Intro
FC Ryukyu missed a great opportunity to add to their win total when they drew with Kitakyushu this past weekend. FC Ryukyu opted to start Taguchi over Dany Carvajal in net, as well as Torikai over Numata at LB, despite the long rest between fixtures for the incumbents. Though FC Ryukyu were able to grab the early lead, they squandered that lead within a matter of minutes when Kitakyushu equalized on a fast break. The draw drops FC Ryukyu down to 19th, while Giravanz remains entrenched at 4th.
Match Day 35 Highlights
Man of the Match
I am not sure the was one. Neither side seemed like they wanted to win this game.
Review of the Keys to Victory for FC Ryukyu
1. Prevent short counter-attacks. Likelihood 2. No. FC Ryukyu were ripped open on a counter attack that led to the Giravanz goal.
2. Slow the pace of the game down to a crawl. Likelihood 3. I think FC Ryukyu did a decent job of this, but in doing so, they also limited their number of chances to score.
Match Day 35 Prediction
I thought this was going to be a much higher scoring affair, 3-2 to Giravanz, but it ended in a 1-1 draw.
Match Day 35 Takeaways
1. Ryukyu looked sluggish in their attack. The goal by Koki was set up really well by Koya and Tanaka but there were few chances to take the lead all night. The flurry of activity near the end of the game saw both Koki and Shinji Ono miss chances to grab a late winner and in the end, Ryukyu couldn’t put the game away.
2. Let’s hope the rotation of Torikai and Taguchi were temporary, not permanent, moving forward. Tanaka made a full match appearance and looked no worse for wear so I am glad he is back to match fitness for the final part of the season. Uehara’s absence the past few games is slightly concerning and I hope that was nothing more than some veteran rest he was receiving.
Match Day 35 in J2
A loss by leaders Tokushima Vortis, coupled with a draw for Avispa Fukuoka, has brought 3rd place V-Varen Nagasaki within the 3 points of the promotion zone. Giravanz Kitakyushu, Albirex Niigata, and Ventforet Kofu have fallen off in what is now a 3-team race for the J1.
Conclusion
Giravanz didn’t require the services of their leading scorer in Disaro this past round and Ryukyu failed to get Abe firing. The most disheartening play of this match was the missed goal by Shinji Ono at the very end. Ono had a clean look on net, opted for placement over power, and his shot was parried by the Giravanz keeper to keep the score level. Had that shot gone in, Ryukyu would be sitting in 17th place on 12 wins instead of 19th.
FC Ryukyu will head to Iwata to take on (11) Jubilo in the midweek before returning to face (7) Tokyo Verdy to close out November. So far FC Ryukyu have gone 3-1-2 in November, and it has been by far their toughest month of the season based on the strength of their opponents, and the distance traveled in the middle parts of the week. One last note, Manager Yasuhiro Higuchi has been extended through the 2021 season for FC Ryukyu.
ryukyuarmy.com 