Month: August 2020

“Fight the Good Fight Every Moment” Match Day 10 Preview: (12) Tokyo Verdy vs (21) FC Ryukyu 8/8/20 #FC琉球

Intro

FC Ryukyu are fresh off their first win of 2020 and undefeated in their last three games. Tokyo Verdy are undefeated in their last five matches having come off quality draws to Niigata and Nagasaki. Both teams have issues in the attack, but Verdy has proven very capable of choking out the potent attacks for Nagasaki and Niigata. Ryukyu seem to be improving each week but this will be their first test against an opponent who, like Ryukyu, have faced some tough competition the prior weeks and proven resilient.

  1. Weather Forecast
  2. Match Day 9 Recap: Tokyo Verdy
  3. Match Day 9 Recap: FC Ryukyu
  4. Team News & Injuries
  5. Keys to Victory
  6. Match Prediction
  7. Round 10 in J2
  8. Conclusion

1. Weather Forecast

Looks good!

2. Match Day 9 Recap: Tokyo Verdy

3. Match Day 9 Recap: FC Ryukyu

https://fcryukyublog.home.blog/2020/08/03/match-day-9-report-17-fagiano-okayama-vs-21-fc-ryukyu-8-1-20-fc%e7%90%89%e7%90%83/

4. Team News & Injury Report

Tokyo Verdy: The last time these two sides met, Verdy ran roughshod over FC Ryukyu at home en-route to a 5-1 pasting. In their earlier match up, it was FC Ryukyu getting the better of Tokyo Verdy with a late second wonder goal from Uesato that leveled the match. If you recall in that game, Dany suffered a busted nose after bringing down a Verdy attacker, was awarded a yellow card for his attempt, and then promptly saved the ensuing PK to keep FC Ryukyu in the game.

As mentioned in the introduction, Verdy are undefeated in their last 5 matches. They dispatched Kofu and JEF with ease before going on a run of three straight draws against Yamagata, Niigata and Nagasaki. In fact, Verdy have only lost once since the restart of the season.

The draws against Niigata and Nagasaki are impressive as those are two of the more potent attacks in the J2 at the moment. While Verdy has only scored 1 goal these past 3 weeks, they have the ability to snuff out your team’s attack while biding their time for their own chance to score.

Verdy are lead by #25 Jin Hanato, #20 Shion Inue, #8 Kanya Fujimoto, and #9 Yuhei Sato in the attack. The combination of Hanato, Inoue, and Fujimoto can produce some skillful deliveries and goals and is one we need to watch out for on Saturday. Verdy also swapped out Shibasaki at GK, after having conceded 5 goals in 3 matches, for Matheus who also surrendered 5 goals since the change, but those goals are spread across 6 matches.

The goal keeper change has served Verdy well and it will prove a tall task for FC Ryukyu to crack the back line and score goals on Saturday.

Tokyo Verdy Injuries & Suspensions: None are reported at this time.


Verdy rotates between a 3-4-2-1 and 4-3-3 and this would be their most dangerous lineup. FC Ryukyu’s lineup is based on injuries, CV-19, and squad rotation.

FC Ryukyu: Getting that all important first win out of the way has provided a nice boost to the morale of this team. While I do not expect them to suddenly surge up the table, I do believe they will put together a nice stretch of results over the coming weeks.

There are a few factors weighing heavily against FC Ryukyu this week that may alter the course of this match. Defender Chinen and MF Motegi tested postive for CV19. Due to the PCR test being administered on Tuesday August 5th, all training for the club was suspended.

This means FC Ryukyu will not have trained at all prior to the match on Saturday. I highly doubt they will try to jam in a training session on the expected travel day of Friday August 7th, and hopefully there has been some preparations and discussion about the game plan via Zoom this week. Who knows? Maybe the long rest may do some tired legs some good.

It is a shame that a disruption like this has occurred, but not unexpected, as FC Ryukyu were gaining some serious momentum. They dominated Okayama in possession and in shots and you could feel that more goals were in store for the side that struggled mightily early this year. All we can do is watch how FC Ryukyu respond to yet another adversity in a season that has had so much already.

FC Ryuky Injuries & Suspensions: As mentioned last week, FC Ryukyu will be without Shinji Ono for some time and we are still waiting to hear the extent of the injury that Koki Kazama suffered this past round (probably need the swelling to go down for an accurate MRI). Factor in that defender Chinen, and MF Motegi, are likely on the sideline for at least two weeks after testing positive for CV-19, FC Ryukyu will have some serious decisions to make as to who will travel, and who will start against Verdy.

5. Keys to Victory

1. This game will likely be decided in the last 15 minutes. Likelihood 4: Verdy are a dangerous team, both to their opponent and themselves, in the final quarter of the game. They can produce moments of brilliance, as well as momentary lapses in judgement. FC Ryukyu would do well to be clear of Verdy at this point in the match but, even if they are down by 2 goals come the 75th minute, I still think they could eek out a draw if they counter punch Verdy while they lose focus. The inverse is also applicable in that FC Ryukyu need to see out the match if they find themselves in the lead.

2. Attack the flanks with speed. Likelihood 4: Verdy’s weakness may be the outer edges of their defense and if Ryukyu can get past those defenders, create a little time and space, it could make all the difference. It seemed that whenever Verdy has conceded a goal, it began with their last line of defenders being pulled apart when an attacker got to the edge. FC Ryukyu have the speed, the question is, can they do it?

6. Match Prediction

I do not like this match up one bit as I cannot get an accurate read on Tokyo Verdy. One factor that could play a part is that FC Ryukyu will have been forced to travel twice as much Verdy this week but Ryukyu also have an extra day of rest. There is also an outside chance that some of the players will be left behind stemming from the positive CV19 cases. Break all ties in favor of the hosts? I think not in this case and see a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

7. Round 10 in J2

(3) Tokushima versus (1) V-Varen Nagasaki is the premier match up this round with (6) Niigata vs. (2) Omiya a close second. However, if both Omiya and Vortis falter, and Kitakyushu win over Gunma, the newly promoted J3 side could suddenly find itself in the top 2 of the table.

8. Conclusion

There are some uncertain times ahead for both the fans of FC Ryukyu and the team. FC Ryukyu have to contend with a CV-19 outbreak inside the club, while their fans need to control their movements in and around Okinawa with the surging number of CV-19 cases. I think we all should’ve expected something like this to happen as Ryukyu have to travel by air for all of their away matches and the refusal to close the prefecture borders. Keep in mind, those are not privately chartered flights and if anyone is sick, or asymptomatic on those flights, our players and staff have a higher propensity to fall ill compared to other J-League clubs.

While there is always a chance that some players may become seriously ill, the greater risk is that to their families and the local community. All we can do now is “fight the good fight” by wearing a mask, washing our hands, practice social distancing, only go out when absolutely necessary, and hope the players remain symptom free so as to continue the season unabated.

Stay safe everyone and heed Rik Emmett’s words below.

Match Day 9 Report: (17) Fagiano Okayama vs (21) FC Ryukyu 8/1/20 #FC琉球

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.

  1. Match Recap
  2. Man of the Match
  3. Review of the Keys to Victory
  4. Match Prediction
  5. Match Day 9 Takeaways
  6. Match Day 9 in J2
  7. Top Goals from Round 9
  8. 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

https://www.transfermarkt.com/j-league-division-2/startseite/wettbewerb/JAP2

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.

https://www.transfermarkt.com/j-league-division-2/tabelle/wettbewerb/JAP2/saison_id/2019

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.