J2 League Round 25: Can Shimizu S-Pulse Improve Their Away Form? Nagasaki’s Psychological Test

Round 25 of the J2 League continues on the afternoon of August 3rd. Shimizu S-Pulse, currently leading the league, have struggled on the road this season. This has been the main reason they haven't pulled away from their competitors. After nearly a three-week break, the question remains: have they improved their away form? Meanwhile, V-Varen Nagasaki often concedes goals and loses points in the second half, despite losing only one game this season. They still haven't secured the top spot on the table. Has their coach, Hiroshi Shimotaira, addressed the team's psychological resilience during the break?

Vegalta Sendai vs. Shimizu S-Pulse - Can the Leaders Perform Away from Home?

With the J2 League resuming after a nearly three-week hiatus, the race for promotion enters the final stretch. Shimizu S-Pulse ascended to the top of the standings with a three-match winning streak but lead third-placed Yokohama FC by just two points. The competition for automatic promotion remains fierce. Shimizu has dropped only two points at home this season, while all six of their losses have come away. This round, they face a tough away challenge against Vegalta Sendai and cannot afford to be complacent.

This season, Shimizu’s own youth product, Koya Kitagawa, has been in outstanding form, scoring nine goals to become the team’s top scorer. His frequent successful connections with speedy winger Carlinhos Junior have kept opposing defenses on edge. In their previous away match against Oita Trinita, it was their combination that secured the victory and ended Shimizu’s four-game losing streak on the road.

Vegalta Sendai were also contenders for direct promotion, but they have won only one of their last six matches and entered the break on a losing streak. Consequently, they have slipped to sixth place in the standings and now face a tough battle to secure even a playoff spot. Vegalta’s primary tactic this season has been high pressing in the opponent's half, but as the season progressed, injuries mounted, and opponents adapted to their pressing game. It is hoped that coach Yoshihiro Moriyama has found new ways to gain points during the break.

In their first-round meeting, Shimizu narrowly defeated Sendai 3-2 at home, with Kitagawa and Carlinhos Junior both on the scoresheet. Currently, Shimizu's performance is more stable, and they are likely to perform at 80% of their potential away, while Sendai might only reach 50%.

V-Varen Nagasaki vs. Mito HollyHock - How Effective Are the New Signings?

V-Varen Nagasaki aims for direct promotion this season, while Mito HollyHock’s goal is to avoid relegation. Despite differing objectives, both teams were active during the summer transfer window, bringing in over ten new players each. Notably, Mito’s new signings all came from J1 League teams, highlighting their strong determination to avoid relegation.

In their last match against promotion hopefuls Yokohama FC, Mito started two new signings, and the result was promising as they drew 2-2. However, the process was disappointing, as Mito squandered a two-goal lead in the final 15 minutes, indicating that their defense still needs improvement.

Nagasaki has frequently conceded points in the second half this season, and coach Shimotaira stated that maintaining stability in the second half was their main focus during the break. However, this is largely a psychological issue, and it remains to be seen how effective Shimotaira’s efforts will be. The match against Mito will be a good test of this.

Since their defeat to Vegalta Sendai in the second round of the season, Nagasaki has remained unbeaten in 22 consecutive matches. They secured a dramatic last-minute victory against Mito in their first-round meeting, with a goal in the 13th minute of stoppage time. As they return to Nagasaki for this round, both teams are evenly matched and are likely to perform at 50% of their potential.

Shimizu S-Pulse’s Tactical Overview

Shimizu S-Pulse’s struggle on the road this season has been a critical issue. Their home form has been impeccable, dropping only two points, but their away form has been their Achilles' heel. Coach Zé Ricardo has emphasized a possession-based style of play, which has been effective at home but less so on the road where teams tend to defend deeper and counter-attack.

Kitagawa’s role as the leading scorer and his partnership with Carlinhos Junior on the wing have been vital for Shimizu. Their ability to break down defenses and create scoring opportunities has been a key factor in their success. The team’s defense, however, has shown vulnerability, especially in away matches where they tend to concede early and struggle to recover.

During the break, it is expected that Ricardo has worked on addressing these defensive issues and finding ways to adapt their possession game to be more effective away from home. The match against Sendai will be a crucial test of these adjustments.

Vegalta Sendai’s Decline

Vegalta Sendai started the season strong but has faltered recently. Injuries to key players and opponents adapting to their high-pressing game have taken a toll. Coach Moriyama’s strategy has revolved around aggressive pressing and quick transitions, but as the season has worn on, the physical demands of this style have led to a dip in form and increased injuries.

The break offered Sendai a chance to recuperate and possibly rethink their strategy. Moriyama needs to find a balance between maintaining their pressing game and managing the squad’s physical condition to avoid further injuries. The match against Shimizu will be a test of their ability to adapt and find new ways to secure points.

V-Varen Nagasaki’s Psychological Challenge

Nagasaki’s season has been defined by their resilience and ability to grind out results. Their unbeaten run since the second round speaks to their consistency, but the issue of conceding late goals has been a recurring problem. Coach Shimotaira has identified psychological resilience as a key area for improvement.

The break was an opportunity to work on the mental aspects of the game, instilling a stronger belief and composure in the team. The match against Mito will be a good indicator of how successful these efforts have been. A strong performance and result will boost their confidence as they push for direct promotion.

Mito HollyHock’s Relegation Battle

Mito HollyHock’s primary objective this season is to avoid relegation, and their active involvement in the transfer window reflects this. Bringing in players from J1 League teams shows their commitment to strengthening the squad and improving their chances of survival.

The draw against Yokohama FC was encouraging, but the manner in which they let a two-goal lead slip highlights the need for defensive solidity. Coach Takayuki Nishigaya will need to focus on tightening the defense and ensuring that the new signings quickly integrate into the team’s setup.

The match against Nagasaki will be a stern test of their resolve and the effectiveness of their new signings. A positive result would not only improve their standing but also build momentum in their battle against relegation.

The Path Forward for Both Teams

As the J2 League enters its final stretch, both Shimizu S-Pulse and V-Varen Nagasaki face crucial challenges. For Shimizu, improving their away form is essential if they are to secure automatic promotion. Consistency and defensive stability will be key. Coach Ricardo’s tactical adjustments during the break will be put to the test against Sendai.

For Nagasaki, maintaining their unbeaten run and addressing their second-half issues will be vital. Coach Shimotaira’s focus on psychological resilience will be crucial as they aim to secure direct promotion. The match against Mito will be a significant test of their mental and tactical readiness.

Mito, on the other hand, needs to continue integrating their new signings and improving their defensive stability. Their fight against relegation will depend on their ability to convert promising performances into solid results. The match against Nagasaki will be an important step in this journey.

As the J2 League resumes, the pressure mounts on all teams involved. The coming rounds will be decisive in determining the final standings and the fate of the promotion and relegation battles.