Intro
FC Ryukyu started their 2023 season with a 1-0 win over Vanraure Hachinohe on Saturday. The lone goal this game came from Kelvin after a series of nice touches to round a few Hachinohe defenders before depositing the shot in the lower corner of the goal. And that was really all the excitement in this match as neither side seemed capable of completing passes in the oppositions’ end or generating much offense.
Highlights
Talking Points
1. Some questions that I posed in the last entry were answered. Most notably as far as who would start in goal: Higuchi; formation, 4-4-2; our CB pairing and who wasn’t healthy to make the squad. Higuchi appearing in net to start the first game wasn’t really a shock in that you felt that was coming. Not sure why he got the run out for the first game after the strong end to the season Dany provided the club. But that is where we are and you can assume what you like, I know I will, as to why that decision was made by Kuranuki. In the end Taguchi earned a clean sheet but that was based more on the inability of Hachinohe to break our lines or put quality shots on net.
Hitomi started up top, which was surprising, as we all figured it would be the 2023 captain, Noda, leading the line. However, it was revealed in an interview with fans pre-match that Noda is dealing with an unknown, undisclosed, knee injury that will keep him out for who an undetermined time. In what was some of the best questioning, albeit accidentally, by any reporter/MC for a club, Noda disclosed he was dealing with an injury and working his way back to health. We really need more of these type of questions both pre and post match from any reporters to gain some insight into this club.
Another shock exclusion was Kiyotake from the lineup. While I was not able to hear if he too is dealing with an injury, one can only assume he is as why would we be excluded from the lineup? I get that sometimes you need to strike a balance between the best players and the best lineup, but I think Ryukyu are dealing with a minor injury crisis at the moment.
2. Kelvin looks like the real deal and well on his way of notching twenty goals, or at least twenty points this year. Kelvin was all over the pitch making plays and creating chances and of course was rewarded with one of the best goals we’ve ever seen here at FC Ryukyu. Unfortunately he was really the only one doing anything on offense for the club on Saturday. Seeing how FC Ryukyu were reduced to starting so few of what some would consider “regulars” of the club, if teams can isolate, and eliminate, Kelvin from games, our offense will likely grind to a halt.
3. Our defense held, but Ryukyu still faded late in the match. While the first statement is a welcome sign with the defense dealing with crosses/chances the fact that Ryukyu, as a whole, seemed to disappear late in the match is concerning. Ryukyu were notorious for this last season, and luckily escaped with all 3 points on Saturday despite Hachinohe’s late charge. Fukumura, unlike his predecessor at LB Numazu, was able to display some speed when closing down attackers that broke loose. Ryukyu dodged a bullet when Yu was called for a handball just outside the box in the 84th minute and once more near the end on a dangerous header. This team needed a confidence boosting match – in which they don’t surrender a late goal – and got it. But the team was under to much pressure at the end and better teams in this league will find a way to crack our net if Ryukyu are not careful.
4. Perhaps Ryukyu wouldn’t have been in that tight spot if not for Mu Kanazaki earning two yellow cards, and subsequent red card, inside one half of football. It seemed Mu wanted to get on the refs “shit list” early and often with his fouls and extra curricular discussions with said referee. Mu had one, maybe two, chances to put this game out of reach but it seemed frustration set in and in turn some ill advised challenges followed. Mu may have been fouled in the box earlier on what could’ve lead to a PK but all the aforementioned extra curriculars probably attributed to the refs decision to having seen enough of Mu on the day. Again, Ryukyu escaped with a bit of luck, but for a team that struggled with conceding late goals last season, as well as fading in matches, Ryukyu cannot afford to invite any extra pressure while attempting to instill some confidence in the defense. This also means Ryukyu will have one healthy forward, Hitomi, next week against Iwate.
5 This was a sloppy game from both sides. It seemed neither side could string together consecutive, mainly three, passes in a row to sustain some sort of offensive thrust. There were multiple, drive killing, turnovers from both teams. Both sides were able to have a few successful movements strung together but as a whole it was a tough watch for any fan. In the case of Ryukyu they need to cut down on the wasteful passing that put them up against the break but that may have more to do with who is healthy than who is starting. Ryukyu would do well to get Hitomi more involved as the lone ball into the box by Ryukyu that was asking to be buried only found its way to Takezawa.
Round 1 in J3
A single draw from all the matches might stand out a bit but it was Iwate’s destruction of one of the dark horses for promotion in Ehime that really jumps off the page. Kagoshima waffled a bit to start but had a strong comeback win against new joins FC Osaka with pretty much every early season favorite earning a victory this weekend. And so we begin.
Conclusion
Getting the first win of the season was an important first step in the right direction for FC Ryukyu. They still leave a lot to be desired when it comes generating some offense but that may come in time when players get back to fitness. It is not always about how you start, it is how you finish. We are sure to get that litmus test next week against Iwate Grulla Morioka who are the hottest team in J3 at the moment.
ryukyuarmy.com 