Intro
Apologies for such a lengthy gap between entries as I was solely focused on preparing for the upcoming NFL fantasy football season and my attention was elsewhere. And thank you for sticking by, or returning, while I enjoyed my favorite hobby. But now it is back to business, and back to FC Ryukyu.
FC Ryukyy travel to Kyoto to take on a side that is looking to get back into the promotion race. Kyoto are a very strong side at home as they have yet to lose, and though anything is possible these days, I think Kyoto are pleased to welcome in FC Ryukyu with their recent road woes. Plus, we may see former FC Ryukyu star, Kazaki Nakagawa, plying his trade in the central mid-field for Kyoto. But do not fret, as we have our own special MF in Yoshio Koizumi.
Peter Utaka vs Takuma Abe? Yes please! The top scorers in J2 will be featured in this match which could turn into an exciting, fast paced, tilt.
- Weather Forecast
- Match Day 18 Recap: FC Ryukyu
- Match Day 18 Recap: Kyoto Sanga FC
- Team Previews & Injury Reports
- Keys to Victory for FC Ryukyu
- Match Day Prediction
- Round 19 in J2
- Conclusion
1. Weather Forecast
Overcast and possible rain.
2. Match Day 18 Recap: FC Ryukyu
3. Match Day 18 Recap: Kyoto Sanga FC
4. Team Previews & Injury Reports
Kyoto Sanga F.C. Streaky maybe the best way to describe Kyoto. Kyoto seems to be a squad that really plays down to the level of their competition instead of putting them to the sword with all the firepower they possess. In fact, Kyoto, just like FC Ryukyu, have only scored more than 2 goals in any match this season just once. But make no mistake, Kyoto are undefeated at home and FC Ryukyu have never beat Kyoto in any competition in their history.
Over their past 6 games, Kyoto have gone on to draw two, lose two, and win two in that exact order. The draws came against Niigata and Matsumoto, followed by two consecutive road losses at the hands of Verdy and Omiya. Kyoto have turned things back around by defeating JEF and Gunma in consecutive weeks and may possibly be breaking out of that aforementioned notion of playing down to their competition. Seeing how this is one is at home, Kyoto are heavy favorites in this game.
Kyoto Sanga F.C. Injuries & Suspensions. None are listed.
FC Ryukyu. A lot has happened since I last wrote about FC Ryukyu. They signed MF Mizuki Ichimaru on loan from Gamba Osaka; they had a 4 game losing streak; and most impressively, they scored 5 goals against Omiya Ardija this past Wednesday.
During that stretch of 4 consecutive losses, FC Ryukyu were playing some rather poor defense while having to deal with injuries and rest periods to their defensive corps. Uesato even started one match at CB and that did not end well for FC Ryukyu. But things have made a slight turn for the better after the Omiya victory as there were some notable players returning – or at the very least being seen back at training and with the reserves – returning to the lineup. And Koizumi and Kawai bagged their first goals of the season.
The players who returned were Motegi and Chinen with Shinji Ono training with the reserves after the match. I assume Koki Kazama is not far behind and these players returning could not have come at a better time for FC Ryukyu with this month’s fixtures.
Whereas FC Ryukyu were stretched thin at MF the past 2 months, the same could be said for their defense this month. Yong Jick sat out last week thanks in part to his Yellow Card accumulation and there was no sign of Suzukui on the bench. In fact, the only healthy defender FC Ryukyu dressed last week against Omiya was they younger Uehara.
On that note, the younger Uehara has been really impressive during his brief spells inside the FC Ryukyu lineup. He has another “gear” when it comes to closing down attackers and has been excellent in dispossessing them when he does get there. Once he learns how to take the proper angles to balls in flight as well as the opposing attackers, he could be a serious force to be reckoned with. For now, he is raw as raw can get and needs some fine tuning.
FC Ryukyu Injuries & Suspensions. Yong Jick maybe returning to the lineup after serving his suspension and it looks as if Koki Kazama may have suffered a set back in his return as his time line was updated on 8/8 for at least a 6-8 week wait for his return.
5. Keys to Victory for FC Ryukyu.
The Scale: 5- An almost certainty it will occur 4-Fairly-Certain it will happen 3-Somewhat Certain it could happen 2-Very Unlikely that it happens 1- Requires a Miracle for it to happen
- Whatever we did last week, let’s do it again! Likelihood 3. FC Ryukyu only had a slight uptick in their total amount of shots on net from their previous matches, but they were far more clinical. In fact, that game could have ended 7-0 if not for a nice save and near miss. Play relaxed and create chances as Kyoto have shown they can be caught napping on lesser opponents from time to time.
- Koizumi in the CAM Role. Likelihood 5. There should be no doubt that he is our most creative MF and he has the talent to unlock any team’s defense. He’s really coming on this year and is absolutely scintillating to watch.
6. Match Day Prediction
Despite the recent outburst last week against Omiya, I do not like FC Ryukyu’s chances this Sunday as Kyoto are a much stronger team at home where they average almost 2 goals scored at home every match. I have tipped FC Ryukyu to lose 3-1. But what do I know?
7. Round 19 in J2
The two that jump right out are (1) Kitakyushu hosting (5) Niigata and (2) Nagasaki hosting (6) Jubilo Iwata.
My, my, my. Aren’t all you international viewers lucky this week as there are two free matches for you to enjoy on the J-League International YouTube Channel.
8. Conclusion
Right, so after a lengthy delay, I am finally back and as always, I appreciate all of your support. Can Ryukyu get one over on a high priced team looking to get back into the promotion race and grab their first ever win in Kyoto? Can Kyoto’s players continue their strong form at home and see off a side who is struggling for form on the road? All good questions heading into Match Day 19 and I for one, am looking forward to getting “back in the saddle again.”
ryukyuarmy.com 