2016年12月31日土曜日

Gainare Tottori struggled in a slump this year

Before this season, Tottori was considered one of the hopefuls for the promotion to the division 2. However, during the season, The team continued to perform poorly, therefore, the club finished in
15th place of 16 clubs.




Even though a veteran Brazilian attacker, Fernandinho made a strong showing with seven goals in toal this year, other forwards revealed the lack of ability to score goals. It's been announced that the team's head coach, Hashiratani is dismissed due to the poor performance of the team.



Next year, the club are expected to come back to the division 2 since the league approved their division's license. In order to reinforce the club's strength, an appropriate addition would be
needed.

2016年12月28日水曜日

Renofa Yamaguchi made strenuous efforts through this season

This term, Yamaguchi had a strong showing, finishing in the 12th place with 53 points even though this was the first season for the club to play in the division 2 since the orange-uniformed men got
promoted from the division 3 last year. 




This year, an ace striker, Kishida, the top scorer in 2015 J3 division league suffered in a slump becasue of his several injuries. His total score this season is only four. However, a young attacker, Nakayama did well, scoring 11 goals this term. He became one of key players in the club.



It seems that as one of the football clubs in Chugoku region, the club have established a solid presence. Next season, Renofa are expected to compete for the playoffs.

2016年12月25日日曜日

2016 Season Review : Best performance in the club's history

Finally 2016 season ended. Fagiano Okayama finished at 6th position with 65 points out of 22 clubs. The club were successfully able to advance to the playoffs and defeated 3rd position, Matsumoto Yamaga FC at the semifinal. The club showed a best performance in their history.


Before this season, Okayama acquired some talented attackers such as a veteran Akamine and a young striker, Toyokawa. Therefore, the club's attacking strength were dramatically enhanced. Especially, they are much better with set plays.



A young playmaker, Yajima established a presence in the midfield. He usually trigered the club's attacking and assisted his teammates to score goals. He was selected as international at 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 



While new comers struggled to perform well. A young attacker, Sakai did not have lots of chances to appear. A Chinese forward, who came on a loan from Wang Jingbin Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC in Chinese Super League division 1, had no chance to be on the picth since he joined the club this summer.



This season, the club struggled to defeat some powerful clubs like former the division 1 clubs. In order to secure the ticket to the upper league in 2017, the team must be reinforced more. It is
expected that most of key players would remain in the club next term.
 

2016年12月22日木曜日

The club's transfer information #2 / 2016

A young attacer, Fujioka's contract expired. In 2013, he came to the club. He has mainly played for Fagiano Next. His total score in carrer is 21 goals in 88 appearances.


A forward, Kobayashi also leave Okayama. He joind the team in 2013. He played as a main force of Next, but he played for the top team against Thespakusatsu Gunma in 2015.


A young defender, Kidoku won't play as the red-uniformed men next year. He is the product of the division 1 club, Urawa Reds. This term, he has scored one goal with 28 appearances. He will play for SC Sagamihara in the division 3 next term.


A Korean forward, Kwon Ro-An leave Okayama. He didn't have lots of chances to play on the pitch. He had a disappointed season this year.


An attacker, Watanabe came to Fagiano from KOCHI U TORASTAR FC in Shikoku Regional League before this season. He has appeared at 26 matches with one goal.

2016年12月19日月曜日

2016 Season Review : Solid in defence

This year, Fagiano displayed strong showings in defence. They conceded 44 goals of 42 matches. The number is acually worse than the last year, 35 goals, however, Okayama's defenders were stable throughout the season.



Former international, Iwamasa made an extraordinary contribution as a spiritual pillar. He played at almost every match this season as a captain. Needless to say, he had a strong presence in the club.



A goal keeper, Nakabayashi showed lots of excellent savings this season as well. He was ever-present this year and very stable. Needless to say, his excellent performances saved his team a lot. 



A young defender, Shinohara showed a solid performance as well. It seems that he gained his teammate's trust. Next term, he is expected to lead the team's defender, since Iwamasa leaves the club this season break.



An experienced defenders, Takeda and Kim Jin-Kyu also performed solidly. Unfortunately, Kukita and Kondo received heavy injuries and missed all of the matches this season. The club are expected to improve their defence more next year.

2016年12月16日金曜日

2016 Season Review : Strengthened offensive strength

This term, Okayama successfully reinforced their attacking strength. Their total score is 58 goals, which is more than the last year, 40 goals. However, the team actually had more chances to score.



Okayama's top scorer is an ace forward, Oshitani as well as the last year. He scored 14 goals this term, which is the best in his career. It seems that he had more chances than the last term because of the presence of veteran forward, Akamine.



A young attacker, Toyokawa scored ten goals. He mainly plays to change the game. His introduction during the game was very effective to reinforce the club's offence. This is his first season to play constantly as a main force.



Akamine scored four goals less than expected, however, he made a great contribution to strengthen the club's offensive strength. A rookie forward, Fujimoto was not able to score a goal in the regular
season. He is expected to make a breakthough next season.




In order to get promoted to the division 1 next year, their attacking strength needs to be more enhanced. The club are expected to take some measures to improve the current situation.

2016年12月13日火曜日

The club's transfer information #1 / 2016

After the end of the regular season, Fagiano have started reorganizing the club. As of now, the club already announced that some of the players leave Okayama.



A Korean defender, Kim Jin-Kyu is one of them. He joined the club from Pattaya United in 2016. He has played as Korean international before. He reinforced the club's defence as an experienced defender. 



A young goal keeper, Matsubara also leaves the club. He came to Okayama in 2011 from Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo under 18. He firstly played for Fagiano Next, later he was not able to appear in J League.

A defensive midfielder, Shimada won't play for the club next year. He came to Okayama from Waseda University in 2013. Since then, he was constantly on the pitch. He made more than 100 matches in the division 2.




An experience forward, Kubo leaves Okayama too. In 2014, he made a deal with the club, coming from Gainare Tottori. He scored six goals for Okayama. This year, he played on a loan for Mito Hollyhock, but he was not able to score a goal for Mito.

2016年12月9日金曜日

Cheking the prediction table before 2016 season

This time, let's review the table I predicted before this season.
 

2016 Season Preview

Prediction       Result
   -              (-)

1. Shimizu S-Pulse     (Consadole Sapporo)
2. Cerezo Osaka        (Shimizu S-Pulse)
3. JEF United Chiba - Promotion    (Matsumoto Yamaga FC)
4. Matsumoto Yamaga FC            (Cerezo Osaka - Promotion)
5. V・Varen Nagasaki (Kyoto Sanga FC)
6. Fagiano Okayama  >  accurate
7. Montedio Yamagata  (FC Machida Zelvia)
8. Consadole Sapporo  (Yokohama FC)
9. Giravanz Kitakyushu  (Tokushima Vortis)
10. Tokyo Verdy       (Ehime FC)
11. Tokushima Vortis  (JEF United Chiba)
12. Ehime FC          (Renofa Yamaguchi FC)
13. Kyoto Sanga FC     (Mito Hollyhock)
14. Zweigen Kanazawa   (Montedio Yamagata)
15. Yokohama FC         (V・Varen Nagasaki )
16. Roasso Kumamoto    > accurate
17. Renofa Yamaguchi FC  (Thespakusatsu Gunma)
18. Kamatamare Sanuki  (Tokyo Verdy)
19. Mito Hollyhock      (Kamatamare Sanuki )
20. Thespakusatsu Gunma  (FC Gifu)
21. FC Gifu    - No demotion (Zweigen Kanazawa - No demotion)
22. FC Machida Zelvia     (Giravanz Kitakyushu)

I got two accurate predictions including Okayama, which makes me happy.

2016年12月6日火曜日

Playoff Final Review : VS Cerezo Osaka at Kincho Stadium on December 4

Okayama 0 Cerezo Osaka 1

The total attendance:17,086




Okayama's destiny depends on this important match. A young striker, Toyokawa was listed as a starter instead of an ace attacker,  Oshitani. He was expected to finalize the game. While, the rival's ace forward, Kakitani played as a starter.


After the kickoff, Osaka took the initiative of the match, while Okayama struggled to take shots. In 15th minute, a captain, Iwamasa took a header, trying to make an opening goal. In 26th minute, an expernenced goal keeper Nakabayashi showed an excellent saving, encouraging his teammates. Six minutes later, an attacker, Mimura tried to make a chance. In 35th minute, an attacker, Ito failed to provide a pass with a young striker, Toyokawa. Later, Iwamasa almost found the net. The first period ended in a scoreless tie.


Two minutes after the break, Mimura took a shot, but it was blocked by the rival's goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Toyokawa failed to make an opener with his header. In 54th minute, Osaka's attacker, Kiyohara stroke an opener. In 69th minute, a free kick was given to the red-uniformed men, however, they were not able to grasp the chance. A rookie forward, Fujimoto came in to change the game. Later, an attacker, Sakai was sent onto the pitch. In 85th minute, a veteran, Sawaguchi failed to provide a
cross. Afterwards, Okayama were not able to strike a goal and disappointedly defeated. The failed to get promoted to the upper league.

2016年12月2日金曜日

Playoff Final Preview : VS Cerezo Osaka at Kincho Stadium on December 4

At the semifinal, Osaka met Kyoto Sanga FC. During the match, Cerezo took the initiative of the game.In 13rd minute, an ace attacker, Kakitani smashed the net. Later, the club kept attacking agressively, but they were not able to add a second. Even though the match was equalized by Kyoto, the club adnvanced to the final since Osaka finished in the fourth place of the league. While, Kyoto finished in the fifth.


Osaka's ace attacker, Kakitani is the one to watch out for. This season at the 17th sec, He got seriously injured and was not able to appear almost all the rest of the term. After he came back, he had fully reinforced the club's attacking strength. He scored a goal at the playoff semifinal.


Okayama have never defeated Osaka before, so the match is expected to be very tough. However, in order for the club to get promoted for the upper league, a victory is a must. This is the last match of this season.