New Songs / Practice draw with Niigata

Barry writes:

2011's new chants have been decided, as is the system, and demonstrated on YouTube for us all to listen to and learn before the start of the season. My favourite is a Blue Hearts track appropriated for the purposes of Dankestu Shimizu:



For some reason Blue Hearts tracks are always excellent for chants, and I'm glad we've got one. Look forward to belting it out at Kashiwa on Saturday, and like the different variety it gives to the normal samba vibe.

Click here for 12shunsuke12's channel with the other new calls and chants. Bosnar gets a pretty funky one as does Genki. The oft used over the years Okoku Shimizu has been officially recognised, or maybe that should be reinstated? I've been hearing it struck up in big games for at least five years - perhaps it used to be a regular song.


S-Pulse 1-1 Niigata

In other news, we drew 1-1 in a practice game with Niigata on Sunday. Ota bagged our goal capping an excellent pre-season for him after his assist and goal against Yokohama FM in the SDT Cup last week. Have a feeling he may be a man to watch this year.

Kashiwa v S-Pulse Sold Out?

Barry writes:

I'm yet to find an official announcement on the Kashiwa website, but from their ticket page it looks like our opening weekend game up Chiba way has sold out in a matter of days. Our travelling support has come through and helped decimate the ticket supply. There is now a mad scramble for tickets going on over the web, but with mine safely stored under my pillow, I'm now busy researching naughty words to hurl Hyodo's way come 7pm next Saturday. ;)

S-Pulse 2-1 Yokohama F Marinos (Pre season)

Barry writes:

S-Pulse 2-1 Yokohama F Marinos
Ota 10 ---------------------- Watanabe 23
Omae 78

Att. 7104

Line Up

GK K. Yamamoto

DF Muramatsu
DF Hiraoka
DF Bosnar
DF Ota

MF Omae
MF Iwashita
MF Ono
MF Edamura
MF Ito

FW Takahara

Subs Used

Nagai on for Bosnar (60)
Okane (yellow 80) on for Ito (80)
M. Yamamoto on for Ono (89)

Report

Ghotbi's S-Pulse rose to their first proper test today beating Yokohama FM 2-1 in Numazu.

I didn't go, working as I am to build up enough goodwill with the girlfriend that she'll allow me to traipse off around the country in the coming months. My absence on the terraces didn't faze the lads though, and we rounded off the pre season in solid if not spectacular style. Ghotbi's S-Pulse is starting to take shape and I'm really enjoying the changes after what nobody can deny as the rigidity of the Kenta years.

Like I say, I wasn't there, so I'll let the video speak for itself.

Video

Full highlights:

S-Pulse to Receive Fee for Okachan?

Barry writes:

Seems that a couple of technicalities regarding the transfer of Okazaki to Stuttgart have come to light. Read here for a full run down, where S-Pulse have helpfully included an English version of their press release.

Long story short, Okachan's contract with the German club is invalid, and he is unable to play in the Bundesliga. That said, if Stuttgart could see their way to offering something in the way of compensation the situation will no doubt be brought to a swift resolution.

Fair play to us for standing up for what may rightfully be ours, I say.

Ono Captain / Takahara and Bosnar Vice Captain

Barry writes:

As the title says, and as announced today. Well, the first part of it was a no-brainer, but the other two names are a slight surprise, but only because they're decisions not based on length of time at the club. This clearly is the post Kenta era, and having given it some thought, both thoroughly deserving of the opportunity. Both Takahara and Bosnar are worthy vice skippers, and good luck to them.

Go bananas for S-Pulse!

Brosque Signs

Barry writes:

It's official. Brosque is an S-Pulse player. He'll take up the number 30 shirt.
This looks like pretty huge signing, and I really can't wait to see what he can do.

Here's a video from the club at his press conference.

2011 Fixtures Released

Barry writes:

Full fixtures and results from the 2011 season.


League

【第1節】 Mar 5th (Sat) 19:00 Kashiwa 3-0 S-Pulse (report)
【第7節】 Apr 23th (Sat) 14:00 S-Pulse 1-0 Fukoka (report)
【第8節】 Apr 29th (Fri) 17:00 Yokohama FM 1-1 S-Pulse (report)
【第9節】 May 3rd (Wed)15:00 S-Pulse 0-1 Hiroshima (report)
【第10節】 May 7th (Sat) 15:00 Nagoya 1-1 S-Pulse (report)
【第11節】 May 14th (Sat) 14:00 S-Pulse 1-5 Kobe (report)
【第12節】 May 22nd (Sun) 16:00 Omiya 1-4 S-Pulse (report)
【第13節】 May 28th (Sat) 14:00 S-Pulse 0-0 Scummers (report)
【第14節】 June 11th (Sat) 19:00 G. Osaka 2-2 S-Pulse (report)
【第15節】 June 15th (Wed) 19:00 S-Pulse 2-1 Yamagata (report)
【第16節】 June 18th (Sat) 18:00 Urawa 1-3 S-Pulse (report)
【第17節】 June 22nd (Wed) 19:00 S-Pulse 2-3 Kawasaki (report)
【第18節】 June 26th (Sun) 18:30 S-Pulse 1-0 Sendai (report)
【第2節】 July 2nd (Sat) 13:00 S-Pulse 0-0 Kashima (report)
【第3節】 July 9th (Sun) 13:00 Kofu 1-2 S-Pulse (report)
【第4節】 July 13th (Sun) 13:00 Sendai 0-0 S-Pulse (report)
【第5節】 July 16th (Sat) 13:00 S-Pulse 2-1 Niigata (report)
【第6節】 July 23rd (Sat)13:00 C. Osaka 0-4 S-Pulse (report)
【第19節】 July 30th (Sat) 19:00 Hiroshima 0-4 S-Pulse (report)
【第20節】 Aug 6th (Sat) 19:00 Niigata 0-4 S-Pulse (report)
【第21節】 Aug 13th (Sat) 18:30 S-Pulse 3-0 Omiya (report)
【第22節】 Aug 20th (Sat) 18:30 S-Pulse 3-3 C. Osaka (report)
【第23節】 Aug 24th (Wed) 19:00 Yamagata 1-1 S-Pulse (report)
【第24節】 Aug 27th (Sat) 19:00 S-Pulse 0-0 Yokohama FM (report)
【第25節】 Sept 10th (Sat) Scummers 2-1 S-Pulse (report)
【第26節】 Sept 17th (Sat) S-Pulse 1-0 Urawa (Ecopa) (report)
【第27節】 Sept 24th (Sat) Kawasaki 1-1 S-Pulse (report)
【第28節】 Oct 2nd (Sun) S-Pulse 2-0 Nagoya (report)
【第29節】 Oct 15th (Sat) Kobe 1-1 S-Pulse (report)
【第30節】 Oct 23rd (Sun) S-Pulse 3-0 Kofu (report)
【第31節】 Oct 29th (Sat) Fukuoka 2-2 S-Pulse (report)
【第32節】 Nov 20th (Sun) S-Pulse 1-2 Kashiwa (report)
【第33節】 Nov 26th (Sat) Kashima 3-0 S-Pulse (report 1 report 2)
【第34節】 Dec 3rd (Sat) S-Pulse 1-3 G. Osaka (report)

League Cup

1) Mar 16th (Sat) 19:30 Urawa v S-Pulse
2) Mar 26th (Sat) 13:00 S-Pulse v jubilo
3) No Game
4) Apr 20th (Wed) 19:00 Kobe v S-Pulse
5) May 11th (Wed) 19:00 S-Pulse v Fukuoka
6) May 25th (Wed) 19:00 S-Pulse v Sendai
7) Jun 5th (Wed) 13:00 Hiroshima v S-Pulse

The above fixtures were cancelled after the March 11th earthquake. The tournament was reorganised into a straight knock out. Out games went as such:

1st Rnd, 1st leg) Kofu 1-0 S-Pulse (report)
1st Rnd, 2nd leg) S-Pulse 2-0 Kofu (report)

2nd Rnd, 1st leg) S-Pulse 2-1 Niigata (report)
2nd Rnd, 2nd leg) Niigata 3-1 S-Pulse (report)

Emperor's Cup

2nd Rnd) S-Pulse 2-0 Gifu 2nd (report)
3rd Rnd) S-Pulse 5-0 Gainare Tottori (report)
4th Rnd) S-Pulse 2-0 JEF United (report)
1/4 Final) Cerezo Osaka 2-2 S-Pulse (Cerezo win 6-5 on pens) (report)