[30 ottobre J1 Entry Playoff 1st Round]Coach and player commentary | OKAYAMA PHeasant

Kick-off at 2:03 pm on October 30th at the City Light Stadium

Pheasant Okayama 0-3 Montedio Yamagata
First half 0-1
second half 0-2

5 minutes Disallo San Silvano (Yamagata)
75 minutes from la Torre (Yamagata)
80 minutes Thiago Alves (Yamagata)

11,854 visitors

■ Directed by Takayuki Kiyama
It turned out to be really frustrating. As a team at the beginning there was a gap and we conceded a goal, but we did what we were prepared for, especially in the first half. I had the feeling of being able to recover a point. It’s just that the second goal was really painful. We wanted to score a goal, including substitutions, but we didn’t manage to create the chances we expected. I think there was pressure and I think the opponent was good.
Not only today’s game, but also the fact that the strength of the team seemed to drop slightly towards the end of the game, I couldn’t get over it. As I told my players, if you give it your all and lose, you always learn from this. I will try not to forget this frustration and accept today’s game with the thought that I have to get stronger.
This year, the club acquired many foreign players and started as a new team, including last year’s players and new signings. In the beginning, there were times when victory was far off. While pursuing what these players are good at, they did a good job in terms of winning the game with the current style. In between, there was a chance to aim for second place in the last few games, and it was good that we managed to reach that point, but the power as a team and the power as a club to break through that extra step was automatically promoted, but it was not enough compared to the two teams. In the end I was aiming for 2nd place, but it was my lack of power that made me lose power. However, the 42 games players worked hard on + today’s game, they fought really well. And the fans and fans have always supported us, so the team was able to fight even when it was difficult. In that sense, I think it was a season where I was able to fight together with all the fans and supporters.

■ Ikutaka Yanagi
We had a lot of people gathered at the stadium and created the best atmosphere, but when we conceded a goal due to a misjudgment, we conceded a lot of points when we were trying to catch up in the second half, but we still have a lot of things to do, it was a game that made me think something was missing.
The coach told us to keep our aggression at the beginning and to be more careful, but I think there was a small error of judgment, also because it was a game without fail. The result is everything and we are not enough yet.
Coming to Okayama this season, the atmosphere when we first came to Okayama and when we fought today was completely different and I think we have become a competitive team. As a result, we finished third in the league, but we need to strengthen ourselves and get back up.
Right now, I think both I’ve done my best and can do more, and I still can’t seem to fix it. We must never forget this disappointment and I think I will never forget the sight of the stadium after today. I have to use this frustration as myself and as a team.
Thank you so much for all your support throughout the year. Towards the end of the season, the number of viewers steadily increased and I could feel the excitement surrounding Okayama. I wanted to go up to J1 with everyone and see the J1 scenario together next year. Our lack of power is everything and we want to convey our apologies and gratitude to our fans and supporters.

■ Mitchell Duke
It was a frustrating match. We conceded a goal early in the first half and it made us lose confidence. Among them, of course, we had chances, and I also shot, but I didn’t manage to score.
We knew the other team would be aggressive if they didn’t score a goal, so it’s not uncommon for us to get beaten if we don’t, and that’s what happened today.
Considering the size of our club, I think we have done better than most of you could have imagined and have actually finished better in the history of the club. I’m sure a lot of people would have laughed at me if I had said “Pheasant will be third” before the start of the season, so I’m proud of what we have achieved.
Many fans and supporters have come to see us both at home and away throughout the season and have given us wonderful support. I think you are the # 1 supporter in J2.

・ Challenge and cover well

– Side attachment

・ First, return 1 point and make it your game