Match Review: FC Nippon vs Gaelic Lions FC

• DF Katsumi Oku
• DF Kotaro Hayashi
• MD Enrique Sanchez
• MD Hiroki NARABAYASHI
• MD Jaume Ferrer
• ST Takuya Hagino
• -- Shoya MIYASHITA
• -- Federico Laudisi
• -- Kento Joko
• -- Seito Yachimoto

• GK Takaki NAKAMURA
• DF Tom Yoshida
• MD Seiji TACHIBANA
• MD Javier Calvo
• -- Shin Kamigochi
• -- Jo Kagitani

Nippon's first win held again

The 3rd game of this season was against the Gaelic Lions which well competed with Nippon last season. The team started the game with a mixed squad of Japanese and non-Japanese with some fresh players in the midfield. The beginning of the game went rather slow and as the weather was sunny and hot. The Lions' defense line was tight and steady and although the team made some opportunities from its left side, it didn't lead to a goal. Lions made some short counter attacks by stealing the ball while Nippon was building up, and managed to grab the opening goal from a brilliant pass work and a calm shot in the mid of the first half. 0-1 Nippon struggled to control the game after the goal and the bad mood lasted for a while. In the early second half, the team allowed another goal from a failure in their build up which obviously made the mood further worse. 0-2 However, the Japanese team knew from experience that 2 goals gap can be fulfilled if they work hard. From a corner kick, Katsumi buried in the bowl with his body and the game started to change. 1-2 Kike added another opportunity by cutting into the penalty area where he was fouled and a penalty was given. Nara, the man who never fails penalties calmly put this in. 2-2 This gave some breath to Nippon and soon after, Kike delivered a beautiful last pass which was received by Hagi, the top scorer in the team. It was a shame that he couldn't convert some early opportunities he got in the game, but this time he calmly avoids the keeper's challenger and put it into the empty goal. 3-2! However, Lions stood strong and didn't allow Nippon to win 3 points. An arguable penalty was given to their side this time and was scored. 3-3. Thank you Lions and referees for the great game and hope to get our victory very soon.

• Tom O'Donnell DF
• Charlie Traynor MD
• Rhys Tomos MD
• Dom Marwood MD
• Stephen Swords MD
• Daiki Ishino ST
• Xavier Sproule ST
• Nick Veale --
• Tasman Wrigley --
• Chris Fox --
• Shailer Thomas --

• Oscar Lee ST
• Lewis Christie --

Share of the spoils

Early pressure from Gaelic Lions. Charlie hits post and Dom hits the cross bar. Gaelic take the lead 1-0. Dom slots Charlie through slots it bottom corner. Xav then intercepts a square ball straight after half time takes it round keeper 2-0. Nippon make it 2-1. 6 yard finish from a corner. Good work from the Nippon winger plays Kike who is brought down. Pen Nippon scores bottom corner. 2-2. Strong penalty shout Charlie brought down. Not given. Ball over the top. Nippon striker takes it round Shailer. 3-2. 10 mins left. Charlie played through, bouncing ball, takes it wide past keeper and volleys. Nippon defender clears off line running back with his head. Stoppage time. Nick, centre half, playing upfront. Brought down. Softer shout then the first one but given. Penalty. Charlie takes. 3-3. Nippon not happy. But a deserved point for all, good game and fight.