Match Review 34th Sec : VS Oita Trinita at City Light Stadium on September 27

Okayama 1  Oita Trinita 0
 
Oita have now struggled in relegation zone, therefore, Fagiano are expected to defeat the visitors to secure to remain in the division 2 next year. The total attendance was 7,055.  


This sec, Nagasawa placed the same starting line-up as the 32nd Sec. An ace forward, Oshitani was back as a starter. He aims to score at least ten goals this season. His total score this term is seven goals now. A captain, Iwamasa has been ever-present this season despite the tight schedule. Former Fagiano forward, Arata was not listed for this match.


During the first half, Trinita kept actively threatening the red-uniformed team. In the 13th minutes, Nakabayashi showed an excellent saving to encourage Okayama. In the 41th minutes, Tadokoro took a shot on a header, but failed. The match remained scoreless.


After the interval, in the 64th minutes, Nagasawa placed Hwang Jin-Sung on the pitch to change the game. Later, he almost stroke an opener, provided by Katayama. In the 87th minutes, a forward, Kubo was sent into the pitch. During the added time, Kubo did a brilliant job, finalizing the match with a header. As a result, Fagiano get up to 10th position with 43 points.

Match Preview 34th Sec : VS Oita Trinita at City Light Stadium on September 27

At 2nd sec, Okayama beat Oita with 1 - 0. During the first half, Fagiano kept a clean sheet with a goal keeper, Nakabayashi's strenuous efforts. After the break, Oshitani made a brilliant decider, bringing a victory to Okayama.


This June, a head coach, Tasaka was removed from his post because of the club's poor performances. Instead, Yanagida now works as a head coach. This summer, former Fagiano's forward, Arata joined the team. He had played for Matsumoto Yamaga FC since the begining of this season.


At last sec, Oita defeated Giravanz Kitakyushu, decided by Trinita's forward, Isa. The club successfully got themselves out of the bottom of league. They obviously have momentum now. 


Oita have continued to fare poorly this term. Their priority is to avoid the demotion to the lower league. In order to stay in the division 2 next year, Fagiano must defeat the rival. It is expected that the match would be engaged in mortal combat.

Match Review 33rd Sec : VS Kyoto Sanga F.C. at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium on September 23

Okayama 0  Kyoto Sanga F.C. 0

According to the news reports, the total attendance was 7,349. Lots of Fagiano supporters also came to the stadium for this evening match. It seemed that the weather was temperate and ideal for a football match. 


This sec, the starting line-up was quite different from the last because of the tight schedule in the second half of this month. A defender, Kondo was listed as a starter for the first time this season. And also, Kukita, Mimura, Tanaka, Kubo and Shimada were back in the line-up. On the other hand, Kyoto's ace forward, Oguro was on the reserve list.  


During the first half, Mimura and Tanaka actively kept attacking, creating several chances. Later, Kyoto gradually took control of the match. Okayama struggled to strike an opener, while they successfully kept a clean sheet against Sanga. The first period ended in a scoreless tie.


After the interval, Kyoto had more chances as well as the first half. In the 67th minutes, Oguro was sent into the pitch, threatening red-uniformed club. Five minutes later, Nagasawa placed Oshitani on the pitch to encourage the team. However, both clubs were not able to score a clincher. As a result, Okayama got up to 13th position with 40 points.

Match Preview 33rd Sec : VS Kyoto Sanga F.C. at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium on September 23

On July 4, Fagiano met Sanga at their home stadium. The home club suffered pressure from the opponent, especially former international, Oguro. In the 27th minutes, Shinohara took a middle shot to break the deadlock. After the interval, a young attacker, Yajima added more insurance in the 12th minutes. In the end, Fagiano successfully kept a clean sheet.

This July, head coach, Wada was dismissed because of the club's sluggish performances. A new head coach is Ishimaru who used to work for Ehime FC as a head coach. That had a seismic effect on Sanga. The top scorer of the club is an ace forward, Oguro. He has already scored 14 goals with 30 appearances.

At last sec, Kyoto played against Roasso Kumamoto in Kumamoto. During the match, Oguro and his teammates had several chances, but they were not able to finalize the game. As a result, the match ended in a scoreless tie.

Kyoto has still been hovering near the bottom this season. It seems that this former division 1 club has been highly motivated to avoid the demotion to division 3. It is expected that the match is going to be very tough.

Match Review 32nd Sec : VS Thespakusatsu Gunma at City Light Stadium on September 20

Okayama 3 Thespakusatsu Gunma 0

It has been almost a month since the last time Fagiano played at the home stadium. This time, 6,729 fans came to the stadium. The number was less than expected despite longer weekend.

This sec, Yajima was back in the starting line-up from one match suspension. A Korean attacker, Hwang Jin-Sung was on the reserve list. On the other hand, Gunma's head coach, Hattori placed a veteran, Matsushita as a starter as usual.

After the kickoff, Fagiano actively kept threatening the visitors. In the 27^th minutes, Yajima almost found the net. Later, in the 36th minutes, an attacker, Ito stroke an opener, assisted by Oshitani. A minute later, Yajima encouraged his team with another goal. Okayama successfully took control of the game.

During the second period, Gunma made a counterattack. In 59^th minutes, Yoshihama showed an excellent shot, but Nakabayashi saved his team. In the 66^th minutes, an ace forward, Oshitani scored a clincher, making the stadium full of joy. In the 78 minutes, Hwang Jin-Sung was sent into the pitch. In 81^st minutes, Katayama almost stroke a goal, provided by Hwang. As a result, Fagiano successfully kept a clean sheet. After this sect, Fagiano get up to 14^th position with 39 points.

Match Preview 32nd Sec : VS Thespakusatsu Gunma at City Light Stadium on September 20

At 18th sec, Fagiano rallied to a 1 - 1 draw with Thespakusatsu.In the 30 minutes, a young attacker, Yajima stroke an opener, but two minutes later, Gunma equalized match. After the interval, Okayama kept attacking actively, however, They struggled to make a decider.

In Gunma, A Brazilian attacker, Kaique has not been able to play on the pitch constantly. He has not scored a goal yet, but his speedy attacking can be viewed as a threat. Former Yokohama FC's men, Matsushita has been ever-present at almost all of matches. This veteran is stable and leads the team.

At last sec, Gunma was beaten by Tokyo Verdy, 1-3. During the match, the club was mostly forced to play on their own side. In the 36th minutes, Gunma successfully equalized the game, but after the break, the match was finallized by Verdy.

Gunma stay at 13th position with 39 points as of now. For Fagiano, a victory is a must at the home stadium to secure to stay in the division 2 next year as well. They are expected to dominate the match, scoring an opening goal.

Match Review 31st Sec : VS Ehime FC at Ningineer Stadium on September 13

Okayama 1 Ehime FC 1

In order to secure to stay in the division 2 next year, Fagiano were expected to defeat the rival club. According to the news reports, 6,862 fans came to the stadium for PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU Derby match.

This sec, Yajima was unable to appear because of his suspension, instead, Ito was listed as a starter. Seno and a newcomer, Hwang Jin-Sung stood-by as a substitute. Okamoto got injured while in training days ago, therefore, he was listed on injury-list.

After the kickoff, a forward, Ito stroke a memorable opener, encouraging the club. Fagiano created lots of chances, but failed to find the net. On the other hand, Ehime's goalkeeper, Kodama showed excellent savings. In the 41st minutes, the game was equalized by Uchida's brilliant shot.

During the second half, Okayama's defenders played well, while, Ehime struggled to dominate the match. In the 78 minutes, Hwang was sent into the pitch for the first time this season. Later, Nagasawa placed Seno and Kubo on the pitch to change the game. However, the match ended in a tie. As a result, Fagiano stay 16th position with 36 points.

Two football clubs in Shimane aiming for J leauge

In Chugoku region, there is a J league club in each prefecture except for Shimane. Fagiano Okayama, J league two-time champion, Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Hiroshima, both Gainare Tottori in Tottori and Renofa Yamaguchi in Yamaguchi belong to J league 3 this season.


In Chugoku regional league, the fifth tier of the Japanese football league system, there are two clubs in Shimane prefecture, aspiring for J league. The first one is Dezzolla Shimane. Last season, Dezzolla ended up at runner-up of the league, therefore, they missed the chance to obtain the promotion to the upper league, Japan football league. This season, the club has struggled to become the top as well.


The second club is Matsue City FC. It is relatively new club, which was promoted to the regional league in 2010. In recent years, some former J league experiencers have joined the club. One of them, a veteran midfielder, Sanenobu, who used to play for Gainare Tottori before. He is well-experienced and leads the club.


Both clubs are now developing through friendly competition in the league. I personally hope whichever would be promoted to the upper league, Japan Football League next year, and to J league division 3 in two years.

Match Preview 31st Sec : VS Ehime FC at Ningineer Stadium on September 13

On June 23rd, Fagiano met the rival club at PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU Derby in their home town. During the match, former Fagiano's man, Tamabayashi stroke an opener. After the break, Ehime's ace attacker, Kawahara fired a fatal shot. Even though, Iwamasa stroke a goal, the result was certainly disappointing for Okayama.

Last month, a midfielder, Yasuda joined Ehime on a loan from Tokyo Verdy. Tamabayashi has constantly been on a pitch as a first choice. Kawahara can be viewed as a key player. He has already scored 9 goals so far this season. Former Sanfrecce Hiroshima's defender, Nishioka has been stable.

At last sec, Ehime FC defeated Tokyo Verdy. Ehime kept a clean sheet with their only one goal. They have certainly been in a good shape with 5 straight victories so far. Amazingly, Ehime beat former division 1 club, Cerezo Osaka and Omiya Ardija.

Ehime has made a strong showing so far at 6th position with 47 points as of now. Fagiano are expected to actively keep attacking and defeat the rival. Fagiano's attackers are required to rise up during the match.

PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU warms up in Chushikoku region.

It is a derby match in Chugoku, Shikoku region and a campaign, which started in 2011 to pump up the region. Its aim is to entertain the locals of the region and to promote local tourisms and specialities. For supporters in the region, the derby match leads the stadium to reach a fever pitch. 


As of now, six clubs participate in this campaign. In the division 2, Fagiano Okayama, Tokushima Vortis in Tokushima, Ehime FC in Ehime and Kamatamare Sanuki in Kagawa take part in it. In the division 3, Gainare Tottori in Tottori and Renofa Yamaguchi in Yamaguchi step in it. The rest of J league club, Sanfrecce Hiroshima is not in this campaign because this two-time division 1 champion belong to the top league.


As of now, In the division 2, Fagiano stay at the top out of four clubs in PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU. Okayama are scheduled to face Ehime on September 13rd and Sanuki on November 1st. Red-uniformed club are expected to defeat those rivals so that they will probably be able to achieve the minimum aim of remaining in division 2.


I personally hope that other foot ball clubs in Shimane and Kochi would become a member of J League and join this derby in the near future. Therefore, I also pay attention to Igosso Kochi in Kochi and Matsue City FC,  Dezzola Shimane in Shimane, which belong to each regional league. 

Fagiano's men participate actively in J league division 3.

A young midfielder, Ryo IIDA, who played for Fagiano Okayama Next, joined the division 3 club, S.C. Sagamihara on a loan this May. Since then, he has been ever-present as a first choice and already scored three goals as of now. 


He has taken chances and performed well so far. I personally look forward that he will improve himself this season and make a contribution for the top team in the near future.   


On the other hand, a midfielder, Ren SENGOKU who signed a loan deal with AC Nagano Parceiro this season, has struggled on the reserve list. Even though he was listed as a starter at the opening match this term, he hasn't had lots of opportunities to play so far. He has scored a goal so far.


A possible reason is that Nagano is one of the top choices for the champion of division 3 and they have a good bench strength. I just hope that he will find a way to get out of the difficulties soon.

Emperor's cup 2015: Matsue City FC pulled a surprise

Unfortunately, Fagiano top team and Next team left the Emperor's cup, while, Matsue City FC made an upset victory against JFL club, Kagoshima United FC at First round. Matsue in Shimane Prefecture belong to Chugoku regional league, the fifth tier of the Japanese football.


I watched the game on the website of Japan Football Association. Even though only a few matches of Emperor's cup are available on the website, it is amazing that we are able to watch those.


If you are interested, check this out.
Japan Football Association Official Website