Match Review 1st Sec : VS Tokushima Vortis at Pocarisweat Stadium on February 25

Okayama 1  Tokushima Vortis 0

The total attendance:8,753

　　　　　


This is the opening match of this season. Six men in the starting line-up were the ones who joined the club after the last season. A veteran striker, Akamine was listed as a starter and expected to play as a chance-taker.


After the kickoff, Okayama were obviously in the driving seat. In the 2nd minute, a playmaker, Ueda had a chance, provided by Akamine. Seven minutes later, a young playmaker, Tsukagawa almost found the net, crossed by Ueda. In the 22nd minute, Ueda's corner didn't work well. After that, a Korean attacker, Lee Yong-jae tried to creat a chance. In the 27th minute, Tsukagawa made a superb opener with his header. In the 37th minute, Akamine was not able to grasp a chance. Right before the break, he near added a second.


After the interval, on the other hand, the rival took the initiative of the game. Okayama struggled to push forward. In the 63th minutes, Lee Yong-jae was replaced by an experienced forward, Saito. Seven minutes later, a goal keeper, Ichimori showed an excellent saving. Later, Tokushima missed several chances to equalizae the match. In the 75th minutes, an attacker, Nakama came off the bench, but three minutes later, he was sent off for his foul. In the 86th　minutes, Ichimori showed a good defence. During the added time, a midfielder, Sueyoshi came in.　Afterwards, the red-uniformed men successfully kept a clean sheet, defeating the rival at PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU DERBY.