2019

And the streaks continue! Machida Zelvia are still without a win at home and FC Ryukyu are still without a win on the road since March. Impressive or Depressing?

There really is not much to summarize from the 0-0 draw that played out this past Sunday. Both Zelvia and Ryukyu looked dominant during parts of the match and it really was a game of missed opportunities by both sides. Zelvia created some trouble for our back line and their best chance rang off the post. Ryukyu’s best chance came off a header where Uejo went horizontal on a shot that ended up being saved by the keeper. Had he struck the ball down there is a chance it could of crept by the keeper on the bounce but it’s hard to criticize a guy who’s making a tremendous effort from that height, with little prep time for where he wants to place the shot.

Man of the Match

Dany Carvajal. The FC Ryukyu GK kept a clean sheet for the 4^th time this season and the draw extended FC Ryukyu’s current unbeaten run to 4 games. Dany made some quality saves throughout the game and is large reason why FC Ryukyu were able to secure a point on the road. His good form will be key to the club’s success in the coming weeks.

Review of the Keys to Victory for FC Ryukyu

1. Play the match exactly as you did against Yamagata. FAIL. FC Ryukyu failed to score against an inferior opponent on the road as has been the case many times this season. They created some opportunities but should’ve really departed Tokyo on Sunday with all 3 points.

2. Continue the penetrating runs and precision passing from our deep lying MFs. FAIL. Didn’t see much of this at all during the match. This could be attributed to Zelvia anticipating this type of play by Ryukyu and defending against it, or, FC Ryukyu not wanting to get caught on the counter. Either way, it was shame as the FC Ryukyu bench has some speed that can exploit defenses and is necessary for each game going forward.

Match Prediction

I said 1-1 and it ended 0-0. Not much else to say on that.

Key Takeaways from Match Day 34

1. FC Ryukyu are unbeaten in 4 and this their longest unbeaten run since the start of the season. That is huge as most of us were probably anticipating fits and spurts for points going forward. Mainly in the form of the occasional win but every little bit helps. But yeah, a win on the road would be oh so nice.

2. It almost felt if either side were playing “not to lose” this past Sunday despite some of the near misses. The Kazama substitution for Shinji – which is what has occurred nearly every match to date- seemed like Higuchi never really wanted to go for the win and expose himself or our defense. Kazama is one of the Ryukyu CDM and with Koizumi starting, and both Ramon and Kawai match fit, why not put in an extra attacker and try to get something out of this match?

3. Neither side was luckier than the other on Sunday. Zelvia hit the post and Ryukyu nearly won the match on the last play when a header from a CK was just wide of the Zelvia left post. Guess what I am trying to say is that both sides will fell as if they let 3 points slip away on Sunday.

Conclusion

FC Ryukyu’s October schedule includes an away match to 18^th placed Fukuoka this week, followed by a home game against Tokyo Verdy (13^th place), a trip to 21^st placed Tochigi SC and then their next to last home game this season against promotion seeking side Omiya Ardija. On one hand, there are plenty of revenge game narratives this month as FC Ryukyu beat 3 out of the 4 sides they face this month as well as earned a late game draw against Verdy from a spectacular Uesato shot. On the other, there is also plenty of opportunity for FC Ryukyu to solidify their place in the J2 for 2020 with some favorable results. 5 points from the 4 matches would put FC Ryukyu at 42 points which has been touted as the magic number this year. Of course, as you all know by now, all that needs to happen is for FC Ryukyu to win a game or two on the road.

Photo Credits

Cover: William Gallagher from the FC Ryukyu Kanto Area Foreign Supporters Group

Dany Carvajal from JLeague website

“Numbers Game” Match Day 29 Preview: Tokushima Vortis vs FC Ryukyu 8/24/2019

Intro

174 days. That is the amount of time that has passed since FC Ryukyu last won a road game. 69 days. This number represents the number of days since FC Ryukyu last earned a point on the road. -11. FC Ryukyu have been outscored 17 to 6 in their past 5 road matches with 4 consecutive defeats. 11. That is the number of points between FC Ryukyu and the bottom of the table. 7. The number of points that separate FC Ryukyu from 21^st placed Tochigi SC, who are in the relegation zone. 4. The number of points between FC Ryukyu and teams 18-20 in the J2 table (Kagoshima United FC, Avispa Fukuoka and FC Machida Zelvia). With 8 out of their remaining 14 games to be played on the road, this side needs to begin picking up some positive results while traveling away from Okinawa, or face the very real possibility of being relegated back to the J3.

Weather Forecast

Overcast with temperatures in the 80s and no wind should make for a pleasant viewing experience in Tokushima for the fans who attend.

Tokushima Vortis

Vortis have won 2 out of their last 5 matches where they dispatched Fukuoka and Kagoshima, and lost to Yamagata, Niigata and Kofu. Vortis are a typical mid-table side that beat the teams below them fairly regularly while normally losing to the ones above them. They were in some good form awhile back but that has seemed to escape them as of late. Vortis have only suffered 3 defeats at home all season but two of those have come within the past 3 home matches.

Similar to FC Ryukyu, Vortis lack a standout goal scorer. This may have been due to a transfer out of the club but I didn’t bother to research that notion. Against Yamagata they were awarded an early PK but then had the misfortune of having one of their best players, Kiyotake, sent off following a second yellow card for time wasting. After that they came apart in the second half and conceded 3 quick goals. Though Vortis went down early to Kagoshima, they scored two very late 1^st half goals to take the lead. They then surrendered the lead shortly thereafter on a PK only to seem them strike back for 2 quick goals in the last quarter of the game to seal the win.

Vortis were simply destroyed by both Niigata and Kofu and suffered shutouts in both matches which may have been the result of Kiyotake’s suspension. Vortis were able to stop the losing streak this past weekend against Fukuoka when they walked away with the 1-0 victory.

FC Ryukyu

The numbers I put forth in the introduction paint a very ominous picture for the club. They really need points and there is a possibility of that this week at Vortis since they are not the same surging side we saw just a couple of weeks ago. I have said things similar to this in past entries when FC Ryukyu travel and the results are always the same. A loss, or what we now would gladly settle for, a draw. Teams really take advantage of our poor road form and the lack of points earned on the road have become a monkey on the back of this club. It will take some sort of miracle to shake it loose and get back to winning ways.

I offer this suggestion. Get rid of the 4-2-3-1 since we lack a true out and out striker and we are reeling from injuries as well as transfers at the back. There is no point in having Full Backs launch poor aimed crosses to players who are simply not there or not well suited for headers. Since we no longer have Koji, why not play a 3-man strike front with Uejo and Ramon flanking any of Uehara/Ono/Tanaka/Koya? Drop down to a 3-man back line with Okazaki, Nishikawa and Fukui and leave Okazaki and Fukui out wide to allow Nishioka the ability to push a little north of the half way line. Most importantly, figure out the 3 best midfielders to team with Uesato to complete the 3-4-3. I wish for Kawai, Koizumi and Komatsu but this is highly unlikely due to injuries and whatever else is occurring behind closed doors at the club.

Player Injuries

FC Ryukyu: Tokumoto and Ishii are still dealing with the same injuries from the last preview and are unlikely to feature today.

Tokushima Vortis: Vortis will be without the services of DF Diego, MFs Kano and Sisinio and FWD Sato. None have played a large role at the club this season so there should be no surprises in the regular Vortis lineup today.

Keys to Victory for FC Ryukyu

1. Press the Vortis defense as it seems they suffer from the same problems that afflict the Ryukyu back line. Uejo’s, and Ramon’s speed will cause the Vortis back line some issues and attacking their flanks with speed should open up space for Koya and whatever false-9 forward is starting for FC Ryukyu today.

2. Stop playing a high defensive line as Vortis will pick us apart with long balls over the top to Kiyotake and the Vortis front men. FC Ryukyu’s only defender with a little bit of pace is Fukui but if he is continually forced to make rash challenges, we are going to end up on the losing end of it at some point. Don’t put players like Nishioka – assuming Higuchi refuses to change his system – Fukui and Okazaki in dangerous positions that could alter the outcome of this match.

3. Start Ramon and other younger talented players. I think Yu needs a breather and to come off the bench with the hopes of chipping in a free-kick goal near the end. There are 14 games left and we are very near, if not already there, a “nothing to lose” point so why not ride the razors edge and see what we have in the reserves.

Match Prediction

I was correct for only the second time all season last week but I would love to be wrong this weekend. Unfortunately, you cannot bet on FC Ryukyu to achieve any positive results while traveling with likeliest of outcomes always being a loss. Tokushima Vortis 2-1.

Conclusion

FC Ryukyu have a golden opportunity today to put some separation between them and the bottom teams. The teams below FC Ryukyu all have difficult matches this week where we could see all of them losing.

(17) JEF United Chiba vs Ventforet Kofu (7)

(4) Yokohama FC vs Kagoshima (18)

(3) Kyoto Sanga FC vs Avispa Fukuoka (19)

(9) Fagiano Okayama vs FC Machida Zelvia (20)

(6) Montedio Yamagata vs Tochigi SC (21)

(22) FC Gifu vs Kashiwa Reysol (1)

If that were the case, and FC Ryukyu were to win today, then FC Ryukyu have really taken a lot of pressure off themselves as well as gained some confidence heading into a crucial stretch of matches at home against two of the bottom clubs in J2. This is easier said than done, as the road woes of FC Ryukyu are well documented and nearing “punch-line” territory. Another possibility is that all these teams, including FC Ryukyu lose and the status quo is maintained for another week. In any event, good luck to those that attend and to FC Ryukyu today.

“The Stuff of Legends” Match Day 28 Preview: FC Ryukyu vs. Yokohama FC 8/17/2019

Intro

FC Ryukyu enters Match Day 28 in a much better mind set compared to the last few weeks. However, this is a “new look” FC Ryukyu side as the club was very active in the summer transfer window. Koji Suzuki, Ryo Wada and Masutani have departed while we welcome in Shinji Ono, Ramon and Yuya Torikai. Yokohama FC have 8 wins and 1 draw from their past 9 matches. They are in good form right now despite the slight wobble they had on the road versus Mito this past week. There are a lot of similarities between Yokohama FC and Reysol and we all know how that game turned out for FC Ryukyu.

Weather

I think you’d be surprised if I put anything other than “rain is expected,” but once again, rain is expected. Scattered thunderstorms with temps in the high 80s that will feel like the high 90s. You know the drill, ASSEMBLE THE PONCHO ARMY!

Yokohama FC

Yokohama have been nothing short of dominant these past 9 weeks. They came from behind against Tochigi, JEF Chiba and Yamaguchi to earn 2-1, 3-1 and 4-1 wins. All of these wins were in very convincing fashion. Yokohama FC can absolutely rip teams apart at the back with speed, crisp passing and excellent finishing. Domingues added a couple of FK goals in these matches and Ibba was just abusing the Yamaguchi back line.

Avispa Fukuoka really frustrated Yokohama at home but the visitors achieved the breakthrough in the 76^th minute. Fukuoka were unlucky in that they hit the post twice earlier in the match and a possible 3^rd goal went through the legs of the keeper and across the mouth of the goal. However, it was Fukuoka who made a mistake defensively and they paid for it.

Both Mito and Yokohama FC were unlucky in the last match as each had golden opportunities to take the lead but neither side could convert. This was a good game despite the 0-0 score line as both teams are in the top 6 and you knew there weren’t going to be many opportunities for either side.

FC Ryukyu

As mentioned in the introduction, this is going to be a new FC Ryukyu team for the remaining 15 games. The loss of Koji and his 15 goals will now put tremendous pressure on players like Uejo, Ramon, Shinji and Kazama to score goals. FC Ryukyu did nothing to address their defensive woes in the transfer window unless you count shipping Masutani to Okayama out on loan. We have 4 healthy defenders at the moment and it will be the first time that all 4 start together on the back line. Not a great prospect heading into a game against a free scoring side like Yokohama.

It is not a given that the momentum and euphoric feeling from the dramatic come from behind victory over Nagasaki will carry over into this game as several of those players will not be involved. Still, it is better to have won than lost when attempting to best a top 6 side who is a good run of form.

So, it will be interesting to see the lineup Higuchi chooses for this game, how the team plays together on the pitch and the timing of the substitutes tonight. The Tokumoto injury plus the fact that we do not have a dedicated striker on the side only strengthens the idea of switching to a back 3 and adding more firepower up front. FC Ryukyu may enjoy loads of possession since they now have some creative players up front, but who will be on the receiving end to finish these plays?

Injuries

FC Ryukyu: DF #5 Tokumoto is out for another 2-3 weeks from an ankle sprain. This was to be expected, and actually could’ve been a lot worse, after Tokumoto suffered a gruesome looking injury versus Nagasaki last week.

GK #23 Ishii is still recovering from a nasal/facial fracture he suffered a few weeks back.

Both MF #36 Koya Kazama and DF #4 Okazaki were subbed off early last week and I do not know if either will be match fit for today. There is the possibility both feature but I have no updates.

Yokohama FC: Not really dealing with any injuries to their main lineup this weekend.

FC Ryukyu Keys to Victory

1. Don’t give up too many FKs near the 18-yard box. Yokohama FC feature two of the best free kick takers in the league with Domingues and now Shinsuke. FC Ryukyu are decent at defending FKs but sometimes come apart after the initial shot is stopped, but not completely cleared from danger.

2. Do not make stupid mistakes on defense. Yokohama has been punishing teams when they commit too many defenders to the attack and/or when a defender makes a rash or ill advised challenge. This allows Yokohama to hit sides on the break and Domingues can really pick apart your scrambling back line. Just play sound football and do not over commit the FC Ryukyu defenders forward.

3. Attack Yokohama FCs flanks with speed. If there are any weaknesses to this Yokohama side it is their defense is not as tight as some of the sides above them in the table. They were exposed against JEF, Renofa, Fukuoka and Tochigi down the sides and this is where FC Ryukyu can benefit. Uejo and possibly Ramon’s speed may prove the difference.

Match Prediction

Yokohama are very strong side and I think their good form gets the best of this new look FC Ryukyu side 3-1.

Conclusion

I think there is the feeling among many Okinawan’s that this match will feature 3 icons of Japanese football, Shinji Ono, Shinsuke Nakamura and Kazuyosji Miura. First, I hope this really fills out the Tapista as we really need a bump in our attendance levels. Plus, the weather forecast is terrible so I wasn’t expecting a large turnout today anyway. Second, I hope fans are not disappointed if we do not see all 3 of these icons feature in the match as that would require some serious luck and choreography. Miura played 62 minutes and Shinsuke played the entire 90 minutes this mid-week in their Emperors Cup game. Keep in mind that Miura is 52 years old and hasn’t featured in a league game since March with Shinsuke primarily used as a late substitute. Also, Shinji Ono hasn’t featured in any match since March and is likely to either start and be subbed off by half time or come on with about 30 minutes to go in the game. I hope that Yokohama FC dresses their players for the fans but I doubt we see all 3 on the pitch at the same time. Regardless, see you out there and good luck boys.