Before this season started, many commentators thought that KASHIMA was the most likely to win the league, but KASHIMA won 1 game, drew 2 games and lost 2 games, then they are 14th place now. It’s very far from 1st place. I’m afraid to say that they failed to start the good season. They need to get 3 points to keep the chance to be a champion. In the other hand, NAGOYA got off to a good start. If they win this game, it will be 6 consecutive wins and that is the new club record. Both teams wanted to get 3 points, it was easy to predict that this match would be very exciting.
2. U-24 Japan National Team Squad from KASHIMA and NAGOYA
JFA announced Japan national team and under-24 national team members last week. They were selected from both NAGOYA and KASHIMA players. Those players have showed good performance this season so far, so their performance will effect their team performance to win the game.
SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) Squad – [Korea Republic National Team (3/25), Mongolia National Team (3/30)]
MATSUMURA is 19 years old and he has belonged to KASHIMA since 2 years ago after he graduated from the high school, SHIZUOKA GAKUEN. it was the first time for him to be selected as a starting player this season.
This young dribble specialist is against 1 on 1 specialist Yutaka YOSHIDA who is 31 years old and graduated from SHIZUOKA GAKUEN too. Both went to the same high school and has the same roots. MATSUMURA dribbled and got past YOSHIDA but YOSHIDA didn’t give MATSUMURA any critical chances and MATSUMURA was forced to change the position from Right-winger to Left-winger.
YOSHIDA showed defending skills based on long professional experiences against MATSUMURA.
4. One of the best strikers in J League | EVERALDO
Scoring ability who EVERALDO showed last year is a threat to all clubs in J1 league. Especially the goals and assists from a header with his strength and jumping ability is incredible.
In this game, EVERALDO received the ball several times in this game but NAGOYA Center-Back NAKATANI and MARUYAMA won all high ball battles. KASHIMA struggled to create the chance from side area because not only Full-Back YOSHIDA and MIYAHARA but also KAKITANI, MATEUS, and SOMA got back to defence to get advantage.
In addition, the world class GK LANGERAK aggressively covered wide range area and punched the ball away from his goal in set pieces.
5. INAGAKI Scored the Goal again | Super shot from outside penalty box
Inagaki’s right foot was on fire again. He smashed the rebound ball from the left corner kick directly into the left net. OKI who is a U-24 squad had no chance to save the ball. The best player in NAGOYA last season selected by Japan Teams has still improved his skills.
— 名古屋グランパス / Nagoya Grampus (@nge_official) March 21, 2021
6. Game Plans | KASHIMA & NAGOYA
KASHIMA wanted to make LEO SHILVA and JUAN ALANO control the game but YONEMOTO who is NAGOYA’s Roomba made by Massimo always approached them to swipe the ball with intensity. YONEMOTO never gave no space to two of them.
And also Wingers MATSUMURA and ARAKI who were expected to break through from the side area, aggressively dribbled and got past on defenders. But MIYAHARA and YOSHIDA stopped them and CB MARUYAMA and NAKATANI was waiting for them in the middle area front of the goal. Then they didn’t have enough space to take strong shots.
In the other hand, NAGOYA’s attack was very effective. YONEMOTO and INAGAKI passed the ball more quickly than usual. Simply they delivered the ball to space behind defenders, LEO SHILVA and MISAO who usually approached and got the ball didn’t have chances to do their work. And KASHIMA defenders always reacted late and fouled more than usual. In the end, INUKAI was sent off with red card. His foul was not necessary, I have to say that foul proved KASHIMA got bad mood and their tactics didn’t work.
