I figured I'd start a new thread to put my rantings in, as I don't know how interested people are in reading them in the official J1 thread. Any other Vegalta Sendai (or other) fans are welcome to rant with me, especially ones in Japan who have more access to the games/players, and are probably more technically adept at watching games than I am. So, Round 14. A shocking, last-minute loss to Albirex Niigata at Yurtec Stadium. A bit nostalgic for me, as the first Vegalta Sendai match I ever saw was Vegalta Sendai vs. Albirex Niigata at Sendai Stadium (it wasn't called Yurtec in those days) in the summer of 1999. Only, that time it was in J2, and, even though Vegalta lost, relegation wasn't on the line, like it was this time. They lost 3-0, but it might have well have been 10-0. As my host father said to me: "Sonna heta wakannai!" They were that bad. Anyway, highlights of round 14: Vegalta Sendai vs. Albirex Niigata: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCUcIS8e_XY"]YouTube- 2010?J1??14????vs???J??????[/ame] To me, that is not a penalty. It frustrates me a lot, actually, because that changed the flow of the game, especially as Sendai gave it up just after the halftime restart. Still depressed over this loss, actually. I thought Vegalta were playing a bit loose at the end (also, what the hell was up with the Nakahara for Ryang substitution at the end?! I know you are going for the win, but you don't take off the most creative player (and probably only one of the real J1-quality players Sendai have) just to put a body up front. And that, frankly, is what Nakahara is. A body.), but I didn't think they would give up a freaking last-minute olimpico! Still, Vegalta control their own fate. They are out of the relegation zone...for now. On the positive side...Park Sung-Ho already looks better than that off-season "signing" Reinaldo. What's more concerning is how many goals they've given up... They only gave up 39 goals in 51 games in J2 last year (the best in the league). They've already given up 23 goals in 14 games this year. They really need to get things settled at the back. Another concerning thing is Vegalta's upcoming schedule. Here's their next 5 games: Home to Sanfrecce Hiroshima (who are coming off a high after an away win at Urawa Reds) Away to Kawasaki Frontale Home to Yokohama F Marinos Home to Gamba Osaka Away to Urawa Reds I can easily see Vegalta not getting a point out of any of these matches, but we'll see.
Is Nakahara really that bad? In J2, I rated him as a better striker than both Hirase and Nakashima, but looking at his statistics this season he hasnt quite managed to deliver the same. But neither Hirase or Nakashima have been any good either, so If i were to choose between those 3 I would have gone with Nakahara. Lets hope Park can be a hit for you. A promising debut as you said.
Oh yeah, last year Nakahara was great for Vegalta... He had some last-minute game winners last year (10 goals in 36 appearances), but he's only scored 2 goals this year, one in an away loss to Kyoto, and once in garbage time in a 5-1 away loss to Shimizu. I just wonder if he's J1 quality... It's one thing to score against Thespa Kusatsu, but quite another to score against a top J1 side. Speaking of, here's the list of our scorers: Ryang Yong-Gi (MF): 6 (3 are PKs, though) Fernandinho (MF, but they have played him at FW at times): 4 Elizeu (DF): 2 Nakahara (FW): 2 Park Sung-Ho (FW): 1 Kamata (DF) 1 I think losing Marcelo Soares didn't help (16 goals in 34 appearances), but unfortunately, he was on loan from Ponte Preta, and, as far as I know, he is still there (I can't find any current info on him, though). I would have liked to see Vegalta give him a full transfer to see how he would have done in J1.
I wasn't too impressed with Sekiguchi's taking the mickey out of Makino's celebrations after his goal. Morale can't be too high if players are hitting out like that.
Finally got to watch highlights of Sendai - Hiroshima and Kawasaki - Sendai... Man, it's a good thing I wasn't watching these live, because I would've been furious. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYaHnkMo47w"]YouTube- 2010 J.League Division1 ?15? ??vs??[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-8FfLVyzbo"]YouTube- 2010 J.League Division1 ?16? ??vs??[/ame] Based on the highlights, the Sanfrecce game looked very winnable (Ryang hit the post in the second half before the own goal), and Vegalta could've gotten a win or even a draw out of the Frontale game (Sekiguchi hit the post just before Taniguchi's goal), but Hayashi handled Renatinho's shot like Robert Green... So, 1 point out of 3 games. Not good. Now Vegalta are in the relegation zone (on goal difference)... I really don't know what to make of this team. When all they need is one goal, they can't score if their lives depended on it. When they score 2, they give up 3... Also, Vegalta have lost games to 3 of their fellow relegation candidates (away at Kyoto, home to Vissel, and away to Shonan), which is something you just can't do if you want to stay up. Still a lot of time in the season, though. Their next 2 games are home matches against Yokohama FM and Gamba Osaka. I think they can get something out of at least one of those matches.
Don't forget that Hisato also hit the crossbar. I think Petrovic was right that a draw was probably fair. It seemed to be what Sanfrecce were aiming for since Petrovic was resting a couple of key players for that game.
Fair enough... Like I said, I didn't see the game, and can only rely on highlights or match reports for what happened. I can't really get a feel for how the "flow" of the game was. It's one of the frustrating things about following Vegalta in the Bay Area... The evening games are on from 3AM - 5AM, so, even if I *want* to follow them, sometimes I can't.
Not much to say, except, dammit, Urawa! Why can't you win when I *want* you to... Truth is, though, Sendai have put themselves in this position... I don't know if they can dig their way out, but the prize for finishing 16th, 17th, or 18th is the same...
Hope so! I'd hate to see Sendai go straight back down again. A win on Saturday will take you out the relegation zone at least temporarily.
Shingoal starts up top! Looks like a 4-5-1 formation? Ryang is apparently playing a defensive midfield role...? Elizeu and Park Ju-Sung not in the starting line-up, not even on the bench... I don't think either of them are injured or suspended? I don't know if this is tactical by Teguramori, or if they're in the doghouse or something...
Park picked up an injury just recently I heard. About Elizeu, this is the 2nd match in a row he has to watch it from the stands. Perhaps he is not happy with how things are going, and have therefore critiscised Teguramori or something?
Different stamen, same result... 0-1 to Gamba in the 21st minute. Unfortunately, can't watch/listen to this game anywhere, so I have no idea how Vegalta is playing, really. According to twitter, attack has been good, though...
Naoki with the equalizer! 1-1! Still possible to get a result from this game! EDIT: ...And they give it right back... 1-2 Gamba EDIT EDIT: And Gamba adds another... 1-3 Gamba... Vegalta gives up 3 goals *again*!
FT. Sendai loses *again*. If they can't win the games coming up against Omiya and Shonan, relegation seems inevitable now. :-(
Fernandinho makes it 3-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fernandinho's second of the game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sendai closer and closer to its first win since April!
Full time! Sendai beats Omiya 3-0 away! Finally! Next week's game against Shonan, if it wasn't already, is *huge* now!
You played us off the field today......nearly could have been 5-0 with two off the post. I swear to god you bring out the worst in us. Anyhow......nice win. I hate you guys but nice win