2019

Intro

Something has to give. Literally. These two teams each bring an interesting dynamic/aspect to this match. Zelvia have only amassed 2 wins at home all season while FC Ryukyu have only won once on the road. If ever there was a match that FC Ryukyu could break this ridiculous streak, you’d figure this could be the one. But hold on folks, teams target FC Ryukyu match-ups as wins whenever they visit and they have every right too. I am sure the Machida faithful are targeting this game as one in which they can break their unlucky streak of not having won at home since match day 6, which is about 6 calendar months ago. This is definitely not your typical “immovable object against an unstoppable force” scenario as neither of these sides are a juggernaut in any one area of the game but hopefully it is FC Ryukyu that snaps their unfortunate streak while pushing themselves slightly higher in the table at the expense of Machida Zelvia.

Weather Forecast

Mostly cloudy with 25% chance of rain and slight breeze. Comfortable.

Machida Zelvia

Zelvia’s unfortunate situation at home this season is their problem and not FC Ryukyu’s. Zelvia have either failed to score against their opponent at home, or have lost the lead later in matches 12 out of 16 times this season (75%). In fact, they’ve only come back twice to earn a favorable result (draw) at home. FC Ryukyu displayed a “never give up” attitude versus Yamagata and if Zelvia switch off for any bit of time tomorrow then FC Ryukyu will make them pay for that transgression.

Machida’s last 5 results are: 3-0 win against Okayama on the road, 1-1 draws at home to JEF Chiba UTD and Omiya followed by an 0-2 loss to Kyoto away from home and a 0-0 draw with Yokohama at home. It is hard to make heads or tails of this team when you see those results. On one hand, they’ve achieved some nice results against sides above them in the table. On the other, they’ve failed to score the past few weeks and do not present a massive challenge to any opponent.

Prior to the Okayama win, Zelvia didn’t win for roughly 2 months. A streak that many FC Ryukyu fans can relate to. However, FC Ryukyu were at least scoring goals in their defeats. Zelvia have been shutout in 14 of their 33 games this season compared to that of FC Ryukyu who’ve only been blanked 6 times. You know, as I am writing this, I recall that Yamagata had inverse numbers compared to FC Ryukyu and that game ended very differently than I thought it would, perhaps I should stop here and move on.

FC Ryukyu

FC Ryukyu have emerged from a rough stretch of games that saw them only win 1 out of 9 games but now they have gone 3 games in a row with out a loss. A feat they haven’t been able to repeat since that remarkable run of games to begin the season. FC Ryukyu are 8 points clear of the drop zone and a win tomorrow, plus a loss by Tochigi to Ehime, would put Ryukyu 11 points clear with 8 games remaining. Meaning they would only need to see out 4 more matches at the current point total to guarantee safety.

I have harped on safety and staying in J2 all season and for some of you this may seem very pessimistic. I can understand, but the first year of any promoted team must always be about survival. Especially when you are a small club with limited resources. To FC Ryukyu’s credit, they have been able to scout, employ and sell some very talented players to their advantage the past few years. Hopefully they will become a “buyer” of talent compared to a “seller” in the future but for now, its Zelvia and Match Day 34. FC Ryukyu have a chance to send an opponent, who is near drowning, further down to the bottom of the table while simultaneously saving themselves and securing their survival.

That analogy may come across as brutal or harsh but it is simply reality. We fight for survival every day and the sport of football is no different. 3 points away from home would be massive and can be achieved with some quality play. Shinji is starting to come into his own back there and our attack looks so much more lethal than it has the past 5 months, give or take. Our defense has been our weakest link all season and there is no indications that will change for this match which means it is so important that our attack finish off drives with goals that can provide some breathing space to our back line and GK, whoever that is this weekend.

Player Injuries/Suspensions

Machida Zelvia: Not sure as the site I usually utilize is blocked while I am writing this entry from the Marriott resort here in Okinawa. Oh well, wouldn’t matter much anyways.

FC Ryukyu: The side should see the return of #20 Uesato at CDM after having served his 1 match ban for accumulating 5 yellow cards. The more concerning issue is that of GK Dany Carvajal and his health. He was absent from the Yamagata match and I hope for a speedy recovery and return to the FC Ryukyu lineup.

FC Ryukyu Keys to Victory

1. Play the exact same way against Zelvia as you did against Yamagata. Yamagata is a much more superior team than Zelvia but the road form factor has to be taken into account. With that said, demonstrate some poise, tact and tenacity like we did last week and a win is almost guaranteed.

2. Continue those penetrating runs by our attacking players coupled with the near precision passes emanating from the central midfield and/or wing backs. Yamada opened the scoring on one of these types of plays last week and FC Ryukyu nearly connected on 3 of these that could have led to more goals against Yamagata. Whatever has changed inside the club tactically has been for the better so continue to hammer these passes and good things will follow.

Match Prediction

A 2-1 FC Ryukyu loss is the likeliest of outcomes based on the form and statistics of both sides this season. But I am going the opposite direction and say that this game ends 1-1 with FC Ryukyu netting a late equalizer.

Conclusion

Though Zelvia have earned 14 of their 33 points this season at home compared to just 7 of 36 from FC Ryukyu on the road, this match presents a tremendous opportunity for FC Ryukyu to right the ship. This is one of 3, 6-point, swing matches facing FC Ryukyu over the next 4 weeks. We are in the crunch time period for teams to assert or save themselves with only 9 matches remaining and the points matter so much more now. I wish everyone safe travels who intend on traveling to see FC Ryukyu and leave you all with this sentiment.

It has been 183 days and 28 match days since Machida Zelvia last won at home. It has been 210 days and 32 match days since FC Ryukyu last won away from home. Something has to give (CHANGE!!).

How freaking awesome was this! Miss this dude. Sorry I cannot recall who showed me this on twitter or I’d give credit to them.

“Hard Days Knight” Match Day 33 Report: FC Ryukyu 3-3 Montedio Yamagata 9/23/2019

Intro

FC Ryukyu engineered a thrilling comeback against #2, Montedio Yamagata, this past Monday that also propelled FC Ryukyu back up to 15^th place in the J2 table. The draw also keeps FC Ryukyu 8 points clear of the drop zone with 9 games remaining. It was a vital point considering that many results in the league did not go FC Ryukyu’s way this past weekend. Draws by Fukuoka, Chiba and Zelvia, coupled together with a Tochigi victory over Kagoshima resulted in FC Ryukyu dropping to 18^th in the table at the time of kickoff. While many, including this author, didn’t give FC Ryukyu much of a chance at earning a positive result in the match, it was encouraging to see the side play much better than they did in the previous month.

First Half

The opening 15 minutes of the match saw FC Ryukyu and Yamagata trading chances but Yamagata’s were far more accurate than those of FC Ryukyu. Ishii, who started in place of the injured Dany Carvajal, was called into action twice in the first 11 minutes. On the flip side, Uejo’s two shots from distance, where way off target and never troubled the Yamagata keeper. In the 30^th minute, FC Ryukyu achieved a breakthrough when they opened the scoring from on-loan striker, Hiroto Yamada.

Considering that Yamagata had shut out their opponent in half of their games this season, this was a significant goal. Hiroto got on the end of a long through ball by Yuya Torikai following a darting run through the Yamagata central defense. He then took a nice touch on the ball inside the 18-yard box, dragging the ball back across the defender while simultaneously pulling the Yamagata goal keeper out farther to cut down the shooting angle. Yamada then shot back across Kushibiki, who had all his weight on his right side, and Kushibiki could only extend an arm to the shot which deflected into the right corner of the goal.

The remaining 15 minutes or so of the half saw a surge in opportunities for Yamagata as they attempted to quickly equalize. Neither side would score despite Yu’s shot hitting the post in the 41^st minute. The half would end FC Ryukyu 1, Yamagata Montedio 0.

Second Half

FC Ryukyu started quickly and nearly doubled their lead in the 47^th minute when Koya was able to round the keeper but had his shot stopped by a diving defender. In fact, Koya had 2 more chances over the next 10 minutes to increase our lead but they were either blocked or saved. Yamagata then equalized in the 56^th minute which proved to be one of the top goals scored in J2 for this round. The shot, similar to the one that Yamada scored, saw Ishii going one way when it was drilled in the opposite direction making it difficult for any GK to recover and then stop. Despite this goal, FC Ryukyu didn’t play like a side that was 13 spots below Yamagata in the table and in fact, they controlled large parts of the game and looked composed when countering the Yamagata attack. However, the real fireworks would occur in the last 15 minutes of this match.

“The Fireworks Show“

The “show,” got started in the 74^th minute when Fukui rose for a cross on the Ryukyu net and his extended arm deflected the ball out of bounds. There was no initial call for handball on the pitch by the referee, but after some Yamagata calls for appeal and conferring by the officials, a PK was awarded. FC Ryukyu were very lucky to escape with just a PK call going against them considering that Fukui was already sitting on a Yellow Card. This game would’ve ended a lot differently had Fukui been shown his second yellow reducing FC Ryukyu to 10 men. Jefferson Biano stepped up and drilled the PK home for a 2-1 Yamagata lead. Yamagata then added to their lead from an Own Goal after another botched play by a FC Ryukyu center back. This time it was Okazaki’s turn to go sliding into a cross, that Ishii could’ve collected, but instead was redirected into the back of the net. Whether it was a lack of communication on the part of Ishii, or recognition of time, space and distance by Okazaki, it was 3-1 Yamagata with only 9 minutes and stoppage time remaining in the game.

It was now time for Shinya Uehara, who came on just 1 minute prior to the own goal, to make his presence felt for FC Ryukyu. FC Ryukyu were awarded a corner kick in the 83rd minute. On the ensuing cross, Uehara rode for a header and was fouled badly in the box. FC Ryukyu were awarded a PK, to which Koki Kazama stepped up and scored. If you recall from their previous meeting, FC Ryukyu were awarded a PK that Kushibiki first saved, then was yellow carded for coming off his line too quickly, and then Koji Suzuki scored on the second attempt. Whether or not that weighed heavily on the mind of Kushibiki, or he simply guessed wrong, he was sent the wrong direction by Koki who sent the shot home with some authority.

Just as it seemed as if this game where going to end 3-2 in favor of Yamagata, Yamada controlled nicely placed cross that he was able to pass to a waiting Uehara near the top of the box. Uehara then sent a blistering shot on net that just tucked inside the right post providing FC Ryukyu the 91^st minute equalizer. Another one of those unbelievable moments as Yamagata had only surrendered 3 goals in a match twice all season, compared to the 8 times of FC Ryukyu. FC Ryukyu had one last chance to win the match when a rebound almost fell to a wide open Uejo in the box but he was a bit off balance and the ball bounced off his foot. Final score, FC Ryukyu 3-3 Montedio Yamagata.

Men of the Match

Normally this section is reserved for one individual but there were 3 standout performances on the night. First there is the FC Ryukyu goal keeper, Ishii. Despite the fact that FC Ryukyu conceded 3 goals, only 1 was from open play. The other 2 were a PK and an Own Goal. Ishii really played an excellent game and kept FC Ryukyu in this match up to the point where his central defenders let him down. He was making save after save and really frustrated the Yamagata attack on Monday night.

Hirota Yamada is credited with a goal and assist on Monday. It was his opening goal that allowed FC Ryukyu to play a little more relaxed while forcing Yamagata into an attacking style of play. It was also his crucial controlling of a cross and then subsequent assist to Uehara that gave FC Ryukyu the equalizer.

Shinya Uehara scored his second game tying goal in as many games. If you recall, he also earned the equalizer against Kanazawa on the road in round 32. Uehara was also the player who earned the late PK for FC Ryukyu when he was fouled rising to meet a cross.

Review of the Keys to Victory for FC Ryukyu

1. Play with Reckless Abandonment: PASS, though, maybe not in the intended manner. FC Ryukyu displayed composure the entire match and actually forced Yamagata to play outside of their comfort zone. They often looked more physical than Yamagata and this may have surprised their opponents. The only part that was truly reckless was that of our defense.

Match Day Prediction

Yamagata 3-0. I truly enjoy getting these predictions wrong when it is a favorable outcome for FC Ryukyu and truly despise when I get them correct with less than favorable results. I am happy in this case.

Match Day 33 Takeaways

1. Let’s start with the bad. The central back pairing of Okazaki and Fukui was hard to watch on Monday. Fukui made a mistimed challenge in the 8^th minute that resulted in a wide-open look on net for Yamagata requiring a tremendous save by Ishii. Fukui’s 36^th minute challenge resulted in a yellow card and was one he shouldn’t have attempted. He then came out on another mistimed challenge that saw the Yamagata attacker pass the ball by him and into an open shooting lane that Yamagata was able to capitalize on for the score. He then committed an overt handball that he was very lucky not be carded on resulting in a PK for Yamagata. Okazaki committed the own goal and all the problems that have existed for the FC Ryukyu defense were on full display Monday. Teams are able to moves and pass seamlessly in and around our defenders. This is just the reality we live in for the remainder of this season and one that I hope is changed for next year.

2. The good. This lineup has really gelled nicely. It was very encouraging to watch midfielders making long passes to on rushing attackers and there will certainly be goals later on if they keep this up. Despite being on the receiving end of some heavy losses this season, FC Ryukyu looked very composed and very relaxed against a superior opponent. This is extremely important heading into a stretch of games where favorable results mean everything for this side. Just to reiterate, this side looks markedly better than the last few times I’ve seen them play and with a much more balanced and purposeful attack.

3. More of the good. Koya Kazama put in a phenomenal shift and it is easy to see why a seasoned J2 player like that is crucial to the success of FC Ryukyu this season. I’d love if we were able to keep him for next season.

4. We will end with the ugly. The Yamagata Striker, Shuhei Otsuki, was committing some ugly fouls early on that could’ve resulted in a yellow card. He was often seen leading with his arm/elbow into headers and then committed a blatant red card foul in the 59th minute. Granted, Shuhei looked as if he was fouled by the Ryukyu players but he then kicked Yuya Torikai in the groin area, right in front of the referee. The referee then awarded yellow cards to both players. This was a disgusting act and one that I hope doesn’t go unpunished by the league.

Conclusion

FC Ryukyu head into a stretch of 3 games out of 4 on the road. This would normally be concerning considering the FC Ryukyu road form, but there were a lot of encouraging signs from this side the past 3 weeks. FC Ryukyu have earned 5 points from a possible 9 and kept themselves out of the J2 basement. Also, the road games are against 19^th placed Zelvia, 18^th Fukuoka and 21^st Tochigi. The lone home game is against Tokyo Verdy and therefore all of these fixtures could, and should, be considered winnable for FC Ryukyu. If they grab wins and draws then we can all relax heading into the last 5 rounds of the J2 season.

Player Photos and Game Recap are from the JLeague website. jleague.jp/en/match

Cover photo courteous of @tidashokudo

“Climbing the Big Blue Mountain” Match Day 33 Preview: FC Ryukyu versus Montedio Yamagata 9/21/2019

Intro

We may very well be seeing a new 2020 J1 side this weekend in Yamagata and hats off to them as they’ve been impressive so far this season. It is often said in American Football that offense wins games but defense wins championships, well folks, Yamagata is the perfect example of this expression. Joint leaders for the fewest goals surrendered this season and they’ve shut out their opponents in 5 out of their last 10 matches. Good for them and congratulations are in order. So let me ask this question, why can’t FC Ryukyu play the role of spoiler this weekend? 10 points from bottom may force a conservative posture but in a match in which we are probably huge underdogs, why not go for the gusto?

Weather Forecast

Pre-match Typhoon conditions. HAHAHAHAHAHA. If I said rain, wind and an overall terrible forecast would you be shocked? Great, all of that and more. Hardcore fans unite, all else, you are very much welcome and I’ll bring a towel for you. I cannot see them playing this game in these winds! Has to be rescheduled.

Montedio Yamagata

Where to start. Well for one, this is not the same FC Ryukyu team that was coming off 4 straight wins and a draw and was top of the table when these two teams last faced each other in March. Second, Yamagata has surged back up the table after many had written them off after selling one of their talisman strikers. A smothering defense, which we saw in match day 6, is still there and now it is paying huge dividends when it matters most.

I was going to dedicate a whole paragraph to summarizing how good Yamagata have been but only one sentence is needed. Yamagata has shut out their opponent in 16 of 32 matches this season. Let that marinate or sink in for a moment. Half of their games have been shutouts. Care to guess how many FC Ryukyu have on the docket? 3. 3 out of 32.

4 shutouts in 5, 2 wins in 2 against two top 3 sides and a hunger for J1 football is what is coming to town this Saturday. We have seen something similar to this before when FC Ryukyu surged to the top of the J3 table last season so temper your expectations tomorrow night. Of course, anything can happen on any given day but for all intents and purpose, the Yamagata Steam Roller is headed south and is unlikely to be stopped.

FC Ryukyu

It is not all gloom and doom for the outlook tomorrow. FC Ryukyu have secured 4 points from the last 2 matches and one of those points was on the road. Even though I have seen, or watched, every FC Ryukyu game this season, the team we run out tomorrow is so different from the one that started the year. The “feel good” atmosphere that once existed early on denigrated into a horrible realization of hubris, then one of slight hope, culminating with the realization that we can be in the J2 next year thanks in large part to the efforts of Uejo and the new signings.

Answering the call and the critics, Uejo is asserting himself as a man amongst boys. Higuchi may have been correct earlier this year when he refused to play this emerging talent, because, he knew we required his services later on due to the expected loss of Koji and Nakagawa. Time will tell, I guess.

Injuries

Montedio Yamagata & FC Ryukyu have no significant injuries to report. However, FC Ryukyu will be without the services of Uesato tomorrow as he will serve a suspension for accumulating too many yellow cards.

FC Ryukyu Keys to Victory

1. Reckless Abandonment.

Match Prediction

FC Ryukyu are barely in the same country code, let alone zip code, when it comes to a team of Yamagata’s quality. Screw it, go for gusto. 3/4/5/6-0 losses have occurred so that type of result against this type of opponent wouldn’t be shocking. I’d rather watch the boys give it their all with no restraints. With that said, Yamagata 3-0 and I don’t even care.

Conclusion

4 home games remain people. There are those of us that attend matches and read this blog and those that do not. So, I am appealing to all of you to bring someone to the game from the do not section above. This island, this country, needs FC Ryukyu as much as the club needs them for J2/J1 football. A sports franchise is asserting itself on the island of Okinawa, which, in my experience, is often considered a distant and segregated element of Japanese society. Let’s help all of Okinawa by putting one finger up (your choice on the finger) to all those that oppose, hate, discriminate, and fear anything Okinawa this weekend. Remember, the FC Ryukyu Army is coming for you, we show no mercy, grant no quarter and we never tire.

“Hard 1 Done!” Match Day 32 Recap: Zweigen Kanazawa 2-2 FC Ryukyu 9/14/2019

Intro

2-2 was the final and it was a hard earned, well earned, possibly gifted point this weekend but the point is all that really matters in the end. FC Ryukyu are now at the point where results matter more than the form in which they were awarded. “By Hook or by Crook” is a famous saying and the countdown to J2 football in 2020 is now on. If FC Ryukyu can maintain their 10-point lead over bottom side Tochigi SC than the boys will be safe from relegation within 6 weeks of this entry. If not, hang onto your butts as it will get very dicey later on.

Match Recap

FC Ryukyu came out in their typical 4-2-3-1 with Shinji Ono taking up a CDM position. However, Ramon, Uejo and Koya led the attacking MF. It didn’t long for Kanazawa to ask questions of the Ryukyu back line from set pieces and it was Dany Carvajal who had the save of the match (actually for all of J2), when he first stopped the initial shot from the CK and then pulled the next shot from out of the air before it could fully cross the goal line. It was the second time in 3 weeks where FCR would be involved in some sort of goal line controversy but who cares, it was their turn to be on the rewarding end for once. It was all for not though as Kanazwa were able to rip the Ryukyu back line wide open 9 minutes later with two very nice passes that ended with Clunie’s deft little flick over his fellow countryman Dany giving Kanazawa the early 1-0 lead. Ryukyu nearly equalized a minute later before a phenomenal pass from Ramon sent Uejo free on net to which the Okinawa native slotted home is 10^th goal of the campaign in the 37th minute. For what it’s worth, I hope for 2 things for Uejo. First, I hope that FC Ryukyu have or can sign him before some larger club gets him on a free transfer since it was FC Ryukyu that provided the platform for Uejo to succeed and the club should bea warded financially. Second, I hope he goes outside of Asia to ply his trade as this would be massive for an Okinawa born player.

Kanazawa grabbed the 2-1 lead from yet another Fukui mishandling of the situation. I’m starting to think the cheers for Fukui in Mito where not the welcoming back of a former player kind but rather the thank goodness he left town. In any case, Ryukyu were once again down on the road. Uehara was able to salvage a draw for FC Ryukyu from a Tanaka cross, that should’ve been cleared by the Kanazawa captain, but instead he bottled and allowed Uehara to slot home the equalizer. The match saw a few more dramatic twists and turns that included a shot off the post by Kanazawa that would’ve sealed the game but the local lads earned a point and pushed the magic number of matches and points to 6/10.

Review of the Keys to Victory

1. Maintain a steady presence at the back: FAIL or PASS. Steady as in nothing has changed, we are terrible back there.

2. Minimize mental mistakes: UNDECIDED. Looked good for parts of the game but there were certainly nervy and punishable mistakes made by our side.

3. Cover the back line: FAIL. Cannot protect them from set pieces and counters. Nothing we can do but hold on and wait for a change next season.

4. Exploit the confusion in the Kanazawa back line. PASS! With flying colors. Ramon’s and Tanaka’s unlocked the back line and led to both goals.

Conclusion

Oh, what could’ve been with the likes of Koji, Uejo, Ramon, Nakagawa and Koya up front. But alas, it will never be so all we can do is hope for J2 football in 2020, a decent finish that increases the fan base and some reinforcements this off-season. For now, its Yamagata on Saturday with a 10-point lead on the relegation zone. See it out lads.

“Branch Breakers”Match Day 32: Zweigen Kanazawa vs. FC Ryukyu 9/14/2019

Intro

Welcome Back! I apologize for the lengthy gap but we all have commitments outside of FC Ryukyu right?. Anyways, in the time that I’ve been gone we’ve seen FCR lose twice and then win an all-important 6-point match against Kagoshima at home. The win brings FC Ryukyu within 8 points of the relative “safety zone” of 42 points that I’ve been touting the past few weeks. But make no mistake, those are going to be the toughest 8 points FC Ryukyu need to earn all season. This is a tall task for FC Ryukyu as they play 7 of their remaining games this season on the road.

Weather Forecast

Absolutely gorgeous. See the picture below.

Zweigen Kanazawa

Kanazawa come into this match having lost their last 2 matches in a row. Prior to these losses they had reeled off 6 straight matches without a defeat. An accomplishment FC Ryukyu haven’t achieved since their opening 6 matches of the season. When these two sides last met three months ago at the Tapista, FC Ryukyu earned a draw off the back of a Koji Suzuki 69’ minute goal (tears) after conceding an early goal to Zweigen. Zweigen are certainly looking to avenge that draw and aide their chances of promotion by moving within 3 points of the playoff zone with a win over FC Ryukyu. And as we all know as FC Ryukyu fans, targeting a win against FC Ryukyu when they visit your stadium is very bankable these days.

In Kanazawa’s last 5 matches they earned 3-2 wins over Machida and Niigata; a 2-1 victory over FC Gifu; and then suffered 2-1 and 3-1 defeats to Kagoshima and Mito. The run of sloppy play for Zweigen really began in the Niigata match where they were awarded their second PK in as many matches but also surrendered 2 PK opportunities to Niigata. Fortunately for Zweigen, Niigata were unable to score on the very late PK attempt by Leonardo that would’ve tied the game. Probably due to the ridiculously slow and elongated run up to the ball by Leonardo that was followed up by a rather poor shot on net.

Despite escaping the Niigta match with a win, the run of poor play by Kanazawa was just beginning. Please note, that when I mention poor play, it is not to the degree or scenes we’ve witnessed from FC Ryukyu the past few months. I am simply stating that things have become a little undone for Zweigen the past few weeks. This offers the smallest glimmer of hope for the traveling FC Ryukyu side who have been awful on the road all season but this is not an easy match by any means.

Kanazawa lost 2-1 to Kagoshima after taking an early 1-0 lead and though they were tied with Mito at one point, they never really looked on the front foot for much of the match. What better way to break out of a 2-game losing streak than by welcoming a side that boasts the worst away record in J2.

FC Ryukyu

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. FC Ryukyu have only earned 6 points from a total of 42 possible points on the road this season. They haven’t earned a positive result on the road since a draw against Kyoto way back in June. FC Ryukyu have lost 9 out of their last 10 road games and suffered some heavy defeats along the way. And the most worrying sign heading into the last quarter of the season,, it has been 195 days since FC Ryukyu last won on the road. With so many road games ahead of FC Ryukyu, and the fact that we need to take our destiny into our own hands and not rely on our opponents losing beneath us, FC Ryukyu desperately need some points on the road.

There have been some sweeping changes to the FC Ryukyu lineup the past few weeks. Some good and some interesting. Most notably are the changes to the defense and mid-field. Torikai has replaced Nishioka at RB and Shinji Ono has slotted in next to Uesato in the CDM role to sure up, or provide direction, to the back line. Also, Uejo has moved into the CAM role behind the newly acquired striker, Yamada. The lineup produced the 2-1 victory over Kagoshima so I’ll reserve judgement for after this match. I hope to see the return of Kawai to the reserves as I feel his speed, along with Ramon’s, could really trouble defenses later on in games.

Team Injuries

Zweigen Kanazawa: #24 DF Hasegawa Takumi looks to have torn his ACL late in August and may be one of the reasons why Zweigen has conceded so many goals the last 2 matches.

FC Ryukyu: None.

Keys to FC Ryukyu Victory

1. Maintain a steady presence at the back. The last road game saw FC Ryukyu come apart rather quickly after taking an early 1-0 lead. 6 straight goals from Vortis was inexcusable but these things happen from time to time. Mark the runs of opposing attackers, clear the garbage from the front of the net and for god’s sake, close players down near the edge of the box.

2. Minimize the mental mistakes. We could insert this one every week but I haven’t been able to watch the team the last few weeks to know if they’ve overcome the numerous mistakes from games past so we’ll leave this one right where it is.

3. Cover the back line. Hopefully we can prevent long balls over the top that catch Fukui and Okazaki out and force them into rash challenges or mistakes. This means FC Ryukyu in turn need to play a bit of long ball themselves and allow players with speed to run underneath the passes. I hope that either, or both, Uesato or Shinji sit a little deeper and try to pick apart the Zweigen defense from afar while not allowing them to break against our back line.

4. Exploit the confusion and poor run of form in the Zweigen back line. Kanazawa often conceded some rather soft goals due to confusion and the best way to attack that is with speed. Does FC Ryukyu have enough speed in the lineup to round the Zweigen defenders that will create some space and time for Uejo and Yamada to shoot?

Match Prediction

Much like the last time I wrote a preview article when FC Ryukyu were on the road, I cannot sit here and say that FC Ryukyu will come out on top this week because the away record speaks volumes. I, along with all of you, would love to be pleasantly surprised at an FC Ryukyu victory and/or draw at this point. There is a chance that could occur tomorrow but I have said that way too many times to believe it anymore so we’ll go with a 3-1 defeat. The prediction aligns with the average amount of goals that FC Ryukyu score and concede during road games this season.

Conclusion

11 matches remain in the J2 season. FC Ryukyu will need to earn at least 8 more points to feel relatively comfortable about their chances of avoiding relegation. They will need to earn these 8 points from 7 road matches against some pretty strong sides. It is both as simple and as difficult as that. Good luck to all that attend and to FC Ryukyu, we need it.