This is a very tough recap to write based on a couple of factors. 1. FCR should’ve and could’ve won this match. Yes, shoulda, woulda coulda, didn’t applies here. 2. FCR lost one of their best players, Danny Carvajal, at a crucial part of the season. To all of you who faithfully click on the link and read this blog each week, thank you, I appreciate all of you and please bear with me during these troubling times.

First Half

FCR and Yokohama both started out very sluggish. This was to be expected from Yokohama – as I eluded to in the Match Day Preview – but was unexpected from FC Ryukyu. FCR have usually started matches on the front foot and this was key to FCR bringing home the points. However, FCR couldn’t get going or get that all important 1^st half goal. The best chance FCR had was from a corner kick in the 14^th minute, and I must admit, it was pleasing to watch FCR inject some creativity into their set pieces. The CK was crafty in that the person chosen to take the shot was Uestao, who, was outside the normal line of attackers and had to make a nice play on the ball to get into a shooting lane. It was unfortunate that he couldn’t score as this would’ve proved the difference on the day. His shot was just inches wide and FCR would go into half time 0-0.

Now, neither team looked up for the match and this was worrying because FCR should be considered as a “fast stating team” whereas Yokohama are more of a second half team. We have seen how FCR comes out very slow during the initial parts of the 2^nd half and I was very concerned for us moving forward without a goal. I was also concerned that FCR threw so much at the attack that they were exposed down the right flank for much of the first half. It seemed as if Yokohama was making these great runs and opening up the FCR defense but in reality, we left ourselves wide open for this because of the over commitment in the attack.

Second Half

The back and forth play continued for much of the second half until, Koji Suzuki broke the dead lock in the 67th minute. It was a beautiful take as he moved effortlessly across the top of the Yokohama FC box and delivered an absolute gem of a strike into the top corner of the goal to give FCR the 1-0 advantage.

I will do my best not sound dejected or one sided from here on out but things turned very ugly for FCR after this moment.

For a brief period of time I though that FCR could end this horrible run of road performances with that Koji goal. Then fate stepped in, as it does on occasion, to bring all the FCR faithful back down to reality.

For those new to the blog or following FCR I’ll cast a wide net here and say that there are 2 MVP performers on the squad, Koji Suzuki and Danny Carvajal. Both of them are the heart and soul of this squad and are the main reasons why FC Ryukyu sit 9^th in the table instead of 21^st. To lose either one to injury or transfer would be catastrophic and what I am about to espouse applies to the latter.

In the 70th minute, Danny Carvajal, the FCR stalwart, suffered what looks to be a moderate Grade 2 ankle sprain. He landed awkwardly during a save on a set piece, his foot bent inward and he rolled the ankle inward luckily. You may ask, luckily? And I’d answer, yes! As someone who plays Fantasy Football (NFL) at a very high level, I can tell you it was reassuring that Danny didn’t roll the ankle the opposite direction for the dreaded “high ankle sprain” that would keep him out for an extended period of time and possibly require surgery.  There is no doubt that Danny will miss time as the injury required a substitution and he could be seen grimacing while putting weight on the ankle but it probably isn’t season ending so we all should be relived.

It also should be noted that Danny carried on during the run of play, while injured, to make a crucial save to keep FCR in the lead when he could have easily fell to the floor. People use the term bravery far too often but it is warranted in the case of Danny this past week. What a warrior.

Let me add this narrative: The Yokohama FC fans were absolutely classless in their derision of Danny as he tried to continue on and assess the injury, yet, they were more than happy to cheer Ibba’s time wasting in extra time (for which the ref never added any extra time). I’ll remember this Yokohama. It will not be pleasant for you or your fans when you visit Okinawa in August, I promise you.

So back to the matter at hand. If you are like me and have played or watched sports for a majority of your life, then you’ll understand the next sentence. How many times have you seen a situation where a key player gets injured, cannot continue, and then suddenly the momentum shifts to the opposing side and they suddenly take control of the game? I had this sentiment as soon as Ishii stepped on the pitch for the injured Carvajal. I pleaded, to the television, that FC Ryukyu should also sub in an extra defender to provide some cover for the GK who was “hoping out of the frying pan and into the oven.”

They did not and Yokohama quickly took advantage of the situation and grabbed the lead from an Ibba brace. Ibba’s first was after a deflection from a Domigues shot and Ishii cannot really be blamed for this because he did well to get to the shot. Ibba’s second should be attributed to lazy, lackluster defending that saw Masutani getting overpowered by Ibba. I stated in the preview that if FCR could control Ibba then they would have a chance at victory. FCR did up to a point and then switched off. FCR really never threatened the Yokohama goal during the remaining 15 minutes and the match ended 2-1.

There was a glimmer of hope that the FCR would be awarded a Pk but the ref, incorrectly, failed to award the PK which would’ve changed the outcome of this match.

Match Takeaways

1.  This point hurts the most. I said the X Factor was going to be Danny Carvajal and I was correct. Unfortunately, he was injured and the team simply collapsed after that to a 2-1 loss.

2. FC Ryukyu failed to start fast and they couldn’t grab the lead in the first half. Neither team looked interested in playing a football match this weakened and yet, Yokohama was just asking to be scored upon early. FCR came close but this is a game of inches (centimeters) and FCR has had no luck in that department lately. Hopefully this will change when it matters most but for now this side has been unlucky on the road and hasn’t caught any breaks.

3. Allowing Yokohama to quickly exploit Ishii shows immaturity on the part of the defense and coaching staff. Everyone on FCR should be held accountable for this. You knew Yokohama were going to do all they could to attack the Ryukyu goal with an inexperienced keeper and yet no one on the team did anything to prevent the inevitable. That is inexcusable and is grounds for a counseling by senior staff and management. 2 goals within 3 minutes of Danny’s substitution is amateur, and FC Ryukyu is not an amateur team. The defense went missing at a crucial time and left the GK exposed, as they’ve done too often this year to be honest, and they paid the price with 2 goals and a loss.

4. After reviewing the highlights several times, I think there is something there with Ishii. Either he makes routine saves look spectacular or he is spectacular. Time will tell, I guess, but we all could use some unexpected performances from our reserve keeper in these uncertain times.

Conclusion

FC Ryukyu move on to a brutal run of fixtures at less than 100%. I cannot sugar coat this in any way, if we grab 5 points from now until the end of July, FCR will have a chance to stay in the J2.  It is about to get real ugly folks. A FC Ryukyu attack that lacks any venom and an injured Carvajal is a recipe for disaster so please prepare for the worst and hope for the best.