Tokushima Vortis 0-4 S-Pulse

BARRY WRITES... 

Tokushima Vortis 0-4 S-Pulse
------------------------------------------------------------- Novakovic 11, 19
------------------------------------------------------------- Takagi 79
------------------------------------------------------------- Omae 92

Att 6113
2pm, Naruto Otsuka Sports Park Pocarisweat Stadium
Tokushima city, Tokushima prefecture

Line Up

GK Kushibiki

DF Jakovic
DF Hiraoka
DF Jong-a-Pin
DF Yoshida

MF Kawai
MF Musaka (29)
MF Takeuchi

FW Omae
FW Novakovic
FW Nagasawa

Subs Used

Takagi T. (73) on for Nagasawa (HT)
Murata on for Kawai (80)
Hiroi on for Novakovic (91)

Report

Bottom placed Tokushima were today on the receiving end of an S-Pulse side getting into its stride. Saved penalty aside, 4-0 probably flattered the home side. Nova came within the bar's width of getting his hat trick before the half time whistle even blew, and went close again in the second half. I'm not complaining, though. Today we played some wonderful stuff, on occasion taking our foot off the pedal, but seeing the job through. In the process we clawed our goal difference back into the positive.

P8 W0 D0 L8, it's going to be a long season for Tokushima and anything other than a return to J2 will be a surprise. Their frustrations were evident as they played a physical game, but rarely, if ever, really troubled Kushibiki. Speaking of which, this game marks our 4th shut out victory in a row. Top marks to all, but especially young keeper Masatoshi Kushibiki. His penalty stop was pretty special.

Weak opposition, but a professional job done and potential banana skin successfully sidestepped. Genki was once again instrumental, playing roles in the first three goals before topping off his day with a sublime swivel and finish while under pressure. Nagasawa went off at half time with a knock, and we'll know more tomorrow on his status. Hopefully nothing serious and he's back on Saturday for the home game with 17th placed Sendai. See you there!

Videos

A rare chance to view the entire game here, thanks to Twitter user Banpaku70. If you don't have 90 minutes to spare, here's the highlights: