2017年6月29日木曜日

Match Preview 21th Sec : VS Mito Hollyhock at City Light Stadium on July 1

Last season, Hollyhock ended up in the 13th place and performed better than expected. This term, the team aim for the mid-table of the division 2 league even though some main forces such as Peruvian attacker, Romero Frankleft left the club before this season.


This season, Mito made a deal with Matsumoto Yamaga's attacker, Maeda on a loan. This season, he has been in a good shape. He has already scored seven goals. He can be the one to watch out for.


On June 25, after the kickoff, Mito aggressively pushed forward against Kamatamare Sanuki , however, the first half ended in a scoreless tie. After the interval, both clubs scored one goal. Later, during the added time, Mito's attacker, Funatani made a clincher, bringing his team five victories in a row. Mito now stay in the fourth place of the division 2.

2017年6月27日火曜日

Match Review 20th Sec : VS Matsumoto Yamaga FC at Matsumotodaira Football Stadium on June 25

Okayama 1 Matsumoto Yamaga FC 1

The total attendance:10,094



This sec, a veteran forward, Akamine was back in the starting line-up. He was expected to play as a finisher. An experienced playmaker, Otake stood by as a substitute. While, a former Okayama's striker, Ishihara played as a starter.


A minute after the kickoff, a young attacker, Ishige blazed the ball. Seven minutes later, a young striker, Toyokawa stroke a mid-range shot, provided by Akamine. In the 19th minute, the veteran forward took a header, but it was denied. Three minutes later, a goal keeper, Ishimori showed a fine saving. In the 25th minute, Okayama's defenders barely blocked Ishihara's shot. In the 37th minute, Akamine was not able to grasp a chance in the box. Two minutes later, the red-uniformed men conceded an opening goal.


After the break, Okayama struggled to create chances. In the 49th minute, Toyokawa tried to equalize the game. Ten minutes later, he had another chance, but it was not successful. In the 62nd minute, he failed to provide a pass with Akamine. In the 75th minute, Ishige was replaced by Otake.In the 78th minute, Otake's corner was denied by the rival. Four minutes later, Toyokawa made an equalizer. Two minutes later, Ichimori saved a penalty, encouraging his teammates. In the 87th minute, a captain, Kiyama was not able to score a clincher. Two minutes later, a veteran defender, Sawaguchi came off the bench, but he was able to change game. As a result, the match ended in a tie.

2017年6月23日金曜日

Match Preview 20th Sec : VS Matsumoto Yamaga FC at Matsumotodaira Football Stadium on June 25

Matsumoto are one of the title hopefuls in the division 2 league. Last year, the rival finished in the 3rd place and were defeated by Okayama at the semi-final in the playoffs. In order for Fagiano to chase the top group, they are expected to beat the opponent again.


As of now, two former Fagiano men such as an attacker, Ishihara and an experienced defender, Goto played for Matsumoto. They have been almost ever-present this season and can be the ones to watch out for since these two men know well about Okayama.


At the last sec, Matsumoto aggressively pushed forward, taking the initiative of the game. In the 21st minute, Matsumoto's ace striker, Takasaki grabbed an opening goal. After the break, Yamaga added a second, securing their victory.

2017年6月19日月曜日

Match Review 19th Sec : VS FC Gifu at City Light Stadium on June 17

Okayama 1 FC Gifu 1

The total attendance:8,855



This sec, Okayama's starting lline-up was the same as the last sec. A veteran defender, Sawaguchi was back from an injury. A veteran forward, Akamine stood by as a substitute. He was expected to finalize the game. While, Gifu's playmaker, Shoji played as as starter.


Two minutes after the kickoff, a centre back, Shinohara's header was denied by Gifu's goalkeeper. Seven minutes later, a young playmaker, Tsukagawa tried to make an opener, crossed by a young attacker, Ishige. In the 18th minute, Tsukagawa failed to grasp another chance. In the 28th minute, a young striker, Toyokawa tried to create a chance. Four minutes later, a young attacker, Katayama took the long-ranged throw in, but it didn't work well. In the 40th minute, Shinohara pushed forward and tried to make a chance, but it was blocked by the opponent. Four minutes later, Ishige's corner was denied. The first period ended in a scoreless tie.


Four minutes after the interval, Katayama's shot misfired. Two minutes later, the red-uniformed captain, Kiyama failed to provide a cross. In the 52nd minute, Toyokawa made an excellent opening goal, encouraging his teammates. In the 64th minute, Ishige's corner was blocked by the visitors. In the 69th minute,
Akamine came off the bench to finalize the game. Right after that, he almost found the net. Three minutes later, Ishige was replaced by an attacker, Mimura. In the 80th minute, Mimura drove a shot. Four minutes later, Okayama conceded an equalizer. In the 87th minute, a young attacker, Fujimoto came
in. Afterwards, Nagasawa's men were not able to make a clincher. The match ended in a tie.

2017年6月16日金曜日

Match Preview 19th Sec : VS FC Gifu at City Light Stadium on June 17

Last season, the club barely made it to remain in the division 2 league, ending up in the 20th place. After the season, most of their players left the club. Even though their priority this year is to avoid relegation, Gifu have been doing better than expected.


In 2017, the club made an agreement with a head coach, Oki, who used to work for Kyoto Sanga and Ventforet Kofu as a coach. The rival acquired a talented playmaker, Shoji. He can be the one to trigger the team's offence. He has scored two goals this term.


On June 11, Gifu faced Ehime FC. During the match, Oki's men struggled to take the initiative of the match. After the break, Gifu conceded two goals, and as a result, the club were defeated. Okayama are expected to beat the rival, in order to chase the top group.

2017年6月14日水曜日

Emperor's cup 2017:The club meet FC Imabari at the second round

The long-awaited Emperor's cup is going to take place soon. It is known that the cup winner is qualified to AFC Champions League. Since Fagiano belong to the division 2 now, this is an only chance for the club to obtain the spot.


This year, Okayama face Imabari FC at City Light Stadium on June 21st. The rival belong to Japan Football League, aiming for J League division 3. Imabari defeated the division 3 club, FC Ryukyu at the first round of this composition.


This match, Okayama's head coach, Nagasawa is expected to place some fresh men in the starting line-up. I personally expect to see a young striker, Ishikawa, the product of the club's academy.

2017年6月12日月曜日

Match Review 18th Sec : VS Renofa Yamaguchi at Yamaguchi Ishin Park Stadium on June 11

Okayama 1 Renofa Yamaguchi 0

The total attencdance:6,061 



This sec, a veteran forward, Akamine was back on the reserve list from his injury. He was expected to finalize the game. It seems that a goalkeeper, Ichimori has become a firm fixture in the starting line-up. While, former Fagiano attacker, Okamoto did not appear at this sec.


During the match, the red-uniformed men aggressively pushed forward. Two minutes after the kickoff, an experienced defender, Kukita smashed the net, bringing forces to his team. In the 7th minute, a young attacker, Ishige failed to provide a cross. In the 15th minute, a young striker, Toyokawa's shot was denied by Yamaguchi's goalkeeper. In the 35th minute, Ichimori showed a superb saving, encouraging his team. Four minutes later, a legend, Kaji's shot ballooned. In the 43rd minute, Ishige's free kick was blocked by the opponent. 


After the break, Ishige stroke a long-range shot, but it didn't work well. In the 53rd minute, a Korean attacker, Park failed to provide a cross. In the 61st minute, Toyokawa was replaced by
Akamine. Two minutes later, Park missed another chance. In the 75th minute, an experience playmaker, Otake came off the bench. Right after that, he created a chance with Akamine. In the 77th minute, Otake's cross was blocked. Afterwards, Okayama struggled to possess a ball. In the 88th minute, an
attacker, Mimura came in. Later, Okayama made a strong showing and successfully kept a clear sheet against the rival. 

2017年6月9日金曜日

Match Preview 18th Sec : VS Renofa Yamaguchi at Yamaguchi Ishin Park Stadium on June 11

This is PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU derby match. Last term, Yamaguchi made a breakthough, finishing in the 12th place even though this was the first year for the team to play in the division 2. However, before this season, some of main forces left Yamaguchi so that the team seems quite different from the last term.


Former Fagiano forward, Okamoto can be the one to watch out for. He knows Okayama well so that the red-uniformed men are required to mark him carefully. An ace attacker, Kishida is one of the key players, he has scored two goals so far in 2017.


At the last sec, Yamaguchi were defeated by Yokohama FC. During the match, they struggled pushing forward, as a result, they couldn't get a game-deciding score. After this match, the bottom club unveiled that they made an agreement with a new head coach, Carlos Alberto MAYOR.

2017年6月6日火曜日

Match Review 17th Sec : VS JEF United Chiba at City Light Stadium on June 3

Okayama 2 JEF United Chiba 1

The total attendance:9,644 



This sec, a rookie playmaker, Tsukagawa was back in the starting line-up. While, another rookie, Takeda stood by as a substitute. Young attackers, Katayama and Fujimoto were listed on the reserve list. They were expected to finalize the game.


During the match, Nagasawa's men struggled to have more possession. In the 3rd minute, a young striker, Ishige aimed for an opener with his long-range shot. In the 16th minute, Tsukagawa took a header. One minute later, he stroke another shot, but it misfired. Two minutes later, a young attacker, Toyokawa failed to score an opening goal. In the 27th minute, a goalkeeper, Ichimori showed a fantastic saving. In the 34th minute, the home club conceded an opener. Four minutes later, an experienced defensive midfielder, Watanabe was replaced by Katayama due to his injury. Right before the break, he drove a superb equalizer.


Three minutes after the break, a defender, Kukita tried to add a second from Ishige's corner. In the 51st minute, Toyokawa was not able to grasp the chance. Three minutes later, Ishige added an excellent second, assisted by Katayama. In the 67th minute, Katayama's shot was denied by the rival's goalkeeper. Five minutes later, Ichimori showed another fine saving, encouraging his teammates. In the 81st minute, Fujimoto came off the bench to conclude the game. In the 89th minute, he failed to receive Ishige's pass. Later, the red-uniformed men made a strong showing, beating Chiba.

2017年6月1日木曜日

Match Preview 17th Sec : VS JEF United Chiba at City Light Stadium on June 3

Last season, Chiba betrayed the expectations of their fans, finishing in the 11th place, which is the worst performance in the division 2 in the club's history. This term, the rival can be in a promotion race, competing with Okayama.


Before this season, some talented players left JEF such as Ide, Nagasawa and Onaiwu. However, the rival made an agreement with Kumamoto's ace attacker, Kiyotake. He has scored 12 goals in 37 appearances. Okayama's defenders are required to mark him carefully.  


On June 3, Chiba defeated Ehime FC. Even though Chiba conceded an opening goal, during the first period, they scored three goals, dominating the game. After the break, Chiba's defender, Kondo made a clincher, securing their victory.