Team News
Albirex Niigata – DF Ishikawa, MFs Nakamura and Uchida, FW Suzuki all reported out injured.
Vissel Kobe – FW Tashiro is still doubtful, DF Hayashi out for the season.
Head to Head – In 18 meetings since 2004 Vissel have won just 3, with 11 wins for Albirex and 4 draws. Vissel won their home tie this season, 1-0.
Match Preview – Albirex Niigata pulled off a 5-0 win over Nagoya Grampus last weekend, after scoring only 17 goals in their previous 26 games! It was a vital win that kept them in touch with Gamba Osaka and Omiya Ardija and a win here would take them to within a point of their opponents and really out Vissel Kobe in trouble. History favours the home side and Vissel must halt their slide of four defeats in-a-row or they will find themselves heading to J2. The fight for 40 points – the probably total for safety this season? – is well and truly underway and it is VITAL for Vissel KObe that they do not lose this. A win would be even better, but it’s tough for a team who are playing reasonably well but losing to get over that losing feeling. perhaps the best that they can hope for is a point? EXPECT a DRAW!
An oldie but goodie as Emerson says goodbye to Vissel fans!
FC Tokyo – MF Otake must be considered out for the season. FW Hirayama expected to be out at least three weeks.
Abirex Niigata (P9 W2 D2 L5 GD -3) shocked Sanfrecce Hiroshima last time out in a game that appeared to be played by two teams under the weather, a case of bad Sanfrecce as opposed to good Albirex perhaps! Albirex have scored just fve goals in nine games this season, although have only conceded eight goals in that time … not much goal action for the Niigata fans so far but they’ll be happy with another 1-0 win, for sure. They will probably not get it, though.
FC Tokyo (P8 W4 D0 L4 GD -2) have gone on a downward slide after a good start and now sit in 10th place after losing four out of their last five J1 games. The capital team will be looking to halt that slide and Kazuma Watanabe will be expecting the start after a goalscoring ACL performance in midweek. Ishihara didn’t start the game in that ACL win so will be rested and ready to create or score as necessary. Expect the speedy FC Tokyo attack to unpick the lock of the stingy Niigata defence. Except a WIN for FC Tokyo!
Albirex have notched seven wins to FC Tokyo’s six, with two games ending in draws. Tokyo haven’t won in league play since doing the double over Niigata in 2008.
For unbeaten Sendai, Akamine was out with a muscle strain so in came veteran Yanagisawa to partner Wilson upfront. The talking point came in the 6th minute when a cleared free kick fell to Naoki Ishikawa who deftly half-volleyed the ball home only to see the goal disallowed for an offside flag. The problem was that Daisuke Suzuki was blocking the keeper’s view – good to see the officials get the difficult and unusual decision correct.
It was Suzuki involved in the key decision of the game, and another talking point as, with minutes to go, the defender shoved Wilson in the back and a PK was awarded which the Brazilian duly converted to keep Vegalta well clear at the top of J1.
Albirex coach Kurosaki said the ref was “subarashii”, fantastic! Sarcasm in Japan, whatever next?!
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