As of last week’s result, Verdy had ended three straight matches with a draw. In order to connect these hard-earned points to a winning cycle, the team was desperate for a victory as they traveled to face Tokushima. The last time these two teams faced each other was the penultimate match of the previous campaign, with a berth in the promotional playoffs at stake for both teams. At that time, it was Verdy who won the three points and proceeded to the playoff. As the teams took the pitch for another fateful encounter, the ensuing match would defy expectations for all involved.

For the neutrals, this match was poised to pit Tokushima and their highly rated attack against Verdy with their defensive solidity and strong finishing ability. Expectations were high for an even encounter where both sides played to their strengths. However, the match would in fact turn very quickly. In the third minute, Naoya Tamura took a long throw-in from a deep position on the right side, hurling the ball in front of goal. Douglas fought to get a touch at the near post and the defense failed to clear the rebound, allowing it to bounce behind them toward Alan, who controlled the ball with his first touch and then launched a perfect half volley into the right corner of the net. The players had barely had time to process their lead before the match would shift again. In the 11th minute, a long ball found Shogo Hayashi stretching play to the touch line on the right side. Evading the opposition press, Shogo Hayashi played the ball to Naoya Tamura, who had made a supporting run. Naoya Tamura then showed great vision to spot Kouta Watanabe making a run into the space that had opened behind the defense and found him with a well-placed through ball. Kouta Watanabe subsequently carried the ball into the penalty area and evaded the defense with a brilliant split-second change of direction, opening the path for a shot at the near post which found the net and gave Verdy a two-goal lead. As Tokushima began to push forward in response, Verdy continued to exploit the space behind their defense and maintain the initiative in attack. In the 22nd minute, Kouta Watanabe looked to make a bursting run onto a Douglas through-pass, but couldn’t quite connect. Finally, as the half began to close, Tokushima took control of the pace. Vedy conceded a direct free kick from a dangerous position in front of goal, but Naoto Kamifukumoto placed his wall well and they were able to repel the shot, ending the half without conceding at 2-0.

As the second half began, Tokushima looked to claw back into the game by strengthening their high press and pinning Verdy back in their own half. After moving the ball out wide, they began to pepper the Verdy defense with crosses into the box, but the great green wall showed good composure, sliding from side to side to fill in gaps and growing stronger as time went by. In the 57th minute, Tokushima broke down the right side of the Verdy defense and played a reverse cross which was met perfectly in front of goal. However, Naoto Kamifukumoto reacted well and managed to deflect the shot with a strong right hand. After several minutes of enduring pressure from the opposition, the first chance of the half for Verdy came in the 59th minute. Kouta Watanabe pressed the back line and was able to win the ball, initiating the counter attack, and carry it into the box. Although Kouta Watanabe was initially dispossessed, Shion Inoue recovered the ball as he burst forward in support, playing a pass into space on the right side. The ball found its way to Shogo Hayashi, who ran at the defense and then put in a clever cross on goal with his weaker foot, through the legs of the defender. This pass would reach the feet of Douglas, who had run in on goal and only needed a touch to place it into the right corner of the net, dashing Tokushima’s hopes for good. From that point, desperation set in for the Tokushima players and instances of rough play began to increase. Two players were sent off in quick succession, in the 73rd and 79th minute, and  Verdy exploited their numerical advantage by moving the ball slowly around the pitch, staying on the attack. These efforts would finally bring the match to a close in the 88th minute. After repelling an attack out wide, Ryota Kajikawa played the loose ball to the front line where Douglas had escaped his markers as the opposition took more risks. Douglas carried the ball into the box and stayed alert to the charging keeper, rolling a low shot under his outstretched arms for the fourth goal. Verdy would then spend the final minutes showing their strength in defense, as the Tokushima players threw themselves forward with abandon. They held firm and before long, the final whistle sounded bringing the match to a close.

After having chances in their last three matches but failing to secure victory, today’s win succeeded in giving greater value to the draws the squad earned in those previous efforts and carries tremendous meaning for the entire squad. The four goals they scored were their best return of the campaign so far and undoubtedly allowed the players to release their pent-up frustration. Though it was not a match where they created a large number of chances, the team showed an ever-growing ability to make the chances they did have count. More importantly, they withstood the potent Tokushima attack until the end and this will surely give confidence to the back line. All in all, Verdy have now made it through their first seven matches without a single loss. They have seen improvement in their play and are well poised to come home and do away with the regret from last week’s consecutive fixtures. There’s no time to relax and the players must continue their steady progress as they prepare for the next match.

Manager Miguel Ángel Lotina