J2 League Round 18: Shimizu S-Pulse Aim for Halfway Championship, Tokushima Vortis Struggle in Dominance?

The J2 League's 18th round matches continue on the afternoon of June 8th, bringing intense competition as teams battle for crucial points. In recent seasons, the halfway champions of J2 have consistently secured direct promotion to the top tier. Currently leading the pack, Shimizu S-Pulse is striving to maintain their position and create a positive psychological edge. Meanwhile, Tokushima Vortis face challenges even when in a seemingly advantageous position. Let's delve deeper into the dynamics of these matches.

Shimizu S-Pulse vs. Fujieda MYFC: How Important is the Halfway Championship?

Shimizu's Recent Struggles

Shimizu S-Pulse, the current leaders of the J2 League, have recently encountered a rough patch, losing two out of their last three games. This dip in form has seen their comfortable lead shrink to just one point, putting their halfway championship at risk. Notably, all four of their losses this season have occurred away from home, a problem they must address if they hope to return to the J1 League. Their recent away game against Renofa Yamaguchi saw them concede twice within the first 30 minutes, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. Even experienced goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda, who stood firm against Germany and Spain in the 2022 World Cup, seemed unsettled. This has led some to question if Japan's national team coach, Hajime Moriyasu, was right in not selecting him.

Fujieda's Steady Rise

In contrast, Fujieda MYFC, a second-year team in the league, has shown remarkable stability, winning four out of their last six games to climb into the upper half of the standings. Their recent surge in form is largely due to an improved attack, scoring eight goals in six games since May—more than their total from the previous 12 matches combined. Despite this, their goal difference remains a concerning -9, underscoring the struggles their fans endured earlier in the season. Key to their recent success has been Ken Yamamura, a small yet strong and speedy forward on loan from Albirex Niigata, who has scored three goals in the last two matches. His playing style, reminiscent of Sergio Agüero, allows him to exploit gaps between defenders despite his 1.68-meter stature.

Historical Context

Last season, Shimizu thrashed Fujieda 5-0 at home, with four goals coming in the first half. Currently, Shimizu has the best home record in the J2 League, which they will look to leverage. While Shimizu might operate at 20% of their potential, Fujieda will likely bring about 10% of their capacity into play, indicating a potentially close encounter.

Tokushima Vortis vs. Yokohama FC: Dominance Dilemmas for Tokushima?

Tokushima's Recent Form

Tokushima Vortis have shown signs of recovery, earning 17 points from their last 10 games to temporarily steer clear of the relegation zone. Despite this, coach Kōsaku Masuda has expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performances. Their recent away match against Oita Trinita was a case in point. Despite leading 2-0 and gaining a numerical advantage after an opponent was sent off, Tokushima allowed Oita to dominate possession, almost as if they were the team with fewer players. Oita quickly pulled one back, and despite Masuda’s attempts to regain midfield control by introducing two substitutes, the game’s dynamics remained unchanged. Even when Oita had another player sent off, Tokushima couldn't capitalize, raising questions about their ability to play with a lead.

Yokohama FC's Ups and Downs

Yokohama FC, a team familiar with bouncing between J1 and J2, typically secures direct promotion each time they return to J1. However, they currently trail the automatic promotion spots by five points. With the J2 League now reduced to 20 teams, they have fewer matches to make up the deficit. Encouragingly, Yokohama has won their last three games, climbing two places in the standings. Remarkably, they have scored 10 goals from set pieces this season, showcasing their proficiency in dead-ball situations.

Tactical Insights

Tokushima's defense has been relatively solid at home, which they will need to maintain against a Yokohama FC side that excels at set pieces. Tokushima might find their offensive capabilities limited, potentially relying on a more defensive setup to secure points. Yokohama, meanwhile, will likely bring a calculated 10% of their efforts into the match, looking to exploit any defensive lapses from Tokushima.

Summary

As we head into the 18th round of the J2 League, the stakes are high for both Shimizu S-Pulse and Tokushima Vortis. Shimizu's pursuit of the halfway championship could provide a significant psychological boost for the second half of the season, but they must address their away form and defensive frailties. Fujieda MYFC, on the other hand, will aim to continue their upward trajectory, buoyed by their recent offensive improvements.

Tokushima Vortis, despite their recent point accumulation, need to solve their issues with maintaining leads and controlling matches, especially against a tactically astute Yokohama FC side. Yokohama's expertise in set pieces could prove decisive, particularly if they can exploit Tokushima's defensive weaknesses.

The outcomes of these matches will not only impact the immediate standings but could also set the tone for the second half of the season, determining which teams are poised for promotion and which will be left to ponder what might have been.