Match Review 12th Sec : VS Albirex Niigata at City Light Stadium on August 15

Okayama 1 Albirex Niigata 0

The total attendance:2,050

Head coach, Arima placed five fresh players in the starting line-up such as Goto, Mimura, Sekido, Lee Yong-Jae and Yamamoto. Former Fagiano man, Shimada started the game.


Right after the kickoff, a free kick was given to the home club. Mimura showed a volley from the set-piece. In the
11th minute, he had another chance, but it was denied by Niigata's goal keeper. In the 31st minute, Lee, Yong-Jae entered the box, but his cross was blocked. Before the break, Shirai's free kick was saved by the rival's keeper. The first half ended in a scoreless tie.


Six minutes after the interval, Mimura missed the chance to open the score. In the 64th minute, an attacker, Shimizu came off the bench. Five minutes later, Lee Yong-Jae's header was denied by the opponent's keeper. In the 81st minute, Ueda's free kick was denied by the visitors. Five minutes later, Shirai smashed the net with his fantastic opener. As a result, the red-uniformed men successfully defeated the former division 1 club.