Match Preview 21st Sec : VS Kyoto Sanga F.C. at City Light Stadium on July 4

Kyoto, the former division 1 club, is one of the top choices for the playoffs, however, in recent years, Sanga has struggled in the lower league since 2011. The last season, Sanga finished at the 9th position after Fagiano. Okayama had one draw and one loss against the visitors in 2014.


In Kyoto, there are lots of well-known players such as a veteran forward, Oguro was the former Japan international. He was the top scorer of division 2 in 2014. This season, he has already scored ten goals so far. He is the one to watch out for. The former Vissel Kobe's attacker, Arita is also remarkable. 


At last sec, Kyoto played against Zweigen Kanazawa. Kyoto made all-out victory, 3 - 1. An ace forward, Oguro scored two goals. It seems that he is in a good shape.


Sanga has struggled at 15th position with 22 points as of now.  It seems that their performance has been beyond the expectation before the opening of the term. This is the 21st, which means the half of the season finishes at this sec. 

Match Review 20th Sec : VS Giravanz Kitakyushu at Honjo Athletic Stadium on June 28

Okayama 3 Giravanz Kitakyushu 2

The weather was relatively ideal for a football match in the Sunday's evening. Allegedly, 3,504 fans came to the Stadium.

This match, the head coach, Nagasawa placed a young defender, Shinohara as a starter for the first time in 19 secs since the opening match this term. A playmaker, Chiaki was back on the starting line-up. Tadokoro was not listed on the members for the away match because of his injury. On the other hand, Giravanz's mainstay, Kazama started as a squad.

A minute after the kickoff, an ace forward, Oshitani almost stroke an opener, but, on the other hand, Kitakyushu made an excellent counter attack and a forward, Komatsu scored an opening goal, assisted by Kazama. In 10 minutes, Oshitani equalized the match with a one-touch shot. Later, Fagiano actively attacked to dominate the game. In the 32 minutes, Oshitani showed a memorable goal, bringing forces to Nagasawa's men. In the 41 minutes, a young attacker, Katayama made a decider.

After the interval, Oshitani was replaced by Yajima. In the 49 minutes, a midfielder, Kotegawa took a powerful shot to encourage the yellow-uniformed club. Kitakyushu's head coach, Hashiratani sent attackers into the pitch to change the game, however, Nakabayashi showed brilliant savings even though he got an accident during the added time. Finally, Fagiano won the match by three goals to two, bringing a joy to their supporters.

Match Preview 20th Sec : VS Giravanz Kitakyushu at Honjo Athletic Stadium on June 28

Last term, Fagiano had two losses against Giravanz Kitakyushu and the overall record standing of Fagiano against Giravanz is two victories, three losses and five draws. The yellow-uniformed team were promoted to the division 2 in 2010, one year later than Fagiano. 


The head coach is Koichi HASHIRATANI, who is the older brother of Tetsuji HASHIRATANI, the former head coach of Mito Hollyhock. He has been working for Kitakyushu for three years so far. An attacker, Hara is the player to watch out for. He has already scored six goals so far this season. A leading midfielder, Kazama is also remarkable. He has been ever present this term.


At last sec, Kitakyushu played against Consadole Sapporo in a tie. Giravanz's young forward, Watari equalized the match, bringing one point to yellow-uniformed club.


Giravanz stays 10th position with 28 points as of now. In recent secs, Hashiratani's men have been in a good shape. For Fagiano struggling to score nowadays, the match is expected to be tough, therefore, their attackers are required to rise up to dominate the game.

Every team has their bad days.

Fagiano has been suffering in a slump this season. The reason is obvious that Okayama have struggled to score goals. Their total score of this term is only 17 goals out of 19 matches. I personally feel that this season has been so stressful so far.

I'm also worried about Fagiano Next, who has been relegation-threatened to the regional league. Next have the same problem as the top team. Both teams simply need to improve attacking, but they haven't been able to get out of difficulties. It seems that another chance-taker is needed.

This year, I have been to the stadium to watch their match three times, unfortunately, Fagiano lost all three matches 0 - 1. I even haven't seen them scoring a goal at the stadium. That certainly disappoints me, but I just try to hope that Fagiano will come back into form soon. Look on the bright side!

Combine our hearts!

Match Review 19th Sec : VS Ehime FC at City Light Stadium on June 21

Okayama 1 Ehime FC 2

7,531 fans came to see the derby match named PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU. The number of the fans were around 1,000 less than the last year's match. In order to close the gap at the top group, Fagiano were expected to obtain three points. 


This sec, the head coach, Nagasawa placed Sawaguchi and Ito as a starter to overturn the status quo. Tadokoro who left the pitch during the first half at the last sec because of his injuries, was on the starting line-up. A defender, Kondo was back on the reserve list from his injuries. On the other hand, the former Fagiano, Tamabayashi played as a starter.
 

After the kick-off, Fagiano were actively trying to attack, creating lots of opportunities, but struggled to score an opener as always. In the 38th minutes, Tamabayashi stroke a goal, bringing forces to Ehime. Okayama had a stressful time during the first half. 


During the second half, Nagasawa's men still struggled to score a goal. The head coach sent three substitutes in an early time to chage the game, however, in the 61st minutes the opponent's ace forward, Kawahara fired a fatal shot. Right before the end of the match, Fagiano's captain, Iwamasa scored a goal, but it was too late. The result was very disappointing for Okayama. 

Match Preview 19th Sec : VS Ehime FC at City Light Stadium on June 21

Ehime is the rival of Chushikoku region and the match is popularly named as PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU, Derby match in the region. The overall record standing against Ehime is five victories, three losses and five draws. Last term, Okayama had a victory and one draw.


The head coach is Ishimaru, who used to lead the youth team of Ehime. This is his second season to work for the top team. A regular defender, Tamabayashi is the local of the town. He used to play for Fagiano before. An attacker, Kawahara is the one to watch out for. He has already scored six goals this season.


At last sec, Ehime defeated Tokyo Verdy in 2 -1  with a dramatic decider during the added time. Kawahara scored the opening goal. It seems that the visitors are in a good shape now.


Ehime stays 12th position with 26 points as of now. The visitors have made a strong showing so far this term. The team has never played in the top league since the team joined the J league in 2006. Fagiano want to attack actively to dominate the match.

Fagiano Next finished at the bottom in the first stage of the season

The first stage of the Japan Football League ended this month. J league associate member, Vanraure Hachinohe won the first stage championship, defeating Next at the last sec on June 6. Okayama ended up at 16th position, the bottom of the leauge.

This first stage, the young team made only four points including one victory and one draw. They have only scored seven goals in 15 matches. Needless to say, Fagiano struggled to score goals. It seems that their performance was beyond expectation because last term, Next finished 11th position out of 14 clubs. 

This season, two worst performing teams by total results of both stages will be relegated to Regional Leagues and replaced by top two performers of Regional Promotion Series. However, if one or two teams will be admitted to J league division 3 at the end of the season, the number of relegated clubs will be reduced accordingly.

Fagiano has currently been relegation-threatened, therefore, at the second stage, they are expected to rise up to stay in the Japan Football League.