Match Day  Info: 04/21/2019 (H) Kagoshima United FC vs FCR (A) at the Shiranami Stadium Kickoff at 1300

Weather Forecast: partly cloudy with temperatures around 76 degrees (25C) with a 0% chance of rain. Should be great weather for football.

This week’s match up features the two J3 promoted teams from last season in what some – mainly me – are billing as the “Western Japan derby.” Here are my reasons why this could be considered a derby day: 1.) There is plenty of history between these two squads coming out of the J3, 2.) FCRs old manager is now the current manager of Kagoshima, 3.) Even though these teams are in different prefectures, they are not that far away from each other geographically (see the photo), and finally, 4.) Because there are so many great derby’s featuring two teams with the color scheme of red and blue. For example, Arsenal and Tottenham, AC Milan and Inter Milan and of course Manchester United and Manchester City. While we are a long way off from being considered in the same breath as those previously mentioned, it is good for both teams and their fans to develop a but of a rivalry that will enhance the match-ups each season. Now onto the preview.

Kagoshima United FC: 22^nd in J2 with 4 points, 1W1D7L Current Form LLLLL

Typical Formation: They employed a 4-1-4-1 for a long time but switched to a 4-2-3-1 this past week.

Often there are times in sports where a team will experience a poor run of results that seems to have no end in sight. It usually starts out with a few unlucky breaks in matches and then begins to morph into something much worse. You’ll start to see the wind taken out of the teams sails with every missed opportunity and every goal conceded and then players will start exhibiting disbelief and heads will begin to drop. I believe Kagoshima is in one of these slides right now but if you just looked at the box scores you wouldn’t see the whole picture.

Kagoshima hasn’t scored in 7 weeks, since match day 2, but they have come so close on several occasions. Things are just not breaking Kagoshima’s way and that has led them down the path to the bottom of the J2 table.  The matches against Machida and Mito can simply be summed up as unlucky. They nearly equalized against Machida late but the ball wouldn’t drop for them and then only lost to Mito on an own goal.

Kanazawa really thrashed them at home 3-0 and this is probably the first match this season where you could see the doubt, frustration and disbelief starting to appear in the Kagoshima demeanor on the pitch.  The late second goal by Omiya the following week really crushed the spirits of the Kagoshima squad as almost all of their heads were hung and the players just stopped in place with that bewildered look of “when will it stop?”

Last week’s match against Renofa had so much on the line for both teams as each found themselves at the bottom of the table. I am going to assume that the pressure was immense for both squads but more so for Kagoshima as everyone expected them and FCR to be in this very same position at the start of the season. For Renofa it’s a little different because many still believe this is a good team that will rebound at some point and begin their climb up the table. This was definitely a match that Kagoshima felt they could have won and they nearly did just that.

The switch to a 4-2-3-1 saw an increased amount of chances for Kagoshima and they were certainly testing the Renofa GK. #10 Rei Yonezawa had an excellent opportunity on a break away to end the goal drought and allow Kagoshima to play with an advantage for the first time in quite some time. However, his shot was stopped by the Renofa GK and then you could see the disbelief all over his face. Of course, the inevitable happened where very late in the game the Kagoshima GK switched off for a moment and didn’t secure the ball properly and it slipped out of his hands as he was sliding inside the 18-yard box. A Renofa player controlled the ball and shot it past the sliding Kagoshima defenders to take a 1-0 lead with only about 1-minute left in regulation. The goal was massive for both sides as you could see relief in the Renofa player’s and more of the same disbelief in Kagoshima.  Kagoshima had two very late chances with one nearly dropping, but once again, they were unlucky.

Players to Watch: #10 FW Rei Yonezawa is a nice playmaker for Kagoshima and if he is given time and space, he can test Carvajal. #32 MF Taku Ushinohama has created some nice shots on net in the few games I watched. #13 GK Ahn Joon Soo, I assume he is the preferred GK for Kagoshima as he slid right back into the lineup after the Kanazawa match up. He seems to have lapses in judgement and concentration which has directly contributed to two goals this season.

FCR 6^th in J2 with 16 points, 4W4D1L Current Form DDLDD Typical Formation 4-2-3-1

FCR is coming of yet another emotional, late point grabbing performance this season. They were able to secure the draw against Tokyo Verdy from a very late goal by Uesato despite looking like the better squad on the day. FCR has conceded first half goals their past 3 matches and has been forced to play “catch-up” which is a far cry from the start of the season where FCR was scoring first and forcing the other teams into that role. While the performances by FCR have been commendable as of late, it is high time that they get back to wining ways and beat an opponent lacking confidence on the road this week.

Keys to FCR Victory: 1.) Play relaxed as the home squad has all the pressure in the world on their shoulders. An early goal will be a dagger through the heart of that team and FCR must be ruthless. 2.) FCR must maintain their composure in what could be a very feisty affair. I expect Kagoshima to throw everything they have at FCR in hopes of ending their scoring drought and possibly earning a point on the day. FCR should just focus on their game plan, create opportunities up front and stifle the Kagoshima attack.

3.) Attack. FCR needs to continue their attacking ways and test the Kagoshima GK. I’ve mentioned that he can be a bit lackadaisical at times and that means FCR should just bombard him with shots. I do not know who has traveled with the squad but lets hope the boys are well rested with the extra day and the tired legs we saw last week are just a distant memory. 4.) Do not breathe life into the Kagoshima squad, crush it! A first goal will be massive for Kagoshima so FCR must not allow that to happen.

Match Prediction: Well nothing solves a scoring drought like a match against FCR. While that may seem a bit harsh to say, FCR has only kept one clean sheet all season and if you think about our style of play the past few seasons, we score as well as concede a lot of goals. Granted this is a different team now but it’s very likely that FCR allows a goal here. With that in mind I think FCR could leave Kagoshima with all 3 points by a 2-goal margin.

Well, I am looking forward to attending my second road match of the season and cannot wait to get to the stadium on Sunday and meet everyone who traveled to the game.