R9 Outplayed

Shonan Bellmare 4 - 2 FC Gifu (ht 1-2)

For the second time in two weeks FC Gifu gave up a 2-1 lead in the second half and managed to lose. In contrast to last weeks game though, this week, Gifu did not play well.

Conditions were apalling and the short grass at Hiretsuka made for a slippery surface. Shonan, from the outset came out with all guns blazing and managed to keep their feet steady on the wet pitch.

In just the 3rd minute Shonan FW Naoki Ishihara headed a nice ball past keeper Suguru Hino to give Shonan their first goal of the day. Shonan were creating good chances but were shocked in the 38th and 40th minutes when they conceded two own goals. These own goals were not from Shonan errors though, the first was created by a header of Gifu DF Shinya Kawashima and the second through the boot of FW Masato Katayama. So the momentum that Shonan had created had turned into a 1-2 scoreline that flattered FC Gifu as they entered half-time.

In the second half FC Gifu came out firing for the first ten minutes but couldn't convert and it was Shonan instead who created the equaliser, albeit a lucky one, through FW Ryuta Hara in the 57th minute. The injection of FW Lincoln for Shonan was a great move for the home team as he played with the defence and in the 36th minute, his cool play led to a goal for MF Adiel. The heads for FC Gifu started to dip and in the 44th minute Takayuki Komine was red-carded for a debatable defensive tackle leaving Shonan MF Nozomu Kato to beatifully curl in the free kick for a 4-2 lead and the win.

For Shonan a well deserved win. They handled the conditions better, had 22 shots at goal, and looked the best team.

For Gifu, the team tried hard but their are some serious problems in the defensive line, now seven goals have been conceded in the last two games alone. They did great to come back from an early blow and produce two goals, but they couldn't provide the defensive effort to save the game. With only four shots at goal they once again showed their ability to convert from limited chances but they have a lot of hard work to do for their next game on tuesday against Mito, who will definitely provide a stern challenge for the boys in green.

Next game April 29th vs Mito Hollyhock (away)