2017年3月31日金曜日

Match Preview 6th Sec : VS Tokyo Verdy at City Light Stadium on April 2

Last term, Verdy finished in the 18th place. The club had been relegation-threatened during the season. Their performance were obviously worse than 2015 season. After the season, the club's head coach, Togashi left the club.


This year, Spanish head coach, Miguel Angel Lotina came to the club. Even though this is his first time to work in Japan, he is

well-experienced in his home county. This season, the club made a deal with some talented players such as former Urawa Reds's defender, Nagata and former V Varen Nagasaki's attacker, Kajikawa.


Tokyo are on form now with four straight victories, by defeating FC Gifu at the last sec. On March 25th, Brazilian attacker, Alan Pinheiro made a clincher, bringing forces to his team. In order for
Okayama to chase the top group, they are expected to beat the second-placed rival.

2017年3月28日火曜日

Match Review 5th Sec : VS Thespakusatsu Gunma at Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma on March 26

Okayama 2 Thespakusatsu Gunma 1

The total attendance:2,204 



This sec, Okayama's starting line-up was the same as the last sec. A young attcker. Ishige was back on the reserve list. A veteran forward, Akamine and an experienced playmaker, Otake stood by as a substitute. While, former Fagiano defender, Ichiyanagi played as a starter.


Five minutes after the kickoff, a young attacker, Toyokawa's shot misfired. Six minutes later, Korean midfielder, PARK Hyong-Jin failed to provide a cross. In the 14th minute, a captain, Kiyama's cross was denied by the opponent. Afterwards, Gunma had more possession, pushing forward with pace and creating chances. In the 40th minute, the red-uniformed men conceded an opening goal. Right after that, a young striker, Fujimoto was replaced by Akamine. Before the break, Akamine made an equalizer with a penalty.


Two minutes after the interval, Akamine's header was blocked by the rival. Right after that, Toyokawa was able to provide a cross with his teammates. In the 53th minute, Akanime's another header misfired. One minute later, Otake came off the bench. Three minutes later, he almost found the net. In 67th minute, he was not able to grasp the chance with a free kick. Two minutes later, Toyokawa tried to finalize the game. Five minutes later, a defender, Sawaguchi came in. In the 81st minute, Toyokawa made a superb clincher, assisted by a playmaker, Sekido. Later, the red-uniformed defenders made a strong showing, making two straight victories.

2017年3月24日金曜日

Match Preview 5th Sec : VS Thespakusatsu Gunma at Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma on March 26

Last season, Gunma ended up in the 17th place. The club had been relegation-threatened during the season. After the season, the club's top scorer, Segawa left for the division 1 club, Omiya Ardija.


Gunma made a deal with a new head coach, Morishita, who used to work for the division 1 club, Sagan Tosu. He is expected to reinforce the club's strength. Former Fagiano's man, Takafumi SUZUKI joined the club. He is expected to play as a main force.


At the 4th sec, Gunma met Machida Zelvia. During the match, They struggled take the initiative. In the 64th minute, Gunma haplessly conceded an opening goal. Later, they were not able to equalize the game and prevent a fourth consecutive defeat.

2017年3月21日火曜日

Match Review 4th Sec : VS Kyoto Sanga at City Light Stadium on March 19

Okayama 2 Kyoto Sanga 1

The total attendance:10,214




This sec, Okayama are expected to make a victory. A goal keeper, Ichimori and a defender, Kukita were in the starting line-up. Veteran, Akamine was back on the reserve list. He was expected to play as a chance-taker.


Two minutes after the kickoff, Kukita nearly found the net. In the 5th minute, a young striker, Toyokawa swerved a shot, passed by a playmaker, Sekido. Two minutes later, he took a header. In the
16th minute, he was not able to grasp another chance. Afterwards, the club's attackers aggressively push forward, but were not able to make an opening goal. A Korean midfielder, PARK Hyong-Jin's corner was denied by the rival. The first half ended in a scoreless tie.


Right after the interval, a young attacker, Fujimoto failed to provide a pass with Toyokawa. In the 54th minute, Kukita's header misfired. Four minutes later, an attacker, Otake came off the bench. In the 61st minute, the red-uniformed men conceded an opener. In the 75th minute, Fujimoto tried to make an equalizer. After that, he was replaced by a veteran forward, Akamine. Three minutes later, an attacker, Mimura came in to chance the game. In the 89th minute, Akamine stroke an excellent equalizer, bringing forces to his team. During the added time, Akamine made a clincher with a penalty, giving his club the first victory this season.

2017年3月18日土曜日

Match Preview 4th Sec : VS Kyoto Sanga at City Light Stadium on March 19

Kyoto are the former division 1 club and seems powerful enough to compete for the playoffs, because the rival finished in the 5th place and advanced to the playoffs. Therefore, Okayama are required to defeat the powerful club for the promotion to the upper league.


Before this season, Sanga successfully enhanced their strength, acquiring ex-international, Marcus Tulio TANAKA. He is well-experienced and can be influential in the team. And also, another former international Oguro came back to the club. He can be the one to watch out for.


On March 12, Sanga met former division 1 club, Avispa Fukuoka. Marcus Tulio TANAKA did not appear at this sec. Right after the kickoff, Kyoto conceded a goal and struggled to take the initiative. After the break, Fukuoka added a second. Later, Sanga's midfield player, Sento found the net, but Kyoto failed
to equalize the match.

2017年3月16日木曜日

Match Review 3rd Sec : VS Machida Zelvia at Machida Athletic Stadium on March 12

Okayama 1 Machida Zelvia 1

The total attendance:4,205




Both clubs have not made a victory so far this season. This sec, an experienced playmaker, Otake was listed as a substitute, while, a midfield player, Sekido was back as a starter. A young attacker, Ishige was listed on the reserve list. He was expected to play as chance-taker.


During the match, Okayama struggled to the initiative of the game. The club's defenders made efforts to stop the rival's offence. In the 17th minute, Ito provided a cross, but it was denied by Machida's goal keeper. In the 27th minute, a young forward, Fujimoto's attempt misfired. A minute later, the red-uniformed men were not able to grasp the chance with their corner kick.In the 44th minute, an attacker, Ito's free kick was cleared by Machida.The first half ended in a scoreless tie.


Two minutes after the break, Okayama conceded a goal. Right after that, Zelvia's forward, Toshima seemed to add a second, however, it was luckily an offside. In the 56th minute, Nagasawa's men successfully equalized the game due to the opponent's own goal. In the 62nd minute, Ito's free kick didn't work well. In the 72nd minute, Ishige came off the bench to change the game. Two minutes later, Fujimoto tried to creat a chance. In the 85th minute, Ito was replaced by Otake. Five minutes later, Otake provided a cross, but Okayama were not able to make a clincher, as a result, the match ended in a tie. 

2017年3月14日火曜日

At Machida Athletic Stadium on March 12


These flags make the stadium more like Machida Zelvia's home. 


There is shuttle bus service between Tsurukawa station and the stadium. 



This food stand came from Okayama. Hiruzen Fried noodle could be purchased.




Lots of Fagiano Supporters  came to the stadium.



This sec, 4,205 fans came to the stadium.

2017年3月10日金曜日

Match Preview 3rd Sec : VS Machida Zelvia at Machida Athletic Stadium on March 12

Last season, Machida ended up in the seventh place with the same point with Okayama. It seems that they showed better performances than expected, therefore, the rival can be the barrier for the red-uniformed men this year.
 

After the last season, one of the main forces, a Dutch defender, Calvin Jong-a-Pin left the club for Yokohama FC, therefore, the club made a deal with a young defender, Okuyama from Renofa Yamaguchi. A Veteran forward, Nakashima is the key player. He has scored 14 goals last year.


At the last sec, Zelvia had a tie game against Kamatamare Sanuki on March 5. During the match, Machida aggressively pushed forward. In the 45th minute, Nakashima made an opening goal. After the break, Zelvia conceded two goals, however, during the added time, a defender, Matsumoto made an equalizer, bringing one point to his team. 

2017年3月7日火曜日

Match Review 2nd Sec : VS Roasso Kumamoto at City Light Stadium on March 5

Okayama 1 Roasso Kumamoto 1

The total attendance:10,286 



This is the opening match at the club's home stadium. This sec, an experienced playmaker, Otake played as a starter. A rookie midfield player, Tsukagawa was listed as a substitute. While, former Fagiano man, Ueda was not list for this match.


During the match, Nagasawa's men kept pushing forward with pace and creating chances. In the 2nd minute, Otake provided a cross, but it was denied. In the 20th minute, he provided another cross, however, it didn't work well. A young attacker, Toyokawa aggressively tried to steer a shot. In the 33rd minute, a young striker, Fujimoto failed to make an opener. In the 36th minute, a midfielder, Tanaka was not able to make a cross. The first half ended in a scoreless tie. 


Two minutes after the interval, Toyokawa headed an opening goal, assisted by a veteran, Kaji. Three minutes later, Fujimoto tried to add a second. In the 61st minute, a defensive midfield player, Watanabe swerved a shot. Four minutes later, Tsukagawa made a debut. In the 70th minute, he stroke a mid-range shot. Afterwards, an attacker, Mimura came off the bench. Right after that, he was not able to grasp the chance. In the 82nd minute, a young goalkeeper, Kushibiki showed an excellent saving. Three minutes later, Tsukagawa couldn't get a game-deciding score. During the added time, the game was shockingly equalized. As a result, Okayama failed to make the first victory this season.

2017年3月3日金曜日

Match Preview 2nd Sec : VS Roasso Kumamoto at City Light Stadium on March 5

After the last season, Kumamoto's ace attacker, Kiyotake left for JEF United Chiba. And also, former Fagiano's man, KIM Tae Yeon's contract expired. It seems that the club are expected to
struggle this year. 


Another former Fagiano's defender, Ueda still plays for Roasso. He is expected to appear as the first-choice. An experienced forward, AN Byong-Jun joined Kumamoto on a loan from Kawasaki Frontale. He is expected to cover for Kiyotake.
 

At the last sec, Kumamoto met Kamatamare Sanuki on Feb 26. During the match, North Korean striker, An Byong-jun showed a phenomenal performance, giving Roasso a two-goal advantage. Later, Kumamoto conceded a goal, however, the club successfully defeated Sanuki.


This is the first match for Okayama at their home staduim this season. There is expected to be lots of fans coming to watch the remarkable match.