Day: October 18, 2014

FC Gifu v Mito Hollyhock – preview

Team news

The news from the training ground (and El Golazo) is that Henik has picked up an injury and will be struggling for Sunday. Also, I’m not too sure about the status of top scorer Nazarit, who missed the Jubilo game. Other than that, there are no suspensions or other new injuries to worry about.

My predicted FC Gifu starting XI: Kawaguchi. Abe, Shuto Tanaka, Kitani, Mori, Masuyama, Higa, Takachi, Kleiton, Namba, Endo

Recent form (last 5 games, most recent first)

  • FC Gifu – LWDLL
  • Mito Hollyhock – LDDWL

Top scorers

  • FC Gifu – Nazarit, 14; Hiroaki Namba, 11
  • Mito Hollyhock – Makito Yoshida, 10

Previous meetings in Gifu

  • 2009  FC Gifu 3-3 Mito Hollyhock
  • 2010  FC Gifu 1-0 Mito Hollyhock
  • 2011  FC Gifu 2-1 Mito Hollyhock
  • 2012  FC Gifu 0-1 Mito Hollyhock
  • 2013  FC Gifu 1-4 Mito Hollyhock

Overall J.League record

  • Gifu wins – 7
  • Mito wins – 5
  • Draws – 3

What happened last time?

Back in May, FC Gifu looked as if they were on the way to an impressive win as goals from Nazarit & Keiji Takachi had them 2-1 up with 10 minutes, but strikes from Makito Yoshida & and additional time one from Keisuke Funatani gave the hosts an unlikely win.

Update…..

Sorry for the lack of activity recently. I’ve been dealing with a cold that won’t go away, an achilles injury that is very painful at times and a heavy work schedule. A hat trick that no-one wants!! Let me update on some things happening around the club.

  • Defeat at Jubilo

Last weekend Gifu were beaten 3-1 by Hiroshi Nanami’s promotion chasing Iwata side. It could have been oh-so different had Masuyama not hit the bar before Jubilo got their first goal. But, that was the way it went last. FC Gifu played really well at times, but mental errors again cost them. Hiroaki Namba was once again on the scoresheet for Gifu

  • Mito calling

Mito Hollyhock visit Nagaragawa tomorrow for a spooky hallowe’en themed game. More on that in the match preview.

  • Matsumoto invasion!

Tickets for the away section behind the goal for the November 15th showdown are sold out. Yamaga might be promoted on that day if results so dictate. One thing is for sure, given that it is Gifu’s last home game of the season, there will be an electric atmosphere.

  • J1 challenge progress

FC Gifu’s J1 challenge support is going well. As of this week, volunteers & staff had collected 38,004 signatures and raised ¥1,397,521. The push will continue through the end of the year.