Intro
What a relief! FC Ryukyu finally grabbed their first win of the 2020 campaign, thus putting to bed the streak of 258 days since FC Ryukyu last won a match. The win comes at a heavy cost though as Koki Kazama went off injured in the 6th minute due to knock on his knee. It is likely he will be joining Shinji Ono on the sideline for quite some time as he was seen sporting a brace and crutches in the post match photo. But FC Ryukyu looked good in the match as they dominated Okayama in every single offensive category.
- Match Recap
- Man of the Match
- Review of the Keys to Victory
- Match Prediction
- Match Day 9 Takeaways
- Match Day 9 in J2
- Top Goals from Round 9
- Conclusion
1. Match Recap
2. Man of the Match
FC Ryukyu FWD Takuma Abe: He was involved in both goals for FC Ryukyu as he drew the foul that Uesato scored from a FK, and he pounced on the rebound that put FC Ryukyu in front 2-1. He was something to watch on Saturday with his excellent hold up play and breakouts on the counter attacks.
3. Review of the Keys to Victory
1. It all starts in the Locker Room. Likelihood 3: This one almost didn’t happen as Higuchi reverted back to the 4-2-3-1 instead of sticking with the 4-1-4-1 that worked well against Iwata. However, the team came out and played really well despite conceding an early goal. The look of relief, and belief, on all their faces after the game sums this up nicely.
2. Substitutes and their timing are Key. Likelihood 3: Unfortunately, FC Ryukyu suffered another injury to one of their CM in Koki Kazama. Uesato came on early but Higuchi made only 2 more changes in the 70th minute and opted to leave a majority of the team out their the whole match. The 92nd minute changes did not really mean anything other than getting guys some limited game time to stay fresh.
3. Create some chaos in the Okayama Defense. Likelihood 4: This one was crucial as it was Abe’s goal after a punched save from a Tanaka shot that caught the Okayama defenders flatfooted.
4. Match Prediction
Like Ryukyu, I finally got the first W of the year with my 2-1 scoreline prediction. W1-D2-L6.
5. Match Day 9 Takeaways
1. FC Ryukyu have now been bitten hard by the injury bug and are facing a selection crisis. The injuries to Koki and Ono, along with the sudden departure of Lee Ji Seong back to Korea, have shrunken the ranks of available players for Higuchi to build his lineup. Ryukyu have 9 healthy MFs on the roster as I expect the reason Motegi didn’t feature against Okayama was merely due to maintenance, not injury, but keep in mind that Tanaka’s primarily been an LB the past few weeks.
If Higuchi sticks to the 4-2-3-1, that will put a heavy tax on the current crop of MFs whereas a 4-1-4-1, may provide some level of rest for the squad. Of course, reintroducing Tavares, Numata, and Torikai could relieve some of the pressure and there is a possibility that Fukui could be called upon to serve in the CDM role vacated by both Ono and Koki’s injuries. We also have Chinen, and possibly Okazaki, to call upon for extra defenders.
FC Ryukyu should be strongly compelled to dip into the transfer market and sign 3-4 players on loan before it is too late and they are forced to dress some of the youth and special designated players.
2. While the game of “paper, rock, & scissors” between Yu and Uesato seemed like a funny moment, I hope that is not the preferred method for determining who takes free kicks. Uesato did comment after the game that he saw how the Okayama wall was constructed and that a left footed shot was preferable to that of Yu’s right. It was a good call as he scored our first dead ball kick of the season.
3. I am not sure why we have such a hard time picking out Yong Jick on set pieces? It could be a combination of poorly taken corners/free kicks or that Yong Jick isn’t aggressive enough to put himself into position to take a header. I mean, the man is usually the tallest player on the pitch and you merely need to be within his vicinity with the placement of your attempt.
4. FC Ryukyu will probably have the fewest number of clean sheets of any J2 team this season but Dany has been playing some inspired football the last three games. He made some quality saves on Saturday and even stopped the initial shot from an Okayama player that got in behind our defense. Unfortunately, the blocked shot fell at the feet of a wide-open Okayama player that easily slotted it home but there was nothing anyone could have done about it. I think the stronger Dany gets with each game, the more likely it is we can pull of some victories in some low scoring affairs.
5. Shuto Kawai’s return to the team was a welcome sight and it will be exciting to watch the way he integrates with Koizumi, Ikeda and Motegi moving forward.
6. Koizumi has some of the best balance I’ve seen in a player. He is constantly knocked around and in the middle of fracases all the time but still remains upright and in control of the ball. He will be the engine that drives the Ryukyu attack from now on.
6. Match Day 9 in J2
Omiya v Fukuoka was called off after a suspected case of CV19 was confirmed at Avispa Fukuoka. Kitakyushu continue their ascent to the top while Gunma shocked everyone, including JEF, with a last second goal.
7. Top Goals from Round 9
#1 Uesato’s FK that found its way over the wall and into the net off the near post. (0:23)
#2 Keiya Nakami’s bullet shot from distance that left the Kitakyushu keeper stunned. (2:15)
#3 Pitbull’s (not the one you’re thinking of) chip over the Kanazawa keeper for the Mito win in the 94th minute. (4:08)
8. Conclusion
Well, we got that all important first win the books and now it is time to march on. We may have to become accustomed to long stretches of games without any wins this season but the most important thing that came out of the match on Saturday is the belief within the locker room that they can win. It is especially impressive to get that win on the road on a short week though there is something to be said about Okayama not fielding their strongest side due to injury. Such is life and these are the breaks teams need from time to time. Up next is a trip to Tokyo Verdy for FC Ryukyu after a nice six day break between games.
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