JC - Football - Japan - J League Cup

Midweek action in J-League Cup with a round 2 game between Oita Trinita and Gamba Osaka. The 2022 edition of J-League Cup gave a place to Oita Trinita as one of the top two relegated teams from 2021 J League. Gamba Osaka open their participation with a defeat, meanwhile this will be Oita Trinita first J-League Cup game this year.

Oita Trinita relegation from J League in 2021 ended with them playing in the Emperor's Cup final against eventual champion Urawa Red Diamonds. Oita Trinita came from behind to tie the final, but Urawa Red Diamonds quickly score to get the title.

The start of life in 2022 J League 2 has not been ideal, Oita Trinita had to came from behind to tie the score with a last minute goal, in which their own goalkeeper was involved. The team has shown for moments a lack of defensive concentration, which can be costly.

Gamba Osaka opened the season with two consecutive home defeats, one in J1 League and one in J-League Cup. Despite alternating goalkeepers the defense allowed three goals each time. In the following match an stellar performance from experience Kei Ishikawa helped Gamba Osaka get their first clean sheet and a goal from Yuya Fukuda their first victory of the season.

Now back in J-League Cup, coach Tomohiro Katanosaka could continue with the rotations in goal keeper, young Taichi Kato played in the Cup and experienced Kei Ishikawa on the league. Either way Gamba Osaka needs to improve in defense, they have shown they have scored doing it in every game they have played this year.

Gamba Osaka is encourage by their first victory of the year after a bad start. And Gamba Osaka needs to fix their way in the Cup. Here a good opportunity for that, at Denko Dome has positive numbers in the previous three games has one tie and two victories against Oita Trinita. Looking at both teams current form, Gamba Osaka trend in scoring and Oita Trinita defensive distractions, Gamba Osaka should get something here.

02/03/2022 07:39, read 870 times