This is the opening match of this season. This match, a young goalkeeper. Kushibiki and a new captain,Kiyama were listed as a starter. While, another new comer, Otake and Ishige stood by as a subtitute.Former red-uniformed attacker, Oshitani was listed on the reserve list.
Eight minutes after the kickoff, a young attacker, Toyokawa shot off the bar. Later, Nogoya had morepossession and they were pushing forward with pace and creating chances. In the 20th minute, a Koreanattacker, PARK Hyong-Jin headed off from a free kick. Afterwards, the chances comfortably belonged to the rival. Four minutes before the break, the powerful club's forward, Nagai fired an excellent volley,making an opening goal.
In the 52th minute, an experienced playmaker, Otake came off the bench. Three minutes later, he tried to equalize the game. Later, PARK failed to grasp the chance with his free kick. In the 62th minute, a playmakar, Sekido shot off the bar, provided by an attacker, Ito. Five minutes later, an experienceddefender, Takeda was placed on the pitch. In the 73th minute, Ito headed off, crossed by a legend, Kaji.In the 76th minute, a young attacker, Ishige came in to change the game. In the 82th minute, Oshitanicame off the bench. Two minutes later, Nagai made a clincher. As a result, Okayama were disappointedlydefeated by the powerful club.
Last term, this powerful club suffered from an unexpected slump in the division 1. Even though Nagoya made efforts to avoid the demotion to the lower league, the club finally got down to the division 2 for the first time in the club's history.
After the last season, several main forces such as Ex-Fagiano man, Kawamata and an ace forward, Nagai left Nagoya. It is obvious that the club have been dramatically changed from the last year.It seems that the team need a reform to make a comeback.
In 2017, former Kawasaki Frontale's coach, Kazama came to Nagoya. He is highly expected to enhance the club's strength as he did to his former club before. Okayama will meet their former ace attacker, Oshitani. He is one of the key players to wath out for.
This is the first time for the red-uniformed men to face this powerful club. In order to make a good start this new season, Okayama are expected to defeat the rival.
2017 season is coming soon. It is obvious that the division 2 has a lot to offer. It is predicted that 22 clubs in the league can be divided into 5 groups as below.
Group A: Both clubs are obviously champion hopefuls. 1. Nagoya Grampus 2. Matsumoto Yamaga FC
Group B: This club has potential to finish within top two. 3. Shonan Bellmare (Promotion)
Group C: Among these clubs, there will be competitive contests for the playoffs. 4. Fagiano Okayama 5. Kyoto Sanga FC 6. JEF United Chiba 7. Avispa Fukuoka 8. Yokohama FC 9. Montedio Yamagata 10.Ehime FC
Group D: These clubs may have some chances to climb the league table, while they may hover near the bottom. 11. Tokushima Vortis 12. FC Machida Zelvia 13. Oita Trinita 14. Roasso Kumamoto 15. Tokyo Verdy 16. Mito Hollyhock 17. V･Varen Nagasaki
Group E: Their priority is to avoid the demotion. 18. Renofa Yamaguchi FC 19. Kamatamare Sanuki 20. Thespakusatsu Gunma 21. FC Gifu (No demotion) 22. Zweigen Kanazawa
It is obvious that Japan Football Leauge is very competitive this season since there are more several clubs with J League 100 Year Plan club status and also, other clubs aiming for J League division 3.
One of the title hopefuls is Vanraure Hachinohe. Last year, The club ended up in the 7th place and failed to get up to J League division 3 even though their new home stadium was completed last October. This season, the club made a deal with former Gainare Tottori's coach, Hashiratani and also, acquired a young goal keeper, Kiwada on a loan from Fagiano Okayama.
Nara Club are one of J League 100 Year Plan holders. This year, the club made an agreement with former Sagamihara SC's coach, Satsukawa. Last year, they ended up in the 10th place. This year, the club successfully obtained J League license for the division 3, therefore, they are expected to make a breakthough this term.
A new comer, FC Imabari is also the one to be worthy of note. Before this season, the club acuired some former J league' players. Their new home studium is scheduled to be completed this year so that they are expected to show good performances for the promotion.
In terms of performances, these clubs must finish within top four of Japan football League, and either first or second among other 100 Year Plan holders. Other clubs such as FC Osaka, Tokyo Musashino FC, ReinMeer Aomori, Briobecca Urayasu Veertien MIE aim for J League as well. This League is obviously noteworthy.
Last year, the club had a disappointed season, ending up in the 15th place out of 16 teams. After the last term, the club's head coach, Hashiratani was dismissed. What is more, some main forces such as Brazilian attacker, Fernandinho and a young striker, Miyaichi left Tottori.
Before this season, Gainare made a deal with a new head coach, Morioka, who is former head coach of Kyoto Sanga under-18. He is also ex-international. He is expected to improve the team's strength.
The club made an agreement with a young attacker, Haraguchi. He has played for the last two years for Renofa Yamaguchi with three goals in 29 appearances. He is expected to reinforce the club's offensive strength.
This year, it is expected that there will be fierce competition among powerful clubs aiming for Japan Football League and J League in the future.
The champion hopefuls in 2017 season are Matsue City FC and SRC Hiroshima. Last season, two clubs finished in the top two.
Dezzolla Shimane unexpectedly struggled in the mid group of the league last term. The club are expected to compete with above two rival this upcoming season.
Former JFL club, Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C. is the one to be watch out. Mizushima has shown stable performances in recent years. Last season, the club advanced to All Regional Football Champion's League and almost made it the upper league.
He came to Okayama from the division 1 club, Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2012 at his age of 35. He had played for Hiroshima as a regular for a long time. He was well-experienced with more than 400 appearances in the division 1.
He played mainly as a left wing-back, only for the year of 2012, but this veteran was like a textbook for other young players, especially, Former Fagiano's man, Tadokoro in the same position.
In the season, he was capped at 14 matches, but, he chronically suffered from his injuries, making him give up his football career at the end of the season. The club held a retirement ceremony for this big name.
A young midfielder, Ishige joins the club on a loan from Shimizu S-Pulse. In 2016, he made 23 appearances with one goal in the division 2. He is expected to reinforce the club's attacking strength.
Okayama made a deal with a midfield player, Otake from Shonan Bellmare. This year, he suffered from some injuries. His appearance is eight matches with one goal in the division 1.
Ex-Fagiano man, Kiyama comes back to Okayama since after the last season, his contract with Matsumoto Yamaga expired. He had played as a main force for the red-uniformed men for four years from 2007 to 2010.
A young goal keeper, Kushibiki joins the club on a loan from Shimizu S-Pulse. Last year, he played on a loan for Kashima Antlers. And also, he was selected as an international for 2016 Summer Olympics. He is highly expected to cover for Nakabayashi.
The club acquired a Korean defender, JANG Sukwon from Seongnam FC. He has played in AFC Champions League before. He is expected to cover for the captain, Iwamasa.
