Olunga's Kashiwa Reysol lose again in Japan League
Kashiwa Reysol's Kenyan forward Michael Olunga celebrates after scoring during their J2 league match against Tokyo Verdy at the Sankyo Frontier Stadium in Kashiwa, Japan. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Minutes after the Kenyan striker went down after being kicked, Reysol fell behind when 18-year-old forward Koki Saito beat goalkeeper with his left-foot after being fed through by Takuya Matsuura in the 21st minute.
- Reysol fought hard to reduce the deficit before half-time after forward Hiroto Goya nicely headed in the net in the 44th minute.
It was another frustrating day for Michael Olunga and his employers Kashiwa Reysol after losing 3-1 against visitors Yokohama in a Japanese Premier League (J1-League) match on Wednesday.
Minutes after the Kenyan striker went down after being kicked, Reysol fell behind when 18-year-old forward Koki Saito beat goalkeeper with his left-foot after being fed through by Takuya Matsuura in the 21st minute.
Reysol fought hard to reduce the deficit before half-time after forward Hiroto Goya nicely headed in the net in the 44th minute.
Nelson Baptista Junior’s men had not even settled in second half when midfielder Matsuura returned Yokohama into the driving seat after deflecting well a powerful shot from team-mate Maguinho.
Things went from bad to worse for Reysol when defender Yuta Someya turned the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear a dangerous free-kick in the 86th minute.
These two sides are back in J1-League after gaining promotion from the second-tier league last season.
This was Reysol’s second straight loss coming just five days after being hit 1-0 by FC Tokyo on July 4 when J1-League resumed. The league was stopped in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For Yokohama, it was the first time they are tasting victory in four matches in all competitions. After the first three rounds of matches, Kashiwa dropped from eighth to 13th. Baptista’s men have amassed three points in the 18-team league from defeating Sapporo 4-2 on February 22 in a match which Olunga and midfielder Ataru Esaka got a brace.
Reysol will return to the field on July 11, this time traveling to Kawasaki Frontale.
In other matches held on Wednesday, Cerezo Osaka beat Shimizu 2-0 to take over the leadership as Vegalta Sendai lost 2-1 against Urawa Red Diamonds.
Hiroshima, who went into the third round on top of the table, suffered a 2-1 loss against Oita, while Kashima Antlers continued their disappointing run after being overpowered 2-0 by Sapporo.
Sagan Tosu too were on the receiving end as Vissel Kobe edged them 1-0.
Reigning champions Yokohama Marinos saw off Shonan 3-2, FC Tokyo was outmuscled 4-0 by Frontale, while Nagoya Grampus conceded a late goal in their 2-2 draw against Gamba Osaka.
