Match Preview 14th Sec : VS Avispa Fukuoka at Level- 5 Stadium on May 17

Fukuoka, the former division 1 team, is one of the top choices for the playoffs, however, in recent years, Avispa has struggled in the lower league. The home team has never advanced to the playoffs since the demotion into the division 2 in 2012. Last season, Okayama had 1 victory and 1 draw against Avispa.


In Fukuoka, the former Japan international defender, Ihara joined as a head coach this season. One of the key players is Noriyoshi SAKAI, which is a promising midfielder on a loan from Albirex Niigata. His brother, Gotoku SAKAI plays in Germany now. An experienced goal keeper, Kamiyama is also remarkable. He has been playing for Avispa for 13 years since he graduated from high school.


At last sec, Fukuoka played against Tochigi FC and the match ended scoreless. Because of the tight schedule during the golden week, both teams were in a low gear, struggling to score.    


For the first three secs, Avispa suffered three losses in a row, however, now Ihara's men has been in a good shape, which stays 5th position with 24 points. Avispa is higher than Okayama in position as of now. During the game, Fagiano should be active to attack in Fukuoka's side to try to score an opening goal to take advantage.

Match Review 13th Sec : VS Zweigen Kanazawa at Ishikawa Kanazawa Stadium on May 9

Okayama 1 Zweigen Kanazawa 1

It was cloudy, not so hot, not so cold, an ideal weather for a football match. The total attendance was 3,745. According to the reports, lots of Fagiano fans gathered at the stadium.

This sec, the head coach, Nagasawa placed a midfielder Senoo as a starter for the first time this season. He is from Okayama, the hope of the locals. Chiaki, Watanabe and Tadokoro were back in the starting line-up. On the other hand, Kanazawa's squad had been almost same as the last a few sects.

After the kickoff, both teams were solid in defense, therefore, they struggled to create chances. In 19 minutes, an attacker, Katayama took a shot, but failed. Fagiano were not able to break down a disciplined Zweigen defence during the first half.

After the interval, in the 5^th minutes, Katayama scored an excellent opener, assisted by an ace forward, Oshitani, bringing forces to Okayama. Then, Nagasawa's men sent Yajima to the pitch and tried to attack more actively for the clincher. However, in the 76^th minutes, Korean, Cha Young-Hwan connected well with a Kanazawa forward, Mizunaga's pass. After that, Okayama were not able to find the target. The match ended in a tie. Fagiano maintains 9^th position after 13^th sec. 

Match Preview 13th Sec : VS Zweigen Kanazawa at Ishikawa Kanazawa Stadium on May 9

Last season, Kanazawa won the championship in the division 3 with a devastating force and were promoted to the division 2 this term, therefore, this is the first time for Fagiano to face the home team in the league.

In Zweigen, the former Sagawa Shiga FC midfielder, Kiyohara is the one to watch out for. He has already scored 8 goals including five penalty kicks this season, he has failed a penalty kick only one time this season. He has been ever-present this term with good performances even though this is his first time to play in the division 2.

At last sec, Kanazawa played against Tokushima Vortis in a tie. Kiyohara failed to score a decider by a penalty kick.

This newcomer has been the powerhouse in the league. Zweigen currently stays the 1st position with 26 points. Needless to say, their breakthrough is one of the surprises this season because before the opening of this term, most critics considered that Kanazawa is likely to be demoted to division 3. 

Match Review 12th Sec : VS Tochigi FC at City Light Stadium on May 6

Okayama 0 Tochigi FC 0

Tight schedule still continues. It has been only three days since the last sec. On the last day of golden week, 9,599 fans gathered at the stadium.

In recent secs, Fagiano's the starting line-up has changed a lot, however, the former Japan internationals, Kaji and Iwamasa, goalkeeper, Nakabayashi have been ever-present since the opening of this season. On the other hand, Tochigi's forward, Sakano was on the reserve list.

Right after the kickoff, an ace forward, Oshitani had a big chance to strike an opening goal, saved by Tochigi's goalkeeper, Sakurai. In the 25th minutes, Okayama's midfielder, Shimada took a nice shot, but couldn't score. Tochigi also had lots of chances, however, the first half ended in a tie. It was like a seesaw game.

After the interval, both teams struggled to take the control of the match. In Tochigi, a remarkable forward, Sakano was sent into the pitch, while the head coach Nagasawa placed Senoo and Takeda in the field. Even though, home team had lots of opportunities, they were not able to score a decider.The match ended scoreless.

Match Preview 12th Sec : VS Tochigi FC at City Light Stadium on May 6

Tochigi has been the rival for Fagiano since both belonged to Japan Football League in 2008. However, in recent years, The visitors have been hovering near the bottom. The overall record standing of Fagiano against Tochigi is six victories, five losses and two draws.


In Tochigi, an attacker, Sakano who came to Tochigi on a loan from Urawa Reds is a key player. He has been ever-present since the begining of the season with three goals. He hasn't scored a goal since the 10th sec. 


At the last sec, Tochigi played against Roasso Kumamoto in a tie. At the end of the game, Tochigi's midfielder Nakami scored an equalizer, bringing a point to his team.


Tochigi now struggles in the league with 12 points at 16th position after the last sec, therefore, Fagiano should be active to dominate the match to make a victory for sure.

Match Review 11th Sec : VS V･Varen Nagasaki at Nagasaki Athletic Stadium on May 3

Okayama 2 V Varen Nagasaki 2 

The second match during golden week holidays took place in Nagasaki. 3,683 fans in total gathered at the stadium even though it was rainy on that day.

It seems that the head coach, Nagasawa carefully considered the starting line-up, which was quite different from the last sec, in order to give some rest to regulars. A goalkeeper, Nakabayashi, Iwamasa, Takeda and Kaji were listed as squads as well as the last sec.

During the first half, who came to the stadium. Varen dominated the match and in the 16th minutes, Azuma scored an opening goal to give more forces to the home teams.

After the stressful first half, Nagasaki's Korean forward, Lee Yong-Jae played an active part to show off his performances to the Korean international coach. Fagiano struggled to change the game. As a result, in the 52 minutes, Lee Yong-Jae stroke an excellent goal. In the 55 minutes, Nagasawa sent Oshitani and Yajima to the pitch. In the 57 minutes, Okayama attacker, Katayama scored a goal. In the 65 minutes, unluckily, Ueda was kicked off the court.Right before the end of the match, Fagiano's captian, Iwamasa's equalizer brought the team back from the brink of defeat. The visitors barely obtained one point in a tie.

Match Preview 11th Sec : VS V･Varen Nagasaki at Nagasaki Athletic Stadium on May 3

Nagasaki is one of the rivals for the playoffs. Varen has advanced to the playoffs in 2013, which was the first year in J league division 2 for them. The overall record standing of Fagiano against Nagasaki is one victory,  no losses and three draws.

The former Japan international forward, Takuya Takagi is the head coach. In the home team, needless to say, defenders are stable such as Tone who used to play for Nagoya. Another defender, Kishida has also played as a regular since the begining of this season. 

At last sec, Nagasaki was defeated against FC Gifu. Varen struggled to score during the game and ended up with no score. 

Nagasaki is solid in defence, therefore,  the match is expected to be too close to call. Fagiano want to strike an opening goal in an early time to dominate the match.