Match Review: FC Nippon vs German-Swiss All Stars

• GK Takaki NAKAMURA
• MD Seiji TACHIBANA
• MD Ryuhei IKEDA
• -- Masashi SUEHIRO
• -- Kan YAMAMOTO
• -- Yuki SUGIMOTO
• -- Satoshi KABAYAMA
• -- Wataru HASEGAWA
• -- Ryota MURAKI
• -- Daisuke NANAI
• -- Tetsu KAKIMOTO

• MD Ryuji KIBAYASHI
• -- Seiji DAIKUHARA
• -- Fumiaki OGURO
• -- Koji NISHINA

Could not win 3 matches in a row

FC Nippon faced GSAS after 2 wins in a row, thus this match was quite important to bring FC Nippon to middle of the table in the league before winter break. We played with 4-4-2 and could have almost full squad except Uchida who is one of our key players, but got knee injury at previous match against Casuals. <1st half> We had great start in first 20mins. We run with the ball and committed high press to particularly left-back because we knew their left-back is a key player (He can speak Japanese too), which made us dominate the match. Our first goal was made by Suehiro who joined us from this season. Our top scorer, Kakimoto stole the ball at their penalty box and made very good cross between GK and DF, which was quite easy for Suehiro to score with his head. 1-0 First 20mins was just as we planned, but our plan was destroy by German No.12. He kept dribbling with his good physical and technic once he received the ball from his position After several tries, he finally dribbled past us completely and scored goal with great composure. 1-1 But nightmare was happen again by No.12. He provided great assist to GSAS striker after similar dribble from centre circle position. 1-2 We could equalize with GSAS before water break. Ikeda intercepted the ball near their penalty box area and made great pass to Kakimoto. Kakimoto received the ball inside panality box and scored goal. 2-2 <2nd half> Compared to 1st half, the game was getting to very open. Because of tiredness, both team started to use long ball and created a few chances equally, but unfortunately couldn’t score. 2-2 No.12 – Sorry for so many tackles. We simply could not stop you. Kakimoto – Always became threat for GSAS and great assist and goal as well. Thank you very much GSAS for great match! We look forward to seeing you again as top teams in the league.

• Takahiro Kawabata DF
• Diyar Mailepessov ST
• Michael Klemm ST
• Victor Walz --
• Josef Weber --
• Florian Gädke --
• Phillip Von Pein --
• Mishel Knezovic --
• Joe Giani --
• Bastian Keller --
• Teo Premto --

• Matthias Bertl DF
• Quirin Regensburger MD
• Felipe Villalon-Waldburg --

A match of 4 quarters

When the GSAS team arrived at 230 we saw a warming up Nippon side ready for the battle. And they were starting strong in the first 22.5 minutes before the water break scoring a lovely header from a great cross. After that the GSAS team seemed to be finally ready as the 3 coaches were done with their tactical discussion. What followed was a decent display with Basti battling his way though Midfield leaving 4 Nippon players as slalom marks finishing neatly. Then Mitch switched on the turbo to chip the goalie - 2:1 SGAS at HT. Again the first 22.5 mins till water break belonged to Nippon who deservedly made it 2-2. Last 22.5 saw an open match where both teams could have been victorious. MotM Joe in goal - saved what he had to safe. Rest of the team was not up to their standards. It was a lackluster performance all around. MotM Nippon: Goalie - saved what he had to safe. Ref: blew the final whistle after 44:30 as he did not stop the timing for water break. Bit weird.... GSAS: 6 coaches, 1 president, 15 captains but no one to check the website on kit color. Thanks Mr Moore for exchange service. 50$ well earned :-)