Barry writes:Omiya 3-0 S-Pulse
Rafael 45
Mato 62
Lee 73
Tsubouchi sent off 84
Att. 12888
Line Up
GK Nishibe
DF Ichikawa
DF Iwashita
DF Hiraoka
DF Arata
MF Ono
MF Honda
MF Hyodo
FW Okazaki
FW Nagasawa
FW Fujimoto
Subs Used
M. Yamamoto on for Ono (HT)
Johnsen on for Nagasawa (56)
Ota on for Arata (72)
Report
Don't ask me, I'm just a fan, but no Bosnar to counter the huge Rafael? What? Ono being pulled off at half time? Why? Nagasawa taking Johnsen's place at the spearhead of our attack? Errr, seriously?
We lost and fully deserved to. Omiya's third I could see coming a mile off, as we were caught back peddling allowing Lee to latch on to piercing through ball. Their second came from the lanky Croatian Mato, whereas the first was courtesy of Rafael.
We should have had one after a clean-through Okazaki was kicked to the ground. A red card followed for Tsubouchi and it was the least he deserved. Not that one goal would have really made much difference, but it did leave a slightly bitter taste in the mouth.
Nothing's over yet, and there's a long way to go. On the 15th we're back in Saitama for Urawa. I suppose if anything, playing a bunch of mid-table also-rans should probably be easier than a team fighting for J1 survival. And today should serve as a kick up the backside, so expect better things next week.
Fair play to Omiya, though. I'd prefer to see them stay up, and if they can knock out a few more performances like today, they should manage it. Frontale lost 3-1 at home, and C. Osaka failed to pick up three points. Fingers crossed Kashima also stutter at home to Sendai. Nagoya will go seven points clear with a win against Yamagata tomorrow. 12 games to go.
Did you go?
ReplyDeleteI knew you had the midweek game but I was shocked to see you guys play so passive.
No, I watched it on the box. We were poor today, and you deserved all three of your goals. Especially the first and third we were taken apart.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have started with Arata or Hiraoka in the back four - Ota and Bosnar would have got my vote. Can't help thinking with the big Ozzie at the back we'd have had a much better time of keeping Rafael and / or Mato in check.
The big shock for me was not seeing Jonsen starting....he has absolutely killed us over the years. Sometimes I think coaches think too much.
ReplyDeleteOur red card might end up hurting you next week as well. We gotta go with the two big centerbacks against Kashima.
Nagasawa was making his first J. League start today. I just don't get the logic in giving inexperienced youngsters the nod ahead of the tried and tested regulars during a championship run in. Get him on for the last ten minutes or whatever, but we've got to be playing our strongest available starting XI every game if we want a pop at the title.
ReplyDeleteGah.
Anyway, back to your neck of the woods next week, and we'll try and turn over Saitama's second team. :)
will visit japan and see kashima vs s-pulse. cant wait lol
ReplyDeleteYou picked a good game to see! Should be a cracker between to of the best teams in the country. Enjoy Kashima Stadium - I hear it's awesome.
ReplyDelete