Tag Archives: S-Pulse

Previews

J1 Preview – Sat. Sept.15th – 19:00 Shimizu S-Pulse vs FC Tokyo at Nihondaira

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Shimizu S-Pulse – DF Yoshida out, FW Takagi very doubtful with hamstring injury.
FC Tokyo – MF Hasegawa is suspended. The injury list includes DFs Ota, Jang and Hiramatsu, MFs Otake and Kawano, and FW Edmilson. FW Hirayama must also be considered doubtful.

11 wins for Tokyo, 7 for S-Pulse and 7 draws over the last decade.

Sandwiched between two legs of a Nabisco Cup semi-final, S-Pulse take on FC Tokyo having won the away game earlier in the season – their first win in ten against the capital club. S-Pulse are on a revival, after a dry spell mid-season and will want to continue their climb up the table in order to have a run at the top three, or even the top spot, so can not afford to drop points now, especially at home. They will also be looking to psychologically kill off their opponents before their return for that semi-final 2nd leg and the fans will be looking for any opportunity to barrack Tokyo’s Maruyama – who won a penalty lick in that first leg with a spectacular dive. The probable loss of Takagi to a hamstring injury will mean that new signing Kim, and Sho Ito – if given the chance – will need to produce the goods.

FC Tokyo will, on the other hand, feel confident, having won that first leg last week, and have beaten Marinos and Sanfrecce in their last two J1 games. A barren period has come to an end – fans were even concerned about dropping into the relegation dogfight, but it seems that has passed now, and the team can concentrate on rising in J1 and looking to a Nabisco Cup Final. Injuries have beset the team all season and a consistent team selection has not been seen but the players that are fit, and selected, know what they have to do! They just might not do it in this game – especially with one eye on the Nabisco Cup?
EXPECT a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.25th – 18:00 Shimizu S-Pulse vs Urawa Reds at Ecopa

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Shimizu S-Pulse – LB Lee and CB Jong-a-Pin are suspended, while DF Yoshida is undergoing fitness tests.
Urawa Reds – all players seem to be fit for selection except Naoki Yamada who is out for the season.

Head to Head – ten wins each and four draws over the last decade – very even. Reds won the encounter earlier this year, but you have to go back to 2008 for Reds’ last League win before that!

Shimizu S-Pulse have begun a revival, as predicted here and this game is a major test of their credentials. A win for S-Pulse will put them within one point of Urawa Reds, while a win for Reds will dent Shimizu’s confidence and send them 7 points adrift of their opponents. Both teams have had problems scoring this season, though S-Pulse have finally started finding the net in the last few weeks and new signing, Korean Olympic forward Kim Hyun Sung will be looking to score his first for the team, while Omae and Takagi are hitting goals again, ably supported by Alex Brosque. So, while the forwards may be on song, the team will be without at least two of their regular defence and so may consider curtailing the attacking tendencies to concentrate on keeping it tight at the back – or maybe not! Coach Afshin Ghotbi is a swashbuckling type and while his players are confident he may just hope to score more goals than Reds!
As noted, Urawa Reds are not scoring many goals, so may not trouble the depleted S-Pulse defence as mush as they should… Ugajin has been scoring from midfield recently, and Haraguchi is gaining confidence up front. If the likes of Tanaka, Popo and Despotovic can give help from the bench Reds may hit the net today.

I am going to stick my neck out and go for a highscoring WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.18th – 19:00 Sagan Tosu vs Shimizu S-Pulse at Best Amenity

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Sagan Tosu – MF Okamoto is suspended. DF Kitani out for at least another month.
Shimizu S-Pulse – FW Franca has moved on loan to Verdy allowing the signing of FW Kim Hyun-Sung on loan. DF/MF Muramatsu is back from the Olympics.

Only one previous meeting between these two teams, the 1-1 draw earlier this season.

Shimizu S-Pulse are BACK! After beating top team Sanfrecce two games back, they took out Nagoya in the Nabisco Cup in a 4-3 thriller that saw them go thought on away goals on a last gasp Takagi winner. Then they proceeded to beat Nagoya in the league, also, last weekend and upped their goals total with Brosque, Omae and Takagi all getting in among the goals again – have S-Pulse turned the corner? Certainly, if the diminutive front pair of Omae and Takagi can continue their revival, with the likes of Alex Brosque in support S-Pulse will continue their rise up J1.

Jymmy Franca has been released to Tokyo Verdy on loan, freeing up a foreigner spot and S-Pulse have not delayed, bringing in FW Kim Hyun-Sung on loan until the end of the season. He’s a big man to push the likes of Takahara to bigger things or to supplement the likes of Omae and Takagi.

Sagan Tosu have quietly gone about their business of consolidating their place in j1 in their first ever season in the top flight and currently sit in 6th spot, just two wins off the top. A loss today would bring S-Pulse level with them, such is the close nature of the J1 table this season as we go into the home stretch, but Tosu have an excellent home record and despite the critics predicting the bubble will burst sooner rather than later, they are still winning points and fans with their play.

They have won three of their last four – beating Kashima, Kawasaki and Tokyo – all teams in close proximity, thereby keeping themsleves above their opponents. It’s the same with this game – a win they pull away from S-Pulse, a loss, and they’re level.
While Sagan have an enviable home record I feel that the timely changes and the adrenalin of recent results will mean that we can EXPECT a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE.

Previews

PREVIEW May 12th 15:30 Shimizu S-Pulse v. Cerezo Osaka at Outsourcing Stadium

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Shimizu S-Pulse – DF/MF Jong-a-Pin is suspended.
Cerezo Osaka – DF Kodama is back in full training.

Shimizu S-Pulse (P10 W7 D0 L3 GD +5) are hitting peak form AND getting the right results now after some great displays earlier in the season did not bring the results they deserved. Despite ending their two previous games a man short, and two men short respectively, they have come out with maximum points. Last time out they beat the top team Sendai in a real six-pointer and, today, with if Gamba Osaka can bring the goods and beat Sendai in Osaka, S-Pulse can go top with a win today. While Takagi and Omae are getting the plaudits for scoring goals, watch out for Muramatsu in midfield who is a key man in the organisation.

Cerezo Osaka (P10 W4 D1 L5 GD +1) have lost four of their last five games now, including handing wins to hapless Albirex and Consadole and earned their inconsistent tag but, if they keep losing they’ll not be inconsistent any longer, they’ll just be in danger of ending the season struggling against relegation. Midfielder, and star player, Hiroshi Kiyotake has all but confirmed that he will be leaving for Nuremberg in the Bundesliga after the Olympics in London, which will also impact the team. I do not think S-Pulse will let this opportunity go but Cerezo may live up that inconsistent tag again? Expect a WIN for Shimizu S-Pulse!

Head to head over the last decade Cerezo have six wins to S-Pulse’s four, with four draws over the years. In this fixture last year, Cerezo held S-Pulse to a 3-3 draw, while winning the other leg, in Osaka, 4-0.

Archives, In the Mix, Reports

JSoccer.COMment – Results Round-Up of Games 8, 9 and 10

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Archives, In the Mix

ベガルタ仙台０-１清水エスパルス – 5月6日

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仙台での１位・２位決戦、エスパルスにとっては勝ち点６の意味を持つゲームだったが、
プレビューで私が予想した通り、エスパルスが無敗を続けるベガルタにとうとう土がつける！エスパルスのアフシン・ゴトビ監督は、若さと情熱、気骨と経験を見事に融合させ、リーグ制覇を狙えるチームに作り上げている。これを知っているのは、ゴトビ監督自身の口からその理念を聞いているからだ！
今日の静岡は、高木と大前の小柄ツインをトップに、ＧＫには代表ＧＫを控えに置いて林を起用。またアレックス・ブロスケが出場停止から戻ってチームに活力を与える。ゲームは青空の下で開始するが、突然の雷雨で45分間の中断。雹が選手に降り付ける一幕も！
再開後、前半30分を経過したとき、関口がボレーシュート。はじいたボールに詰め寄ったウィルソンを、ＧＫ林が辛うじて防ぐ。直後、高木の深いクロスに反応した大前がボレーを放つと、仙台のＧＫ林もナイスセーブ。そして前半39分、このこう着状態を高木・大前のコンビが打開。高木の内に巻いてくるクロスに大前が頭で合わせると、ボールはキーパーを抜けてゴールに吸い込まれた。
試合は一進一退を繰り広げ、両チームとも互角のチャンスで迎えた後半23分。ヨンアピンがウィルソンを倒し、２枚目のイエローを受けて退場。エスパルスは、最後の20分間、10人での戦いを強いられる！武藤、ウィルソンと、仙台の終了間際の猛攻をＧＫ林の好セーブなどで凌ぎ、無敗を続けてきた首位チームに土をつけた。これで１位・２位との差は勝ち点２に縮まる。エスパルス、この勢いで一気に首位に駆け上がるか！


Archives, In the Mix, Reports

Afshin Ghotbi speaks to the fans ….

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Vegalta Sendai 0 – 1 Shimizu S-Pulse

What a game! Hail, thunder, rain, yellow cards (five to be exact) matching the color of Sendai’s uniforms, fantastic goal, undeserved red card, and championship spirit from our orange men. I am proud of our players, staff, and supporters for a well-deserved victory against the unbeaten Sendai.

The opening exchange was guarded, as stakes were high between the 1st and 2nd teams in J1. After 13 minutes, hail the size of ice cubes started falling from the sky. The dark clouds rolled in, followed by lighting and thunder.

The match was suspended for almost forty-five minutes. It gave me a great opportunity to make some adjustments. In a short meeting, we used video images from the high camera and showed ways we could achieve our mission.

When the match resumed, our players reacted perfectly. With a slicker surface after the hail and rain, we were able increase the ball speed making more space and creating several good scoring opportunities. A timely goal came on a move started by a quick re-start and a perfectly weighted pass from Takagi to Genki (Omae). The lofted pass finds Genki behind the defense, and he makes sure to head it down for the only goal of the game.

We went into the second half with the intention of controlling the game with long possession and more goals. Genki and Sho both had wonderful chances. Calvin’s second yellow card forced us to use our last substitution, bringing Hiraoka into the central defence. We defended in a 4-2-3 formation, and stood strong for 26 minutes, including added time, earning a hard-fought victory.

A third victory, a clean sheet, and a heroic performance over a week giving us twenty-one points in the league so far. I want to thank all the supporters who made the long journey and shared this very special game with us. You are our inspiration.

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May 6th, game 10, J1 – Another All-in-One J1 Round-Up This Weekend….

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First, the results:

Vegalta Sendai 0-1 Shimizu S-Pulse
KashIwa Reysol 2-5 Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Yokohama F.Marinos 2-1 Consadole Sapporo
Jubilo Iwata 2-2 Urawa Reds
Nagoya Grampus 2-3 Kawasaki Frontale
Cerezo Osaka 1-2 Vissel Kobe
Omiya Ardija 1-0 Gamba Osaka
Albirex Niigata 0-2 FC Tokyo
Kashima Antlers 0-0 Sagan Tosu

JSoccer.com featured game – Vegalta Sendai 0-1 Shimizu S-Pulse

It was 1st against 2nd in Sendai – a real six-pointer for S-Pulse, hoping to end Vegalta’s unbeaten campaign, and end it they did. As I predicted right here, and am proud of it! S-Pulse coach Afshin Ghotbi is getting together the right blend of youth, enthusiasm, grit and experience and making it into a team that can win the Championship. I know, because he told me so himself!
Today the Shizuoka team started with the Tiny Twins up front – Takagi and Omae, persisted with Hayashi in goal – who must now feel that spot is his own, even with a national team keeper on the bench – and were boosted by the return of Alex Brosque after suspension.
After a bright start the game was delayed for 45 minutes when a lightning storm lit up the sky and hailstones rained down upon the heads of the players!
Upon the restart, just after the half hour mark, a Sekiguchi volley gave keeper Hayashi problems but he got in the way of Wilson’s follow-up. Moments later a Takagi deep cross was delicately volleyed by Omae, but was an easy stop for the Sendai keeper, also Hayashi! In the 39th minute, the same combination broke the deadlock as Takagi’s inswinging cross was met perfectly by Omae who headed the ball down and past the keeper to make it 1-0 at the break.
Despite end to end action and half chances for both teams, the score remained the same into the 68th minute when Jong-a-Pin was shown his second yellow card for bringing down Wilson on the edge of the area….. S-Pulse had their work cut out for the final 20 minutes if they were to hold on to the points! Bit hold on they did, with Hayashi making saves from Muto and Wilson in the final minutes to end Sendai’s unbeaten run, and cut their lead at the top of J1 to within one win. Look out for S-Pulse to be taking over the reins an week now!

KashIwa Reysol 2-5 Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce kept apace with S-Pulse, hoping for a shot at the top, by thrashing Reysol, away! Goals came from Hisashi Sato – hitting the nine goal mark for the season already, with a goal in each half – putting Hiroshima 2-0 in the lead before Reysol seemed to have got back into he game through Junya Tanaka – with a goal the likes of Didier Drogba or Robin van Persie would have been proud of a minute after coming on as a substitiute – and Jorge Wagner. And then, with five minutes to go, Takahagi got on the end of a Mikic cross to take Sanfrecce into the lead again and the game was put away with two goals in additional time by Ishihara.

Yokohama F.Marinos 2-1 Consadole Sapporo
Oguro spurned three decent chances before Saito cleaned up his third mistake and Nakamura blasted home the loose ball. Furuta equalised for the away team before Taniguchi headed home the winner in the 78th minute to make it three wins-in-row Marinos.

Jubilo Iwata 2-2 Urawa Reds
Jubilo got their goals on a brace of headers from Baek. Makino scored a reflexive equaliser before a fine drag back, turn, and perfectly placed shot from Haraguchi gave Reds the lead. Baek’s second gave Jubilo the point.

Nagoya Grampus 2-3 Kawasaki Frontale
Tasaka opened the scoring for Frontale, Kennedy blasted a left foot rocket from 25 yards to equalize and Kengo Nakamura supplied Ohshima for the header to make it 2-1. All this up to the 14th minute! Ohshima scored his second on the stroke of half time, slipping the ball through the keeper’s legs at the near post after another fine ball from Nakamura. Half time 1-3.
In the 70th minute Fujimoto’s deflected shot pulled the deficit back to one goal but the away team held on for the valuable win.

Cerezo Osaka 1-2 Vissel Kobe
Vissel made it two wins in a row under interim coach Adachi through a Yoshida PK and a fine left footed grass cutter from Nozawa, while Cerezo scored through a Kim PK. Vissel keeper Tokushige denied Fujimoto from point blank range in the closing minutes as Vissel held on for their 5th win of the season.

Omiya Ardija 1-0 Gamba Osaka
Kurata struck the bar from close range and Abe stung the keeper’s fingers with a long range blast in the first half, before Endo missed a point blank, but admittedly bouncing and difficult header in the 2nd half. Gamba could have sewn up the points before a Carlinhos shot ricocheted fortunately, for Omiya anyway, over the centre backs, and Cho and Higashi fought over the scraps before the Korean slotted in the winning goal through the legs of the onrushing Kimura in the Gamba goal. Sasaki created space brilliantly with an overhead flick and turn on the right wing and his cross just evaded Sato when it seemed a goal was on the cards. It was not Gamba’s day!

Albirex Niigata 0-2 FC Tokyo
After a goalless first half Kajiyama volleyed home the opening goal from a pinpoint cross from the right wing just after the restart and Yazawa sealed the points after a defensive mistake left him wide open in the 71st minute.

Kashima Antlers 0-0 Sagan Tosu
A goalless first half, with little action to speak of gave way to a more open 2nd half with Koroki spurning a breakaway chance in the 50th minute for Antlers, before Toyoda created space intelligently on the turn in the 61st minute, but is shot went narrowly wide. The same player was denied by the keeper in the 68th minute too, before Antlers’ sub Okamoto saw a header cleared off the line by the Tosu defence with the final play of the game.