On July 21st at 6 PM, Sagan Tosu will host Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the 24th round of the J.League.
Sagan Tosu suffered a 0-2 home defeat to Gamba Osaka in the 23rd round of the J.League last weekend. Their defensive performance was subpar, and foreign striker Araujo, who started the game, did not live up to expectations and was replaced by midfielder Koki Nakahara at halftime. Regarding this unexpected loss after a three-game winning streak, Sagan Tosu coach Kenta Kawai expressed his regret, saying: “I think we were attacking for a long time, but I think we lacked the final touch to seal the deal. I think that difference was evident throughout the game. Additionally, our new signings played without any joint practice, which was very difficult for them.”
Sagan Tosu currently sits in 19th place with a record of 7 wins, 2 draws, and 14 losses, two points away from escaping the relegation zone. However, their goal difference and total goals scored still give them an advantage. Furthermore, Sagan Tosu has recorded a 4-1-7 home record this season, averaging 1.5 goals per game, which is a relatively strong attacking force among relegation-threatened teams. In their last two home games, they achieved a 5-2 victory over Kawasaki Frontale and a comfortable 3-0 win against fellow relegation contender Kyoto Sanga, demonstrating their potential for explosive performances at home.
In terms of the squad, new signings Hiroki Kiyotake and Slivka made their debuts in the previous round, but they still need time to familiarize themselves with Sagan Tosu’s system. Additionally, Sagan Tosu will be without the help of Kazeto Honda, Masaharu Okamoto, Yoshiaki Narahara, and Taisei Inoue for this match, while the Brazilian foreign player Marcelo was also not included in the squad last week, making his appearance in this game uncertain.
Visiting Sanfrecce Hiroshima secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Avispa Fukuoka at home last weekend thanks to a goal from Yuki Ohashi. They did not create many scoring chances in the match, and if Ohashi hadn’t capitalized on a header, they would have likely been held to a draw by a depleted Fukuoka. Regarding this difficult victory, Sanfrecce Hiroshima coach Szkibbe stated in an interview: “We played poorly in the first half and couldn’t really show our capabilities. Avispa Fukuoka is a tough opponent. Our starting striker, Sotriu, suffered a muscle injury, and Makoto Mitsuda’s foot was slightly twisted, which made things difficult for our game.”
Currently, Sanfrecce Hiroshima sits in 5th place with a record of 9 wins, 10 draws, and 4 losses, trailing the top three contenders by 7 points with one game in hand. It’s unlikely that they will be able to close the gap to within a win before the summer break, so their focus will shift to the transfer market in three weeks to strengthen the team and make a push for points. In their 11 away games this season, Sanfrecce Hiroshima has achieved a respectable 3-7-1 record, boasting the fewest away losses in the J.League with an average of less than 1 goal conceded per game, showcasing their exceptional defensive performance.
In terms of the squad, Sanfrecce Hiroshima will be without the services of Sotriu and Makoto Mitsuda, two key players in the attack, while defensive stalwarts Sho Sasaki and backup center-back Daichi Yamazaki are also sidelined due to injuries, significantly impacting the defensive line. However, there is good news: Hayato Araki, who had been the subject of transfer rumors, has returned to the starting lineup in the previous round and is expected to remain with the team to solidify the defense. Midfielder Riku Kato, who suffered a concussion, participated in team training this week, indicating that he is likely to start in this round.
In their previous 20 encounters, Sanfrecce Hiroshima holds an impressive record of 10 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses. In this round, Sagan Tosu will aim to secure all three points before the summer break to escape the relegation zone. Will a weakened Sanfrecce Hiroshima offer the opportunity for Sagan Tosu to steal points on the road?
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