And the streaks continue! Machida Zelvia are still without a win at home and FC Ryukyu are still without a win on the road since March. Impressive or Depressing?
There really is not much to summarize from the 0-0 draw that played out this past Sunday. Both Zelvia and Ryukyu looked dominant during parts of the match and it really was a game of missed opportunities by both sides. Zelvia created some trouble for our back line and their best chance rang off the post. Ryukyu’s best chance came off a header where Uejo went horizontal on a shot that ended up being saved by the keeper. Had he struck the ball down there is a chance it could of crept by the keeper on the bounce but it’s hard to criticize a guy who’s making a tremendous effort from that height, with little prep time for where he wants to place the shot.
Man of the Match
Dany Carvajal. The FC Ryukyu GK kept a clean sheet for the 4th time this season and the draw extended FC Ryukyu’s current unbeaten run to 4 games. Dany made some quality saves throughout the game and is large reason why FC Ryukyu were able to secure a point on the road. His good form will be key to the club’s success in the coming weeks.
Review of the Keys to Victory for FC Ryukyu
1. Play the match exactly as you did against Yamagata. FAIL. FC Ryukyu failed to score against an inferior opponent on the road as has been the case many times this season. They created some opportunities but should’ve really departed Tokyo on Sunday with all 3 points.
2. Continue the penetrating runs and precision passing from our deep lying MFs. FAIL. Didn’t see much of this at all during the match. This could be attributed to Zelvia anticipating this type of play by Ryukyu and defending against it, or, FC Ryukyu not wanting to get caught on the counter. Either way, it was shame as the FC Ryukyu bench has some speed that can exploit defenses and is necessary for each game going forward.
Match Prediction
I said 1-1 and it ended 0-0. Not much else to say on that.
Key Takeaways from Match Day 34
1. FC Ryukyu are unbeaten in 4 and this their longest unbeaten run since the start of the season. That is huge as most of us were probably anticipating fits and spurts for points going forward. Mainly in the form of the occasional win but every little bit helps. But yeah, a win on the road would be oh so nice.
2. It almost felt if either side were playing “not to lose” this past Sunday despite some of the near misses. The Kazama substitution for Shinji – which is what has occurred nearly every match to date- seemed like Higuchi never really wanted to go for the win and expose himself or our defense. Kazama is one of the Ryukyu CDM and with Koizumi starting, and both Ramon and Kawai match fit, why not put in an extra attacker and try to get something out of this match?
3. Neither side was luckier than the other on Sunday. Zelvia hit the post and Ryukyu nearly won the match on the last play when a header from a CK was just wide of the Zelvia left post. Guess what I am trying to say is that both sides will fell as if they let 3 points slip away on Sunday.
Conclusion
FC Ryukyu’s October schedule includes an away match to 18th placed Fukuoka this week, followed by a home game against Tokyo Verdy (13th place), a trip to 21st placed Tochigi SC and then their next to last home game this season against promotion seeking side Omiya Ardija. On one hand, there are plenty of revenge game narratives this month as FC Ryukyu beat 3 out of the 4 sides they face this month as well as earned a late game draw against Verdy from a spectacular Uesato shot. On the other, there is also plenty of opportunity for FC Ryukyu to solidify their place in the J2 for 2020 with some favorable results. 5 points from the 4 matches would put FC Ryukyu at 42 points which has been touted as the magic number this year. Of course, as you all know by now, all that needs to happen is for FC Ryukyu to win a game or two on the road.
Photo Credits
Cover: William Gallagher from the FC Ryukyu Kanto Area Foreign Supporters Group
Dany Carvajal from JLeague website
ryukyuarmy.com 