Sunday, April 6, 2008

R6 Fightback


FC Gifu 1 - 1 Sanfreece Hiroshima (ht 0-1)

FC Gifu provided a great second half comeback against J2 pace-setters Sanfreece Hiroshima in front of 5400 people at Nagara Stadium, Gifu, today.

Gifu tried to produce positive attacking play in the first half but were easily dominated by Hiroshima who showed the kind of patience that had gotten them through their first four matches unbeaten this season. In the 22nd minute their patience paid off when Tomoaki Makino chipped in from a corner to open the account for Hiroshima. For the rest of the second half Gifu kept defending bravely and the half ended with Makino's goal being the difference between the two teams.
Stern words must have been said in the half time talk for Gifu though as they came out on fire in the second half. In the 60th minute MF Kazunori Kan put Gifu level with Hiroshima when he kicked a great ball diagonally across the keeper and in between the posts. The rest of the half belonged to Gifu, but as ruthless as their attack was they were unable to pip in the winning goal and the game ended a 1-all stalemate.
Had Hiroshima (11 shots at goal) been able to convert more of their first half pressure they could have come home with three points, but in the end, Gifu (9 shots) looked the most likely to score the winner.

Next game April 12th vs Avispa Fukuoka

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

A draw against Sanfrecce is a very good result voor a J2 debuting team. Gifu doesn't seem to have that much trouble acclimating to the level of play in the J-League. :)

richy said...

I don't think that acclimating to the level of the J2 will be such a problem but more acclimating to the long season! The J2 season is much longer than the JFL plus the fact that Gifu's first two byes are on wednesdays meaning that the players don't get a weekend break from the J2 until october!
So I think skill level is not so much of a problem but whether they can keep motivated, fit, and maintain their concentration for a long season might be a cause of concern.
Last year in the JFL they started well too but fell away...
Looking good so far this year though!

Endo said...

hey mate, I'm looking forward for the match on on saturday. couldn't you give us the 3 points? ;) we are under big pressure and for you, sorry to say this, this season is a showrun (please don't mind :))
So I hope for a good, fair game in Fukuoka :)

greeting from germany

richy said...

haha cheeky!
Would like to give you the three points but we can't afford to lose either! If we lose than Kumamoto will gain on us and we can't have that...!
I'm sure though if Fukuoka play to their true potential that you should be able to take three points!
But I hope we can show some fight and give you guys a good game!
See you game time!