From what I've been told, it has been five years since Urawa has started the season off with a win; so it comes as no surprise that we started our 2011 campaign with yet another defeat, this time losing to Vissel Kobe 1-0. As Reds fans we should be used to a first up lost and be glad that it wasn't a 4-0 flogging we recieved from Kobe to end the 2010 season.
So what went wrong? I think everything went downhill when Keita recieved his marching orders in the 62min for a second yellow card. Looking behind "red tinted glasses" Keita's second yellow seem harsh and what I would call the wrong call, but I know others would say otherwise. What surprised me most from Keita's red card was what Petrovic did next; NOTHING. Didn't bring on another defensive midfielder in the form of Aoyama or push Nobu Yamada up to defensive midfield and bring on Spiranovic to partner Nagata. Not that I think that would have made much of a difference.
Kobe's goal came in the 76min; a free kick taken by Popo from 35 metres out. If I had to put the blame that goal on a single person it would have to be Yamagishi. The shot was "saveable", Yamagishi just reacted too slow. This gets me worried; if this is what Yamagishi is going to bring week in week out, we're in trouble. The problem I have with Yamagishi is that he can e solid for a good 89mins, but the 1min in lapse of peformance almost always doesn't end good. Behind him there isn't anyone I would classify as J-1 ready so we have to hope that he brings his A-game for the whole 90min plus injury time.
Before Keita's dismissal, the Reds did play and played well. Chances were created it was just that none was taken. The 50-50 chances just did not go our way. Richardes played well enough, just didn't take his chances, didn't look sharp and seems as though he was still getting use to the set-up. Kashiwagi, who recieved the captains arm band after Keita's dismissal, controlled the midfield well and Tatsuya was impressive on the right wing. All in all the Reds played well, but just wasn't able to bring it all together.
This is how we lined up against Kobe
GK: Yamagishi
DF: Hirakawa; Nagata; Yamada (No); UgajinSo what went wrong? I think everything went downhill when Keita recieved his marching orders in the 62min for a second yellow card. Looking behind "red tinted glasses" Keita's second yellow seem harsh and what I would call the wrong call, but I know others would say otherwise. What surprised me most from Keita's red card was what Petrovic did next; NOTHING. Didn't bring on another defensive midfielder in the form of Aoyama or push Nobu Yamada up to defensive midfield and bring on Spiranovic to partner Nagata. Not that I think that would have made much of a difference.
Kobe's goal came in the 76min; a free kick taken by Popo from 35 metres out. If I had to put the blame that goal on a single person it would have to be Yamagishi. The shot was "saveable", Yamagishi just reacted too slow. This gets me worried; if this is what Yamagishi is going to bring week in week out, we're in trouble. The problem I have with Yamagishi is that he can e solid for a good 89mins, but the 1min in lapse of peformance almost always doesn't end good. Behind him there isn't anyone I would classify as J-1 ready so we have to hope that he brings his A-game for the whole 90min plus injury time.
Before Keita's dismissal, the Reds did play and played well. Chances were created it was just that none was taken. The 50-50 chances just did not go our way. Richardes played well enough, just didn't take his chances, didn't look sharp and seems as though he was still getting use to the set-up. Kashiwagi, who recieved the captains arm band after Keita's dismissal, controlled the midfield well and Tatsuya was impressive on the right wing. All in all the Reds played well, but just wasn't able to bring it all together.
This is how we lined up against Kobe
GK: Yamagishi
MF: Keita; Kashiwagi; Richardes
FW: Tatsuya; Haraguchi; Edmilson
Subs:
81min Tatsuya > Takasaki
86min Haraguchi > Mazola
So the season officially starts, for the Reds at least this week at Saitama 2002 against Gamba Osaka. If I am honest, I'm worried with how the game will turn out, but my "blind faith" in the Reds thinks we'll be just fine. Like the past two years, we'll start off with a lost followed by a victory!
Raygun, thanks for the link...I was super excited to watch the game live here in Hawaii!
ReplyDeleteThat said, I am somewhat disappointed with the 0-1 loss. Urawa looked good and created nice opportunities in the 1st half, but just didn't execute well enough to score. I do agree with you that Petrovic could have done better after Keita's sending (thought the foul could have gone either way), they just defended for the rest of the game. In the 2nd half Kobe showed nice chemistry and was the more physical team. Okubo and Popo were beasts on that left side. Kashiwagi did a great job picking up the defensive slack in midfield after Keita's dismissal. However, Richardes looked winded down the stretch. Popo's free kick was class, but you're right, Yamagishi should have done better. Looking forward, the team played well on both ends of the field, but like you've been mentioning, they still look like they've yet to 'gel' with each other. Hopefully they'll give an inspired effort in their home opener against Gamba this week.
Question...was there any explanation why Yamada was given the start over Spiranovic?
Luda,
ReplyDeleteFrom what I heard Spira isn't at match fitness; he took a knock in one of the pre-season games... but should be interesting who Petrovic brings into the starting XI in place of Keita...