Tag Archives: Afshin Ghotbi
Afshin Ghotbi speaks to the fans ….
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.
PREVIEW – Shimizu S-Pulse v. Kashima Antlers – May 3rd
S-Pulse to Stop Antlers Revival!
Team News
Shimizu S-Pulse – Alex Brosque and Jymmy Franca are suspended.
Match Preview
Eight yellow cards and two reds last time out and Shimizu S-Pulse (P8 W5 D0 L3 GD +1) still managed to take maximum points from FC Tokyo. Today they will be missing Franca, no big loss, and Alex Brosque – a bigger blow to be sure. Supersubs from the nine-man win over Tokyo, Takahara and Takagi may be called on to start this time and S-Pulse will be hoping to continue their fine run against a Kashima Antlers (P8 W3 D1 L4 GD +1) who have now won three games in a row after a dire start.
The mix of youngsters and experienced players is beginning t blend well for Shimizu, although Shinji Ono still appears to be carrying an injury and will be hard-pressed to comlete a full game.
Kashima scored five against Gamba Osaka in their last game, although they had big help from a dire defence and goalkeeper, but the likes of Koroki and Osako will be brimming with confidence after getting on the scoresheet, after a bad start fr the team as a whole. Influential midfielder Endo, who outplayed his famous namesake in the Gamba midfield last game, is living up to potential shown over the las few years and will be a key player for the team as the older heads like Motoyama and even Ogasawara gradually fade away and are replaced by the new generation.
Despite being weakened through players carrying injuries, and suspensions, EXPECT a WIN for SHIMIZU S-PULSE!
Head to Head
Ten wins for Kashima, four for Shimizu and eight draws over the years. Kashima won last time out but the four before that produced three of those eight draws.
Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 FC Tokyo – April 28th
S-Pulse came out of this with the win that I had predicted, even though they made it hard for themselves. The winning goal came after the home team found themselves down to nine men, when the two substitutes – Takahara and Takagi – combined, with Takagi blasting the ball from 15 yards or so with the keeper unable to move. Up to that point referee Nishimura had stuck to the letter of the law – not always a good thing, but a professional referee with a living to make can not be criticized for adhering to the rulebook – and a succession of orange shirts went into the book for varying offences, from kicking the ball away after the whistle that Franca picked up very early on (unnecessary, deserves to be fined) to the “take one for the team” cynical foul on the half way line from Shinji Ono. Brosque’s 2nd yellow card was another moment of madness when he intentionally delayed a quick free kick right under the referee’s nose and too his early bath.
Franca’s 2nd yellow card was a little more debatable, one of those that could go ewither way, depending on the referee, the opponents reaction, the crowd, and the view of the officials. Franca went up for the ball with arm swinging, caught his opponent in the face, who went down as if he’d been shot. The officials discussed it and a card was dispatched. Those go either way, today it went against S-Pulse. Until the goal (and his red card) FRanca had surely had the best chance as he found himself though on gaol with no defender in sight, but he delayed so much that by the time he was ready to shoot, he had defenders around him, and his shot was weak.
Tokyo sensed blood when S-Pulse went down to nine men but the home defence held out and then Takahara launched the counter attack that had Afshin Ghotbi and his bench dancing a jig, and gave S-Pulse maximum points!
One for the S-Pulse fans, but also those who want to know more on Afshin Ghotbi!
Afshin Ghotbi in 3m. 44 secs. Nice work.