SHIMIZU S-PULSE vs FC TOKYO (February 23rd 2020) LIVE COVERAGE!

SHIMIZU S-PULSE 1 FC TOKYO 3

Shimizu S-Pulse lost the game but there are a lot of positives. The backs are holding and the depleted midfield did better than expected. They will nee more speed and imagination on the wings though.
But when the team can field all their players they will surely turn things around!

90+2′ for all their courage, S-Pulse concede another penalty. GOAL!
78′ GOAL! Completely the run of play! S-Pulse is having a bad day!
74′ Very dodgy Penalty kik given to Tokyo! GOAL! Thank you Mr Umpire who did not consult the VAR!
67′ Croner kick for S-Pulse. Wasted.
62′ Corner kick for Tokyo. Inconclusive.
56′ tokyo being very dangerous. Fine save by Neto!
53′ S-Pulse is having shots!
50′ Great attack by S-Pulse but shot flies above bar!
46′ GOAL! Great tackle leads to Cheedrasil being uncontested for a simle goal!
Kick off by Tokyo.

Better tna expected half by S-Pulse. But they still need the extra touch!
Additional time 2 minutes.
42′ Bad pass leads to corner kick for Tokyo. Inconclusive. Yellow card for Tokyo.
36′ Corner kick for S-Pulse.
32″ Corner kick for Tokyo after some careless play by S-Pulse. Dangerous but inconclusive.
22′ Corner kick for s-Pulse. Wasted!
17′ Corner kick for s-Pulse. Dangerous free kick for S-Pulse! Completely wasted!
15′ Shot at goal by S-Puse followed by dangerous action by Tokyo. Corner kick for Tokyo. Inconclusive.
5″ Corner kick for Tokyo. Inconclusive.
3′ Corner kick for Tokyo. Inconclusive.
1′ First shot at goal by S-Pulse!
Kick off by S-Pulse.

Kick off at 13:03

many injuries have ended up in a bit unusual team sheet.
Takeuchi, Renato, Elsinho are still nursing injuries. Carlhinos is not yet fit….

SHIMIZU S-PULSE:

GK 32 NETO VOLPI
DF 21 Ryo OKUI
DF 5 VALDO
DF 2 Yugo TATSUTA
DF 8 Hideki ISHIGE
MF 20 Keita NAKAMURA
MF 28 Yoshifumi NISHIMURA
MF 14 Yusuke GOTO
FW 30 Shota KANEKO
FW 23 TEERASIL DANGDA
FW 16 Kenta NISHIZAWA

Substitutes:
GK 1 Yohei NISHIBE
DF 3 HWANG Seok HO
DF 13 Kota MIYAMOTO
MF 7 Mitsunari MUSAKADF
MF 26 Yuta TAKI
FW 9 CHONG Tese
FW 11 JUNIOR DUTRA

Team Manager: Peter CKLAMOVSKI

TOKYO FC

GK 33 Akihiro HAYASHI
DF 2 Sei MUROYA
DF 3 Masato MORISHIGE
DF 4 Tsuyoshi WATANABE
DF 37 Hotaka NAKAMURA
MF 7 Hirottaka MITA
MF 8 Yojiro TAKAHAGI
MF 18 Kento HASHIMOTO
FW 9 DIEGO OLIVEIRA
FW 20 LEANDRO
FW 27 Kyosuke TAKAGAWA

Substitutes:
GK 13 Go HATANO
DF 32 JOAN OUMARI
DF 49 Kashif BANGUNAGANDE
MF 40 Rei HIRAKAWA
MF 45 ARTHUR SIVA
FW 15 ADAILTON
FW 38 Kazuya KONNO

Team Manager: Kenta HASEGAWA

Referee: Yusuke ARAKI
Assistant Referee: Takumi TAKAGI
Assistant Referee: Takeshi ASADA
4th Official: Hiroki KATSUMATA
VAR: Minoru TOJO
AVAR: Tomohiro INOUE

12:20

This is the first game of the new 2020 J1 league Season!
A tough opponent in the name of FC Tokyo, last year’s runners up.
As for Shimizu S-Pulse a new Manager, new staff and many new members!
Quite a lot of unknown factors to digest!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

SHIMIZU S-PULSE vs GAMBA OSAKA (March 2nd 2019) LIVE COVERAGE!

SHIMIZU S-PULSE 2 GAMBA OSAKA 4

Full time: But for the consolation of the last goal the game was lost in the second half by chilcdish passes all leading to the conceded goals. Very poor performance. Time to bring in the absentees!
90+5′ Free kick in front of goal for S-Pulse. GOAL1 Ball bounced out of the post and put back in by Takii
90+#’ S-Pulse really lucky not to conced another goal repusled by the post!
5 minutes of additional hell!
S-Pulse’s poorest game in two years! A pain to watch!
84′ Corner kick for Gamba. Inconclusive. Takii in Kaneko.
Very poor game by SPulse with players accumulating bad passes! Rokutan saving the 5th goal!
81′ dangerous Gamba’s counter from another misssed pass ending in corner kick!
Ishige in for Nakamura
76′ Great chance for S-Pulse butheading into keepper’s hands!
73′ GOAL! Another one following a stupid pass!
Chong Tese in. And S-Pulse almost concedes another goal! Corner kick for Gamba. Inconclusve.
72′ Gamba dominating. Dangerous frre kick just outside S-Pulse box. GOAL! And such an easy one at that! S-Pulse completely out of their shoes!
65′ Corner for Gamba.
S-Pulse are being too naive. Gamba knowas that by pressing theey will provoke a bad psss!
57′ GOAL! And a stupid one at that after a terrible pass! Gamba is laghing!
53′ Corner kick for S-Pulse. Almost there!
52′ Corner for S-Pulse. Poor.
48′ Dangerous counter by Gamaba following some poor passing!
Kick off by S-Pulse

Half time. 1 all. S-Pulse had their chances but converted only one whereas Gamba were more effective. S-Pulse will need a bit more speed in the second half!
42′ Corner for Gamba. Inconclusive.
33′ Poor clearing by Rokutan almost ending in a gift goal! Corner kick for Gamba! Crner kick again. Inconclusive. Followed by great S-Pulse attack jus finishing wide!
31′ Dominating Gmab gets Corner kick. Inconclusive.
29′ GOAL! All started with bad pass exploited by Gamba!
23′ Dangerous attack by Gamba just wide!
21′ Another great S-Pulse attack almost reaching goal!
20′ great attack by SPulse but heading too weak on cross!
17′ GOAL! Nakamura puts SPulse ahead on a great counter finished by Tatsuta’s cross first headed by Kitagawa then slotted by Nakamura!
12′ Over ambitious attempt at goal by S-Pulse.
12′ Great chance completely blown away by Gamba!
10′ Corner kick for s-Pulse. heading too weak!
5’ Dangerous cross by Gamba!
4′ Good counter by S-Pulse unfortunately ended with weak shot!
Kick off by Gamba

Kick off at 14:03
Takeuch i down with a stomach bug is replaced by Musaka. Elsinyo is still absent as well as Douglas

SHIMIZU S-PULSE:

GK 13 Yuji ROKUTAN
DF 2 Yugo TATSUTA
DF 3 HWANG Seok Ho
DF 33 WANDERSON
DF 25 Ko MATSUBARA
MF 27 Takahiro IIDA
MF 617 Yosuke KAWAI
MF 7 Mitsunari MUSAKA
MF 30 30 Shota KANEKO
FW 20 Keita NAKAMURA
FW 23 Koya KITAGAWA

Substitutes:
GK 1 Yohei NISHIBE
DF 15 Takuma MIZUTANI
DF 26 Hiroshi FUTAMI
MF 5 Hideki ISHIGE
MF 22 RENATO AUGUSTO
MF Yuta TAKII
FW 9 CHONG Tese

Team Manager: Jan Amders Jonsson

GAMBA OSAKA

GK 1 Masami HIGASHIGUCHI
DF 4 Hiroki FUJIHARU
DF 5 Genta MIURA
DF 19 KIM Young Gwon
DF 22 OH Jae Suk
MF 7 Yasuhito ENDO
MF 8 Kosuke ONOSE
MF 10 Shu KURATA
MF 15 Yasuyuki KONNO
MF 9 ADEMILSON
FW 16 HWANG Ui Jo

Substitutes:
GK 23 Mizuki HAYASHI
DF 13 Shunya SUGANUMA
DF 14 Koki YONEKURA
MF 6 Tatsuya TANAKA
MF 21 Shinya YAJIMA
MF 25 Jungo FUJIMOTO
FW 39 Kazuma WATANABE

Team Manager: Tsuneyasu MIYAMOTO

Referee: Nobutsugu MURAKAMI
Assistant Referee：Haruhiro GISUKA
Assistant Referee: Toshiyuki TANAKA
4th Official: Daisuke SAKURAI

13:30

First home game of the new season!
A difficult opponent to start with, Gamba Osaka! After the good but somewhat disappointing draw achieved on the ground of Hiroshima Sanfrecce, last season’s 2nd place club, the boys will be keen to prove their worth even in the absence of at lest two star players!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shimizu S-Pulse Soccer Club: Atmosphere at Nihondaira Stadium in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Nihondaira Stadium in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City is the home of Shimizu S-Pulse Soccer Club

The two official mascots of Shimizu S-Pulse soccer Club was created in 1993 to become one the teams taking part in the inaugural Japan League (J-League) the same year.
It is still the only non-corporate-owned club in the upper tier of Japan Professional soccer leagues, and the atmosphere is certainly different from in other clubs!

Most come by bus, although some do choose to reach the stadium in many ways from walking to private cars.
Do check the parking availability first!

Even the home team comes by bus, but this is fairly normal!

As it can be pretty crowded I advise to come at least an hour before kick-off to enjoy the atmosphere at ease!

It is a very children-friendly stadium and the mascots make sure they enjoy their trip!
Fans are extremely well-behaved by European and South American standards, and although you should ensure a minimum of care thefts and fights are unheard of, even during the most crowded games, whatever the result!

The venue has become increasingly popular with overseas fans of both genders and any age for many reasons: safety, great hygiene, superlative service and crowds truly enjoying themselves!

Staff at the information are extremely dedicated and will gladly serve you beyond the language barrier!

Join the local fans and get your face painted to the colors and emblems of Shimizu S-Pulse!

There are plenty of food stands outside and inside the stadium for hungry and thirsty fans!
Plenty of beer available!

I will introduce the food stands in a separate article but you must try the Japanese specialty: octopus dumplings!

And tai yaki/sweetmeat fish-shaped cakes, freshly cooked for the sweet tooth!

And there is plenty to choose from the souvenir stand!

Don’t worry, there plenty of washrooms all around inside the stadium, gender-separated and even for wheelchair users!

The home fan stand!
The seatings are divided between 4 stands, the main, the back stand, the home fans stand and the away fans stand!
The big difference is that many fans choose to mingle with other fans, difficult to imagine abroad!

The stadium with a capacity of 19,000 is very compact and the stands are very close to the pitch!
Some Kashima Antlers fans pointed out to me that Shimizu SPulse ground had a great atmosphere because it is just right size with a great proximity to the players. A German fan I met during the Sanga Tosa game said the same thing with the safety added to it!

Especially for those arriving early young fans’ bags can be left on their seats safely!

Local fans are passionate and keep singing all the time, all in good humor!

And you can be assured there plenty of competition from visiting fans!

Shimizu SPulse who boasts one of the best youth clubs in the whole country always give an important place to youngsters!

Pageantry is at a premium, too!

Game on!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shimizu S-Pulse Soccer Club: How to reach Nihondaira Stadium in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Shimizu -S Pulse, the only non corporate-owned soccer/football club in the top Japanese J-League, generally have home League matches either on Saturday or Sunday afternoon and Cup games on Wednesday evenings!

A practical, especially if you plan on a drink or two, to reach their official ground located in Nihondaira, Shizmizu Ku, Shizuoka City  is to use the Shizutetsu shuttle bus.

The shuttle going exclusively to the Nihondaira Stadium on home games is to be boarded along Matsuzakaya Depatment Store across from Shizuoka Station north exit. The bus stop number is 17!

Great staff on hand always ready to answer your questions with a smile!
Buses swill start leaving from Shizuoka Sttation about 2 hours before kick-off, bu come early as the buses are crowded!

Remember that bus stop!

Expect long queues constantly growing!

One of the  shuttle buses!

40 minutes ride!

Arrival at your destination!

Getting off the bus and walking to the entrance gates!

Local fans having stickers applied on their faces!

17,000 visitors for 20,000 seats available!

Very efficient information desk!

The back stand, from the back! Lol

The main stand!

Game day!

Players in action!

Remember to start early back after the game as the queues for their return bus are extremely long!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shimizu S-Pulse Soccer Practice Ground Visit

Another way to enjoy soccer and support your favorite players is to visit your club practice gorund and facilities!
Here, in Shizuoka Cit, visiting the practice ground of Shimizu S-Pulse is not only simple enough but also makes for an excellent day out!

Shin Shimizu Station, Shizutetsu Raolway Line, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

You can always go by car as they have ample parking facilities but the easiest way, especially on your own is to go there by train and bus!
As far as the train is concerned you have to choices although the bus line is the same.
Either get off Shizimiu Station on the Tokaido Railway Line and take a Shizutetsu bus from Bus Platform N0 3.

As for me it is easier to use the Shizutetsu Line (Any station from Cenova Station) and get off at the Shin Shimizu Station Terminal.

Once out of the station go to the Sun Route Hotel across from the station!

Go to No3 bus stop and board the “Tokai Daigaku Miho Suizokukan/東海大学三保水族館”.

The schedule is on the left column above (about 2 buses an hour).

If you use the same bus on weekends note that the schedule is different!

Get off at “S-Pulse Renshuujyou/エスパルス練習場”!

You can’t miss it!

Follow the signs!

Check the map!

Here you are!

Two sets of tiered seats are available for free for visitors!
Note the temperatures can be extreme there, so bring an extra coat in winter and a large sun hat in summer!

Both gender washrooms and a soft drink vending machine are available!

Note that the ground is off limits for casual visitors!

Here in come the players!

Practices are conducted very similarly to any professional soccer/football club all across the Globe!

Practices are held from 11:00 am from Tuesday to Friday unless there is a cup game mid-week!

Separate practice for goal keepers!

Warming up exercises!

Shooting practice!

Mitchell Duke in action!

Sterner practice for goal keepers!

More of the same!

Whole ground team practice!

Half ground practice for faster passing and shooting!

The club house is next to the ground but you need special permission to enter it!

For collectors!

Another rare item!

The official Shimizu S-Pulse Soccer Club Flag!

The mascot of Sekisui Haim Real estate Agents, one of Shimizu s-Pulse official sponsors!

Exchanged flags including quite a few South Korea and even Ajax!

Note that the return bus stop inside the ground!

And don’t forget to check the return bus schedule!

See you again there soon!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shimizu S-Pulse Soccer Club Player: Mitchell Duke (first interview)

Mitchell Duke (Mitchell Thomas Duke) is your tough through and through Ozzie who is nonetheless a very loveable chap with an eternal smile.
True to say he has apparently lost some of his Australian drawl thanks to his lovely English wife, Charlotte, who keeps strong ties with her country where their son, Jaxson, was born.
Mitchell, one son with 6 sisters and 2 brothers of Arlene and Bill Duke, traces back his origins, five generations back, to Scotland and Ireland.
Although he has gone through harrowing times after a practice in January last year when he badly damaged the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee (his kicking leg, although he can shoot with both), fortunately repaired by a famous surgeon back in Australia, he is extremely positive about life in Japan, and Shizuoka for that matter, a country blessed with a rare safety, reliable hygiene and unequaled service. To top it all he is still discovering the culinary joys of Shizuoka City and Prefecture, actually helping him cut the excess food, red meat in particular, and in the bargain easily control his weight, a major concern for any professional athlete.

When asked to cite a negative aspect of his life in Japan he could not think of one. He went as as far as averring that many of his foreign colleagues in soccer were persuaded that Shizuoka Prefeture was the most propitious place to ply their trade hanks to a neutral climate and a mild winter.

his favorite food in Australai was basically BBQ-style, but he learned to appreciate lighter fare in Japan, sushi and Italian cuisines in particular.
Incidentally his favorite (at present) diners are Massimo in Miho, Shimizu Ku, shizuoka City and Gyoko Fuku Ichi Maru Sushi restaurant at Markis department Store in Shizuoka City.
He was also very complimentary with Tequila’s Diner and Blue Books Cafe in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City and he cannot wait to discover Aoi Beer Stand!
But the best chance to meet him in person would be at one of the HUG COFFEE shops whose coffee he rates as the best in town.
During his free time he enjoys going out for lunch with Charlotte and Jaxson and shopping for great produce in local markets. His wife in particular feels a great attraction to local vegetables which can be acquired all year round as Shizuoka Prefecture is renown for its incredible array of organic products.
Mind you, on game days it’s plenty of carbohydrates for Mitchell’s lunch!

This was my first interview held at Shimizu S-Pulse club house in Miho, Shimizu Ku, and it actually turned into double one as we met shortly after downtown to sip coffee together with wife and a very busy body Jaxson.
in between truly enjoyable socializing we naturally talked about the more serious matters of playing soccer as a profession:

Q: Have your tried your hand (or foot) at other sports?
A: I did play cricket but at the early age of 13 I had to make a decision and it was soccer from then on although my own father was very much into cricket, the top summer sport in Australia.

Q: How has you rehabilitation gone?
A: I’m now fully recovered thanks to the best surgeon in Australia. Actually his methods of operation are completely different from those in Japan. Instead of concentrating on the knee only he will go down as far as the calf muscles and tendons for a full repair job. Back on my feet after 5 months, a comparatively short time after such an injury!

Q:: You were still recently hampered by a pulled muscle , but that also seemed to be cared for. When do you ex@ect to play as a starting team member after this recent series of substitute appearances?
A: It should be very soon indeed and I’m giving my best to prove my worth at practice.

Q: Are you looking forward to playing again for the Socceroos (Australia National Soccer Team)?
A: Honestly speaking, I’m always looking forward to that day in spite of the long break. Now is in fact a good time to remind the selectors and my skills. It is up to me to prove I have the will and talent to represent my country, the ultimate goal for any athlete!

Well, that’s it for the moment gals and guys, but I convinced Mitchell to meet me again soon around a drink (it will be an embarrassment of choice, but I ave an inkling of what would be the first place!) and talk more about soccer at Shimizu S-Pulse, in Japan and in Australia!

MITCHELL THOMAS DUKE CARD

Born on 18th of January 1991 (26 years old as of 2017) in Liverpool, New south wales, Australia
Height: 1.86 m
Position: striker, winger
Present club: Shimizu S-Pulse
Jersey No: 19
Four caps and two goals for the Australian National soccer team
Began his career with Paramatta Eagles (also called Melita, in South Granville, New south Wales)
Moved into the Central Coast mariners (Gosford, Central Coast, New south wales) on 9th of February 2012
signed his first contract with Central Mariners on 24th of January 2012
In August 2013 had a two-week trial with English Premier League side West ham United.
Signed and moved to Shimizu S-Pulse on the 9th of February 2015
In April 2016 suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, ruling him out out football/soccer for six months
Appearnces for Shimizu S-Pulse:
2015: 29 + 3 (1 goal)
2016: 7 (1 goal)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City