This
game saw starts for two of our new signings, Edamura on loan from
Shimizu S-Pulse and Simplicio arriving after a few seasons in Serie
A. The money we got from Bo Kyung's sale to Cardiff could well be
going mostly towards Simplicio's wages, he's been capped once for
Brazil and played 30+ games a season in Serie A which much makes him
one of our best imports in recent years. He showed his experience and
also the kind of foreign players we should always try and sign on his
debut. He was dictating things in midfield and was telling players
where to go, where to pass, and what tempo to play. A good debut but
I think you would expect that from a player with his credentials.
Edamura showed a couple of nice touches but couldn't really get into
the game. The scoreline was flattering, Jin Hyueng had to pull off a
couple of fine saves and earn his clean sheet. Sapporo missed the
best chance of the game before we scored. Murata the speed merchant
got a start today and the first goal from Simplicio's pass. Kakitani
got the second and is showing he's got the ability and goals to keep
us in J1. Kempes came off the bench to provide some glorious
entertainment. He tried, but I think failed, to connect with a header
and it looked like a clear own goal but he was credited with it and
he certainly celebrated like it was his as he leapt into the crowd.
Most people in the stadium on seeing the replay agreed it was an own
goal and had a bit of laugh at his over the top celebration. There
was more to come from Kempes though. Kakitani won a penalty and (the
fastest I've ever seen Kempes move) before anyone could argue Kempes
had picked up the ball and placed it on the spot. I don't know how
good his Japanese is but even just from the atmosphere he must have
known most people weren't too happy with this. Anyway fairplay to him
for having the guts to try...and fail. His tame effort was saved by
the Consadole keeper. This led to more complaining from our fans of
course, it's lucky for him that it wasn't an important penalty or I
think I might have witnessed for the first time Cerezo fans booing
one of their own. Consadole heads were down throughout the 2nd
half despite a decent 1st half showing and Kempes managed
to tuck away his (possibly!) second of the game in what proved to be
an eventful substitute appearance. So after a long run of depressing
games (and not wanting blog about about them!) a decent victory
against what we must remember is a team bottom of J1 with one of the
worst records at this stage in the history if J1, oh and they beat us
in Sapporo. The 2nd leg of our Nabisco Cup tie kicks off
tonight against Kashima Antlers who we currently trail 2-1.
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| Consadole fans bravely sung throughout and for some reason decided to congregate on the right side of the away section rather than the traditional behind the goal patch of grass. |
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| Confused school kids help out at half time |
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| Only in Japan? Cerezo ponchos were prepared for those with a front row seat for the random half time summer madness |
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| Kempes perhaps realising his eagerness to take the penalty may have been misguided just before his effort |
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| The moment I found out Kempes is in fact left footed, previously he's been so bad with both feet it was impossible to tell |
