Vs FC Chofu (away) 8/7/20 - J League match 3

FC Tokyo 0 - 4 Kawasaki Frontale

What a delightful match that was! Every year it seems we get one extra goal against FC Chofu at their place. In 2018 it was 0-2, 2019, 0-3. But this year it would be different. The lads from Chofu have started the year with sparkling new tactics. Like us they have ripped off the Marinos plan. Not sure how they feel about that idea now. I can’t see a great deal of difference between us this year and last year apart from us being a bit more willing to shoot and maybe having one midfielder in front of the defence and two further forward rather than the other way round. I haven’t seen either of Tokyo FC’s previous games but judging on this performance it seems that they have interpreted the tactics slightly differently and are ripping off the whinging and fouling part of Angeball, as I believe some are calling it, whilst discarding the attacking play. But it seems cruel to be too mean to our chums from way out there on the Keio line as I’m sure they are hurting a bit after this. And let’s not get too carried away as one swallow doesn’t make a summer. Let’s remember what happened after we smashed them in this fixture last year. There was an initial hope that we were turning the corner which was then bludgeoned to death with some ultra average home performances. So, hooray 4-0. But careful now…

Oniki once again went with the same starting line up and chose to only change one of the bench (replacing Ando with Tanno). We always trusted you and your selections great leader! It seems a bit early to start rotating but I suspect that the great hopes we had of always changing starting lineups with goals spread right through the squad might not be happen for a while yet. Oniki is a man with a plan. Note the singular. Hopefully he’ll come up with another plan or a slight modification of the current plan for when people need a rest. But forget all that, I’m not going to say bad things when he’s just masterminded another Tamagawa Classico away victory (the world’s most anticipated Classico). After a fairly lacklustre performance against Kashima, plenty of people stepped up today. Hasegawa was a menace right from the start and was unlucky not to get at least a hattrick. Damiao was great, scored in the right net this time and was unselfish and made the right decision on many occasions. A minute or so after I commented that Yamane had yet to impress me he set up Damiao’s goal with some lovely work. Oshima was pretty great too. The subs all looked hungry and caused problems. It’s a shame we didn’t score in the second half, but it was great to see some youngsters getting some time on the pitch. And Manabu too! We need all of these players to step up when called on. This time Shimoda got the opportunity to put in some lovely set pieces which makes a nice change from the usual dodgy ones we get from a plethora of players. And Sung-Ryong did great again. All bright and rosy!

It just wouldnt be a post on here without some moaning so here we go. The ref was absolute dog dirt. The YNWAers come out with a game plan to kick lumps out of any of our players who had the ball. There were some horrible little tackles on Hasegawa, Damiao and Oshima. We got a few free kicks but the ref had forgotten his cards. The world’s number one twinkle-toed penalty dancer grabbed the ball to stop it from rolling off the pitch and to try to convince the ref that he’d been fouled. No yellow. That dirtbag who didn’t give us the ball back after we put it out for an injury but we then grabbed it back and we then got immediate revenge by scoring against his then team Kashima Antlers grabbed it too to stop a Frontale attack. The ref spotted it gave the free kick but once again couldn’t find the card, even after he was subjected to some high level arseholery as he was waved away by the strangely bearded one. Thank god though that he pulled out the yellow when Tanaka attempted a tackle just outside the box and inadvertently wafted way too much air towards the bearded fellow causing him to completely lose his footing. Of course this is all biased and exaggerated, but it’s totally ridiculous that only one player got booked in that game and that it was one of ours. I would be delighted if they keep up the same dirty tactics next weekend when they play that lot from Yokohama. I’d love to see a few reds flying around. We can only hope that it’s a card-happy attention-seeking ref at that game! 

All fun though, isn’t it? At least till Saturday. Three games down and comparing the results against teams we’ve played it looks like we’re going to be battling with Sagan Tosu at the top this year, with this game’s opponents and Zico’s boys down the bottom, sighing with relief that there is no relegation this year. Once again, THIS IS A JOKE! I’m not saying I really think this will happen. I’m trying to say something funny. But let’s be honest, that outcome would be quite amusing wouldn’t it? Next up are Kashiwa at home. They lost to Tokyo so they must be terrible. But they thrashed Sapporo. But Sapporo beat Yokohama who are playing Tokyo next weekend. Does that mean Tokyo will win? Or does it mean that this is going to be a enjoyably unpredictable season this year? I dunno. But it’s fun right now and hopefully still will be on Saturday night. Go Frontale!

Team 

GK 1. Sung-Ryong JUNG
DF 13. YAMANE Miki
DF 5. TANIGUCHI Shogo
DF 4. JESIEL
DF 2. NOBORIZATO Kyohei
MF 25. TANAKA Ao (Yellow card 56')
MF 10. OSHIMA Ryota
MF 8. WAKIZAKA Yasuto
FW 41. IENAGA Akihiro
FW 16. HASEGAWA Tatsuya
FW 9. LEANDRO DAMIAO

Subs 
GK 27. TANNO Kenta
MF 6. MORITA Hidemasa (on for OSHIMA 69')
DF 7. KURUMAYA Shintaro
MF 19. SAITO Manabu (on for HASEGAWA 69')
FW 20. MIYASHIRO Taisei (on for LEANDRO DAMIAO 84')
MF 22. SHIMODA Hokuto (on for WAKIZAKA 60')
FW 30. HATATE Reo (on for IENAGA 60')

My Frontale Man Of The Match

Big improvements in performance from many players mentioned above. I’d love to give it to Damiao as he had a great game but in spite of missing a couple of easier chances than the ones he scored, it’s probably got to go to….

HASEGAWA Tatsuya - constant threat right from the start. Surprisingly sturdy for someone his size and two nicely taken goals. Lovely stuff!

Goals

OSHIMA (Frontale) 17' 0-1 

LEANDRO DAMIAO (Frontale) 23' 0-2 

HASEGAWA (Frontale) 28' 0-3 

HASEGAWA (Frontale) 45' 0-4 

Highlights