Grampus
Another less than convincing performance. Another three points in the bag. Eight games into the season (5 league, 3 ACL) Nagoya have only looked sharp in the 3-0 away win against Tianjin Teda last Tuesday. However, they sit three points off the pace in J1 and look set to progress in the ACL. Their sixth place position in J1 may be an ominous sign for the teams above them, when Grampus’ schedule eases off slightly and they are able to concentrate on putting on the style.
Yesterday’s 1-0 victory over J1 newcomers Sagan Tosu owed much to the fine form of Seigo Narazaki in goal, as the former Japan custodian made several outstanding saves to deny the visitors. Sagan outshot the home team 14-7 and even had slightly the better of possession, but could not find a way past Narazaki.
This was another display from Tosu that suggests that they will prove a more than useful addition to the J1 ranks. They made a bright start to the game with Yohei Toyoda and Fujita both trying their luck early on, but failing to trouble Narazaki. THeir promising start was undone on the half hour mark, when Columbian midfielder Danilson won the ball near the centre line. His perfectly hit, early cross-field pass picked out Kensuke Nagai and the U-23 made sure with a diving header to give Nagoya the lead. The two teams traded tentative attempts over the remaining 20 minutes of the half, but neither could find the accuracy needed to trouble the scorers.
The visitors came out after half time determined to get back on level terms. They dominated the number of chances and would surely have earned the point they deserved had it not been for Narazaki between the posts. Seigo made two outstanding saves to maintain a clean sheet and give the home team all three points. The first of the big saves came 20 minutes into the half, as he stood his ground brilliantly to deny former teammate Toyoda a clear sight of goal. after he had burst into the box. The second big save came three minutes later when a deflected shot looked set to dip into the top left corner of the his goal. Somehow, the 36-year old managed to recover his balance and launch himself to make a fingertip save the pushed the goal-bound effort past the woodwork.
Sagan had further chances to get on the scoreboard but a combination of more fine work by Narazaki and lack of composure from their forwards meant that they left Toyota Stadium empty handed. For Grampus this was another game that demonstrated that although manager Stojkovic has yet to find a style that fully exploits the talents of Kanazaki and Nagai, he can still motivate the team to get the wins when it matters. The team looks nicely placed to launch another title challenge, as the strength-in-depth they have this season should see them rise to the top again.
Kansai Grampalogue 