Jsgoal - Nagoya vs Gifu

By clicking the link below you can read an article translated into English about the Nagoya Grampus vs FC Gifu match as written by J-league site http://www.jsgoal.jp.
To read it click here.

Practice match update 5

February 28
FC Gifu 2 - 2 Tsueegen Kanazawa

2008 Team (& 2007 club)

1. GK Naoto Kono (Sanfreece Hiroshima)
2. DF Kota Fukatsu (FC Gifu)
3. DF Kan Kikuchi (FC Gifu)
4. DF Takayuki Komine (FC Gifu)
5. DF Shinya Kawashima (Avispa Fukuoka)
6. MF Shinya Nasu (Venteforet Kofu)
7. MF Ryuji Kitamura (FC Gifu)
8. MF Yasuhiro Yoshida (FC Gifu)
9. FW Shinya Aikawa (Consadole Sapporo, FC Gifu)
10. FW Atsushi Katagiri (FC Gifu)
11. MF Kazumasa Takagi (FC Gifu)

13. MF Satoshi Otomo (FC Gifu)
14. MF Shogo Shimada (Sagawa Kyuubin SC)
15. FW Yasuyuki Moriyama (FC Gifu)
16. DF Ri Son Ho (FC Gifu)
17. MF Masamichi Yamada (FC Gifu)
18. MF Mitsunori Yabuta (Yokohama FC)
19. DF Koji Yoshimura (Yokohama F Marinos)
20. MF Hiromi Kojima (FC Gifu)
21. GK Suguru Hino (FC Gifu)
22. GK Nobunari Nishida (Fukuoka University)
23. MF Masahiro Iwata (FC Gifu)
24. FW Masato Katayama (Matsuyama Yamaga FC)
25. FW Hiromi Kojima (Yokkaichi Chuo H.S.)
26. FW Yuki Tamura (Sanfreece Hiroshima)
27. MF Kazunori Kan (Kochi University)
28. MF Satoshi Sato (FC Gifu)
29. FW Kang Hyo Li (Yoshibi International University)
30. MF Yosuke Kawasaki (Kagoshima Industry H.S.)
31. GK Masatoshi Mizutani (FC Gifu B)
32. DF Ryouma Hashiuchi (Tokai Daigo H.S.)
33. MF Takashi Umeda (Oita Trinita)

Pre Season Match - Gifu vs Nagoya

FC Gifu 0 - 1 Nagoya Grampus
A 20th minute PK by Nagoya striker Yonsen was all that stood between J1 club Nagoya Grampus and J2 newcomers FC Gifu today. And it could have been even better for Gifu had midfielder Kojima converted his PK chance early in the second half.
FC Gifu will be reasonably happy with their performance. Their man-to-man defence was good, they had more possession then Nagoya, the interplay between the players was generally pretty good, and they could easily have come away with a draw in this game.
Nagoya Grampus on the other hand, after a great opening 20 minutes, will be disappointed with their effort and relieved to come away with a win. Their defence was solid but they missed a number of scoring chances and were outplayed by Gifu in the mid-field.
The only real difference between the two teams was on attack where the Grampus forwards definitely showed the ability to set up scoring chances whereas Gifu's efforts were constantly thwarted by resolute Nagoya defence.
All in all though, a great game, and Gifu will take some confidence out of the game with them to the J2 opener in two weeks. Congratulations though to Nagoya who take the points in the first official Kisogawa Derby.

The Kisogawa Derby

Sunday the 24th brings the event that Tokaijin have been drooling over for the past month when the big boys of Aichi take on the new kids from Gifu.
Taking a quick peak into pre-season form there have been mixed results from FC Gifu. On a positive note they have scored in all their games, beaten J2 rivals Mito Hollyhock, and have fought back from two goals down to lose a respectable 2-1 againgst J1 Tokyo Verdy. But on the other side of the coin, they have allowed in goals from University teams, have conceded last minute goals againgst Kusatsu and Seongnam, and have not really posted any big convincing scores againgst High School or University teams.
Nagoya Grampus on the other hand bet JFL teams Sagawa Kyuubin (6-2), and Kitakyuushuu, as well as Tsuegen Kanazawa (5-0) and Aichi Gakuin University (7-0) amongst other results. Above all, these results show that the team is playing well and definitely have a lot more ability to put a team away, whilst maintaining a tight defence line.
Although we can't read too much into practice match results, from the evidence above, Grampus should definitely have an advantage and a score of two or three goals is looking very likely. On the other hand, Gifu should struggle with their team which has only been together for a short time, although an early goal in front of the home crowd could provide some confidence and the chance of a draw or even unlikely victory.
My prediction though, 3-1 to Grampus.

Practice match update 4

February 21
FC Gifu 1 - 0 Taikouyoukokumin Ginkou (Korea) (ht 0-0)
FC Gifu 0 - 1 Avispa Fukuoka (ht 0-1)
February 20
FC Gifu 3 - 0 Miyazaki Sangyou Keiei University (ht 1-0)
February 19
FC Gifu 2 - 0 Nippon Bunri University (ht 1-0)

Practice match update 3

February 18
FC Gifu 1 - 1 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea) (ht 1-0)
February 17
FC Gifu 1 - 2 Kusatsu Thespa (ht 0-1)
FC Gifu 1 - 2 FC Tokyo (ht 0-2)

Practice matches update 2

February 14
FC Gifu 3 - 2 Mito Hollyhock (ht 1-1)
FC Gifu 2 - 1 Shizuoka Sangyou University (ht 0-1)

Practice matches update

February 3
FC Gifu 5 - 1 Gifu Keizai University (ht 1-0)
February 7
FC Gifu 5 - 1 Mie Chukyo University (3 x 45min games)
FC Gifu 1 - 0 Seki Shouko H.S. (1 x 45min game)