[Recap for the 2025 season] Recap of the 32nd round match of 2024 between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and FC Machida Zelvia

A breathless battle between 1st and 2nd place (Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 32, September 28, 2024)

In the match between leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima and second-placed FC Machida, Hiroshima took the offensive from the early stages.

Makino said, "Looking at this scene, I think I understood how Hiroshima was feeling about this match, how they had prepared, and how Machida would hate it." Regarding Higashi Shunki, Makino said, "His movement into the box in response to the cross coming from the opposite side was noticeable in this match." He praised Hiroshima for their aggressive movement and bold attack on the goal early in the match.

In the third minute of the first half, Gonzalo Paciencia scored the opening goal after receiving a cross from Nakano Shuto. "While Hiroshima had possession of the ball for a while early on, we sent the ball behind the opponent's defense, and Kawabe Shun, who was able to pick up the second ball by facing forward, also did well. Nakano had the ball on the right wing and was aggressive in going one-on-one. The number of players in the middle and the timing were perfect," said Makino.

Furthermore, looking back at the video of the goal, Higashi, who was on the opposite side, entered the box at the same time as the cross was made, and this was also an area that could be evaluated highly, with the comment, "The results of our regular training against Hiroshima's crosses are coming out."

Hiroshima is also impressive with set plays. They use techniques such as a short pass to throw off the timing of the opponent who was marking them, and Tolgay Arslan purposely blocking while leaving a wide space to guide the ball to the landing point. According to Makino, such plays are also Hiroshima's strengths.

In the 14th minute of the first half, Dorešević shot a shot on a free kick from FC Machida, but Hiroshima, who were leading, saved it. Makino also commented on this play, saying, "It was very important that we were able to hold on here," and "If we had scored this, the game would have changed dramatically," expressing his view that this offense and defense was a key point in the match.

Makino paid particular attention to Hiroshima's Matsumoto Yasushi in this match. "Matsumoto's high ball recovery rate and his smart play to calm the ball down, those kinds of well-balanced plays were a big factor," he said, praising Matsumoto's performance in the match.

Hiroshima's strength as they defend and pursue

He said that Hiroshima's strength is the overlap of their second row. They are very good at creating time for the players in the defensive line to join the attack. "Simply kicking the ball and forcing the opponent to defend backwards. This is what FC Machida originally wanted to do, and Hiroshima was able to do it thoroughly by taking advantage of the opponent's clearance mistakes and picking up the second ball with forward defense. On the other hand, it felt like FC Machida was doing what they wanted to do," he said, expressing his personal opinion on the offensive and defensive battles of the game in which Hiroshima was in control of the flow, contrary to FC Machida's expectations.

Wanting to somehow regain control, FC Machida took the ball from Hiroshima and made quick passes to the front line, showing an offensive attitude. The aggressive attitude of heading for the goal as quickly and as quickly as possible is the style of football that FC Machida wants to play. However, against FC Machida's aggressive attack, Hiroshima prevented them from making a good final pass by keeping their back line compact and putting firm pressure on the ball holder.

In the 23rd minute of the first half, Hiroshima was fouled in the center of the pitch, but they quickly restarted, connected passes and scored more points.

He pointed out the excellent points of Hiroshima's attack, such as how quickly the game restarted and the depth of the players gathered in the box, saying, "They speed up when it matters and when they want to score, and their attacking arrows are clear."

In the second half, FC Machida's Fujimoto Kazuki connected passes from the left wing and finally Sento Hiroya kicked the ball into the goal, but it was blocked. FC Machida attacked again, but Hiroshima's Nakano cut the ball and they were unable to score. The game remained 2-0, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima won the summit showdown.

Hiroshima and Machida are in the spotlight for the 2025 season. Expectations are high for not only the performance of each individual player, but also their tactics.

From "Yabechi Stadium" #177 (Monday, September 30, 2024, 7:00 AM)

*The information in the article is current at the time of publication.