One of the most important game this season, but Massimo FICCADENTI was nowhere in the stadium because of the Corona test. Instead of him, the head coach Bruno CONCA was the manager in this game. It didn’t affect the game a lot, but NAGOYA supporters want to believe that it did..
The match which NAGOYA had to win made supporters disappointed… The strongest attacking club vs the strongest defending club, the result was that the spear broke it completely till the shield was tiny pieces.
In the first 20 mins, KAWASAKI kept 70% ball possession. NAGOYA never brought the ball to KAWASAKI area. KAWSAKI played football in NAGOYA area for the most of time. NAGOYA which conceded only three goals in 12 games conceded 3 goals in 23 minutes. There were no chances even for LANGERAK to save the goal. The data shows how much KAWSAKI’s pressure was strong in the first half.
SCHMIDT performed very well against the former club NAGOYA
SCHMIDT had the ball and passed the ball with free in the first 30 minutes, NAGOYA players made him control the game. It was easy to imagine that he would be the biggest wall against NAGOYA’s win.
KAWASAKI center-back TANIGUCHI and JESIEL possessed the ball in NAGOYA area, Wing-back NOBORIZATO moved around front of penalty area
Not only attacking players but also defending players squeezed NAGOYA’s block. Sometimes 10 KAWASAKI players were in NAGOYA area in the first 20 minutes.
Two goals and one assist against the best defending club in the league in 23 minutes, there are no more words to express his level. DAMIANO showed amazing performance and why he was the Brazil national team player. If the GK were not LANGERAK, he would score three more goals at least in the game.
JESIEL never gave the chance for YAMASAKI to hold the ball. It wasn’t easy to remember how much YAMASAKI touched the ball except his header from corner-kick(the ball went to very far direction from the goal). YAMANE stopped all challenges from SOMA and YOSHIDA, his today’s performance proved how much he deserves as a Japan national team player.
LANGERAK always concentrated on the game even after NAGOYA conceded 3 goals. He showed the big saves and those saving made the little hope left for NAGOYA. Considering today’s NAGOYA performance, NAGOYA would concede more goals if the GK were not LANGERAK.
NAGOYA substituted NAGASAWA for YAMASAKI who didn’t create any chances, and KAKITANI was positioned as a Striker. This change really worked out! NAGASAWA chased and pressured SCHIMIDT. And something always happened when KAKITANI touched the ball like magic.
Those players made the rhythm for NAGOYA and NAGOYA gradually created the chance from the side attacking which NAGOYA’s strong point is. It was too late to win but that made the game more exciting.
3. Second Half Review
NAGOYA threatened KAWASAKI goal
The club which took many chances was NAGOYA, but the club which scored was KAWASAKI
This game proved which team was stronger and the answer was absolutely KAWASAKI. But there are chances for weak clubs to win the game, that’s football. And that chance is coming soon, 4th of MAY. I hope NAGOYA switch their mind quickly and prepare well for the next important game.
I truly understand that NAGOYA usually don’t concede those goals for KAWASAKI except DAMIANO header from corner-kick. They usually approached players and gave them strong pressure but they didn’t do that this time and conceded the goals. Especially MARUYAMA’s performance wasn’t very well. Maybe grueling schedule made him and other players tired. I hope that next game will be more excited for both club supporters.
