Intro
FC Ryukyu head to the Tokyo area to take on first placed Kashiwa Reysol who are currently on an 8-game unbeaten run in the J2. FC Ryukyu are sporting a 4-game losing streak and have lost 6 out of their last 7 matches. This match up is a far cry from the last time these 2 sides squared off in Okinawa on match day 8. Since that time, Reysol have gone on to win 9 matches, draw 6 times and suffer only 2 defeats whereas FC Ryukyu have drawn 4 times, lost 10 times and only won 3 matches. FC Ryukyu face an almost impossible task this weekend based on the two sides statistics and recent performances.
Weather Forecast
It is going to be hot. Temperatures may be in the 80s but it will feel like the upper 90s leading up to the match and high 80s/low 90s for most of the match. There is little chance of rain so stay hydrated people.
Kashiwa Reysol
Reysol are doing their best steam roller impression as they are absolutely flattening everyone in their path. 8 wins in a row in all competitions and they are doing it in style. It seems each of the past 8 weeks that either Cristiano or Olunga have scored and now their new signing, Matheus Savio on loan from Brazilian side Flamengo, is also getting in on the scoring action.
Reysol’s last five match results: 4-2 win over Kofu, 2-1 over Vortis after coming back to win, 1-0 win versus Kanazawa, 2-1 win over Tochigi after going down 1-0 and the 4-0 demolition of Okayama. Wow.
FC Ryukyu
I simply have no answers or reasons as to why FC Ryukyu are performing so poorly as of late. It is not as if this team has capitulated and they are doing all they can to stay in games and win matches. Unfortunately, I think they are being out coached and tactically out performed by many of their rivals. Higuchi’s false resolve and stead fast refusal to change the way FC Ryukyu prepare and execute matches has seen this side experience a series of devastating losses and results. Opponents are no longer shocked by FCR like they were earlier this season and can easily make the necessary in-game adjustments against FCR to grab all 3 points. This is not a failure of the players but a failure of the coaching staff to adjust and the players are dealing with the fall out and criticism.
Since we have no idea whose dealing with injures or dips in form, we cannot accurately assess the lineup or reserve choices for each match by Higuchi. We can critique his lineup selection, managerial decisions, and first choices off the bench though. Higuchi has preferred to make changes at the start of the second half recently and to me that signals that he has got the formation, starters and game plan all wrong from the beginning. He will then wait to make the 3rd substitution despite being down by 2, and sometimes 3 goals, with well over a quarter or more of the match to play. The most egregious example of Higuchi’s mismanagement was his bringing on of Nishikawa, a defender, in the 85th minute and then decision to push Okazaki up front for some added height. This indicates a last-ditch effort by a manager desperate to save his job.
Team Injuries
Kashiwa Reysol: #11 FW Yamazaki Ryohei has a torn hamstring (using the Google translate calls it separated meat-yuck!).
FC Ryukyu: #1 GK Dany Carvajal but no updates as to what is afflicting him. #13 MF Kawai Shuto didn’t feature at all last week and no updates. There are likely more but we have no idea.
FC Ryukyu Keys to Victory
How can I even assume there are any? FC Ryukyu cannot exploit any weakness against any opponent at the moment and for them to grab any points tomorrow, it will take one of the following:
1. An absolute dip in form by Reysol that is the equivalent of diving head first off a cliff, very unlikely.
2. A miracle. Unlikely, but stranger things have happened and FC Ryukyu do play stronger teams a little tougher. Still, I put this happening at less than 1%.
Match Prediction
Kashiwa Reysol 4-0 FCR. Reysol are firing on all cylinders whereas FC Ryukyu are on fire and burning towards the bottom of J2.
Conclusion
Lets just get this over with and then focus on the next 2 home games as well as 3rd home game this month against FC Gifu. I am hoping for the best, but expecting the worst so good luck to anyone that shows up (FC Ryukyu Kanto Supporters)!
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