket to the playoff.

In the visitors, Japan national under-23 team midfielder, Yajima was listed as a squad for the first time this season. The young player just got back from the overseas trip for the national team. He joined Fagiano on a loan from Urawa Reds this year. In the home team, an ace forward, Tsuda was in the starting line-up.

 

At the beginning, both teams struggled to pass balls since the pitch was wet after rainy. In the 17^th minutes, Vortis midfileder, Uchida scored an opening goal, bringing forces to Tokushima. However, in the 35^th minutes, Yajima equaled the match with an excellent middle shot. 6 minutes later, a Fagiano attacker Katayama finalised the game with a penalty kick.


During the second half, Tokushima mostly took the control and attacked many times in waves. On the other hand, Okayama endured those attacks and Fagiano defenders successfully shut down the home team, bringing the visitors the third victory this season.

Match Preview 6th Sec : VS Tokushima Vortis at Naruto Otsuka Sports Park Pocarisweat Stadium on April 5

Vorits is the rival of Chushikoku region and the match is named as PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU, Derby match in the region. Vortis is the powerful team, which has one-year experience in the division 1 last season and also, one of the possible choices for the playoff.

Tokushima's remarkable player is an ace striker, Tsuda who used to play for division 1, Nagoya. This season, he has not scored goals yet, but he must be motivated for goals. Another attacker, Sato is also remarkable, who played for Gamba Osaka, which won the major three titles last year.

At last sec, Tokushima played against Kumamoto in a tie. It seems that Vortis's defence has been unstable a little bit. Okayama has not scored goals for the last two matches. So, it is expected that Nagasawa's men are roused in action.

The former division 1 team stays at 15th position with 5 points. For Fagiano, scoring opening goal is required to take the control of the match.

Match Review 5th Sec : VS Omiya Ardija at City Light Stadium on April 1

Okayama 0  Omiya Ardija 0 

The match began at 19:00. It was expected that less attendance than last two home games because of the weekday evening.  However, 8,153  supportors were at the stadium.

In the starting line-up, three fresh players such as Sekido, Shimada and Someya were listed. An ace forward, Oshitani was on  the reserve list because of the tight schedule. It's been only three days since the last match. In Ardija, former Fagiano member, Shimizu was listed as a squad.

During the first half, Omiya was gradually starting to take the control of  match, therefore, Okayama were mostly forced to play on their side. Around 10 minutes before the interval, Shimizu got a penalty kick, however, Ardija couldn't score an opening  goal, saved by Nakabayashi. The first half ended in a tie.

After the interval, head coach, Nagasawa sent Oshitani and an attacker, Mimura to the pitch to break a deadlock.  On the other hand, Omiya placed veteran forward, Bando and Serbian striker, Mrda in the pitch. At the end of the second half, Nagasawa's men created lots of chances, however, they couldn't finalise the match.  The two teams drew 0 - 0.

  

Match Preview 5th Sec : VS Omiya Ardija at City Light Stadium on April 1

Omiya Ardija was in division 1 last season and demoted to the lower league. Needless to say, Omiya is one of the top choices for the champion of division 2 along with Cerezo Osaka. Fagiano has never played against Ardija in the league because the visitors had always been in the top
league since 2005.

 

 

Omiya's key player is former Japan national team member, midfielder, Ienaga, however, he's been out of the matches since 2nd Sec because of his right knee injury at the opening match. So, he is not able to play at 5th Sec neither.

 

 

Ardija's young striker, Shimizu will probably be on the starting line-up as well as the 4th Sec. He was former Fagiano player on a loan deal. It seems that most Fagiano fans look forward to seeing him on the pitch on April 1.

 

 

The visitors now stay at 8th position of the league with 7 points as well as Okayama. At last sec, Omiya played at their home stadium against Sapporo in a tie, 1 - 1.

Match Review 4th Sec : VS JEF United Chiba at Fukuda Denshi Arena on March 29

Okayama 0 JEF United Chiba 1

Fagiano have never defeated JEF at Fukuda Denshi Arena before, however, this season, new head coach, Nagasawa and former Japan national team members, Kaji and Iwamasa joined the team, so it was expected that Nagasawa's men were going to have great performances against Chiba.

The starting line-up was the same as the last game, 3rd Sec. The squads have been fixed for last three straight matches. Fijioka, young forward player, the hope of Fagiano was on the reserve list. In the united, the ace striker, Morimoto and former Tochigi player, Brazilian, Paulinho was in the starting line-up.

 

The first half saw the two teams go back and forth at each other. The ace player, Oshitani and Ito shot just wide. Fagiano had successfully shut Morimoto down before the interval. The game remained scoreless.

After the interval, Sekizuka's men were gradually starting to take the control of match. In the 81th minutes, former Tosu defender, Kanai scored on a header assisted by Yazawa, bringing the top position of J League division 2 to the home team. This was the first loss for the visitors this season and Okayama got down to the 4th position after the 4th Sec.