Fagiano's men participate actively in J league division 3.

A young midfielder, Ryo IIDA, who played for Fagiano Okayama Next, joined the division 3 club, S.C. Sagamihara on a loan this May. Since then, he has been ever-present as a first choice and already scored three goals as of now. 


He has taken chances and performed well so far. I personally look forward that he will improve himself this season and make a contribution for the top team in the near future.   


On the other hand, a midfielder, Ren SENGOKU who signed a loan deal with AC Nagano Parceiro this season, has struggled on the reserve list. Even though he was listed as a starter at the opening match this term, he hasn't had lots of opportunities to play so far. He has scored a goal so far.


A possible reason is that Nagano is one of the top choices for the champion of division 3 and they have a good bench strength. I just hope that he will find a way to get out of the difficulties soon.

Emperor's cup 2015: Matsue City FC pulled a surprise

Unfortunately, Fagiano top team and Next team left the Emperor's cup, while, Matsue City FC made an upset victory against JFL club, Kagoshima United FC at First round. Matsue in Shimane Prefecture belong to Chugoku regional league, the fifth tier of the Japanese football.


I watched the game on the website of Japan Football Association. Even though only a few matches of Emperor's cup are available on the website, it is amazing that we are able to watch those.


If you are interested, check this out.
Japan Football Association Official Website

Emperor's cup 2015: First Round on August 29

Fagiano Okayama met Gainare Tottori, the champion of Tottori prefectural tournament, at Tottori Bank Bird Stadium in Tottori. This match was popularly called Inyo Derby since both clubs are based in adjacent prefectures. The derby took place for the first time in two years since the game in J league division 2 on November 3rd, 2013.

 

This match, a goal keeper, Shiina and an attacker, Okamoto were listed as a starter for the first time this season. The match was closely contested. In 47^th minutes, Katayama stroke an opener, but two minutes later, Tottori's midfielder, Yamamoto made an equalizer. Both clubs were not able to finalize the game during the regulation time, therefore, they went into overtime.

 

The end of the match was surely dramatic. In 107^th minutes, Yajima was sent off. Two minutes later, Gainare's attacker, Ando scored a clincher, achieving the ticket to the Second Round. For Fagiano, it was a nightmarish loss. No one predicted that Okayama would be defeated by Tottori in the lower league, J league division 3.

 

Fagiano Okayama Next as the representative of Okayama prefecture, faced Tokushima Vortis at Pocarisweat Stadium in Tokushima. It seemed that it was a good opportunity to try their strength against former division 1 club. If Next is successfully able to advance to the Second Round, They are likely to meet Thespakusatsu Gunma on September 6.

The match was obviously one-sided. During the first period, former division 1 club scored four goals to secure their victory. After the break, the game remained unchanged. Vortis stroke three more goals. As a result, an upset didn't happen, so Next left Emperor's cup in vain. 

Two Korean men joined Fagiano Okayama

This August, two Korean men transfered to Okayama right before transfer deadline. This season, Fagiano has struggled near the bottom of the league, therefore, two men, especially, a midfielder, Hwang Jin-Sung is highly anticipated to reinforce Fagiano's attacking.


He is well-experienced with more than 200 appearances in Pohang Steelers, Korea. He also has two caps as a Korean international. He had played for Kyoto Sanga FC until this July and he left the club due to his contract.


This season, Fagiano's priority is to avoid the demotion to the lower league. It seems that he is considered as a savior to get the club out of this nightmare.


Another is a young goal keeper, Li Jintai. He plays for Fagiano Okayama Next. It is expected that he is going to contribute to their goal to stay in Japan Football League.   

Match Review 30th Sec : VS Avispa Fukuoka at City Light Stadium on August 23

Okayama 1 Avispa Fukuoka 0

For Fagiano, which have been in a predicament, obtaining three points were a must. In the evening of Sunday, 8,145 fans came to the stadium for the important match.

This sec, head coach, Nagasawa placed the same starting line-up as the last sec. A sturdy defensive midfielder, Watanabe was back from his two-match suspension. An attacker, Okamoto stood by as a substitute. On the other hand, Brazilian striker, Wellington played as a starter.

After the kickoff, the home club showed strenuous performances, but they struggled to take shots. While, the visitors had more chances to break the deadlock. It seemed that Okayama had no chances to find the net as usual, whereas their defenders performed well to keep clean sheet.

During the second period, red-uniformed men gradually took control of the game. In the 75th minutes, Okamoto was sent into the pitch. About 4 minutes later, Oshitani almost stroke an opener. After that, Nagasawa placed Watanabe and Ito to finalize the match. A few minutes before the end of the game, Okamato scored a long-awaited decider to bring the club a dramatic victory. The stadium was surely full of joy. As a result, Fagiano get up to 16^th position with 35 points, 9 points ahead of relegation zone. 

Match Preview 30th Sec : VS Avispa Fukuoka at City Light Stadium on August 23

At 14th sec, Okayama faced Avispa at Level- 5 Stadium. During the match, Fagiano struggled to score goals. In the 66th minutes, Fukuoka's man, Hamada stroke a memorable opener, bringing a victory to the club. Nagasawa's men were not able to get out of the awful slump.


Fukuoka's top scorer is a forward, Nakahara with 7 goals. He is well-experienced and can be viewed as a threat. Sakai has constantly played and has already scored 4 goals. Tsutumi plays a defensive rock. He is stable with a leadership. 


At last sec, Fukuoka defeated former division 1 champion, Jubilo Iwata. After the kickoff, Fukuoka's midfielder, Suzuki stroke an opener to encourage his club. In the 85th minutes, a veteran forward, Sakata scored a clincher. As a result, Avispa made a second straight win.


Fukuoka brings the playoffs into view at 5th position with 48 points as of now. It is expected that the match is going to be tough. In order to secure the mid group of the league, three points are a must for Fagiano, therefore, they are required to use scoring chances for certain. 

Fagiano Okayama Next participate in Emperor's Cup.

On August 9, the qualifier of Emperor's Cup took place at City Light Stadium. Next faced Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima FC, who belong to Chugoku regional league. Mizushima FC is a formidable rival for Fagiano, because the club has played in Japan Football League before.


The match was certainly sharp contest. During the first half, Okayama lost a goal. Later, the red-uniformed club struggled to equalized the game. After the interval, Next's attacker, Kamijo stroke an equalizer, but both teams were unable to finalize the match by the end of second half, therefore the match went into overtime, however, the score remained unchanged. As a result, the match ended in a tie after the regulation playing time.


At penalty shoot-out, a young goal keeper, Kiwada made strenuous efforts. It took longer and the last kicker, 11th men was Kiwada, himself. Fagiano barely made a narrow victory, being successfully qualified for the representative of Okayama prefecture.


On August 29, at the first round of the Emperor's Cup, Fagiano Okayama Next face Tokushima Vortis at Pocarisweat Stadium. They are expected to make an upset victory.