The reporter reported coldlyUnlike Shandong Taishan, who scored four foreign aides and took a four-goal lead in one hour to seal the win early, Yokohama Mariner played almost all of their home games against Fukuoka Hornets last Friday, but ultimately lost by one goal while dominating. It was the first time since 1996 that Yokohama Mariners lost at home to the Fukuoka Hornets in the J1 League. In addition to the low morale caused by the defeat, all four Brazilian foreign players played the full 90 minutes, and the physical fitness of the AFC Champions League will also be greatly affected.
The second leg of the AFC Champions League 1 8 finals fought hard for 120 minutes to narrowly defeat Bangkok United's Yokohama Mariners, and then only rotated three main players to play away to Tokyo Green. Unfortunately, it was still difficult to score, and in the second half, Brazilian winger Matteus and South Korean midfielder Nam Tae-hee came on one after another, and Yokohama Mariner did not score two goals in the 89th and 93rd minutes before the end of the game to beat the J1 League promotion team.
This time at home against the Fukuoka Hornets, Colwill only rotated midfielder Kota Watanabe, forward trident Elber López Matteus all started, and right-back Ken Matsubara, who was suspended in the AFC Champions League, also returned to the starting line-up. However, the stubborn problem of the Yokohama Mariners in the Colwill era who struggled to score goals remained unresolved.
Although the playing field became muddy due to the rain, which somewhat affected the more technically dominant Yokohama Marinos, the Yokohama Mariner still had 72% possession and had as many as 22 shots on goal, including 11 on target, but they still couldn't knock on the opponent's door. In the second half, Yokohama Mariners changed all three main midfielders, but the forward trident and the Brazilian central defender Eduardo played the full 90 minutes, and the Fukuoka Hornets were the first to score all three points. Yokohama Mariners were also unlucky, with the Fukuoka Hornets goal deflected off defender Eduardo and into the net.
In the last 4 games, Yokohama Mariner have scored just 2 goals in regulation time, and both of those goals were scored near the end of the game. The lack of offensive strength has become the most disappointing part of the team among Japan** and Yokohama Mariners fans. Although three Brazilian attackers have been involved in all four goals scored by Yokohama Mariner in the last four games, the efficiency is far from the 16 goals scored in 360 minutes in the preseason. Only Elber scored in the opening game against Bangkok United, the winner in the second minute of extra time in the second game of Bangkok United, and then in the opening league game against Tokyo Green, where López's two goals were penalties.
After the game, Yokohama Mariner coach Colwill continued to regret that he was very disappointed with the result because Yokohama Mariner completely controlled the game and created enough chances. In order to take care of Yokohama Mariner, J League deliberately moved the league between the two legs of the AFC Champions League 1 4 finals to April. But obviously, the problem for Yokohama Mariners is not that the schedule is too dense, but that the offensive conversion rate is too low.
Of course, this does not mean that Shandong Taishan does not need to pay attention to the attack power of the opponent. After all, Yokohama Mariner had more than 17 shots in three of their four games in the new season, and as many as 37 shots in 120 minutes in the second game against Bangkok United! Behind so many shots on goal was the team's strong control and attacking creativity.
Shandong Taishan should not pin their hopes on the continued lack of goal luck of the opponent Brazilian Trident, but should pay more attention to the attacking playmaking of Yokohama Mariners, especially Elber and Mateus on the wings, and Nan Taixi behind center Lopez. Any defensive lapse can be the difference between victory and defeat, and Bangkok United scored twice in the opening 24 minutes of the first leg as a result of failing to withstand the Yokohama Mariners' attack.