I didn't really know what was to be expected from the weekends game against Cerezo Osaka. Should I have expected a victory against another struggling team? Did I want to live with the disappointment again? Being a Reds supporter though, disappointment should be the norm, especially over the past few years. So the final outcome: I wanted the 3 points, of cause looking through Red coloured glasses, but was ready for anything.
So how did it end up and how did I feel? The game finished 1-1 and in a word relieved. Getting a point is better then nothing and the way we played also shows a step in the right direction. Our play was scrappy and not the finished product (hopefully), but we still managed to scored an early goal through Haraguchi. I think that early goal relieved the pressure from our defense, something that hasn't been done lately.
Our attack isn't gunning on all cylinders yet and as a result the pressure is on defense to hold out the opposition. So what's been missing? Well I'm in the opinion that we need a "target" striker. Edmilson just isn't doing this year. He isn't giving the midfield and wingers a target to go for in the box. It shows by the lack of goals this year, but its good to see Haraguchi scoring in the last two games. No I don't see him as being the "target man" that we've been lacking, but he has been impressive.
In terms of the squad this week; it's good to see Keita back in the starting XI. Having our captain on the field is always an advantage. Another change in the starting XI is Sergio starting in place of Hara, who replaced the injured Tatsuya last week. On the bench Mazola is missing, from what understand is he's injured. Even though Umesaki didn't check into the game, it was good to see him back in the squad. Hopefully he doesn't get injured anytime soon to show what he's capable of, only time will tell though.
This is how we lined up against the pinks of Osaka.
GK: Yamagishi
DF: Takahashi; Spiranovic; Nagata; Ugajin
MF: Keita; Kashiwagi; Richardes
FW: Sergio; Haraguchi; Edmilson
Subs
75min Keita > No. Yamada
83min Ugajin > Noda
85min Edmilson > Takasaki
Up next we have the Antlers...
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