Intro
This is a must win game for FC Ryukyu, and conversely, Omiya Ardija. I am not going to entertain any arguments that say, “well Ryukyu could still draw/lose and still have a chance at survival.” No, no, no, no! FC Ryukyu needs a home win so they can inch closer to getting out of the relegation zone. FC Ryukyu needs a home win for their manager who has been a welcome sign of change with his character and persona. FC Ryukyu needs a home win for their fans. Most importantly, FC Ryukyu needs a home win for themselves.
Weather Forecast & Match Day Info
I think we’ve maybe had a couple of home games this season where the weather forecast was actually favorable. Then again, we’ve had some unfavorable forecasts that turned out to be nice days. That is where we find ourselves for this Sunday’s game where it seems rain, and thunderstorms, are in store for the home fans. I do not mind, though I do not wish for lightening to disrupt the game. This forecast really sucks for some fans who will be discouraged to attend either solo or as a family.
Click>>>> Match Day 27 Information from FC Ryukyu
Team Previews
FC Ryukyu: I feel that it is finally starting to come together for this team. We knew last week was going to be a challenge against a tougher opponent where Ryukyu would control little of the game and would be required to strike quick from counter attacks. And they did just that. Not all the counters resulted in goals but you could see Ryukyu trying to create chances. All they need now is to be rewarded with a few more goals from these attacks.
Then we have the inspired play from Dany Carvajal – who single handedly kept Ryukyu in the match last week with his PK save in the waning moments of the first half. That was definitely the spark that led to the Ryukyu goal to open the second half. It is so great to see such a good player make his way back from a nasty injury that kept him out for the better part of two seasons, only to be left rotting on the bench by previous managers, and who is now playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. I love to see it. I said a few weeks ago that we need players in the lineup that are angry, hungry, and are ready to play with a nasty edge to them.
But, unfortunately, we haven’t achieved anything yet and still have a mountain to climb when it comes to getting out of the basement and back into the safe zone of J2. This season I’ve had the feeling that when you are down on your luck, you get none of the breaks, with external forces acting against you at all times. We’ve had to deal with a rash of injuries to key players, questionable refereeing, late goals conceded, even more injuries, and then just some plain old bad luck. But this is also my first season facing the very real prospect of relegation so perhaps my viewpoint is different than many others around the league.
FC Ryukyu need to treat every remaining game as if they are their own individual season. Take care of business their way, do not worry about the things you cannot control (trust me when I say the fans are doing their part in that category) and for god’s sake, hit the double digit goal mark for what would be only the fifth (5) time this season. Ryukyu really need that second, heck, third, fourth, goal in games to win. That presents a bit of challenge these days as we are not sure of the status for Koki Kiyotake (face/head?), and Kelvin (hamstring/IT Band?) injuries. Players who were removed from games due to injury with no news from the club on their status.
Omiya Ardija: I think if you squinted really hard, or adjusted the contrast on your television, you’d believe you were looking at FC Ryukyu when watching Omiya Ardija highlights. These two teams are nearly identical in every single facet of the game this year. Omiya, just like Ryukyu, experienced nothing but frustration and disappointment along the way. There is no doubt that Omiya view this as a must win match. And they have already had the better of Ryukyu on two occasions this season.
So this isn’t the traditional ‘rubber match’ where someone “wins” the series. Oh no, the stakes are much higher right now and technically Omiya have already won the series this year. These are just two teams battling for their survival. Omiya put Ryukyu to the sword twice during our darkest days and will now look to step on the heads of all of us in order to push themselves higher up while turning FC Ryukyu into the nice cushion at the bottom of the table. I find no fault, no anger, in this line of thinking as any of us would feel the same way if the roles were reversed.
Onto the matters at hand. Omiya, similar to our beloved FC Ryukyu, have been plagued by some horrible luck, horrible refereeing decisions, and horrible results. Kind of comforting to know others suffer the same anguish as we all know that misery loves company. Both Ryukyu and Omiya longest winning streaks stand at two (2) games this season with both only experiencing a stretch of three (3) games where they went undefeated. And that has happened only once for both teams.
Omiya are winless in their last five (5) games (0W2D3L) but have at least hit the two (2) goal mark in consecutive games. A mark that Ryukyu has failed to reach in over a month and a half. Omiya have also been recently plagued with surrendering goals in extra time. Something that Ryukyu had excelled at until the shift in managers. Against Okayama they surrendered the go-ahead goal at the start of extra time before committing a costly foul that led to an additional goal through a penalty kick. Last week they nearly saw out the win against Tokyo Verdy before a 92′ minute goal leveled the match. I guess it is safe to say that extra time on Sunday will be the most nervy time for each set of fans.
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
1. Keep it Simple. Likelihood 3. Whatever teams do to beat FC Ryukyu, or Omiya Ardija, do exactly that. These two teams couldn’t be more evenly matched on paper, in standings, or in current situations.
2. Harass the Omiya GK. Likelihood 2. Omiya are down to their 3rd string GK and though we didn’t ask anything of him during our first game this year, Ryukyu must this game. Shots from distance, pouncing on contested balls, following up on busted set pieces could all result in goal scoring opportunities for Ryukyu. This match will not be like Sendai, this game will be back and forth and therefore Ryukyu need to to pepper the Omiya net and pressure their back line.
Match Day 27 in J2
Round 27 kicks off with (3) Vegalta Sendai heading to (19) Iwate Grulla Morioka. League Leaders (1) Albirex Niigata will travel to face (11) Zweigen Kanazawa with (2) Yokohama FC hosting (9) JEF United Chiba on Sunday. FC Ryukyu, as well as Omiya, are hoping that Sendai, (4) Fagiano Okayama and (8) Oita Trinita can all pull off wins in their matches this weekend.
There was supposed to be two free broadcasts this week on the J-League International YouTube Channel but the (10) Tokyo Verdy and (14) Tokushima Vortis match has been postponed due to a COVID outbreak in the Tokyo Verdy squad. International fans will still be treated to the (18) Blaublitz Akita and (13) Montedio Yamagata match. Click>>>> Blaublitz Akita vs Montedio Yamagata.
Conclusion
You know what you need to do. So do it. Do it!
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