2019

Match Day 19 Preview: (H) FC Ryukyu versus Ventforet Kofu (A) at the Tapic Kenso Hiyagon Stadium, Kickoff at 1800, 6/22/2019.

Weather Forecast: Thunderstorms starting earlier in the day with scattered thunderstorms throughout the match. It will most likely be raining the whole time during the match so come prepared with ponchos, umbrellas, towels and bags to keep you items dry.

Yuck! The weather forecast will not help the Ryukyu attendance numbers

Intro

Kofu enter match day 19 after suffering a 2-0 loss at home to Tokyo Verdy. Kofu looked sluggish in that match and they rarely generated much going forward. FC Ryukyu, on the other hand, enter this match having come from behind twice to Kyoto on the road that saw Ryukyu earn a draw and return home with a point. I initially though this was going to be a very tough match-up for FC Ryukyu to walk away with any points, but the game footage for Kofu tells a different story.

Ventforet Kofu

Kofu come to Okinawa having won 3 out of their last five matches, in convincing fashion mind you, as well as earned a draw against Yamagata by coming from behind twice with one of those goals occurring very late in stoppage time. This team was firing on all cylinders prior to the Verdy match but since then, Kofu have suffered key injuries to their attacking front line.

Against Yamagata, Kofu had to sub off Dudu mid-way through the first half due to what looks to be a dislocated shoulder or damage to one of the ligaments. Dudu didn’t dress for the last match and I am not sure if he’ll be healthy enough to face Ryukyu tomorrow. The following match against Verdy saw the second strike partner up front, Soneda not even dress. That was massive as Soneda and Dudu have accounted for 9 of Kofu’s 26 goals, roughly one third, and pair nicely with Utaka up front. Their absence was very noticeable during the Verdy match as the once potent attack of Kofu has stalled out.

There are basically 3 scenarios facing FC Ryukyu tomorrow. First, if Dudu and Soneda do not dress, then we can expect to see a similar performance against Verdy from Kofu. If either Dudu or Soneda dress, then we can expect a back and forth match and will need to pay very close attention to Utaka. Finally, if both play, then Ryukyu face an uphill battle as these players will be well rested and this is a team that scored 9 goals in the four games prior to the injures. If scenario number one holds true tomorrow, then FC Ryukyu stand a very good chance of taking all 3 points in the match since the Kofu defense is rather poor and they lack any real attack. If either of the last 2 scenarios comes to fruition tomorrow, then FC Ryukyu are in a real tough spot with injuries to Carvajal and Tokumoto, as well as the suspension for Tanaka.

Kofu Players to Watch

I have already mentioned what Dudu and Soneda bring to the table for Kofu so let’s turn our attention to some other notable players in the Kofu squad.

#9 FW Peter Utaka. Leading scorer for Kofu with 8 goals and 1 assist so far this season. He seems to have a penchant for scoring braces as he’s had 3 games this season with 2 goals. He can overpower weaker defenders and will punish any stupid mistakes by the defender during open field challenges for the ball or in 1v1 situations. FC Ryukyu need to know where Utaka is at all times when he is in the 18-yard box.

#18 FW Koichi Sato. Comes on a substitute for most matches but has scored 4 times this season as a sub. More on that later. Can add some height to the Kofu attack and there is an outside shot he starts tomorrow.

#14 MF Shigeru Yokotani. Plays a central/defensive mid fielder role for Kofu and has 3 goals this season.

#39 DF Kenta Uchida. The defender has 3 assists on the season and can take a nice free kick for Kofu. I don’t know if Uchida is also the corner kick taker for Kofu but he can certainly deliver a nice ball into the box.

#26 MF Kazuhiro Sato & #28 MF Yuki Hashizumi. These two make the list as they are the replacements who have filled in for Dudu and Soneda the past 2 matches. Both have started 7 matches this year but do not offer the same upside to the attack that Dudu and Soneda do.

FC Ryukyu

FC Ryukyu are dealing with their own unique challenges this weekend so though it may seem they have the upper hand on paper, in reality, things are probably even between both sides. First, Tokumoto picked up a non-contact ankle injury last week against Kyoto that will see him miss 3-4 weeks. Second, Keita Tanaka will serve a 1 match suspension for the accumulation of yellow cards. This means FC Ryukyu will have to make 2 changes to a starting lineup that was starting to gel and get back to the scoring ways from earlier this season.

Tanaka will most likely be replaced by either Uejo, Kawai or Ochi but I am not sure who will feature on the bench for Ryukyu this week as I haven’t seen Koizumi’s name since Gifu. Tokumoto will be replaced by Fukui which means we will need to dress another defensive player this weekend. I appreciate that Fukui can play both in and outside defense but certainly FC Ryukyu has some real defensive depth issues if they are more willing to move both Fukui and Masutani to the FB position instead of leaving them inside and bringing up reserve FBs. I guess we will not only find out tomorrow but also during the Emperor’s Cup next month.

Aside from the unknown, Ryukyu are coming into the match having drawn twice, lost twice and won once in their last five matches. However, FC Ryukyu are a very difficult team to beat at home, as evidenced by the 30-game home unbeaten streak, and they just play better at the Tapista. Ryukyu’s last few home matches have seen them battle back against Kanazawa, overcome a late goal from Niigata to score one of their own to win and beat the number one team in J2 in Mito. This offers some hope going forward as Ryukyu is making life difficult for the visiting J2 sides.

Key Injuries or Suspensions

FC Ryukyu: MF Keita Tanaka (SUS), GK Danny Carvajal (INJ) & DF Shuhei Tokumoto (INJ)

Ventforet Kofu: FW Dudu (INJ) & MF Yutaka Soneda (INJ)

FC Ryukyu Keys to Victory

1. Press the Kofu back-line into making mistakes. The Kofu defense is not that great and #22, Yuta Koieda, is a pretty bad CB. FC Ryukyu needs to press the Kofu back-line when they are in possession as they are very unsure of themselves and often make poor decisions that can lead to turnovers . With so much attacking power on Kofu they have yet to learn how to play the ball out from the back and Ryukyu should exploit this weakness. The horrible mistake by the defenders last week against Verdy led directly to Verdy’s second goal.

2. Know where all the Kofu attackers are at, at all times, but especially when they are in or just outside the 18-yard box. The Kofu attackers have the uncanny ability to lose their markers at key times and then score goals. Ryukyu cannot afford to cede an otherwise easily defended goal to Kofu tomorrow. Kofu’s formation allows the squad to crash the box once they gain possession down either flank in the deep ends of the opposition which can then overwhelm the defense. Uesato and Komatsu have to stay on top of this tactic and aide the Ryukyu back line.

3. Attack the Kofu back line with speed and misdirection passes. Koji Suzuki should have his way tomorrow with Kofu defenders so long as Ryukyu feed him quality passes. Kofu defenders don’t seem to mark well which means Ryukyu players should find plenty of space to maneuver inside the Kofu box. Kofu also doesn’t defend corners all that well so this is another opportunity for Ryukyu to get on the front foot.

4. Mark Koichi Sato in the final minutes of the match. Sato has scored an eye popping 4 stoppage time goals this season as a sub. He has earned 3 points for Kofu in those 4 matches since 3 of the games ended in draws. FC Ryukyu must maintain their focus at the end of the match and not allow Sato any time or space in the box.

Match Prediction

If this was the same Kofu squad that was brushing aside opponents from earlier in the season than I would have predicted a loss for FC Ryukyu. However, this is a weakened Kofu side that comes into the match in poor form and lacking any real punch up front outside of Utaka. Sound defending by Ryukyu coupled with a ruthless attack should see Ryukyu prevail tomorrow. FC Ryukyu 2-1 Ventforet Kofu.

Conclusion

FC Ryukyu will once again be playing in less than optimal weather conditions this weekend. Thankfully Ryukyu are becoming accustomed to playing in such poor conditions as this will be at least their 6^th time this season that they have had to endure rain and wind in a match. That fact, along with Kofu’s injuries, recent poor form and not so great record for matches started in the evening hours, sets FC Ryukyu up nicely to grab all 3 points at home tomorrow and provide a massive boost to their point tally.

See you all out there tomorrow and let’s do our best to stay dry. Come on Lads!

“The Mito Boa Constrictor” Match Day 13 Preview: FCR vs Mito Hollyhock 5/11/2019

Match Day 13: (H) FCR vs Mito Hollyhock (A) at the Tapic Kenso Hiyagon Stadium, Kickoff at 1800.

Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy with temperatures in the mid-70s all match with a 5% chance of rain. Winds will be calm at 7-mph so all in all it should be comfortable all match.

The Mito “Boa Constrictor” is coming to town this week to take on FC Ryukyu who are looking to keep their home undefeated record intact. These two teams find themselves on two different trajectories at the moment. Mito are on an ascending track having not lost all season while also not surrendering more than one goal in any of their matches. FCR, however, on a downward spiral at the moment as the attack has failed to fire over the course of the last 9 matches which has seen FCR tumble out of the top 6 and into 9^th place.

Mito Hollyhock: 1^st in J2 on 26 points, 7W5D0L GF14 GA4 Goal Difference of +14 Current Form DWWDW

Typical Formation: 4-4-2

Record vs Common Opponents of FCR: 3W4D

The statistics for Mito are both impressive and staggering. As mentioned above, Mito are still undefeated this season and they have yet to surrender more than one goal in any of their matches. Here is a snapshot of the FCR opponent this week: 1.) Mito have earned 5 wins and 2 draws while playing away from home this season, 2.) Mito have scored 8 goals while conceding only 2 in all road matches, 3.) Mito have scored first in 8 of their matches and in only two instances did those games end in a draw after the opponent scored very late, 4.) Mito has conceded the opening goal of the match only twice all year and they were still able to earn a win and a draw in those games and most impressive, 5.) Mito have shut out the home team 5 times this season while traveling.

So, what does all this mean? Quite simply, Mito chokes the life out of the opponents attack similar to the way a boa constrictor does with their prey. It also means Mito never panics when they are playing from behind and they have the ability to see out tightly contested matches when they have a small lead. This really does not bode well for FC Ryukyu this week since the attack has gone missing since match day 4.

Players to Watch: #32 Atsushi Kurokawa MF & #14 Shintaro Shimizu are the joint top scorers for Mito with 3 goals each.

The entire Back Line of Mito and their GK. It will be something to see if the FCR attack can get going because we will then see an unstoppable force versus an immovable object.

FCR: 9^th in J2 on 17 points 4W5D3L GF18 GA15 Goal Difference of +3 Current Form DDLDL

Typical Formation: 4-2-3-1

Record vs Common Opponents of Mito: 2W2D3L

FCR is coming into the match having conceded two late goals on the road against the bottom team in the J2 table at the time, FC Gifu. FC Ryukyu were able to grab an early lead off of a nicely taken shot by Uesato but were unable to net a second goal for the remainder of the match. FC Ryukyu came close on several occasions by hitting the post early but the ball simply didn’t break the way it needed to for FCR on the day.

FCR maintain a perfect 3W3D record at home and they have scored 11 of their 18 goals this season at home while conceding 6 at the #fortressryukyu. As a reminder, FCR are now on their 27^th undefeated match dating back to 2017 but this is going to be one of the hardest tests so far to maintain that record.

FC Ryukyu Keys to Victory: 1.) Score multiple goals, something they have not done in 9 weeks and something that Mito has never done all season. We have no idea how Mito will react if they concede a second goal and possibly try and chase the game. Mito never panics and by jumping out to a 2 goal lead they may pull themselves apart at the back and allow FCR some running room. Mito are well coached and play really well at the back and it is a monumental ask of the FCR attack to score multiple goals against a superior opponent.

2.) FCR needs to throw everything it has at Mito all match and not worry about the result until it’s over. It is almost cliché to say that FCR will concede a goal in their matches but it is a very likely outcome. FCR should set themselves up to constantly bombard the Mito defense and run them ragged all game. This will open FCR to several counter attacks but a back line of 3, instead of 4, that doesn’t push wing backs up into the attack should be able to cover the Mito counter.

3.) Change the FCR lineup and set up. 3-4-3 with Uejo and Koizumi flanking Suzkui up front, Uesato and Tomidokoro down the middle and Tokumoto and Kawaii out wide. Come out firing with speed from the flanks, quality passes through the middle by Tomidokoro and penetrating runs into the box from Uejo and Koizumi.

4.) Stop mucking about on Free Kicks and Corners. Tomidokoro needs to be more involved in set pieces, period.

Match Prediction. It has proven very challenging the past few weeks to remain positive when it comes to predicting the outcomes of FCR matches. They have faced several inferior opponents yet they either drew or lost those games. The most likely outcome is FCR loses the match 2-0. I cannot see Mito conceding a goal despite the fact that FCR prides themselves on their attacking prowess. Unfortunately, this means the undefeated record will come to a close.

If what I am seeing on twitter is any indication, then I believe Bando will make an appearance at the stadium this week to cover the match. I hope he takes a tour of the grounds and meets and greets some of the fans either prior, during or after the match. See you all out there on Saturday night.

Golden Week Special #1: Reinventing the FCR Attack!

Golden week special #1 will focus on the FC Ryukyu attack, or better yet, what has happened to the FC Ryukyu attack the past few weeks. We will examine some possible formation changes and see if FCR has the personnel to execute any of these proposals.

1. The FC Ryukyu 4-2-3-1.

You are probably accustomed to this formation now even though it has some of its pieces swapped out over the course of the first 11 games. The were only a couple of times this season when we got a glimpse of what could’ve been with this formation. The opening match against Avispa Fukuoka saw the lineup that Higuchi was hoping to run out each week. It featured the starting 11 above and cruised to 3-1 victory. Week 2 against Omiya saw the first change due to a Tomidokoro injury but no one really noticed as Nakagawa and Uejo were on fire that day. We’d eventually get Tomidokoro back into the lineup but not before Nakagawa departed for Yokohama F Marinos. All in all, we had 1, just 1 match this season with the original 11 starting lineup.

In subsequent weeks FCR had to find replacements due to a Nakagawa transfer,
injuries to Uejo, Nishioka and Tanaka and the short week match up against JEF that required some much-needed rest for some of the starters. Because of all these factors FCR has only scored 8 goals over the last 8 matches compared to the 9 they scored in the first 3 games of 2019. Higuchi promised to continue the attacking style of play that FCR was so famously known for when he took over this off season, well now he needs to find a way to restore it to its former glory.

The remainder of this article will focus on some of the well-known formations that exist in football as well as those that may not, and how FCR could employ them. A football team cannot simply change their formation at a moment’s notice and expect it to net results right away. This is due in large part to the facts that the manager usually has a preferred style and sets his team up to support that style in addition to having conducted so much on the training ground in the preferred formation. Keep in mind, this is the real world, not FIFA19, you cannot alter formations and starters and drop the difficulty settings to achieve the results you want. Instead, I am proposing that the club to take a hard look at the assets they have on hand, or could possess later, and really think about how to make the FCR attack lethal once more.

2. 3-4-3

Uesato would drop back slightly to support the back 3.

“Using a 3–4–3, the midfielders are expected to split their time between attacking and defending. Having only three dedicated defenders means that if the opposing team breaks through the midfield, they will have a greater chance to score than with a more conventional defensive configuration, such as 4–5–1 or 4–4–2. However, the three forwards allow for a greater concentration on attack. This formation is used by more offensive-minded teams.” Straight out of Wikipedia and sounds exactly like FCR. We rarely keep clean sheets so there should be little concern about conceding as it seems every team has been attacking our original 4-2-3-1.

I think FCR could set up with a back 3 of Fukui, Okazaki and Masutani. The MF would consist of Tokumoto on the left, Uesato slightly deeper as a holding MF, Uejo pushed slightly forward to control the attack and finally a player like Koizumi out wide to the right. Up front would see Tomidokoro, Suzuki and Tanaka. Tokumoto and Koizumi would bear the most responsibility when it comes to back tracking and assisting in defense but this seems logical as Tokumoto already plays in an RWB role in the current formation and Koizumi has not had a lot of playing time this season so his legs should be fresh. It is unrealistic to ask the skill players of Tanaka and Tomidokoro to take on the task that Tokumoto and Koizumi will play and Uejo has just become a full 90-minute match fit this past weekend. Since FCR conducts so much of their attack down the flanks anyways, we could run Tokumoto and Koizumi ragged for about 60-75 minutes before bringing on Kawaii, Nishioka or Ochi to keep the attack fresh. There are several variations to this formation that FCR could tinker with but I believe FCR should only bring a player like Kawai on later in matches so we can maximize his speed.

A more traditional 3-4-3 set up. Tanaka drops back to provide service to the attacking players. Koizumi comes in as RWB/RMF to provide a spark.

3. 3-3-2-2

I have not seen much out there on this set up so I am not sure of all the nuances for players responsibilities but from the small visual representation here, it seems FCR would have to be very careful with possession in order to prevent too many counter attacks. Also, this formation may already exist under a different numbering system but boy do I like the way it forces FCR to lean into the attack.

I believe FCR would need to start with the speedy players and then alter or change their set up later in the match. This formation seems to send the message that you want to get out in front quickly in order to build a lead and then continue pounding the net until the players are exhausted.

I think in this formation we’d ask our back line to hold their positions and for players like Kawai and Tokumoto to “pinch” into the Central Mid Field areas when defending.

4. 3-4-1-2

This formation may see Tomidokoro providing better crosses/passes into the 18-yard box.

“3–4–1–2 is a variant of 3–5–2 where the wingers are more withdrawn in favor of one of the central midfielders being pushed further up field into the “number 10” play maker position.” Wikipedia again with this quote.

The last two formations have seen FCR put an additional forward up front to provide some relief to Suzuki. There is no doubt he is outstanding at the holdup play but someone needs to be making dangerous runs into the box so Suzuki can start finding open space in which to operate. By dropping Tomidokoro a little bit farther back I think FCR gains a play-maker that can put some very dangerous crosses and passes into the box.

5. 3-2-3-2

If FCR wanted to get out on the front foot quickly.

In this set up FCR would sacrifice some of the speed required for defending in order to put maximum pressure on the opposing defense. We would deplete the energy levels of Uejo and Tokumoto rather quickly as they’d have so much to do when tracking back on defense but this puts all of the FCR play makers forward in the attack.

6. 3-1-4-2

Allow some space for Suzuki and Uejo to run into.

Assuming we could cover and prevent all counter attacks with a back 3 and Uesato over top, FCR could play to its strengths by attacking from the flanks. By dropping Suzuki and Uejo back slightly from the more forward wingers in Tomidokoro and Tanaka, we may see better service into the box for our attackers. As evidenced by this past weekend, when Tomidokoro has time to pick out players in the box he can deliver and this formation will push him and Tanaka slightly wider to provide a little more precise crosses to Suzuki and Uejo.

The other option would be to swap Suzuki and Uejo out wide to where Tomidokoro and Tanaka were at in the previous formation. We know how lethal Tomidokoro and Tanaka are and this may free up some space for Suzuki and Uejo to create some mismatches running laterally into the box.

Allow Suzuki and Uejo to attack the 18-yard box from the flanks.

7. 3-2-2-3

That;s a lot of firepower orientated forward.

FCR would be asking Kawai and Koizumi to track back on defense while allowing Tomidokoro to pick out the runs made by Tanaka, Uejo and Suzuki up front. Assumption would be that Uesato still provides top cover to the back 3 and doesn’t get sucked into the attack without recovering back on defense.

8. 2-1-4-3

End of the match and FCR need an equalizer or the all important winner.

This formation is probably best reserved for some serious last-ditch efforts on net instead of how you want to start the match. 5 attackers are really 7 with the support provided by Tokumoto and Kawai down the flanks. Those two would need fresh legs to support all the defensive back tracking requirements so again this is probably best left to the end of matches when chasing an equalizer or winner. With that said, there are 5 of the best FCR players up front who can score from anywhere.

It was great experimenting with some of the formations FCR could employ with their current squad and I want to leave you all with one more. This one requires a transfer fee to be paid, contract to be signed and for those funds to be available.

So please bear with me as we travel down this fantasy path.

9. Defending set pieces with a player that has serious height.

Joao Gabriel is an interesting player for SC Sagamihara. He has all the traits you look for in an outfield player but if we think bigger than that, we see a player that can help see out tough match ups as well as provide chances at equalizing games or winning them very late. Keep in mind, Gabriel is not a direct replacement for either Suzuki or Wada, rather, he is there to provide a certain skill set that FCR desperately requires. It is obvious a lot of our matches will come to last minute equalizers, winners and losing goals so this guy could either prevent or provide those required services.

Imagine what it would be like defending corners or set pieces late with Joao’s presence. Suzuki could drop back into a counter attacking position,and since he is one of our best finishers, he should be the one getting on the end of counter attacks instead of having to start all of them.

Nothing like a little height at the back that can feast on high crosses sand clear them out of danger.

10. Set pieces late in games with the same player.

Instead of having to be pinpoint accurate with all the crosses coming into the box, FCR just has to be in the “general area.” What I mean by that analogy is that there is a lot more forgiveness in the errors of the cross if it is too high or off target with a player of Joao’s height roaming the area. FCR could be more inclined to send crosses into the box at higher elevations vice trying to maneuver into the box and attempt one more pass that may prove to be one more pass too many and derails our attack.

Set piece delivery from Tomidokoro or Uesato, That front line looks menacing to defend with Joao’s height up there.

Could prove difficult for teams to defend late in games and gives FCR a chance to equalize or win late.

Again, this was enjoyable but I don’t know if any changes will occur down here in Okinawa to revitalize our attack. Until the next time, enjoy your Golden Week.

1st Quarter 2019 Season Review for FCR.

We are officially past the quarter mark of the 2019 J2 season and I think it is a good time to reflect back on what FC Ryukyu has accomplished so far along with some of the standout performers in the club, the memorable moments for the team and where this club could improve moving forward.

There are 42 games in the J2 season so in order to break the season down into 4 separate quarters, we will say the first quarter includes the first 11 matches followed by 2 quarters of 10 matches each and then concludes with the 11 remaining matches of the J2 season.

FC Ryukyu currently sit 7^th in the J2 table with 17 points coming from 4 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses in 11 matches this season. FC Ryukyu have scored 17 goals and conceded 13 and are averaging just under 5,000 fans per game, most of who are being treated to some very exciting football along the way.

Not many people pegged FC Ryukyu to be in the position they are in right now, least of all me. FC Ryukyu has experienced some serious “highs” and “lows” of the early 2019 J2 season and below are the standout performers for FC Ryukyu as well as the 5 most memorable moments to date and some areas for improvement.

Koji Suzuki

The signing from Zelvia has been in top form so far this season. He currently sits at 8 goals in 11 matches and is the top goal scorer in J2 this season. Granted, he hasn’t scored since the Renofa match but he has been vital in starting counter attacks with his hold up play and is doing everything he can to help this team win.

Danny Carvajal

Danny has been a tremendous signing this season. He has singly handily kept FC Ryukyu in so many matches this year with his efforts between the sticks. One of his best performances to date was against Verdy where he stopped numerous shots on net and made a vital PK save that ultimately allowed FCR to earn a draw. We are lucky to have a player of his caliber on our team and need to provide some better defensive play in front of him so he can begin registering shut outs.

Satoki Uejo

Uejo has been a revelation this season and provided some much-needed spark after the loss of Nakagawa in the transfer window. He currently sits as the joint top 4 goal scorer in J2 with 4 goal. His volley against Reysol was terrific and earned FC Ryukyu a point as well as the J League record 26 home matches played without defeat record.

Going to rely on this emerging player the rest of the season

5. Opening Day: February 24^th 2019

It was a historic day for the club as they would play their first ever J2 game. The weather didn’t cooperate as it was overcast, then raining and windy but that wouldn’t dampen the spirits of the 7,385 fans who showed up to watch this special moment. The team repaid the fans dedication by achieving a 3-1 victory over Avispa Fukuoka behind a brace from newly signed Koji Suzuki. Since no one truly knew how FC Ryukyu would respond in the J2, it was so meaningful that their first ever match ended in a victory. This victory would start FC Ryukyu down a path of 4 consecutive victories in a row to open the J2 season.

4. The first and only road win to date. March 2^nd 2019

The match against Omiya was an amazing spectacle to witness and I am glad I was able to enjoy it firsthand. I tip my cap to the Omiya organization and their fans as it was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever witnessed during my time as a football fan. Fresh off their first victory, FC Ryukyu came out blazing against Omiya Ardija. Tanaka opened the scoring early on a very nice take and then the second brace in as many games for Koji Suzki pushed the score to 3-1. FC Ryukyu were not done yet as Uejo netted his first goal of the season and FCR were flying with a 4-1 advantage thanks in large part to 3 assists from Nakagawa. Omiya made a late push to bring the match close at 4-3 before FC Ryukyu were able to see it out and hold on for their first ever, and last as of this article, J2 road win. The feelings of joy throughout the match in the FCR supporter end will be something I carry with me the rest of my time as a supporter of this club.

3. The Nakagawa Transfer March 15^th 2019

One of the most painful memories of this early season is the transfer of Kazaki Nakagawa to the Yokohama F Marinos. Nakagawa was an unbelievable player during his time at FCR. His 16 goals and nearly as many assists in J3 last season propelled FCR to the J3 title. His ability to unlock defenses and set players up for success like he did early in the year with Tanaka, Tomidokoro, Uejo and Suzuki really made the FC Ryukyu attack lethal. However, he is gone and we all wish him the best since he rightfully deserves his opportunity at the J1 level. His departure can be measured by the facts that in the 3 games FCR played with him this season, the club netted 9 goals whereas FCR has only managed 8 goals in the 8 games since his departure. FCR must find a suitable replacement fast to keep this team afloat in the J2.

This hurt the club and fans a lot but wish him the best

2. Late Game Heroics: Matches versus Renofa, Reysol, & Verdy.

In each of the three contests listed above, FC Ryukyu required some late game heroics to see out draws and net positive points. Most of the games, on paper, seemed winnable in my opinion but things rarely turn out as you expect. Against Renofa, FCR scored first behind Koji Suzuki’s 3^rd brace of the season. FCR then promptly conceded 2 goals and experienced playing from behind for the first time all year. However, Koji Suzuki would score an 89^th minute equalizer to bring FCR level and allow them to earn a point at home and maintain a 6-game unbeaten streak to start the 2019 season.

FCR would follow up that home performance with an incredible draw against a much larger club in Kashiwa Reysol after a mid-week defeat to JEF. Reysol are early favorites to win the J2 this season and this was be a huge test for the newly promoted side from Okinawa. FC Ryukyu proved resilient after the fast start by Reysol that resulted in an early goal for the visitors. FCR responded with a phenomenal volley from Uejo in the 82^nd minute to see out the draw and it sent the home crowd into a tizzy.

The final match mentioned here was against Tokyo Verdy on the road. FCR left it very late, 95^th minute in stoppage time, when Uesato scored a volley from a deflected clearance and earned FCR a point on the road. The match was a very tense affair and thanks in large part to a Carvajal PK save, FCR were able to muster some positive points away from home.

1. The Record April 7^th 2019 & continuing on still

How could it be anything but the record as the most memorable event to date for FCR? FC Ryukyu entered the match against Kashiwa Reysol requiring only a point to set the all time J League record for consecutive home matches without a defeat at 26. The record looked nearly impossible to achieve against a much stronger opponent but the home side was able to manage a draw after a tightly contested affair. This a huge piece of history for the club and its supporters and one that cannot go unnoticed. Some will argue that a majority of the games occurred against lesser competition in the J3, but I would counter with you can only play the opponent in front of you. FCR and all of Okinawa should be so proud of this record and it continues on still and is now currently at 27 matches after the draw against Zelvia this past weekend.

To wrap this up I think it is imperative we discuss some of the things that FCR may need to improve or change in order to see out the remainder of the 2019 J2 season outside of the relegation zone.

1. How the club is using Yu Tomidokoro.

Tomidokoro is a player known for his quality on FKs and accurate shots. He is never going to be the top goal scorer for FCR but he will provide plenty of service to the attacking players and offers tremendous upside on set pieces. If you recall from last season, he was nailing FK after FK for goals and it was a thing of beauty. This season is a much different story. Tomidokoro is rarely used on set pieces in and around the 18-yard box. Those duties are falling to Uesato and Kazama. Uesato opts to shoot from long range more than he does to provide service to our attackers and I don’t see much in the delivery from Kazama that leads me to believe he is better at taking those types of kicks compared to Tomidokoro. The bottom line is Yu needs to be taking a majority of the FKs and CKs in order to restore some of that swagger and confidence he had from last season which will ultimately lead to more goal scoring opportunities for our attackers.

2. A suitable replacement for Nakagawa in the Central Attacking MF role.

FCR hasn’t been able to find a suitable replacement up front since the departure of Nakagawa. It was always going to be unlikely that there would be a direct one for one replacement in our current lineup but at the very least, FCR needs to get someone behind Suzukui that can provide the same level of service Nakagawa once did, albeit, at a much lesser rate. I think a change in formation is required because that CAM role is so vital to a 4-2-3-1 and FCR simply doesn’t have an answer for the missing piece.

3. Change the formation from a 4-2-3-1 to more of 3-4-3, 3-2-4-1 or 3-5-2.

When you combine the loss of Nakagawa and the injury to Nishioka that has forced Masutani out wide, the FCR attack has gone missing the past 8 matches. I think FCR should experiment with a back line of 3 and get more players into the lineup such as Koizumi and Kawai. Maybe we should also get a strike partner up front with Suzuki so he isn’t forced to constantly drop back to assist on defense only to be the starting point for counter attacks that he can never join in on later.

4. Make some summer transfer window signings.

The summer transfer window for the J League begins July 15^th and runs through August 14^th. FCR should take a long look at the J3 talent that is out there as well as across the J2 for unused players and finally ask J1 clubs to loan out their unused talent. One player I think would be an interesting fit here at FC Ryukyu would be Joao Gabriel from SC Sagamihara. Having watched this player all last year I think there are several ways FC Ryukyu could employ him as a FWD. First, he is not a direct replacement for Suzuki but could help his fellow strike partner out by executing the holdup play that Suzuki does so well so as to allow Suzuki some free release as part of the counter attack. Second, he can be a player FC Ryukyu brings on late in matches than can provide some strength, height and tenacity. Gabriel plays with a bit of an edge and can make life very difficult for teams that are trying to win a match or see out a draw. His height would be beneficial for set pieces during both the attack and defense. Having a player that can help clear balls while defending leads or ties as well as the ability to rise up and meet set pieces for headers late would provide FC Ryukyu more opportunities to see out some low scoring affairs or win matches outright. Finally, if it looks like SC Sagamihara are not going to be promoted and are stuck in the middle of the J3 table this year, it’s worth the risk to sign a young player of his quality.

Using his height to reach out and bury a header

5. Improve the visibility of the club.

FC Ryukyu desperately needs to increase the visibility of the club both on island and off. They may be hamstrung by laws and regulations from the Okinawa City office but there are some small steps they could take to mitigate these hurdles. There are plenty of free marketing vehicles out there for the club and they need to maximize those outlets early enough to get more fans to stadium for the remaining home matches in 2019. Lastly, and I do not read enough of the JLeague news articles that are in the Japanese language to know for certain, but they could be one of the first clubs that is truly open and transparent in the J League. This would mean disclosing things such as finances, which they’ve done, player injuries with expected recovery times, player signing values, wages and issues surrounding the club. This type of transparency would appeal to much more than just the Japanese football fan and would allow to the club to generate more fans and followers on both a regional and global level.

It has been an amazing start to the season and I hope FC Ryukyu can reach the 42-point threshold to secure J2 football in 2020. I am sure there will be more memories throughout the remainder of the season and I look forward to sharing them with all of you.

Match Day 9 Recap: Tokyo Verdy 1 – 1 FCR 4/13/2019

Well the “comeback kids” did it again this past weekend, and they did it in style. FCR was able to earn a draw against Tokyo Verdy at the Ajinomoto stadium behind a thunderous Uesato volley in the 95^th minute in stoppage time. The 1-1 result ultimately dropped FCR to 6^th in the J2 table at the weeks end but it is another vital point earned away from home for this newly promoted side.

Unlike the previous 8 matches FCR has played this season, the boys came out of the gate flying to open the match. FCR controlled a lot of the play and created several early chances. Masutani had a very nice shot on net but unfortunately it was directly at the Verdy GK. Tomidokoro was almost able to convert a header from a Tokumoto cross but the Verdy GK was once again up to the task. FCR’s best opportunity of the first half came when Keita Tanaka was set free in the right part of the Verdy 18-yard box and had a wide-open shot on net. If you recall, he converted a similar situation against Omiya by placing it low and hard back across the keeper but this time Tanaka opted for power that sent the shot high and wide of goal. 9 times out of 10 Tanaka will convert these opportunities but it just wasn’t the case today.

Verdy quickly responded with two chances of their own around the 32^nd and 39^th minute. A Verdy cross found a wide open #19 Junki Koike on the edge of the FCR 6-yard box who miss judged the bounce of the ball on the volley and sent it over the net. It didn’t matter though as Verdy would convert their next chance when a very penetrating run by Verdy went undefended, followed by a clever back heel to set up Kota Watanabe’s 39^th minute goal. FCR looked lazy tracking back on defense and there were a few notable mistakes on the play. First, the FCR midfield afforded too much space and time to Verdy and when Kawai finally stepped up to challenge the Verdy player, he over committed and created a gap in the defense. The second one was when Fukui turned his back to the on rushing player assuming that he had defensive help in support and the Verdy player let rip with a very nice shot, through a wide-open shooting lane, that went past Carvajal to the right and into the back of the net.

The second half ended with Verdy up 1-0 but FCR was creating all the chances, however, they weren’t able to convert any of them. These things happen from time to time so it would be interesting to see how FCR would respond in the second half.

Things didn’t start out so great for FCR as they were allowing Verdy to dictate the flow of the game and nearly found themselves down 2-0 when Fukui made an unsuccessful rash challenge that sent #11 Hayashi free on goal with only Carvajal to beat. You knew the Verdy striker was going to attempt to round the keeper after Carvajal closed down the distance and you also knew it was one of those plays where if the FCR GK miss times the challenge, its surely a PK and possibly a sending off. Well, there was a PK following the Carvajal challenge as he brought down Hiyashi in the box but it was only a yellow card and Carvajal took the worst of it as he was bleeding profusely from his nose. Carvajal was able to continue and eventually ended up saving the PK to keep FCR in the match.

Danny has been a revelation for FCR back there this season and, in my humble opinion, is battling with Koji Suzuki for FCR MVP. I wish there were more shutouts for him but he is always in the right spot at the right time and you cannot fault the GK when the defenders in front of him don’t’ close down players to prevent shots.

FCR almost conceded another goal to Verdy shortly after the penalty kick, but once again Carvajal stepped up to block the shot with his chest and keep the score line at 1-0. Outside of a Tomidokoro chance that went harmlessly wide, there wasn’t much for FCR until stoppage time.

During stoppage time FCR would create 3 notable chances to tie the match. First, #28 Yoshio Koizumi sent a screamer on goal that went just wide of the post. Shortly thereafter Koji Suzuki had a chance to equalize but his attempted volley sailed over the bar. However, it was the FCR captain Uesato, who achieved the breakthrough for FCR in the 95^th minute. There was a lot of extra time this half due to the Carvajal injury and that really helped FCR out as they were building a lot momentum leading up the goal.

Uesato was able to hit the ball first time after a Kawai shot was deflected by the Verdy defense, and then the clearance landed in front of Uesato, who hit it with power and placement past the diving Verdy GK. You could see how much the goal meant for Uesato ,and for FCR, but even more so for the FCR fans. You could hear our supporters cheering very loudly on the television and the place where I was watching the match erupted. It was a great moment and one I am glad to have shared with some new FCR fans.

The match would end 1-1 and push FCR up to 4^th before the final results of the J2 were registered for the week’s matches.

Match Takeaways: 1.) FCR ended up with 54% possession on the day and dominated a lot of the open play. They were attacking the right side of the Verdy defense early, as I suggested as a key to success in the preview article, but the goal would ultimately come from the left side. In fact, they started attacking more down the left in the second half. FCR would also register 21 shots on the day with 14 of them on net. Nice to see these statistics from FCR and the goals will start falling eventually if they keep it up.

2.) It seems Higuchi is opting to start Kawai and then bring Uejo on in the second half of matches. Kawai definitely has speed to burn, and it can trouble the opposing team’s defenders, but Kawai needs to develop better ball control. There were a few times when he lost control in developing situations for FCR that would derail our attack.

3.) FCR needs more work on the training ground for their set pieces. FCR had a lot of corner kicks in the first half and none of them amounted to any real chances. They were either too low and easily cleared by the Verdy defense or were unable to pick out any FCR players in the box. It is vital to the success of this team this season to start converting some of these CKs and the FKs just outside the 18-yard box.

4.) #28 Yoshio Koizumi had a good 20 minutes of play near the end of the match and it will be interesting to see if he is preferred to Kawai next week versus Kagoshima. He created a few chances in stoppage time and generally looked good on the ball during his first run out. He also isn’t afraid to shoot and nearly notched the tying goal for FCR. I’d like to see more of him before I get too far ahead of myself and suggest that he could be the potential Nakagawa replacement that FCR has been missing these past 5 weeks. Let’s also not forget FCR has another blossoming talent in Uejo and hopefully he’s match fit for a full 90 minutes next week.

5.) The overall depth of our back line is surely to be tested for the next few matches until Nishioka returns. Tokumoto looks tired and his crosses don’t nearly have the same height or venom compared to earlier in the season. FCR needs reliable reinforcements back there that can spell our starting 4 defenders because they are one injury away from having to answer some very though questions.

Well, I really enjoyed watching the match with some new friends and fans of FCR, especially Shimabukuro. I will see all of you later this week with the Match Day 10 preview.