Pick-up Match

Iwaki FC（Fukushima） 0-2（0-1, 0-1） Shimizu S-pulse（J1）

The third round of the 97th Emperor's Cup All Japan Football Championship was held on Wednesday 12 June and all of 16 matches were played. At the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, the match between Vanraure Hachinohe (Aomori) and Nagoya Grampus Nagoya Grampus (J2) was postponed midway through the game due to a thunderstorm.

At the IAI Stadium Nihondaira, Shimizu S-pulse（J1）squared off against Iwaki FC (Fukushima). Competing in the first division of the corporate league in Fukushima Prefecture, Iwaki FC aimed for another ‘giant-killing’ in an away encounter after beating Consadole Sapporo（J1）in the second round.

The game moved unexpectedly after Shimizu earned a throw-in deep inside Iwaki’s end just 50 seconds into the first half. FUTAMI Hiroshi’s long throw was met by HASEGAWA Yu holding off the opposing defender, and his header was driven into the far side of the net. It was an ideal start for the J. League club, taking an early lead in the opening minute.

Thereafter, Shimizu sent early crosses and vertical passes, and capitalised on the height advantage of forwards Hasegawa and Mitchell DUKE to create scoring chances. The hosts made several attempts at the goal in the first 10 minutes of play and threatened Iwaki’s goal, but failed to hit the target.

Despite being on the back foot, Iwaki gradually got used to the opponents’ pressure and started to threaten their goal. In the 18th minute, HIRAOKA Masahide surged up the pitch and then sent in a pass inside the box. KIKUCHI Shoto fired a shot at goal, but blocked by a fine save from Shimizu’s goalkeeper ROKUTAN Yuji. Iwaki’s attack continued as UEDA Hirofumi got to the loose ball first, but, once again, Rokutan denied their chance to level the match. However, Iwaki was able to fashion their first goal-scoring opportunity in the match.

Visitors Iwaki did not clear the ball easily even in front of their goal, but instead built-up their plays deep in their own end and courageously attacked from the centre of the pitch to carve open the opposing defence. In the 37th minute, two Iwaki players successively challenged the loose ball, which led to ITAKURA Naoki’s near-goal attempt at the end of the play. Defensively, their incessant pressure on the ball allowed them to cope well against the J. League club’s attacks and they entered the half time with momentum on their side.

On the other hand, Shimizu nearly added to the lead in the 43rd minute from CHONG Tese sending in an incisive pass in front of the goal, but two players failed to put it into the back of the net. Despite missing out on the golden chance before halftime, it was Shimizu who scored the goal at the critical moment just as they did in the first half right after the break.

After 50 minutes, Chong received a pass and moved up to the right side of the box after evading the challenge of the opposing defenders. Creating enough time to lay it off to EDAMURA Takuma inside the box, Shimizu midfielder’s cut-back was brilliantly struck home from mid-range to the left side of the goal by onrushing TAKEUCHI Ryo with his right foot.

Now with a two-goal lead, Shimizu managed and played the remainder of the game advantageously with composure. Against the opponents whose passers and receivers of the ball moved incessantly without stopping, Shimizu’s defence reacted quicker to deny their chance of exploiting the narrow space in their own end. Furthermore, the J. League club tightened the midfield and took control of the match by fashioning few chances on the counter taking advantage of Duke’s pace and putting pressure against the side who came out aggressively to score goals.

Iwaki aimed for breakthroughs from substitutions, but they only had two attempts at goal in the second half. Shimizu stopped the amazing run of the newcomers and advanced to the Round of 16 (fourth round).

Match Report (Japanese version only)

All of the eight matches of the fourth round are scheduled to be played on Wednesday 20 September. The draw of the Round 16 to the final will be held at the Japan Football Museum Virtual Stadium on Monday 7 August from 2 p.m.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

KOBAYASHI Shinji, Coach (Shimizu S-pulse)
We entered both the first and second halves well. I think if we scored at least one goal after the opener, the flow of the match would have been different. We did well to create chances from free kicks and long throws, but we lacked discipline and fluidity in our plays as well. We made errors when we attempted to make good plays, and this resulted in our poor attacking rhythm in the first half.

Our opponents were much better than anticipated at claiming high kicks and losses balls. I got an impression that they were an excellent team. However, I must add that they were not precise in their final passes or crosses and not clinical enough in their finishes as well. If they converted some of their chances, we certainly had a chance of losing this match. We advanced to the fourth round today, and will take advantage of this result and make a good preparation for the next match.

TAKEUCHI Ryo (Shimizu S-pulse)
I understood well that we were facing the opponents who had drawn much public attention. However, we were able to enter the match well. Against the opponents whom we play on the same pitch, the difference in category does not matter. We had a tough time competing against the side that had excellent work-rate as well as players with strong physicality and high individual skills. I believe we were taught again the difficulty of playing football in this match. Regarding the goal I scored, it was one of the plays we practised in training and I scored exactly as I imaged. Tese fought hard upfront and Edamura laid it off brilliantly to assist my goal. As a holding midfielder, if I can get more involved in our attacking plays, then it will be a huge threat to our opponents. I will try to increase the number those plays as well.

TAMURA Yuzo, Coach (Iwaki FC)
I told my players that we fought courageously against the J1 club and shouldn’t feel disappointed with the result, but instead should return home with a sense of pride. We are looking to change the current standard of Japanese football by focusing on physicality in our training. I understand that just being strong is insufficient, and we are improving our football skills as well.

I advised my players not to fear the J1 opponents, but exploit the open space between the defenders and swiftly turn away from them to take the ball up the pitch. I believe my players did well as instructed. Furthermore, we talked it over that if we stay back and just scored from counter-attacks or set-pieces, we wouldn’t get anything significant out of this match. I added that we should attack with composure and display our style of football even if we concede many goals.

I felt the difference in the skill levels of players between the J1 team and us. Moreover, I also felt that we need to improve our team to compete again at that level as well. I will incorporate the things we learned from this match starting from the training tomorrow. I believe this will be a huge asset for our team in the future.

HIRAOKA Masahide (Iwaki FC)
In the first half, we defended solidly and attempted to hit the opponents on a quick counter-attack, and fashioned few chances as well. I believe if the precision of our plays leading to a shot was better, then we might have had a closer contest. Having two matches with the J1 clubs will certainly be important to our future growth. Personally, I had areas where I did well and also performed poorly as well. I will capitalise on this experience and try to work on them in the next six months.

We share the same concept that we are looking to raise the physicality level of the current Japanese football by working hard on physical training. Furthermore, we are also aiming to make Iwaki the best city in Tohoku. While playing an enticing football for our spectators, we are looking to improve the team as well.

【First Round】Saturday 22, Sunday 23 April
【Second Round】Wednesday 21 June
【Third Round】Wednesday 12 July
【Round of16(Fourth Round)】Wednesday 20 September
【Quarter-finals】Wednesday 25 October
【Semi-finals】Saturday 23 December (National Holiday)　
【Final】Monday 1 January 2018 (New Year's Day)

Tournament Information