Match Review: Casuals FC vs FC Nippon

• DF Lee Scurr
• DF Greg Ryan
• MD Steve Janes
• MD Andy Dyne
• MD Scott Lambert
• MD Will Patz
• MD Sam Hallam
• ST Kazuki Sato-Brennan
• ST Andy Woodbridge
• -- Cameron Murray
• -- Lewis Davies

• DF Dave Pellowe
• DF David Phelps
• -- Patrick McMullen

OCBC Aquatic centre

Change of venue for this game against Nippon. Typically we play at UWC but this week we were at the aquatic centre and specifically the diving board where we witness some Olympic standard dives. Game started well for Casuals, dominating the little fellows and creating some nice chances but unable to convert. Although early in the game the Nippon team looked lost for ideas and decided that they'd start to try and cheat by constantly diving, rolling around like they've been shot, asking for opposition yellows and screaming for every tackle 'hey hey hey hey hey' these boys would give an aspirin a headache. The ref and linesman were not falling for it and well done to them! Second half and we were comfortable and they were not threatening apart from having to be aware of the diving and trying to get ppl booked. An early goal by Nippon following a nice neat move put them 1 up and it was the type of goal most would expect with some nice movement and great finish - very much the old Nippon style. Casuals kept dominating play but struggled to create any clear chances of note. Game finished 2-0. Has to be said the sportsmanship of Nippon was terrible throughout and such a disappointment to be involved with and it's not needed in this league. The refs were very good and didn't fall for the cheating so fair play to them. Interesting, for all all Nippons complaining I do note that they are top of the league for yellows and red cards.....interesting. Note on the friendly game - a collision after the ball was played caused by your own player falling awkwardly and the ref then giving Casuals the free kick....isn't worth noting. MoM Casuals - Andy get the nod for hitting his mark, with a very meaty connection. MoM Nippon- tough one between the unused sub and the GK but the GK gets it for justifying his dives.

• Seiji TACHIBANA MD
• Wataru HASEGAWA --
• Kei YAMAGUCHI --
• Takuya ASUKABE --
• Yoshiaki MOTOHASHI --
• Makito NAKATA --
• Takuya TAKAHASHI --
• Satoshi KABAYAMA --
• Ryota MURAKI --
• Tetsu KAKIMOTO --
• Seiichiro OIYAMA --

• Takaki NAKAMURA GK
• Seiji DAIKUHARA --
• Koji NISHINA --
• Kosuke SAKAI --
• Hiroyuki UCHIDA --

Control of a game

0-13: Nippon controlled the game. Had chances but no score. Casuals GK did great works. 13: Kei got a tackle from behind in the box. No penalty was issued. Assistant referee said Casuals DF touched the ball. But it was clearly a foul to prevent scoring occasion and DF did not touch the ball. Referees started to confuse us. 15-30: Casuals possession. Several critical scoring occasion but no goal. 50: Nippon got FK just out side the box. Nakada's Quick short pass was to Motohashi. His opener was to the side of the goal. (1-0) 51: Kei was competing and got ball from number 9. Number 9 was left behind but he kicked Kei from behind. It was simply by his frustration. It was not totally to the ball, it was obviously just to kick Kei. It was a violent act from his frustration that deserve for a red. 50-70: Casuals players are turning their frustration into fouls. 75: Kaki dribbled into the penalty box and passed to Nakada. His shot was to the top corner of the goal. Casuals GK was showing great performance in this game but no chance for him. Was a great shot. (2-0) It seemed Casuals players and referees lost control of game and their emotions. All of our FW and MFs had too many bruises. Referee could have controlled the game. A Nippon FW had shinbone fractures in the training much against Casuals this year. I helped his rehabilitation as a manager. I spent significant time for it. I don't want to see serious injury in the game anymore. This is my simple hope.