Pick-up Match

MIO Biwako Shiga (Shiga)   1-3 (0-1, 1-2)   Kwansei Gakuin University (Seed)

Saturday 27 August saw the first round of the 96th Emperor's Cup All Japan Football Championship. MIO Biwako Shiga, representing Shiga, played against the seeded team Kwansei Gakuin University at Nunobiki Green Stadium. The game kicked off at 13:00 in stifling heat.

Shiga put on the pressure at the beginning. Although they attempted to score numerous times from set pieces, their shots went wide. On the other hand, Kwansei Gakuin, playing an official match for the first time in two months, performed a little tentatively but created opportunities from rapid attacks.

The game continued to go back and forth, but in the 31st minute things changed. Kwansei Gakuin’s TAKAO Ryu, receiving a pass from MORI Shunsuke, curled in a cross towards AOKI Kento, who trapped it evading the defenders and turned himself around to fire a shot and score a goal. After striking the opener, Kwansei Gakuin University showed their solid defence against the opponents’ attacks and sustained their one-goal lead until halftime.

Shiga, who ended up one goal behind despite their goal-scoring opportunities in the first half, substituted players to add some strength in attack from the beginning of the second half. However, it was Kwansei Gakuin University that struck again. In the 58th minute, goalkeeper UEDA Tomoki passed the ball swiftly to MORI on the left, who sent a through ball to an outrushing Aoki, breaking loose of the defenders and scoring his second goal. Kwansei Gakuin extended their lead 2-0.

Shiga felt cornered, but OSUGI Masato reacted to an opportunity from a set piece three minutes later and headed home to close the gap to one goal. Despite the expectation that Shiga would take control after their goal, Kwansei Gakuin University stayed motivated and attacked aggressively. In the 62nd minute, soon after the conceding the goal, UOZATO Naoya struck a superb long-distance shot and restored their two-goal lead. Kwansei Gakuin University won the game 3-1. They will play against Albirex Niigata (J1) in the 2nd Round on Saturday 3 September.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

NAKAGUCHI Masafumi, Coach (MIO Biwako Shiga)
As we conceded a goal early in the final of Shiga Championship and had to focus on scoring to level the game, we were cautious about how to enter the match today. It was regrettable that while we were analysing the opponents’ next move, we failed to adjust to their quick changes. In the second half, although we tried to initiate attacks by substituting players, the opponents struck again. We did score one, but we shouldn’t have conceded the third. I have to say the opponents were tactically superior. 

OSUGI Masato (MIO Biwako Shiga)
We entered the game cautiously, since it was difficult to imagine the opponents’ playing style. Although we performed well in the beginning, we couldn’t keep them from scoring the opener. Despite having numerous goal-scoring opportunities in the first half and in the beginning of the second half, we failed to capitalise and let the opponents score their second. Having said that, we did create scoring opportunities and head home skilfully from a set piece. I view this as a positive. As we all thought we would built up momentum with our goal, it was painful to concede another. It was a shame as our performance was overall not too poor.

NARIYAMA Ichiro, Coach (Kwansei Gakuin University)
As it was our first official match in a while, we backed away from strong opponents, letting them apply pressure throughout the game. Despite the fact that we’d been preparing for the past two months, in this heat we couldn’t do what we were supposed to. I’d like the players to focus on winning rather than simply competing (challenging the opponents) in the next match. I’m not interested in putting sole emphasis on defence, even when the opponent is taking control of the match. So we’d like to learn and improve from today and compete at full stretch.

AOKI Kento (Kwansei Gakuin University)
I’m glad I could score two goals today, since I believe that my role is to strike goals and contribute to the team. During halftime, we discussed among the players that the two players up front would chase the opponents to disrupt their passing. We’ll meet Niigata in the 2nd Round. I’m looking forward to being on the pitch with professional players from our generation, SUZUKI Musashi and NOTSUDA Gakuto.

The 96th Emperor's Cup All Japan Football Championship

2016-8-27-2017-1-1

More information
Ticket Information (Japanese version only)