Emperor's cup 2015: First Round on August 29

Fagiano Okayama met Gainare Tottori, the champion of Tottori prefectural tournament, at Tottori Bank Bird Stadium in Tottori. This match was popularly called Inyo Derby since both clubs are based in adjacent prefectures. The derby took place for the first time in two years since the game in J league division 2 on November 3rd, 2013.

 

This match, a goal keeper, Shiina and an attacker, Okamoto were listed as a starter for the first time this season. The match was closely contested. In 47^th minutes, Katayama stroke an opener, but two minutes later, Tottori's midfielder, Yamamoto made an equalizer. Both clubs were not able to finalize the game during the regulation time, therefore, they went into overtime.

 

The end of the match was surely dramatic. In 107^th minutes, Yajima was sent off. Two minutes later, Gainare's attacker, Ando scored a clincher, achieving the ticket to the Second Round. For Fagiano, it was a nightmarish loss. No one predicted that Okayama would be defeated by Tottori in the lower league, J league division 3.

 

Fagiano Okayama Next as the representative of Okayama prefecture, faced Tokushima Vortis at Pocarisweat Stadium in Tokushima. It seemed that it was a good opportunity to try their strength against former division 1 club. If Next is successfully able to advance to the Second Round, They are likely to meet Thespakusatsu Gunma on September 6.

The match was obviously one-sided. During the first period, former division 1 club scored four goals to secure their victory. After the break, the game remained unchanged. Vortis stroke three more goals. As a result, an upset didn't happen, so Next left Emperor's cup in vain. 

Two Korean men joined Fagiano Okayama

This August, two Korean men transfered to Okayama right before transfer deadline. This season, Fagiano has struggled near the bottom of the league, therefore, two men, especially, a midfielder, Hwang Jin-Sung is highly anticipated to reinforce Fagiano's attacking.


He is well-experienced with more than 200 appearances in Pohang Steelers, Korea. He also has two caps as a Korean international. He had played for Kyoto Sanga FC until this July and he left the club due to his contract.


This season, Fagiano's priority is to avoid the demotion to the lower league. It seems that he is considered as a savior to get the club out of this nightmare.


Another is a young goal keeper, Li Jintai. He plays for Fagiano Okayama Next. It is expected that he is going to contribute to their goal to stay in Japan Football League.   

Match Review 30th Sec : VS Avispa Fukuoka at City Light Stadium on August 23

Okayama 1 Avispa Fukuoka 0

For Fagiano, which have been in a predicament, obtaining three points were a must. In the evening of Sunday, 8,145 fans came to the stadium for the important match.

This sec, head coach, Nagasawa placed the same starting line-up as the last sec. A sturdy defensive midfielder, Watanabe was back from his two-match suspension. An attacker, Okamoto stood by as a substitute. On the other hand, Brazilian striker, Wellington played as a starter.

After the kickoff, the home club showed strenuous performances, but they struggled to take shots. While, the visitors had more chances to break the deadlock. It seemed that Okayama had no chances to find the net as usual, whereas their defenders performed well to keep clean sheet.

During the second period, red-uniformed men gradually took control of the game. In the 75th minutes, Okamoto was sent into the pitch. About 4 minutes later, Oshitani almost stroke an opener. After that, Nagasawa placed Watanabe and Ito to finalize the match. A few minutes before the end of the game, Okamato scored a long-awaited decider to bring the club a dramatic victory. The stadium was surely full of joy. As a result, Fagiano get up to 16^th position with 35 points, 9 points ahead of relegation zone. 

Match Preview 30th Sec : VS Avispa Fukuoka at City Light Stadium on August 23

At 14th sec, Okayama faced Avispa at Level- 5 Stadium. During the match, Fagiano struggled to score goals. In the 66th minutes, Fukuoka's man, Hamada stroke a memorable opener, bringing a victory to the club. Nagasawa's men were not able to get out of the awful slump.


Fukuoka's top scorer is a forward, Nakahara with 7 goals. He is well-experienced and can be viewed as a threat. Sakai has constantly played and has already scored 4 goals. Tsutumi plays a defensive rock. He is stable with a leadership. 


At last sec, Fukuoka defeated former division 1 champion, Jubilo Iwata. After the kickoff, Fukuoka's midfielder, Suzuki stroke an opener to encourage his club. In the 85th minutes, a veteran forward, Sakata scored a clincher. As a result, Avispa made a second straight win.


Fukuoka brings the playoffs into view at 5th position with 48 points as of now. It is expected that the match is going to be tough. In order to secure the mid group of the league, three points are a must for Fagiano, therefore, they are required to use scoring chances for certain. 

Fagiano Okayama Next participate in Emperor's Cup.

On August 9, the qualifier of Emperor's Cup took place at City Light Stadium. Next faced Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima FC, who belong to Chugoku regional league. Mizushima FC is a formidable rival for Fagiano, because the club has played in Japan Football League before.


The match was certainly sharp contest. During the first half, Okayama lost a goal. Later, the red-uniformed club struggled to equalized the game. After the interval, Next's attacker, Kamijo stroke an equalizer, but both teams were unable to finalize the match by the end of second half, therefore the match went into overtime, however, the score remained unchanged. As a result, the match ended in a tie after the regulation playing time.


At penalty shoot-out, a young goal keeper, Kiwada made strenuous efforts. It took longer and the last kicker, 11th men was Kiwada, himself. Fagiano barely made a narrow victory, being successfully qualified for the representative of Okayama prefecture.


On August 29, at the first round of the Emperor's Cup, Fagiano Okayama Next face Tokushima Vortis at Pocarisweat Stadium. They are expected to make an upset victory.

Match Review 29th Sec : VS Consadole Sapporo at Sapporo Dome on August 15

Okayama 0  Consadole Sapporo 0


Both clubs haven't made a victory for a while. It is obvious that they both have been suffering in a long slump. According to news reports, 10,902 fans came to the stadium. Some Fagiano supporters also came all the way for Okayama's victory. 


This sec, a veteran, Kaji and an ace attacker, Oshitani was back in the starting line-up. A regular defensive midfielder, Watanabe was still not able to appear as well as the last match because of his suspension. An attacker, Mimura was not listed for this away match. On the other hand, Sapporo's two legends, Ono and Inamoto stood by as a substitute. An ace forward, Tokura was on the injury list.


During the first half, both clubs struggled to take the control of the game. In Consadole, Colombian striker, Nazarit continued to threaten Fagiano, but, a captain, Iwamasa made strenuous efforts to keep defense strong. An ace forward, Oshitani actively kept attacking, but failed to score an opener. The first half ended in a tie.


After the break, the home club was gradually ahead of the game. In the 65th minutes, Ono was sent into the pitch, bringing forces to Consadole. Head coach, Nagasawa placed two attackers, Okamoto and Someya on the pitch to change the game, but it seemingly didn't work well. In the sequel, Fagiano had a goalless draw against Sapporo. Okayama stays 18th position with 32 points after this sec, which is only 6 points ahead of relegation zone.

Match Preview 29th Sec : VS Consadole Sapporo at Sapporo Dome on August 15

At 9th sec, at City Light Stadium, Okayama was defeated by Consadole, 0 - 1. During the match, Sapporo had more possession and took control of the game. At the end of the first period, Sapporo's midfielder, Miyazawa stroke an opener, securing their victory.

A world class midfielder, Shinji ONO was back from the injury-list since 20th sec. It seems that he has been greatly influential in his club, however, he hasn't played at the match recently. Another legend, Inamoto has constantly been on the pitch. The club's top scorer is Tokura with 10 goals so far. He can be viewed as a threat.

At last sec, Sapporo mostly dominated the match against V･Varen Nagasaki, but Consadole struggled to make a decider. Before the end of the match, An Indonesian forward, Irfan was sent into the pitch to change the game, nevertheless, the match ended up in a tie.

Sapporo now brings the playoffs into view at 10^th position with 36 points. It seems that the match is going to be close. Fagiano are expected to keep attacking actively to break the deadlock, dominating the match for a victory.

Fagiano Next show remarkable catching-up from the brink of demotion

It has been almost two months since the begining of the second stage of Japan Football League. Next have made a strong showing so far in the second stage even though they ended up at the bottom of the league in the first stage.


As of 7th sec, Next have four victories and three losses with 12 points, staying at 5th position out of 16 clubs. They haven't lost at the home stadium yet. They have already scored 15 goals in 7 matches. It seems that the team is totally different from the one before the second stage.


One of the contributing factors is that Korean defender, Cho Gyu Seung joined the club. It seems that his participation makes Fagiano's defence more stable. And also, a young attacker, Kobayashi has experienced a remarkable growth this term. He has played the top team once this season and he has already scored five goals in Japan Football League.


This season, it has not been settled yet that how many teams (one or two) would be relegated to Regional Leagues, however, it is expected that Fagiano Next would secure to stay in this league as soon as possible.

Match Review 28th Sec : VS Giravanz Kitakyushu at City Light Stadium on August 8

Okayama 0 Giravanz Kitakyushu 1

Fagiano has been suffering in a long slump, therefore, the total attendance was only 7,253 even though the match took place in the evening of Saturday. In order to avoid the demotion to the lower league, a victory was a must for the home club.

This sec, midfielder, Shimada was listed as a starter, that's because a first choice defensive midfielder, Watanabe was not able to appear because of his two-game suspension and Chiaki has been on injury-list. A new comer, Okamoto was out of the member's list on that day.

After the kickoff, Fagiano struggled to break the solid in the opponent's defense. It seemed that they had no idea to score an opener. On the other hand, in the 20^th minutes, Kitakyushu's defender, Kawashima stroke an opener.

During the second period, the game remained unchanged. In 12^th minutes, a goal keeper, Nakabayashi showed an excellent saving to encourage Nagasawa's men. Later, two attackers, Mimura and Oshitani were sent into the pitch. In the 86 minutes, Yajima almost made an equalizer, however, the visitors finally kept a clean sheet. As a result, Fagiano is only five points ahead of the relegation zone. Okayama now has faced a critical phase.

Match Preview 28th Sec : VS Giravanz Kitakyushu at City Light Stadium on August 8

On June 28th, Fagiano's attackers did a good job. An ace attacker, Oshitani stroke two excellent goals and a young forward, Katayama scored a decider, bringing a joy to Okayama supporters. On the other hand, Komatsu and Kotegawa scored a goal respectively.

An attacker, Hara has been in a good form this season, he has already scored 9 goals and made a great contribution for Kitakyushu. Another attacker, Komatsu is also remarkable. He has constantly been on the pitch. Fagiano's defenders struggled to mark him at 20th sec.

At last sec, Giravanz made a strong showing against the first place, Omiya Ardija, however, they were not able to made a upset victory. Omiya's attackers such as Ienaga and Mrda showed brilliant performances. As a result, the match ended up in 1 – 2.

Kitakyushu stay 13^rd position with 33 points as of now. It seems that the visitors aim to settle the score, however, in order to secure the position out of relegation zone, Fagiano must defeat the rival.

Captain, IWAMASA strives hard for better performances.

This former international, who played in South Africa for 2010 FIFA World Cup, has made great impacts on Fagiano so far. He is well-experienced with an outstanding leadership, therefore, it seems that the club's strength has been enhanced. Needless to say, he has played a spiritual pillar in this club since he came to Okayama. 

 
When I heard that he made a deal with Okayama before this season started, It was hard to believe that such a well-known foot baller plays for our club, but when I saw him commenting at a press conference after the agreement was completed, I was deeply touched and almost cried.


This season, I've seen him play at the stadium a few times. An amazing thing is that especially at the matches against Fukuoka and Omiya, every time he possessed a ball, he was booed by the opponent's fans, which means he was considered by them the one to watch out for.   


I also feel that his comments are always impressive as below. 
TV program, Get Sports features IWAMASA


In this program, he was told to help the club shape the spirit and history, which means, he has been considered by the club that he would be able to do that.


I realized again that I was so happy that I was one of Fagiano fans. Go Go, Okayama!

Match Review 27th Sec : VS Jubilo Iwata at City Light Stadium on August 1

Okayama 1 Jubilo Iwata 2

Fagiano faced a powerhouse at their home stadium. Their overall record against the three-time J league 1 champion is three draws. Lots of Fagiano supporters were at City Light Stadium to expect an upset victory. The total attendance was 8,927.

The head coach, Nagasawa placed Tanaka as a starter. It seemed that he was expected to reinforce Okayama's attacking. An ace forward, Oshitani was back on the reserve list. In Iwata, former Fagiano's man, Ueda was listed in the starting line-up. A veteran attacker, Matsui stood by as a substitute this time.

During the first half, red-uniformed team struggled to hold the opponent's ace, Jay. In the 28^th minutes, Iwamasa brought a long-awaited opener to the home club, assisted by a young attacker, Katayama. Ten minutes later, former English international, Jay equalized the match. Later, the visitors continued to threaten Fagiano.

After the interval, Jubilo retained the control of the match. In the 67^th minutes, Oshitani was sent into the pitch. One minute later, Katayama almost stroke a goal, making the stadium full of cheers. At the end of the match, Nagasawa put two attackers, Okamoto and Mimura on the pitch to change the game, however, that didn't work well. During the added time, Iwata's midfielder, Kawabe made a decider, defeating Fagiano. Sadly, Fagiano had four losses and one draw for the last five matches. They have been suffering in a long slump.