Second Best......Verdy 1 - 3 Kofu

There was to be no repeat of the opening day victory this afternoon with Verdy second best and run ragged by a powerful Kofu side. Verdy were second best for the entire 90 minutes and will look back on today as a painful lesson in how to dominate a game.
Within the first five minutes Kofu registered their intent with powerhouse Davi running rings rounds Takahashi and Tsuchiya and registering three efforts on goal the closest of which saw Shibasaki race off his line to block a goalbound effort. However, it was Verdy who actually took the lead with a Yuki Kobayashi penalty on 13 minutes after Takuma Abe had been clumsily felled in the box. Kobayashi`s penalty was struck poorly but luckily for him Ogi in the Kofu goal could only block his shot rather than hang on to it and the rebound fell kindly for Kobayashi to take his second of the season. Kofu then carried on exactly where they`d left off only this time finding success through Davi on a near post header from a corner. Takahashi was caught napping and Davi made no mistake. Verdy`s lead lasted four minutes.
The game then settled into a rythmn with Kofu looking more dangerous and Verdy struggling to get anything going the way.
1-1 at half time and then Kofu took the lead following a clanger from Shibasaki. Shibasaki seemed to have safely caught a high ball from a corner only to drop it at the feet of a grateful Sho Sasaki to poke home from 6 yards. An absolute dolly of a goal and Shibasaki deserves all the towel whips he receives in the bath after the game. Kawakatsu then went 3-4-3 in trying to chase the game bringing on Alex and Iio for Koike and Mori. Inevitably gaps were left at the back and Katagiri was left in acres of space to fire home following good work down the right.
So how are the boys doing two games in? Again in this game the defence was all over the show. Tsuchiya and Takahashi were unable to deal with Davi and Takasaki all afternoon. Fukatsu also came on late and dealt with Davi by clattering him and getting himself booked. The big worry this year so far is the lack of chances being created. Verdy were absolutely poor going forward today. The Boys registered only 3 or 4 long range efforts up to the 85th minute with the Kofu keeper having very little to do. Verdy finally managed to slip Kobayashi in to force the keeper into a decent save and Takahashi had a free header from the resulting corner. Too little, too late unfortunately. It feels like it`s going to be a long year this year. Onwards and Upwards In My Dreams The Boys March On!!