2021 Season Review:The club showed the hope for the next season

In 2021, Okayama finished in the 11th position with 59 points out of 22 club. The club constantly stayed around the mid-table and were not able to compete for the promotion.


During the first half of the season, the club struggled to obtain points, however, the red-uniformed men barely stayed in the mid table throughout the season since their defenders made a strong showing with only 36 goals conceded, which is the second best in the league.


During the summer, the club signed with some attacking talents such as Ishige and Mitchell Duke. They made a great contribution to enhace the club's offensive strength. The former scored six goals and the latter scored three respectively. The club's performance during the second half of the season gives the hope for the upcoming season.


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

The club's transfer information #3 / 2021

An experienced forward, Yamamoto leaves the club. He joined the club in the summber of 2019. His shooting ability helped a lot.  


The club won't extend the contract with Brazilian striker, Brenner Marlos for the next season. He came to Okayama in the summer of 2021, but he couldn't play the game a lot.  

Head coach, Arima departs from Okayama. He led the club for three years. His leadership and experiences helped a lot to improve the club's strength. 

The club's transfer information #2 / 2021

Another new signing is Tanaka from Waseda University. This young midfield player has played for U18 international. He can be the one to improve the club's strength.


Veteran defender, Tanaka won't play for the club next year. He came to Okayama in 2019. Since then, he has been the one whom the club's youngsters should learn. 

An experienced side back, Masutani leaves the club. He joined the club in the summber of 2019. However, he has suffered from injuries mostly during his time in Okayama.

The club's transfer information #1 / 2021

The club signed with a young goal keeper, Taniguchi from Hitachi high school. He is 194cm tall and has a superb ball-keeping skills. He might play as the first choice in the near future.


Young playmaker, Sano joins the club from Yonago Nishi High school. He is from Tsuyama city in Okayama prefecture. He can be the one to cover up for veteran playmakers, Kiyama and Paulinho in the future. 

One-club man, Shiina leaves the club. This veteran goal keeper joined the club in 2009 and made an establish presence there.

Match Review 42nd Sec : VS JEF United Chiba at City Light Stadium on December 5

Okayama 1 JEF United Chiba 3

The total attendance:6,813

 

This is the last match of this season. Head coach, Arima placed the same starting line-up as the last sec.  Arima's men seemed highly motivated to see the coach off with their victory at the last game, led by him as a head coach.


Three minutes after the kickoff, free kick was given to the home club. Ishige tried to find the net with his set-pieces. Right after that, Abe tried to open the score, crossed by Miyazaki. Paulinho's mid-range shot was off target. Afterwards, Okayama struggled to have have a ball possession. At the end of the first half, the home club conceded an opening goal.


Four minutes after the break, Chiba added a second. In the 53th minute, LEE Yong-Jae came off the bench to change the game. In the 60th minute, Umeda showed a fine saving. Three minutes later, the red-uniformed men conceded a third. Later, they still struggled to keep pushing forward. In the 86th minute, Kawano's attempt was off target. During the added time, LEE Yong-Jae smash the net, but Okayama lost to the rival.

Match Preview 42nd Sec : VS JEF United Chiba at City Light Stadium on December 5

On May 9th, Okayama had a miserable defeat against Chiba. In the 22nd minute, the visitors conceded an opening goal. In the 25th minute, Kawamoto stroke an excellent equalizer. However, two minutes later, Chiba added a second. Later, Arima's men struggled to dominate the game.  Four minutes after the break, a penalty was given to the rival and they added third. In the 85th minute, the red-uniformed men conceded a clincher. Afterwards, during the added time, Hikida smash the net, but it was too late. The game ended in 2 - 4.


This is the last match of this season so that Okayama are expected to defeat the rival and bring a joy to their fans at City Light Stadium.