Kofu emerged as winners when they met Ehime away this round, and with that they are unbeaten for an impressive 8 matches. If they manage to keep up their good form for the rest of the season, it’s not impossible that they will be in contention for a top 3 finish, especially considering the other teams up there keeps dropping points.
The match were eventl contested, with the play shifting from side to side. Both teams impressed with some nice passing that lead to dangerous chances, but the defences were good too, so we didn’t see too many goals. The only goal of the game came after 32 minutes, when Ishihara poked in a rebound given after a shot from Hosaka following a quick counter-attack. Ehime tried hard to get the equalizer, and with the wingers especially turning in a good match, getting free again and again down the flanks they got to many chances. The strikers failed to finish them off though, and in the end Kofu could celebrate another win. Ehime should atleast deserve a draw though, and they outshot Kofu 10-9.
S: Sato 10’
Yokohama played one of their better matches all season when they held Sanfrecce to a 1-1 draw at home this round. They got off to a bad start though, when Sanfrecce’s prolific striker gave the visitors an early lead to score his 20th goal of the season. Yokohama fought hard to get back in to the game though, and managed to put Sanfrecce under alot of pressure. Sanfrecce were a bit disappointing, and allowed Yokohama to go forward over and over again. They finally got their equalizer in the 60th minute when Nanba received a cross from the left after a defensive error from a Sanfrecce-defender let Yokohama’s winger take the cross that ended with Nanba’s goal. Only good goalkeeping from Sanfrecce’s GK saved the visitors from a defeat, with Yokohama coming close a few times near the end. Yokohama’s FW got sent off in the dying minutes cause of 2 yellow cards. Yokohama had 15 shots to Sanfrecce’s 12.
M: Toyoda 33’, 45’
Cerezo took on 2nd placed Montedio in a thrilling and evenly-played match this round, and the teams ended up sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw. The match always seemed to have a big nerve in it, and although we didn’t see too many chances it was never a dull moment. Cerezo’s wonderkid Shinji Kagawa gave the hosts the lead after 22 minutes, when Cerezo came up with sone impressive one-touch passing counter-attack that Kagawa coolly finished. But 11 minutes later found Kitamura U-23 NT Striker Toyoda with a cross, and the compact striker did well to equalize. Just before the break Toyoda were on target once again, after Aizawa in Cerezo’s goal failed to hold on to a shot from Miyazawa.
10 minutes into the 2nd half Cerezo changed their topscorer Komatsu in for Furuhashi, and that gave a new spark to Cerezo’s play. A few minutes after that Cerezo were awarded a penalty-kick when Shogo Kobara committed a fould inside the box. Germano converted the PK as usual, and the teams were on level terms again. With a 1-man advantage, Cerezo were suddenly in control of the match, but despite several chances and some offensive substitutions near the end they couldn’t find the winning-goal. Cerezo had 9 shots to Montedio’s 10, and in the end a draw seemed a fair result. Montedio will be most happy about it though, but drawing 2-2 against the 2nd placed team is not something Cerezo can be unhappy with either.
Tokushima were unlucky not to win when they met Shonan at home this round, with the visitors being reduced to 10 men midway through the 1st half. DF Jean received the marching-order, which forced Shonan to turn into a more defensive formation. They still managed to get to some chances though, but so did Tokushima and it was an open match. Tokushima looked best in the beginning, attacking down the flanks setting up the brazilian forwards for goal-attempts. Shonan managed to stay on par with Tokushima though despite being a man down, and although the home team had the most of the chances it could have gone either way. With the other teams up there also dropping points ( except Vegalta), this result wasn’t too bad and Shonan still lies in a good position regarding promotion next season. Tokushima outshot them 13-7.
Sagan Tosu Roasso Kumamoto 1-2
S: Hirose 30’
R: Nakayama 43’, Kijima 69’
Roasso stood for the biggest surprise this round, when they beat island-rivals Sagan 2-1 at home, That ended their 6 games without a win streak, and they were fully on level with Sagan as well. The match were played in front of a record-high 21000+, which is the highest attendance record this round in both J1 and J2. The big crowd were pleased with the start of the game, especialyl when Hirose gave the home-side the lead. Hirose got the honour of finishing off a nice attack, and scored only his 2nd goal of the season. But Roasso didnt want to be any worse, and just before the break Satoshi Nakayama equalized after chasing down a long-ball. That was Nakayama’s 4th goal this year, and he’s been a disappointment if we compare him to his partner up front Takahashi. Midway through the 2nd half came Roasso’s 2nd goal, when Kijima scored on a counter-attack. The home-crowd were stunned, and although Tosu came close on equalizing near the end of the match, the score remained the same and Roasso could go home with a very strong win. Probably a big boost for the morale as well, beating the local rival away. Sagan had 8 shots to Roasso’s 9.
Vegalta Sendai FC Gifu 1-0
V: Ryan Yong-Gi 4’
Vegalta were the only top team that managed a win this round, when they beat Gifu at home thanks to an early goal from Ryan Yong Gi. The north-korean reacted first on a loose ball following a shot, and could just tap the ball into the open net to make it 1-0 aftero nly 4 minutes. After the early goal, Vegalta continued dominating the possession, but Gifu weren’t all lost, and played much better today than in recent matches. They looked dangerous on counter-attacks especially, but the sturdy Vegalta defence managed to keep the strikers at bay most of the times. Vegalta had the most of chances, but never managed to get the 2nd goal that would calm down the player’s nerves. But they won, and climbed above Cerezo in the table to go 4th. They had 12 shots to Gifu’s 9.
A: Okubo 73’
Thespa played their 3rd draw in a row when they met Avispa at home this round, and according to play that seemed like a fair result. Both teams had their periods where they dominated, and the defensive play at both ends also looked quite good. Goto gave the home team the lead after 27 minutes, when he took a volley shot that flew in past Avispa’s goalie. Thespa maintained the pressure after the goal, and could have gone 1 more up if they had finished off their chances better. Avispa got back into the match though, when Okubo equalized in the 73rd minute. Avispa put on all their tall strikers near the end, but the tactic didn’t pay off and the match ended a draw. With neither of the teams having too much to play for a draw is a result both will be happy with. Thespa had 10 shots to Avispa’s 12.
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