A young playmaker, Takeda was listed as a starter for the first time this term. A veteran attacker, Akamine and a rookie forward, Fukumoto stood by as a substitute. They were expected to finalize the match. While, Niigata's key player, Yasuda started the game.
During the first half, Okayama aggressively kept pushing forward. In the 9th minute, an attacker, Nakama's attempt was denied by the opponent. Five minutes later, his another effort was sided-netted.In the 18th minute, he failed to open the score. Three minutes later, an experienced chance-taker, Saito's header was stopped by Niigata's goal keeper. In the 40th minute, Saito's over-the-head shot was off target. Two minutes later, Nakama nearly found the net. The first period ended in a scoreless tie.
Five minutes after the break, Ito's corner did not work well. In the 54th minute, Nakama missed another chance for an opening goal. In the 68th minute, he was not able to grasp another opportunity.Two minutes later, a penalty was given to Okayama. Saito gave a lead to his team. In the 80th minute, Ito was replaced by an experienced mid fielder, Sueyoshi. Six minutes later, he tried to add a second. In the 43rd minute, Akamine came off the bench. During the added time, Fukumoto came in. Afterwards, Okayama successfully defeated the rival.
Needless to say, Niigata is one of the favorites to the promotion. The club demoted for the first time in 15 years. The game is expected to be mostly dominated by the powerful club.
Before this season, the club made a deal with former Japan international, Yasuda. He is well-experienced defender and can be considered one of the key players.
On April 1, Niigata met Roasso Kumamoto. This former division 1 club were expected to obtain three points, however, during the match, the club struggled to take the initiative of the game. As a result, Niigata were defeated by Kumamoto in 1 - 3.
This sec, a rookie defender, Abe was back from his international duty. He started the game. A playmaker, Sekido was listed as a starter for the first time this season. Former Fagiano defender, Tamabayashi stood by as a substitute.
Four minutes after the kickoff, an experienced striker, Saito tried to open the score with his header, crossed by a playmaker, Sueyoshi. In the 14th minute, Saito was not able to grasp another chance, passed by an attacker, Nakama. Seven minutes later, a penalty was given to the rival due to a defender, Hamada's foul. Ehime's ace forward, Kawahara made an opener. In the 34th minute, Sueyoshi's free kick was ballooned over the bar. Afterwards, the red-uniformed men struggled to push forward. Before the break, Nakama failed to equalize the game.
Sekido was replaced by an experienced attacker, Ito before the second half starts. In the 48th minute, a goal keeper, Ichimori showed a fine saving. In the 50th minute, Hamada missed a chance, crossed by Nakama. A wingger, Mimura tried to make an equalizer, but it was blocked by Ehime's defender. In the 67th minute, a playmaker, Ueda failed to provide a pass with Saito. In the 79th minute, his set-piece didn't work well. Right after that, Tamabayashi came off the bench. In the 82nd minute, the head coach, Nagasawa sent two attackers, Otake and Fukumoto. During the added time, Nakama's attempt was denied by the opponent's goal keeper. As a result, Okayama were defeated for the first time this term.
Last year, Ehime FC finished in 15th place. During the season, the rival struggled to compete with the top group of the league. This term, their priority is to advance to the playoffs. This is PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU Derby. Therefore, the match is expected to be heated.
The club's head coach, Mase is clever and strategic. He used to work for Okayama as an assistant coach before. An experienced defender, Tamabayashi also belonged to Okayama before.
At the last sec, during the match, Ehime struggled to push forward therefore, they conceded three goals by the same striker, Tanaka. Before the end of the game, Ehime barely made one goal. As a result,Ehime were defeated and struggle in the 21st place as of now.
This sec, a veteran, Sawaguchi was back in the starting line-up. An experienced attacker, Ito also started the game. A young defender, Shimoguchi was listed on the reserve list.
Three minutes after the kickoff, an experienced playmaker, Ueda's set piece did not work well, which ended up as an offside. Four minutes later, Ito failed to make a cross to his teammate in the box. Afterwards, a goal keeper, Ichimori showed a fine saving. In the 21st minute, an experience defender,Goto smashed the net with his fantstic header. Six minutes later, a striker, Saito tried to add a second with his header, crossed by Sawaguchi. In the 29th minute, Korean forward, Lee Yong-jae gotinjured and was replaced by an attacker, Nakama. In the 33rd minute, Goto blazed the ball, but it was slightly off woodwork. Later, the red-uniformed men performed well without conceding a goal.
During the second half, Okayama aggressively kept pushing forward . In the 52nd minute, Ito tried to make a clincher with his free kick, but it was denied by Kofu's keeper. Right after that, a wing half, Mukuhara's attempt was ballooned miles over the bar. Three minutes later, an experienced playmaker, Sueyoshi was sent onto the pitch. In the 70th minute, he nearly added a second. In the 78th minute, Nakama tried to create a chance. In the 87th minute, a veteran chance-taker, Akamine came off the bench. Later, Nagasawa's men successfully kept a clean sheet against the rival.
Kofu is one of the title hopefuls. Their priority is to get back to the upper league. The club demoted to the division 2 last year for the first time in six years. The match is expected to be very tough.
Before the opening of the season, Kofu acquired a talented chance-maker, Kozuka from Albirex Niigata. Last term, he played for Renofa Yamaguchi on a loan. He can be the one to watch out for.
On March 21, Kofu met Tokushima Vortis in their home stadium. During the match, Kofu tried to take the initiative. However, in the 82nd minute, Kofu's defender, Yuzawa was sent off. Later, the game was concluded with their own goal. As a result, Kofu were defeated.
Head coach, Nagasawa placed some fresh players in the starting line-up due to the tight schedule of this week. An experinced centre back, Hamada is one of these. He was expected to cover up for a rookie defender, Abe, who was away from Okayama for his U-19 international duty.
Three minutes after the kickoff, Hamada's header was over the bar, crossed by an experienced playmaker ,Sueyoshi. One minute later, Korean striker, Lee Yong-jae aggressively pushed forward toward his former club's side. In the 18th minute, Sueyoshi was not able to find the net with his mid-range shot. Two minutes later, his corner did not work well. In the 29th minute, he was able to create a chance with his free kick. In the 39th minute, an attacker, Saito was not able to grasp the chance in the box. Before the break, another attacker, Nakama's attempt was off target. The first half ended in a tie.
In the 47th mintue, Nakama nearly smashed the net. Two minutes later, Hamada made an excellent opener with his header, assisted by young playmaker, Tsukagawa. In the 54th minute, Nakama tried to provide a cross, but it was blocked by the rival. In the 63rd minute, Nakama almost added a second, but his shot hit the post. Two minutes later, the captain, Kiyama's attempt was off target. Nine mimutes later, a veteran, Akamine came off the bench to conclude the game. Bofore the added time, a goal keeper, Ichimori showed a super blocking to keep a clean sheet. Afterwards, a rookie forward, Fukumoto came in. As a result, the visitors successfully obtained three points.
