Tag Archives: Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Previews

J1 Preview – Sat. Sept.15th – 19:00 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Vegalta Sendai at Hiroshima Big Arch

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Sanfrecce Hiroshima – MF Mikic is out, along with MF Nakajima. MF Yamagishi may be ready to return from injury.
Vegalta Sendai – FW Muto is injured, DF Harada is doubtful

In 2008 J2, then J1 since 2010 there have been 9 meetings between the teams, 2 wins for Vegalta, 1 for Sanfrecce and SIX draws!

This is the epitome of the six-pointer at the top of the league … these two teams have switched places at the top for the last few weeks and have almost identical scoring, conceding and goal difference records, so a win for either will really create a gap that neither can afford the other to have. Vegalta sit a point clear right now, having won their last two matches, while Sanfrecce only managed a win and a draw. Sanfrecce, it should also be noted, lost in the Emperor’s Cup last week, so will be looking to make amends / concentrate on the league and will have their home fans to pacify after last weekend’s pathetic loss. While they will be missing influential midfielder Mikic and Nakajima from the middle, they have the squad to cover and will be giving their all.

Vegalta Sendai narrowly overcame neighbours Sony Sendai in the Cup last week and have no major injuries to worry about and have won two and drawn one since their shock defeat to Consadole Sapporo last month. Their bubble burst in the run-in last season and they eventually fell out of the ACL places, will that experience see them in good stead for this year, or will the run come to an end soon? I can’t see them keeping it going for much longer but I think they will be motivated enough to deny Sanfrecce a victory here, doing enough to allow Urawa Reds to keep in touch with both of these teams.
EXPECT a DRAW!

Previews

J1 Preview Aug.18th – 19:00 Albirex Niigata vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Tohoku Den

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Albirex Niigata – DF Suzuki returns from the Olympics. DF Uchida out for the season. FW Musashi Suzuki out for three months.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima – MF Hwang is back from Korea’s Olympic outing.

10 wins for Sanfrecce, 5 for Albirex, and 7 draws since 2003, that season being in J2 before both teams entered J1.

Sanfrecce are top of J1, and well-deserving of the position. But the last time they made the summit they lost their next game. if they are to win J1 they need to kill off opponents and beat the pressure that they feel. Albirex Niigata are slowly sliding into J2, even though they have won 2 of their last 5 games. FC Tokyo and Consadole Sapporo were their victims, but I can’t see them adding Sanfrecce’s scalp to that list. The likes of Bruno Lopes, HIrai and Yano are just not scoring goals, or looking confident in front of goal – just 15 goals in 21 games says it all. That’s level with Sapporo’s goalscoring record. Having noted their forwards’ lack of goals, the Albirex defence should be commended for only conceding 25 goals – almost comparable to teams like Vegalta (20) or Sanfrecce themselves (23), but those teams score goals also.

This may be low-scoring but EXPECT a WIN for SANFECCE HIROSHIMA!

Previews

PREVIEW May 19th Game 12 – 14:00 Sanfrecce Hiroshima v. Vissel Kobe at Hiroshima Big Arch

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Vissel Kobe – CB Komoto is considered fit again after long term knee injury. MF Hashimoto is also expected to be available. FW Tashiro should still be considered doubtful. FW Okubo is not fully fit but expected to be asking to play!

Over the last decade Sanfrecce have won eight times to Vissel’s two wins, with four draws. Each team won their home fixture by a 1-0 scoreline in 2011.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima (P11 W6 D1 L4 GD +8) went ahead with Aoyama’s wonder goal from over 60 yards last weekend but eventually went down 3-1 to Yokohama F.Marinos and will be looking to get back to winning ways in front of their own fans. Hisato Sato is in sparkling form and the team have taken well to new, and young coach Moriyasu’s systems – although not too distant from his predecessor’s ideas! Mikic has been a key man this season, feeding Sato from the right wing and Vissel’s left wide will have to be on their tows to stop this pipeline. Attacking left back Soma may have to concentrate on defending this weekend! Sanfreece lie in 3rd place, despite winning only two of their last five and will be hoping to stay in touch with the top spot.

Vissel Kobe (P11 W5 D0 L6 GD -5) have publicly targeted a top 4 spot this season and interim coach Adachi will want to add to the points total so that the new coach – almost certainly to be ex-Gamba boss Akira Nishino, according to reports – will be able to come in and keep up the approach for that big season! Youngsters like Ogawa, Morioka, Mihara and Okui will be perfect base players for Nishino to build a new team to last a decade at the top. Vissel fans will be hoping that is the case. With Lee in fine form at centre back, and Kitomoto leading the team from his side, there may be no room for the ready to return Komoto, but having players on the bench with that ability will be fine for Vissel! Expect Vissel to give their all for coach Adachi and EXPECT a WIN for VISSEL KOBE!

Previews

PREVIEW May 12th 15:00 Sanfrecce Hiroshima v. Yokohama F.Marinos at Hiroshima Big Arch

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Yokohama F.Marinos – DF Amano out for most of the season.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima (P10 W6 D1 L3 GD +10) stuffed FIVE goals past Kashiwa Reysol last, AWAY! They went out 2-0 in front, Reysol pulled the game back to 2-2 but then Sanfrecce hit them with three late goals to take the points and stay in 3rd place, four points behind leaders Vegalta Sendai. Unfortunately, the match before that Sanfrecce allowed Niigata to take all three points in their home game, so Sanfrecce will be looking to pay back their fans for that huge Golden Week disappointment. Hisashi Sato is in the kind of form that could get him a national team recall and if the likes of Mikic keep supplying the ammunition Sato will keep scoring!

Yokohama F.Marinos (P10 W3 D4 L3 GD 0) have won three games in-a-row after a dire start saw them heading for the bottom of the table. Those wins include an away win at Urawa Reds so, if confidence, and luck are with them, there is no reason why they can’t make a game of this. Forward Oguro is missing many chances, while Marquinos is not ready for a full game yet, so a lot is on the shoulders of young Yuji Ono! The defence misses Amano and centre backs Nakazawa and Kurihara will have their hands full with the J1 top scorer up against them this weekend! Marinos fans are still unsure if they want to keep the same coach but, if a change is to be made, they’ll need to lose a few games – catch 22! Expect a Win for Sanfrecce Hiroshima!

Over the last decade, in 15 meetings, Marinos have seven wins to Sanfrecce’s five, with three draws.

Previews

PREVIEW – Kashiwa Reysol v. Sanfrecce Hiroshima – May 6th

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Kashiwa Reysol (P8 W2 D2 L4 GD -2) were on ACL duty in the week so did not play in the J.League. Last time out, last weekend they were held by Sagan Tosu and have now dropped to 15th place (although they do have that game in hand now). Their season has probably been disappointing so far, although all first time entrants into the ACL, if not ALL ACL entrants, seem to have trouble juggling the schedule of two competitions, Reysol being no exception so far this campaign. They will be looking for a home win to appease their unruly fans!

Sanfrecce Hiroshima (P9 W5 D1 L3 GD +7) were probably hoping, if not expecting to be sitting pretty in 2nd place now but went down to Albirex Niigata last time out, surprising everyone. Very much an off day for an inspired 2012 Sanfrecce, under young coach Moriyasu. Hisato Sato is leading by example and must be pushing for a recall to the national team. Expect Reysol to get the backlash from last week’s surprise defeat and for Sanfrecce to come out of this with a point to stop the rot. Except a Draw!

Reysol have three wins, to Sanfrecce’s two, and we have five draws in ten meetings between these two teams. Sanfrecce’s wins came in 2009 and 2004.

In the Mix, Reports

J1 Round-Up, May 3rd, Matchday 9

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J1 Round-Up, May 3rd, Matchday 9

Here are the results:

Consadole Sapporo 1-0 Cerezo Osaka
Vissel Kobe 3-0 Omiya Ardija
Kawasaki Frontale 4-3 Jubilo Iwata
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 0-1 Albirex Niigata
Sagan Tosu 1-1 Vegalta Sendai
Urawa Reds 1-2 Yokohama F. Marinos
Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0 Kashima Antlers

JSoccer.COMment:
Cerezo proved once and for all how inconsistent they are by giving Cosadole Sapporo their first win of the season! Yusuke Kondo scored the winner in the 25th minute and Consadole hold on for the three points.

Vissel Kobe fired coach Wada, put Adachi in charge for a couple of games while they work out finances with Akira Nishino, travel arrangements with Stuart Baxter, or work up enough courage to approach Pep Guardiola! (I also suggested that Michael Laudrup be considered!). The new coach will be happy to know that Vissel played with freedom and confidence and destroyed Omiya Ardija with ease! Goals from Ogawa, lee and Mogi (his first touch) sealed the points for Vissel.

Frontale found their goalscoring touch under new coach Kazama, but almost let Jubilo back into the game late on. Jubilo are being found out after their start seemed better than they deserved? Yajima scored two for Frontale.

Sanfrecce gave Albirex their first win of the season, just when it seemed Sanfrecce would make a run at Sendai on top. Were Sanfrecce bad, or did Albirex finally come good? A bit of both, it seems!

Tosu held unbeaten Vegalta to a draw, just as predicted on this very site in the previews. Is that the beginning of the end for Sendai? Will S-Pulse take them out this weekend and send them on a downward spiral? Watch this space!

Reds gave Marinos an unexpected second win in-a-row on Thursday. Saito scored a lovely goal (does he ever score simple ones!!?), Makino matched his brilliance with one of his own to make it 1-1, but old soldier Marquinos came on as a late sub and confounded us all with the winner!

S-Pulse staked their claim to be title contenders with a 3-0 drubbing of resurgent Antlers. Ito popped one in at close range very early on, then Takagi scored a screamer, and Omae another well taken volley to round out the scoring and send the away team back to Kashima under a cloud.

Note that FC Tokyo v. Kashiwa Reysol and Gamba Osaka v. Nagoya Grampus – postponed die to ACL commitments – will be played on June 27

Previews

Sanfrecce Hiroshima v. Albirex Niigata – preview May 3rd

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Sanfrecce too Strong for Struggling Niigata!

Sanfrecce Hiroshima – Kazuyuki Morisaki is suspended.
Albirex Niigata – Bruno Lopes is suspended.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima (P8 W5 D1 L2 GD +8) walked all over Kawasaki Frontale at the weekend, away from home to boot, and will be looking to increase the pressure on runaway leaders Vegalta Sendai in this game. Against a team second from bottom after eight games they must fancy themselves to score a few goals! Hisashi Sato is in fine form and his supply from Mikic, in particular, on the right wing is paying huge dividends. Expect more goals for Sanfrecce today.

Albirex Niigata are just dire … EXPECT a WIN for SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA!