Each team had dominant periods, the first half-time was in favor of Yokohama even though at the start of the half the team seemed a little timid, but they quickly jumped into life in the game with their interesting attacking duo (Koki Saito – Kazunari Ichimi). After seeing his team fall behind in the first few minutes, Kazunari Ichimi scored a great individual goal to equalize. During the second half, Yokohama kept possession, but struggled to create good attacking situations. Like in the first half, Hokkaido CS scored quickly at the beginning of the second half through Murasho Suzuki. The best chances during the second period for Yokohama FC were from set pieces.
Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Koki Saito
Player profile:
- Nationality: Japanese
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 10/08/2001
- Current Club: Yokohama FC
- Career: Yokohama FC (Y)
- Position: Second Striker
- Secondary Position: Left Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
Koki Saito played first alongside Kazunari Ichimi in a two man attack in the 4-4-2 system. When Ichimi went off, Koki Saito played more on the left side in a winger position.
His partnership with Kazunari Ichimi, help them to look dangrous in attack. One of them was always holding his position in the opponent’s defensive line whilst the other was moving between the lines offering support in build up play. He adjusted his position and movements offering support and deeper options. He mostly played on the left, using diagonal runs to penetrate and hold the ball in the final third. His first touches outside the area, helped the team to progress into higher positions, he retained possession well and resisted the physical contact from defenders. He showed a good use of his body to protect the ball and to turn to attack the space. His agility permits him to quickly turn and feint his opponent to launch attacks from deeper positions, and he has great control to drive the ball forward. He can also take advantage of his opponents with his body language, tricking the defender to create space and attack. His speed helps him to attack open space, but he also has this technical ability to change the rhythm of run with the ball to take advantage in tight areas. These qualities permit him to have a large variety of play in the attack in different areas and different situations.
In the second half-time, the team struggled to create good chances – displaying a lack of efficiency that Yokohama coach tried to modify with some changes. Koki Saito occupied a position on the left flank, a wide position that allowed him to cut inside to get on his right foot and to disturb the defensive lines with his run. He tried to continue to move over the front line playing in tight spaces with his teammates and succeeded in taking advantage with his dribbling skills, and as a result he suffered forced his opponents into fouling him. He alternated between wide and between the lines positions. He was in charge of set pieces, at first he was not really precise, but this changed progressively during the match. He created good opportunities for his teammates, but also for himself, as in the closing stages he almost scored from a set piece. He has great shooting skills, and he mostly plays with his dominant right foot but if required he can use his left foot effectively as well.
He is a player who looks to take advantage with his technical ability and agility on the field, and his movement and energy allow him to adapt to the needs of the team. Even if he is not the tallest he did not hesitate to challenge in aerila duels and he has a great timing to win the ball but he struggled to direct it. He makes a difference with his movement or with his technical ability to infiltrate in key areas, but he needs to be more efficient and creative to exploit the openings that he can find himself in.
Rating: A2
Kazunari Ichimi
Player profile:
- Nationality: Japanese
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 10/11/1997
- Current Club: Yokohama FC (On loan from Gambo Osaka)
- Career: Kumamoto Ozu High School (Y), Gambo Osaka (Y), Kyoto Sanga (L), Yokohama FC (L)
- Position: Striker
- Preferred foot: Right
During the 65 minutes he played, he was alongside Koki Saito in the attack in this 4-4-2 system and they constantly varied their movement and positioning..
In his movements, Kazunari Ichimi mostly played in the centre, allowing Koki Saito the freedom to occupy wide positions. In his positioning, he varied between matching up against the centre back and offering a direct option or dropping deep to offer an option between the lines. He showed great ability to dominate space, whatever his positioning, he could receive and dominate the ball to take advantage on his opponent. For example with his back to goal he made a backheel control to feint, suprise and open space to face the defence and attack. This is what he did for his goal, he received the ball with his back to goal and got away from his defender with a back heel control that permitted him to attack the space and get in a 1v1 situation against the goalkeeper, he made a dummy to eliminate the goalkeeper and slot home
He tried to make the difference with his first touch, and he is really confident with the ball. He used his technical ability and body to hold in to the ball in different positions and turn in the area in order to attack. He was the player who attempted and succeeded the most dribbles during the match (With 4 dribbles tried and completed). His partnership with Koki Saito worked perfectly in the first half to hold up the ball and keep possession the in Hokkaido half but they struggled ito find a killer ball. His impact was mostly during the first half and he left the field on the 65th minute.
He is a striker who takes advantage of his technical skills, he can be a threat in attack on his own, but he is also efficient sharing the attack with another player. He helped in build up play, but needs to be more creative and not only be focussed on creating good situations for himself. With his ability to beat a man and take advantage with his first touch, he can dominate key areas and create good opportunities.
Rating: B1