FC Tokyo 2-1 S-Pulse (Nab Cup, 1/2 Final, 1st Leg)

Barry writes 

FC Tokyo 2-1 S-Pulse
Kajiyama 35 ------------------- Tokunaga (Own Goal) 23
Lucas 80

Att 10347

Line Up

GK Yamamoto

DF Kawai (78)
DF Hiraoka
DF Jong-a-Pin
DF Lee (75)

MF Sugiyama (92)
MF Muramatsu (40)
MF Hattanada 

FW Omae
FW Takagi
FW Kim (53)

Subs Used

Nabeta on for Takagi (14)
Ishige on for Hattanda (62)
Ito on for Kim (86)

Report

You have got to be joking. A very hard fought, tight and exciting game. A fascinating exchange with enforced changes making teams adapt to new circumstances, but the only thing anyone will remember about the game is this:



The sort of thing you expect from a 10 year old, but when shamelessly employed by a grown man in a professional game, absolutely laughable. Shame on Maruyama for the whole sorry episode, but also shame on referee Yoshimitsu Yoshida for getting so thoroughly mugged.

Murayama single-handedly wrung the honour, spirit and beauty from the game. Any kids who saw that and start diving at school, it's on you Yuichi. Would it be too much to expect an apology from Murayama for his well planned, wretched cheating? I won't hold my breath. A total disgrace.

The whole game has been tainted with the sorry stain of a cheat getting away with murder and smirking about it. I'll tell you one thing, though. We're going to come out like seriously pissed off lions in the second leg. The away goal is huge, a draw would have been a far better (not to mention fair) result, but as odious and vile as that dive was, it ain't gonna change.

Murayama Yuichi, apologise like a man, or forever fuck you. And J. league - time to stand up and do what is right: a Murayama yellow card for simulation and wilfully tricking the referee, and a retraction of Kawai's caution because, as we can all see, he did NOTHING.

We are Shimizu S-Pulse and good will overcome!!!

Just so you know, Toshiyuki was subbed early after his hamstring was playing up. Nothing too serious.

Video

Full highlights. As if it was even needed, the dive is even clearer on a proper video. How the ref, from his angle right behind the challenge, made such a hash of it is anyone's guess. He needs suspension for such a horrific, game changing mistake which happened RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM. We all make mistakes, but that one beggars belief. And look for Nemanja Vučićević appealing for the spot kick. He would have seen clearer than anyone that it was a dive. Soppy sod.

Consadole Sapporo 0-2 S-Pulse

Barry writes 

Consadole Sapporo 0-2 S-Pulse
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Takagi 38
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Omae 44

Att 11783

Line Up

GK Yamamoto

DF Kawai
DF Hiraoka
DF Jong-a-Pin
DF Lee

MF Muramatsu
MF Sugiyama
MF Hattanada (19)

FW Omae
FW Kim
FW Takagi

Subs Used

Ishige (85) on for Hattanda (65)
Miyoshi on for Omae (86)
Nabeta on for Takagi (91)

Report

Gorgeous stadium. Excellent city. Lovely food. Wide open countryside. Hundreds of travelling orange hordes. An away win. Aaaah, where to start? I could ramble on and on about what a great weekend that was, but I'll try and keep it concise. Firstly, apologies for the late update. As you know by now, I was up north and just got back this afternoon. It was a real struggle to drag myself back to Shizuoka. Three days not even nearly enough to see and do everything. Hokkaido - I'll be back!

Consadole Sapporo not as bad as their record suggests; the fact they beat Sendai and Nagoya recently testament to that. Their problem is a lack of discipline and focus which leads them to 1) fall apart when things are not going their way, and 2) start wading in with clumsy and narky challenges. They ended up a man down on Saturday as a result. Conceding 7 twice in the same year is another manifestation of their mental shortcomings. At least in the game against Kashima they pretty much just gave up at 3-0 and it became a farce.

So anyway, two first half goals did the job. The first a bad mistake by their keeper, but all credit to Kim. He pressured Sugiyama into dropping it from where Takagi was never going to miss. As for Kim, he is settling in well and went achingly close with his head more than once. He'll get his first goal very soon.

When he first joined there was some online moaning about the fact he's Korean given the recent political tensions. Seriously? Football is football and it shouldn't even be an issue. Glad to say it came across as a few lone voices in the dark, and he's getting excellent support from stands.

Our second goal, the winner, was from a Takagi cross to Genki's head (seen that a few times this year!), but the biggest credit has to go to Jong-a-Pin. He got in front of the striker on a dangerous Sapporo cross, and managed to head it out straight to our midfield. A pass or two later and it was in the back of the net. Jong-a-Pin made several crucial tackles, blocks and plays throughout the game and he deserves a mention as almost setting up Omae's goal.

Hattanda started and did great, new signing Miyoshi came on for the last few minutes and was a strong presence in that short time. Without Brosque through international duty and Yoshida still out with a knock, this was no easy game by any means, but we did the job right. Only 8 points off the top, 5 points off third, with ten games to go.

Interestingly, we've matched last season's amount of wins with ten games to go. Comparing last year's final table to the current standings, there are far fewer wins at the top. The champions won't need anything like the 23 wins Kashiwa had. So, yep! Everything to play for yet this season.

Not to mention the league cup is back on Wednesday with our semifinal first leg game against FC Tokyo. Then the second round of the Emperor's Cup against Arterivo Wakayama. From the Kansai regional leagues, but with J. League ambitions. The action keeps coming thick and fast!

Will answer some recent posts tomorrow - need my sleep first! Night night.

Pictures

 Spine-tingly beautiful stadium!

 

Just as impressive inside

 

 We are not amused. Sapporo fans display discontent at their teams' woeful season by hanging their flags upside down - a pretty big insult in these parts

  

1000km? No problem

Full time

 

New signing Miyoshi got a run out and looked happy to be here

Videos

A personal video of both goals.

Kiyotaka Miyoshi Signs

Barry writes 

Some fascinating news today, as we captured the 27 year old defender Kiyotaka Miyoshi. Fascinating because the 180cm right footed full back has been living in South America since graduating from Asia University in 2008.

A year in Argentina with Estudiantes, and two seasons across the border in Uruguay at Boston River means he must have some good experience dealing with big, strong attackers. Some strength and depth for the defensive line. He'll take the number 36 and I'm looking forward to seeing how he fits in.

S-Pulse 0-2 Urawa

Barry writes 

S-Pulse 0-2 Urawa
--------------------------------- Don't know 11
--------------------------------- Don't care 20

Att 23188

Line Up

GK Yamamoto

DF Inukai 
DF Muramatsu
DF Hiraoka
DF Kawai

MF Sugiyama

FW Ishige
FW Brosque
FW Omae
FW Kim
FW Takagi

Subs Used

Takahara on for Inukai (HT)
Shirasaki on for Brosque (81)
Ito on for Omae (86)

Report

A fantastic Saturday was spent in Yokohama at another UK Ultras wedding. Top day from start to finish. 

 Congratulations to Saechan and Maakun! Best Day Ever

There was the small matter of the S-Pulse loss between the reception and the second party in the evening, but for the first time in a long time I was far too preoccupied to keep up to date with the game. We lost with a depleted team against an Urawa side who have surprised everyone this season. They won and fair play to them.

Apologies that this week's update has come late (and contains very little about the game). I'll warn you ahead of time that this weekend's report versus Sapporo will also be tardy. Know why? Because we're all off on Friday for a long weekend in HOKKAIDO!

Dome. All you can eat meat. Tower. Less humidity. Partying in Susukino. Beer factory tours, and hopefully an away day Kachiloco in one of the J. League's flagship stadia. Can't bloody wait!

Sagan Tosu 0-1 S-Pulse

Barry writes 

Sagan Tosu 0-1 S-Pulse
--------------------------------------------- Muramatsu 65

Att. 11993

Line Up

GK Yamamoto

DF Hiraoka (73)
DF Jong a Pin (58)
DF Lee (45)

MF Muramatsu
MF Sugiyama
MF Kawai

FW Omae
FW Takagi
FW Ishige
FW Kim

Subs Used

Brosque on for Ishige (58)
Kang (94) on for Takagi (91)

Report

That's now four wins on the trot. Short-handed against the league leaders, 4-3 away at 2010's champions and a still very strong Nagoya, 3-2 home against the same opposition, and victory away at a team who had only conceded three at home all year.

The long-term process of separating the wheat from the chaff recently took another step forward, the formation is evolving to deal with it, and the results have been showing things are working. Muramatsu coming back from London was a big help no doubt, but to a man, yesterday's starting XI was a team of men here to play football. The only way it should be, but with such a fine balance of power in J1, so often the difference between success and failure.

Tosu are a team of hard grafters and that's reflected in their position in the table. They've surprised a lot of people, and it may not always be pretty, but they're not down there with Gamba Osaka and Niigata fighting for J1 survival, so more power to them. Yesterday's win on their patch, a place with such a stingy and tight defence, cannot be overstated. Another result born of hard work, so all credit to the lads.

Next up it's all off to Ecopa for a game which could propel us up to the ACL positions. A rejuvenated Urawa team are in forth this year after barely staying up last season. A change in manager to the no-nonsense Petrovic has again shown how a team can be an entirely different prospect when actually focused on playing football.

Should be a cracking battle, but alas, I'll be at a UKU founding member's wedding in Yokohama. She has, however, thoughtfully scheduled the main ceremony to end in time for us to get to a sports bar. The evening reception then starts after the full time whistle. Top work, that girl!

Onwards and upwards!

Videos

Until full highlights appear, here's a personal video of Olympian Muramatsu's header. His first professional goal, no less!



And a cracking cross from Jong-a-Pin met perfectly by Kim. Beat his marker, timed his run to perfection, got on the end of it. If he'd hit the target the keeper had no chance. I like what I see so far! Looking forward to Kim's next few games.



500 miles? Piece of cake. Our travelling army enjoying their hard earned kachiloco. Legends - the lot of you!

Kim Hyun-Sung to S-Pulse?

Barry writes 

If you follow us on Twitter you'll already know this, but according to a news report coming out of Korea, our much anticipated new signing is South Korean striker, Kim Hyun-Sung. The 186cm 22 year old bronze medal winning Olympian (apologies to our Japanese readers for mentioning that) is reported to have signed  on a six month loan deal.

Kim is joining us from FC Seoul, although he played the last season on loan at Daegu FC, where he played in all but four matches and scored 8 goals. He has made seven appearances for the U23 South Korea team and has scored four goals on that stage.

I can see him banging in Lee's pin point crosses already... Official announcement to come as soon as it's made.

Ooh, one other thing I just learnt. Shimizu S-Pulse in hangul is:

미즈 S-펄스

Cool.:)

S-Pulse 3-2 Nagoya

Barry writes 

S-Pulse 3-2 Nagoya
Own goal 4 ---------------- Taguchi 11
Takagi 45+2 --------------- Danilson 86
Omae 74

Att. 16877

Line Up

GK Yamamoto

DF Hiraoka
DF Jong a Pin (61)
DF Lee

MF Sugiyama
MF Kawai

FW Brosque
FW Omae
FW Takagi (69)
FW Ishige
FW França (87)

Subs Used

Shirasaki on for Ishige (67)

Report

A very hard fought victory against very tough opposition. Our incredible victory at Mizuho on Wednesday would have fired up Nagoya even more than normal, and the opening half especially felt everything like a local derby. Hell, there were more visiting fans than jubilo have managed in recent seasons. A pulsating game, both teams attacking, hard challenges flying in (Nagoya with 7 yellows), and most importantly, goals.

We were without Yoshida through injury and Muramatsu who is on his way back from London, so a rearranged starting 11 was required again. Nagoya were also missing Nagai (Olympics) and Kennedy (injured), so with both teams without two key players it levelled the playing field somewhat.

Nagoya, with those two players back, will not finish midtable. And neither will we. We've turned a corner with that win away at league leaders Hiroshima. Then that heroic league cup performance in Aichi raised everybody's spirits, and today we displayed our guts and work rate to overcome 2010's champions for the second time in a week, putting 7 goals past them in the process.

Sugiyama is coming into his own and will probably play a part next season. Given his massive importance in 2010, creating a team that can stand on it's own merits and win games without Ono has always been a priority, and we're pretty much there. I'm fairly sure this will be Shinji's last year for us, and possibly his last year as a pro. He is still class through and through, but who will be willing to pay those not inconsiderable wages for a player with increasing injury problems? Whatever happens, best to luck to him.

I digress.

This win was all about hard work and fight, and our young team (Omae, Ishige, Shirasaki, Lee and Takagi all 22 or under, and all played vital parts) gave us very encouraging signs for the future. Next up is this year's surprise package Sagan Tosu. Away at the wonderful Best Amenity Stadium, which wouldn't look too out of place in the Premier League. I won't be there, but will endeavour to watch it on the box and tweet my manic and frantic tweets to keep you all updated. If you don't follow me, please do. @spulseukultras

Jymmy França

As you probably know by now, Jymmy França announced that this game was his last in orange. In a short but eventful spell, he won over many fans and will be missed. The news comes just as he was starting to find his stride, but this was a decision probably taken a while ago. Jymmy's exit can only mean one thing - a new forward coming in, most likely a foreigner. Watch this space, or better yet, our Twitter, to learn who he is as soon as we do.

Thanks for the memories Jymmy, and the very best of luck wherever the game takes you next!

Pictures

 

Palchan's new girlfriend, Pikal

 Given the rain a good turn out, and we even got a wonky choreography attempt from the visitors

Ghotbi and goal hero Genki

 Jymmy Franca announced his departure after the game - Thank you and good luck!

Videos

Highlights.