2020 Season Review:Some players were constantly sidelined throughout the season

In 2020, Okayama finished at the 17th position with 50 points out of 22 club. The club constantly struggled around the mid-table and were not able to compete for the promotion.


In covid-19 pandemic, all of the J League clubs faced difficulties due to the tight schedule. Therefore, during the season, the club constantly had some players on an injury list so that it was tough to place best players in the starting line-up.


2019 top scorer of the club, LEE Yong-Jae was one of them who missed some matches due to his injury. He only scored six goals in 2020, less than 12 goals in 2019. Other attackers, Uejo and Yamamoto scored seven and six goals respectively, but there were no players with more than ten goals this season.


It has been already announced that the club would not extend the contracts with veteran players such as Ueda, Akamine and Goto. Therefore, the club are expected to sign with some young talents to enhance their strength.

Match Review 42nd Sec : VS Ventforet Kofu at Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium on December 20

Okayama 2  Ventforet Kofu 0

The total attendance:4,008

 

This was the last match of this season.  Four veteran players, Mukuhara, Goto, Ueda and Akamine were listed in the starting line-up. It was the last match for them in the red-uniform. 

 

Two minutes after the kickoff, Ueda's mid-range shot was off target. In the 13th minute, his corner was blocked by the home club. In the 31st minute, Shirai smashed the net with a superb opener, assisted by Uejo. Five minutes later, Mukuhara failed to add a second. Right before the interval, Hamada doubled their lead with his excellent strike.

A minute after the break,  Yamamoto's attempt was denied by the opponent. In the 57th minute, Ueda missed the chance to add a third with his free kick. In the 67th minute, Abe was on for Akamine. In the 83rd minute, goal keeper, Kanamaya showed an amazing saving.  During the added time, he made another fine saving. As a result, the red-uniformed men successfully defeated the rival.

Match Preview 42nd Sec : VS Ventforet Kofu at Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium on December 20

At the 19th sec, Okayama host Kofu. After the kickoff, Okayama aggressively kept pressuring against the rival. In the 2nd minute, Hamada missed the chance to find the net. In the 18th minute, Uejo's attempt was off target. Seven minutes after the break, Ueda came off the bench to change game. In the 77th minute, Shimoguchi nearly smashed the net. Afterwards, they were not able to clinch the game. The match ended in a scoreless tie.

Match Review 41st Sec : VS Thespakusatsu Gunma at Shoda Shoyu Stadium on December 16

Okayama 0 Thespakusatsu Gunma 2 

The total attendance:1,274

This sec, veteran goal keeper, Kanayama started the game for the first time this season.  An experienced centre back, Hamada was back as a starter. 

After the kickoff, Okayama struggled to create chances. In the 16th minute, Uejo's cross was blocked by the opponent. Seven minutes later, Okayama conceded an opening goal.  In the 28th minute, Yamamoto's header was off target.  Afterwards, the visitors had a possession but couldn't create chances. 

Three minutes after the break, Saito almost made an equalizer, but it was blocked by former Fagiano goal keeper, Matsubara. In the 63rd minute, Uejo missed the chance to equal the game.  A minute later, Akamine came off the bench to change the game.  However, in the 86th minute, the red-uniformed men conceded a clincher. During the added time, Fukumoto couldn't smash the net with his header.

Match Preview 41st Sec : VS Thespakusatsu Gunma at Shoda Shoyu Stadium on December 16

On August 22nd, Okayama welcomed Gunma. In the 20th minute, Uejo nearly smashed the net. In the 42nd minute. he made his effort to change the game. The first half ended in a scoreless tie. Three minutes after the break, LEE Yong-Jae almost found the net. In the 55th minute, the home club conceded an opening goal. During the added time, Mimura missed the chance for an equalizer.

Match Review 40th Sec : VS Montedio Yamagata at ND soft Stadium on December 13

Okayama 0  Montedio Yamagata 2 

The total attendance:4,561

This sec, young centre back, Abe started the game. Veterean playmaker, Uda was back in the starting line-up. Another veteran striker, Akamine stood by as a substitute to change the game. 

Two minutes after the kickoff, Okayama conceded an opening goal. Afterwards, the visitors struggled to attack forward. In the 19th minute, the opponent added a second. In the 25th minute, Popp William showed a fine saving. Later, the red-uniformed men were mostly forced to play on their own side. 

Abe was replaced by Hamada. In the 52nd minute, Uejo's strike was denied by Yamagata's goal keeper, Fujishima.  In the 65th minute, his another attempt was off target.  Afterwards, the visitors struggled to create chances. In the 87th minute, Akamine was on for Saito, but Okayama could not smash the net. 

Match Preview 40th Sec : VS Montedio Yamagata at ND soft Stadium on December 13

Okayama host Yamagata on September 23rd. Three minutes after the kickoff, goal keeper, Popp William made a fine saving. In the 34th minute, Shimizu was replaced by Saito due to his injury. The first half ended in a scoreless tie. Four minutes after the break, Saito smashed the net with his spectacular header, crossed by Shirai. In the 80th minute, the game was equalized by the opponent. In the 87th minute, Paulinho almost found the net. Four minutes later, he made a clincher with a penalty. The red-uniformed men successfully obtained three points. 

Match Review 39th Sec : VS FC Ryukyu at Tapic Kenso Hiyagon Stadium on December 6

Okayama 1  Ryukyu 1

The total attendance:1,609

This sec, Shirai was back as a starter. Former Ryukyu men, Tokumoto and Uejo were listed in the starting line-up. Ueda stood by as a substitute. 

After the kickoff, Okayama struggled to have a possession. In the 5th minute, Tokumoto's cross was blocked by the opponent. In the 25th minute, Popp William showed a fine saving. Afterwards, Arima's men were mostly forced to play on their own side. In the 40th minute, LEE Yong-Jae nearly smash the net with his mid-range shot. The first half ended in a scoreless tie.

11 minutes after the break, Saito almost opened the score. Two minutes later, head coach, Arima sent three men, Yamamoto, Sekido and Ueda onto the pitch. In the 25th minute, a penalty was given to the visitors. Ueda scored an opening goal. In the 81st minute, the red-uniformed men conceded an equalizer. In the 88th minute, Shimizu was on for Saito to clinch the game, but the match ended in a tie. 

Match Preview 39th Sec : VS FC Ryukyu at Tapic Kenso Hiyagon Stadium on December 6

At the 9th sec, Okayama welcomed Ryukyu. During the match, Okayama struggled to have a possession. The home club had few chances, however, Mimura smashed the net, encouraging his team mates. Afterwards, the game remained the same. Arima's men showed a solid defense against the rival. Mimura and Shimizu were replaced by Sekido and Lee Yong-Jae respectively to change the game. However, in the 59th minute, Ryukyu made an equalizer with their free kick. In the 84th minute, it was turned around by the visitors. As a result, the red-uniformed men dropped three points.

Match Review 38th Sec : VS Avispa Fukuoka at Pikara Stadium on December 2

Okayama 1 Avispa Fukuoka 1

 

The total attendance: 1,181 

This sec,  two veteran players, Tanaka and Akamine were back in the starting line-up. It'd been announced that Akamine leaves the club after the season. He was expected to score his first goal this term. 

 

In the 12th minute, Hamada tried to find the net from their set pieces. Later, Okayama aggressively kept attacking forward, but they struggled to create chances. In the 41st minute, LEE Yong-Jae nearly opened the score, crossed by Ueda. While, the red-uniformed defenders made efforts to keep a clean sheet until the break. 

 

Four minutes after the interval, Saito's  attempt was side-netted.  In the 53rd minute, the home club conceded an opening goal. In the 58th minute, LEE Yong-Jae stroke an excellent equalizer with his header.  Three minutes later, Shirai and Shimizu were on for Ueda and Akamine.  However, afterwards, they struggled to clinch the game. As a result, the match ended in a tie.

Match Preview 38th Sec : VS Avispa Fukuoka at Pikara Stadium on December 2

On July 25th, Okayama visited Fukuoka. During the first half, Okayama struggled to create chances. In the 40th minute, Arima's men conceded an opening goal.In the 59th minute, An experienced playmaker, Ueda almost found the net with his free kick. Six minutes later, goal keeper, Popp William made a fine saving. The red-uniformed men failed to equalize the game despite their efforts.