Match Preview 27th Sec : VS Jubilo Iwata at City Light Stadium on August 1

At 7th sec, Fagiano made a strong showing against Iwata. During the first half, Oshitani stroke a memorable opener, encouraging his club. About 10 minutes later, Adailton equalized the match, assisted by Defender, Ota with a fast cross. Even though Okayama had several chances, the match ended in a tie, 1 - 1.

Former Fagiano's man, Ueda is likely to play this sec since he missed 7th sec because of his injury. He has been ever-present as a first choice since the 10th sec. Brazilian forward, Adailton and English attacker, Jay can be viewed as a threat. They have scored 10 goals respectively so far.

At last sec, Iwata was defeated by the rival club, Cerezo Osaka, 0 – 1. As a result, Jubilo is only three points ahead of Cerezo. That was disappointing for the club because they failed to secure the second.

Jubilo stay 2^nd position with 47 points as of now. For this former division 1 club, league championship is NO.1 priority, therefore, the match is certainly going to be tough for Fagiano, However, red-uniformed club is expected to make an upset victory.

Match Review 26th Sec : VS Tochigi SC at Tochigi Green Stadium on July 26

Okayama 2 Tochigi SC 2


It was hot and humid in the evening, which was tough for players in such a bad condition as well as the tight schedule.This sec, 5,395 fans came to the stadium. All of the Fagiano supportors hoped to see that the club would halt the consecutive defeats this sec. 


This match, an ace attacker, Oshitani sat out because of his injury. Kukita and Tadokoro started as a squad. An up-and-coming forward, Okamoto was on the reserve list. On the other hand, Tochigi's ace forward, Sakano was listed as a starter.


Three minutes after the kickoff, a young attacker, Katayama took a shot actively but failed. In the 17th minutes, a penalty kick was awarded to the home club because of Kaji's unlucky foul and Kawamoto surely converted it. In the 20th minutes, Katayama almost stroke an equalizer, crossed by Tadokoro. It seemed that Okayama had more ball possession but the first half ended in 0 - 1. 


After the break, in the 54th minutes, Sakano headed in Kawamoto's pinpoint cross, shockingly overtaking Fagiano's defensive rock, Iwamasa. Minutes later, the head coach, Nagasawa placed Tanaka and Okamoto on the pitch to change the game. In the 73rd minutes, a yound defender, Shinohara found the net with Tadokoro's corner kick. In the 83rd minutes,  Fagiano was successfully able to equalize the game with the opponent's own goal. Before the end of the match,  red-uniformed team had several opportunities including Kubo's heading, but they couldn't make a decider. As a result, both club shared the spoils.

At Tochigi Green Stadium on July 26

This was the fifth time this season for me to watch Fagiano's match at the stadium. 

I just hoped to see them score and beat the rival club. We just combined our spirits. 

This stadium is user-friendly because there is a free shuttle bus service between the stadium and JR Utsunomiya station. 

And also, there is a car-parking, which accommodates about 2,200 cars.

Match Preview 26th Sec : VS Tochigi SC at Tochigi Green Stadium on July 26

At 12th sec, Fagiano struggled to score a goal at City Light Stadium even though their attackers had several chances. As a result, the match ended scoreless. It was like a seesaw game.

In Tochigi, the head coach, Sakakura left the club days ago because of their slump. An ace forward, Sakano has already scored five goals so far, making a great contribution to his club. He has still been ever-present since the opening of the season. A Korean defender, Park Hyung-jin has also been ever-present and stable.

At last sec, Tochigi played against Kamatamare Sanuki. This was the first match for a new head coach, Kurata. The match dramatically ended 1 – 0, decided by Tochigi's defender, Nakami during the added time.

For Fagiano, Tochigi was the rival club, which was qualified for J league division 2 in 2009 together with Okayama.The home club stay 18^th position with 26 points as of now. In order to run for the playoffs, Nagasawa's men are expected to dominate the game with active attacking and bring a victory to their supporters.  

Match Review 25th Sec : VS Cerezo Osaka at Kincho Stadium on July 22

Okayama 1  Cerezo Osaka  2

It was rainy in the evening, however, lots of football fans came to the stadium for a remarkable match. The total attendance was 8,047. Although Fagiano has been in a bad form, lots of red-uniformed supporters were there to expect their victory.

This sec, Kaji was unable to appear because of the suspension. The head coach, Nagasawa placed Kubo as a centre forward. A defender, Kondo was back on the reserve list from his injury. A forward, Okamoto, who joined the club days ago, already stood by as a substitute.

After the kickoff, Fagiano got off to a good start. In the 7^th minutes, Kubo stroke an excellent opener, assisted by Tanaka. However, 3 minutes later, an attacker, Tashiro equalized the match, bringing forces to the home club. In the 34 minutes, former international, Tamada scored a brilliant goal.

During the second period, Cerezo continued to perform attacking in a wave. In the 64^th minutes, Osaka's goal keeper, Kim had an accident, and was unwillingly replaced by Tanno. In the 70^th minutes, Okamoto was sent into the pitch, encouraging Nagasawa's men. Even though they had more chances after Okamoto got in, red-uniformed men were not able to overcome Osaka's devastating strengths. Fagiano suffered three successive defeats. 

Match Preview 25th Sec : VS Cerezo Osaka at Kincho Stadium on July 22

At 3rd sec, Fagiano performed solidly against Cerezo in a tie, 1 - 1. Osaka's Brazilian forward, Pavlo stroke an opener, assisted by a world-class striker, Forlan. Before the end of the match, Oshitani equalized the game with a penalty kick.

In Cerezo, the former Uruguay international, Forlan and the former German international, Cacau left the club weeks ago due to their deal, therefore, the club is required to reorganize their strength. For Fagiano, the former Japan international, Tamada is the one to watch out for. He has scored six goals and played the pivot of the attack.

At last sec, Cerezo had a Kansai Derby against Kyoto Sanga. Minutes after the kickoff, Sanga's midfielder, Ito stroke an opener. After that, the game was like unpredictable. During the match, Cerezo had lots of chances, but failed to defeat the rival club, as a result, the match ended in 0 – 1.

Before the opening of this season, the former division 1 club is considered to be far ahead of other clubs in the league. That is because Cerezo had devastating strengths, however, Osaka stay at 4^th position with 38 points as of now. In order to move up to the top group, Fagiano is expected to obtain at least one point. 

Match Review 24th Sec : VS Tokushima Vortis at City Light Stadium on July 18

Okayama 0 Tokushima Vortis 3

PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU derby match took place in the evening. Reportedly, the total attendance was 8,276, and lots of Tokushima's supporters came for this away match.

This sec, a veteran, Kaji was back in the starting line-up. An ace forward, Oshitani was not listed for this derby match. On the other hand, Tokushima's head coach, Kobayashi placed Sato and Tsuda as a starter. Tsuda has scored 3 goals against Fagiano before, therefore, he can be viewed as a threat. Hasegawa was on the substitute list.

After the kickoff, the visitors overwhelmingly had lots of chances. Nagasawa's men were mostly forced to play on their own side. In the 32nd minutes, Tokushima's midfielder, Kimura stroke an excellent opener. Fagiano struggled to take control of the match.

During the second half, Vortis continued to threaten Okayama. In the 53rd minutes, Kimura scored the second goal for the day. After that, Nagasawa sent a forward, Kubo into the pitch but, in 82^nd minutes, Estiven made a decider, breaking Fagiano's defence. That was one of the worst matches for red-uniformed club this term. It is obvious that their performance left much room for improvement. The club is keenly forced to rise up.