Match Review: Singapore Vikings FC vs FC Nippon

• MD Thomas Domino Andersen
• -- Brian Spietkitz
• -- Lucas Johnson
• -- Thomas Elbo Andersen
• -- Sebastian Petersen
• -- Jesper Meincke Nielsen
• -- Alexander From
• -- Jonas Larsen
• -- Brian Chang Won Plaenoe
• -- Leslie Andersen
• -- Simon Uldbjerg

• DF Matthias Berthelsen
• -- Andreas Hoffmann

Ahead from the Start

After being behind with either 3 or 2 with 20 min to go in the last two meetings with Nippon on Fridays, Vikings was determined to do it differently this time around. Due to some last minut cancellations Vikings only had 2 subs, but still had a very strong squad. Vikings got the lead quickly on a corner where Leslie put it in after a reflection from Keeper/Defender. Shortly after that on another set piece Vikings got the 2-0 lead with a header from Alex. Vikings was in control at this timeand was playing it well around. However a fast break from Nippon resulted in a goal and Nippon saw chances to equalize. But Vikings didn't want it that way, Leslie got the ball outside the box and with a quick turn he fired only to hit the post, but luckily US was where he was suppose to be and put it in to make it 3-1. Before the half after some nice combinations on the left from the youngsters the ball ended up at the feet of Simon on a pass from Jonas L and Simon put it in for 4-1 with no chance for the keeper. 2nd half was a different game. Nippon came blazing out and managed to put pressure on the Vikings for most of the half. It became 4-2 after Vikings lost it on the midfield and Nippon quickly passed it wide left and after a cross Simon scored another goal, unfortunately in the wrong end. Vikings had some good chances in second half and could build on the lead, but didn't manage to do so with the final touch. Thanks to Nippon for a fair played game. Playing much better than what the table is showing. Also thanks to the ref for a good game.

• Makito NAKATA --
• Takuya ASUKABE --
• Ryosuke SHIMADA --
• Yu TAKADA --
• Yusuke ISODA --
• Takao NAKASUJI --
• Ryo SUZUKI --
• Yoshiaki MOTOHASHI --
• Takuya TAKAHASHI --
• Wataru HASEGAWA --
• Minato HORIUCHI --

• Seiichiro OIYAMA --
• Jason CHUA --
• Seiji DAIKUHARA --
• Satoshi KABAYAMA --

A long long struggle...

Match started with high pressure defense with chasing by both teams. Vikings obviously showed better performance than us especially in the first half. Thus, we let them made the fist score by corner kick, then the second one by free kick easily in a row. We could only create the chances from the left side by our speedstar, Yusuke ISODA. He finally left the Viking's defender behind and passed the ball to centre nicely. It was nothing difficult for our young striker, Ryosuke SHIMADA to score his second goal in this season. However, our nightmare continued. We presented another two goals to Vikings in the first half. It resulted after all 1-4. In second half, FC Nippon never give up to grasp the three points. We put more effort to run fast and forward, passing the ball widely and quickly. It seemed to gradually let Viking's defender confuse and give out. Sooner, we successfully scored the second goal by Yoshiaki MOTOHASHi, assisted again by Yusuke ISODA. 2-4. **As per official record, it was opp own goal** Although we continued to attack and work hard, scoring board remained unchanged. Referee blew his whistle to end the game without much loss time. In spite of this regrettable outcome, we would say that we have positive feelings, as our defending and attacking are getting organized better. We should improve ourselves by the training of our weakness one by one during the interruption of the league for this two weeks.