Intro
Well it certainly feels good to get the fist win out of the way. It was by no means easy, but FC Ryukyu finally notched their first win on Saturday with a 3-2 road win over Renofa Yamaguchi FC. Ryukyu had to overcome deficit twice in this game but the win has propelled them out of the relegation zone with many more questions still needing to be answered.
Match Recap
Review of the Keys to Victory for FC Ryukyu
1. Clean up the garbage in front of goal: Likelihood 3. Umm, Renofa’s second goal was just that. So no!
2. Remain calm when Renofa’s chaotic play takes hold: Likelihood 4. I feel as if we got sucked into this a bit throughout the match.
3. Do not wait for the perfect goal: Likelihood 2. 50/50. We scored from a very nicely worked set piece. a Kiyotake header, and a turnover but couldn’t quite get things going.
Match Day 4 Takeaways
The Cavalier Kiyotake: Sure, he scored and assisted on another goal but his turnovers nearly cost us and honestly, up until that goal, he looked a better sub than starter. That pass across the front of our box that Renofa capitalized on was inexcusable and luckily Taguchi got to the shot.
Numata is done: Nothing there to indicate he has anything to offer in the attack or defense. Replacing Numata at LB means shifting Fukumura from CM to LB and could cost us but is probably the better move at this time.
Unsettled at the back: Nakagawa could’ve (should’ve) done a better job handling some of the runs by Renofa but I am willing to deal with these growing pains. Omori’s absence is also a bit concerning considering Yong Jick made the reserves. We need to tighten up back there to give any GK a chance or else we run the risk of easily worked goals from the opposition.
A set Piece Goal? My heart be still but it looks like Ryukyu have worked on these plays this season. Abe’s take was spectacular.
3 points is 3 points: Take them in any form. That wasn’t pretty but it was effective. If Ryukyu struggle like this every week then it will be a long season, but they did right the ship on a pitch were they’ve had little, to no, success, so ley’s take it.
J2 Round 4 Review
Zelvia put Okayama to the sword but it was Yokohama FC’s comeback that stole the headlines this round. Table is very much unsettled so lets not jump to conclusions.
Conclusion
Ryukyu desperately needed that win and hopefully winning becomes a habit around here. If we have to struggle each week for wins like this than this will be a very long season. I do not think that many, despite the early saber rattling, expect Ryukyu to get promoted to J1. Instead, we’d rather see and a consistent improvement from one season to the next. I am not sure we’ve seen that yet.
ryukyuarmy.com 