Shimizu S-Pulse 2019 Season New Team Announcement Meeting

On January 11th the Shimizu S-Pulse 2019 Season New Uniforms, Policy and New Team Members Announcements Meeting took place from 13 p.m. on the 4th floor of the Century Hotel in Shizuoka City!
This was again a long-awaited meeting after the remarkable progress in 2018!

The new uniforms for home games and away games were unveiled and although slightly different from last year, continued with a more sober and adult design. The main color will be deep yellow and orange for home games and white with a little orange for away games.
-POLICY and FINANCES
2019 and beyond will basically follow the same path with the budget that been upgraded to 38.5 billion yen in 2018, and should aim at 40 billion yen in 2019 and 42 billion yen in 2020.
As confirmed before, this is a budget well above the average in the J1 league with sponsorship, general earnings, sales and wages taking the club to the 9th spot in a league accounting for 18 clubs.
As for this year performance targets they are still kept to a reasonable level aiming at finishing within the first 5 spots of the J1 League to improve on the excellent 8th spot achieved this year and at least reach the quarterfinals of the Levain Cup and of the Emperor’s Cup
As for future targets they are still the same, that is, Shimizu S-Pulse aims at no less than becoming J1 League Champions within 4 years and ACL Champions within 6 years.

-NEW TEAM MEMBERS
Vindicating the new coaching staff put in place in 2108 it has been re-assigned in bloc for a marked continuity in success.
As for the playing staff it has been pared down to a more reasonable size with the import of precisely targeted recruits and the confidence renewed in young players according to the club policy to develop as many of their players as possible.
All the lines are solidly doubled with an accent on re-enforcing the defense which was only average the past season and the midfield to support a very successful attack. Not only this will ensure a smooth turnover, especially with players on international duty, but also promises fierce competition for the starting spots!
The new players presented on that day were:
DF (right lateral) Elson Ferreira De Souza/nickname, Elsinho (Jersey No 18) acquired from Kawaasaki Frontale.
MF (right-footed) Keita Nakamura (Jersey No 20) recruited from V-Varen Nagasaki
MF (right-footed) Kenta Nishizawa (Jersey No 16) originally from the Shimizu S-Pulse Youth Team who the moved to Tsukuba University
GK (right-footed) Togo Umeda who graduated from the Shimizu s-Pulse Youth Team this year
Two new Brazilian players, Wanderson and Augusto and one Chinese player, WU Shaocong are still being processed and will be announced in the near future!

-PLAYING SQUAD (as of January 11th, 2019)
1 GK Yohei NISHIBE
2 DF Yugo TATSUTA
3 DF HWANG Sok Ho (South Korea)
5 DF Shoma KAMATA
6 MF Ryo TAKEUCHI
7 MF Mitsunari MUSAKA
8 MF Hideki ISHIGE
9 FW CHONG Tese (North Korea)
12 SUPPORTER’S NUMBER
13 GK Yuji ROKUTAN
14 MF Jumpei KUSUKAMI
15 MF Takuma MIZUTANI
16 MF Kenta NISHIZAWA
17 MF Yosuke KAWAI
18 DF ELSON Ferreira de Souza/Elsinho
19 FW Jin HIRATSUKA
20 MF Keita NAKAMURA
21 GK Toru KAKIGWA
23 FW Koya KITAGAWA
25 DF Ko MATSUBARA
26 DF Hiroshi FUTAMI
27 DF Takahiro IIDA
30 FW Shota KANEKO
31 GK Togo UMEDA
34 MF Yuta TAKI
35 DF Kenta ITO
36 MF Yasufumi NISHIMURA
37 FW Daigo TAKAHASHI
49 FW DOUGLAS (Brazil)

-COACHING STAFF (as of January 11th, 2019)
Manager: Jan Anders JONSSON (Sweden)
Coach: Gerry PAYTON (Ireland)
Coach: Yoshiyuki SHINODA
Coach: Yoshikiyo KUBOYAMA
Coach: Tomofumi KURIYAMA
GK Coach: Keisuke HADA
Physical Coach: Koichi DOIZAKI
Conditioning Coach: Rui KOKUBO
Chief Doctor: Mitsuhito DOI
Chief Trainer: Toshiyuki TOKOROZAWA
Physiotherapist: Yukihisa MIYAMA
Physiotherapist: Marshall Massashi SAITO (Brazil)
Trainer: Ryuichiro MAEZAWA
Athletic Trainer: Ryohei SHINURA
English Interpreter: Christian ISSHIKI
English Interpreter: Hiroshi ENDO
Korean Interpreter: LEE Kang Heng
Portuguese Interpreter: Kuiz Fernando Meireles Goncalves (Brazil)
Portuguese Interpreter: SATO BRINO Naoki
Athletic Advisor: Hirotoki ONOZAWA
Youth Team Manager: Hiroaki HIRAOKA
Youteam Head Coach: Shinichiro KATO
Youth Team Coach: Yohei SEKIYA
Youth GK Coach: Adauto Alexandre Masson (Brazil)
Jr. Youth Team U-15 Manager: Jun IWASHITA
Jr. Youth Team U-14 Manager: Takayuki YOKOYAMA
Jr. Youth Team U-13 Manager: Daisuke ICHIKAWA
Jr. Youth Team GK Coach: Makoto KAKEGAWA
U-12 SHIMIZU (U-12 Coach): Makoto WATANABE
U-12 SHIMIZU (U-11 Coach): Takamitsu OTA
U-12 Shimizu (U-10 Coach): Hayato SUZUKI
U-12 MISHIMA (U-12 Coach): Yasuhiko NIMURA
U-12 MISHIMA (U-11 Coach): Yuzo WADA
U-12 MISHIMA (U-10 Coach): Rei ONOGI
Assistant Coach: Yoshiki TAJIMA
Athlete Development Conditioning Coach: Takayuki NAKAYAMA
Athlete Development Conditioning Coach: Yoshihisa SAITO
Trainer: Masanori WAKAMTSU
Academy Advisor: Ryuzo MORIOKA

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 vs VISSEL KOBE (November 24th 2018) LIVE COVERAGE!

SHIMIZU S-PULSE 3 VISSEL KOBE 3

Full time! A shame of a game!

General fight again! Red card against Vissel!
General fight!
45’+$’ Corner kick for S-Pulse. GOAL! Rokutan!
Hyodo in for Kawai.
Plot lots by who?Result: grave injuries just occured! Shame1
S-Pulse are so unlucky! Completely dominating but it just does not come off!
4 minutes additional time.
Substitution for Vissel.
44′ Corner kick for S-Pulse. Headed over the bar.
Goal disallowed for offside to S-Pulse!
42′ GOAL! One more counter finds Dougks’ head1
Vissel’s player red carded!
Ishige in for Kitagawa.
78’ Corner kick for S-Pulse. Wasted away.
Brutalities everywhere!
70′ Corner kick for S-Pulse. Chong Tese in Kaneko. Inconclusive.
S-Pulse yellow carded.
67′ Corner kick for S-Pulse.
This game is slowly becoming a farce thanks to who?
I Have seen some unlucky games this season but this beats them all!
63′ GOAL! And even stranger this time! A missed center floatsinside S-Pulse’s goal!
I am not allowed to critize, but somebody is covering himself with ridicule!
56′ Kitagawa’s kick just over the bar!Free kick for S-Pulse.
Yellow card against Vissel.
51′ Dangerous free kick for Vissel. GOAL! Strange goallet in by S-Pulse’s defense!
47′ Corner kick for S-Pulse. Incoonclusive.
Kickoff by Vissel.

Haltime. S-Pulse dominated and were a bit unlcky but they shuld step up their game!

2 minutes additional time. Pressure by S-Pulse who get two successive corner kicks.
42′ Corner kick for Vissel. Inconclusive.
39′ GOAL! lunder by Vissel’s defense exploited by Kawai!
35′ S-Pulse is trying hard to attack but lluck is not on their side!
30′ Corner kick for S-Pulse. Inconcusive.
26′ GOAL! Great pass by Iniesta which gives a great goal to Vissel!
24′ Another great save by Rokutan!
21′ dangerus free kick for S-Pulse. kitagawa hits the post!
Rough game since then!
7′ Rokutan saves a point blank shot!
4′ SPulse almost robbed ball from goal keeper!
2′ Over ambitious long range shot by Vissel missing goal. Rough tackles by Vissel….
Kickoff by S-Pulse.

Kickoff at 14:03

Note that injured Freire is replaced with Tatuta whille Iida takes Tatsuta’s place.

SHIMIZU S-PULSE:

GK 13 Yuji ROKUTAN
DF 27 Takahiro IIDA
DF 28 Yugo TATSUTA
DF 3 HWANG Seok Ho
DF 25 Ko MATSUBARA
MF 17 Yosuke KAWAI
MF 6 Ryo TAKEUCHI
MF 30 Shota KANEKODaiya MAEK
MF 10 Ryohei SHIRASAKI
FW 23 Koya KITAGAWA
FW 49 DOUGLAS

Substitutes:
GK 1 Yohei NISHIBE
DF 26 Hiroshi FUTANI
DF 7 Mitsunari MUSAKA
MF 15 Akihiro HYODO
MF 30 Shota KANEKO
FW 9 CHONG Tese
FW 19 Mitchell DUKE

Team Manager: Jan Amders Jonsson

VISSE KOBE

GK 1 Daiya MAEKAWA
DF 24 Masatoshi MIHARA
DF 39 Masahiko INOHA
DF 25 LeoOSAKI
DF 15 Daiki MIYA
MF 30 TEERATHON
MF 14 Naoyuki FUJITA
MF 7 Hirotaka MITA
MF 8 Andres INESTA
MF 10 Lukas PODOLSKI
FW 16 Kyogo FURUHASHI

Substitutes:
GK 28 Kenshin YOSHIMARU
DF 2 Daisuke NASU
DF 22 Wataru HASHIMOTO
MF 23 Yoshiki MATSUSHITA
MF 27 Yuta GOKE
MF 50 Shun NAGASAWA
FW 17 WELLINGTON

Team Manager: Juan Manuel LILLO

Referee: Toru KAKINUMA
Assistant Referee：Takayuki SHIMIZU
Assistant Referee: Shoji AKISAWA
4th Official: Takeshi SUHARA

13:00

For the last home gmae of the season Shimizu S-Pulse are hosting Vissel Kobe with the likes of Iniesta and Podolski. S-Pulse are now aiming at re reaching the highest position in the league whereas Kobe are still not free from relegation. It promises a tense encounter!

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 vs NAGOYA GRAMPUS (November 10th 2018) LIVE COVERAGE!

SHIMIZU S-PULSE 2 NAGOYA GRAMPUS 0

A great win thanks to two moments of brilliance during the second half! Next year this team will be hard to beat!
Additional time 4 minutes.
43′ Almost another goal for S-Pulse in extremis pushed into corner kick! Inconclusive.
Chong Tese in for Douglas.
83′ The game is finally turning exciting with chances on both sides!
Duke in for Kitagawa.
79′ Corner kick for Grampus. Very dangerous counter but Kaneko completely miskicks!
78′ Super save by Rokutan!
75′ Corner kick for Grampus. Goal disallowed for off side!
72′ Coorner kick for Grampus. Incoclusive.
Substitution for Grampus.
68′ Dangerous shot byGrampus just ver the bar!
66′ Corner kick for Grampus.
65′ GOAL! Almost a reepetition of first goal! Tatsuta senda again the same perfect looping cross to be headed in this time by Douglas!
58′ Dangerous shot by Kaneko. Corner kick. GOAL! On the second ball great cross by Tatsuta tthat finds the head of Kitagawa!
57′ Corner kick for Grampus.
Freire yellow carded.
Kaneko in for Ishige.54′ Corner kick forGrampus. Inconclusive.
49′ Corner kick for Nagoya.
46′ Ambitious shot by S-Pulse which gooes nowhere.
Kick off by Grampus.

Half Time. Apart of a few chances very even and static game. S-Pulse will have to up the tempo!
43′ Another silly defense mistake by S-Pulse which barely evaded the right post!
32′ Dangerous free kick for Grampus like a short corner kick. Very aangerous. Corner kick. Second corner kick. inconclusive.
26′ Weak shot by S-Pulse off target.
Takeuchi yellow carded.
22′ very dangerous misundertanding by S-Pulse’s defense almost leading to goal!
20′ Dangerous shot by Nagoya just wide of left ost!
18′ Good attack by SPulse but Kawai’s shot wide!
16′ over ambitious by Grampus that goes nowhere.
5′ Douglas just misses the goal! Corner kick. Weak heading caught by keeper!
2′ Dangerus free kick for Grampus. 26 meters from goal. Inconclusive.
Kick off by Shimizu S-Pulse.

Kick off at 14:03

Note: Coach Jan Anders Jonsson not being allowed to officiate today. He is replaced on th epith by his second coach, Yoshiyuki Shinoda.

SHIMIZU S-PULSE:

GK 13 Yuji ROKUTAN
DF 28 Yugo TATSUTA
DF 3 HWANG Seok Ho
DF 4 FREIRE
DF 25 Ko MATSUBARA
MF 17 Yosuke KAWAI
MF 6 Ryo TAKEUCHI
MF 29 Hideki ISHIGE
MF 10 Ryohei SHIRASAKI
FW 23 Koya KITAGAWA
FW 49 DOUGLAS

Substitutes:
GK 1 Yohei NISHIBE
DF 26 Hiroshi FUTANI
DF 27 Takahiro IIDA
MF 11 Kazuya MURATA
MF 30 Shota KANEKO
FW 9 CHONG Tese
FW 19 Mitchell DUKE

Team Manager: Toshiyuki SHINODA

NAGOYA GRAMPUS

GK 22 LANGERAK
DF 29 Ryuji IZUMI
DF 20 Shinnosuke NAKATANI
DF 17 Yuichi MARUYAMA
DF 14 Yosuke AKIYAMA
MF 23 Ryota AOKI
MF 4 Yuki KOBAYASHI
MF 15 EDUARDO NETO
MF 28 Keiji TAMADA
MF 7 JO
FW 10 Gabriel XAVIER

Substitutes:
GK 16 Yohei TAKEDA
DF 3 Kazuki KUSHIBIKI
DF 5 Ikki ARAI
MF #! Takashi KANAI
MF 9 Ariajasuru HASEGAWA
MF 25 Naoki MAEDA
FW 11 Hisato SATO

Team Manager: Yahiro KAZAWA

Referee: Ryuji SATO
Assistant Referee：Taku NAKANO
Assistant Referee: Hironobu KIKAWADA
4th Official: Tsuyoshi OGURA

13:00

Shimizu S-Pulse are hosting Nagoya Grampus presently battling o avoid relegation. S-Pulse is on the other hand keen to improve their standing in the top half of the J1 League. It promises a tense confrontation!

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 vs SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA (October 20th 2018) LIVE COVERAGE!

SHIMIZU S-PULSE 2 SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA 0

Hard fought but great win!
90 +2 Another superb save by Rokutan!
90+ 13 against 1 and S-pulse still manages not to score!
5 minutes additional time.
86′ Dangerous attack by Sanfrecce but shot wide!
Mizutani for Kitagawa.
79′ Kitagawa on the attack but his cross is intercepted!
78′ Heavy pressure by Sanfrecce. Another great save by Rokutan!
74′ Rokutan saves a beautiful own goal!
67′ Rokutan has to save his side again!
Kawai in for Ishige.
57′ Kaneko sees a great shot saved!
54′ Another corner kick for Sanfrecce. Inconclusive.
53′ Corner kick for Sanfrecce. Inconclusive.
52′ Sanfrecce getting increasingly dangerous. Rokutan has to make another great save!
51′ Sannfrecce misses an open goal!
47′ GOAL! Superb counter attack by S-Pulse finished by Chong Tese who did not make any mistake on his return!
Kick off by Sanfrecce

Half time: S-Pulse created more chances but the game at times turned into rough exchanges poorly managed by the person in charge. S-Pulse will still have to up the tempo in the second half!

45′ Ambitious kick by Sanfrecce flying over the bar. 3 minutes addirtional time.
40′ Dangerous free kick for sanfrecce.
39′ Crislan seems to be injured and to be replaced by Chong Tese.
32′ Dangerous free kick for Sanfrecce. Wasted.
30′ Superb save by Rokutan!
25′ Long range shot by Kaneko earning a corner kick. Inconclusive.
24′ Corner kick for S-Pulse. Inconclusive.
17′ Corner kick for S-Pulse GOAL! The Sanfrecce defense completely tricked and Kitagawa scores a great goal!
14 Dangerous heading by Sanfrecce! The game is a bit on the rough side.
7′ early domination by S-Pulse.
Kick off by S-Pulse

Douglas is out injured and replaced by Crislan while Mitchell Duke appears on the bench.

SHIMIZU S-PULSE:

GK 13 Yuji ROKUTAN
DF 28 Yugo TATSUTA
DF 3 HWANG Seok Ho
DF 4 FREIRE
DF 25 Ko MATSUBARA
MF 10 Ryohei SHIRASAKI
MF 6 Ryo TAKEUCHI
MF 30 Shota KANEKO
MF 29 Hideki ISHIGE
FW 23 Koya KITAGAWA
FW 20 CRISLAN

Substitutes:
GK 1 Yohei NISHIBE
DF 26 Hiroshi FUTANI
DF 32 Takuma MIZUTANI
MF 11 Kazuya MURATA
MF 17 Yosuke KAWAI
FW 9 CHONG Tese
FW 19 Mitchell DUKE

Team Manager: Jan Anders Jonsson

SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA

GK 1 Takuto HAYASHI
DF 33 Takuya WADA
DF 2 Yuki NOGAMI
DF 4 Hiroki MIZUMOTO
DF 19 Sho SASAKI
MF 30 Kosei SHIBASAKI
MF 6 Toshihiro AOYAMA
MF 15 Sho INAGAKI
MF 36 Hayao KAWABE
MF 39 PATRIC
FW 9 Masato KUDO

Substitutes:
GK 34 Hirotsugu NAKABAYASHI
DF 5 Kazuhiko CHIBA
DF 27 Kazuaki MAWATARI
MF 18 Yoshifumi KASHIWA
MF 14 Tsukasa MORISHIMA
FW 31 TERRASIL
FW 16 BESART BERISHA

Team Manager: Hiroshi JOFUKU

Referee: Hiroyuki KIMURA
Assistant Referee： Akane YAGI
Assistant Referee: Noriyuki SUZUKI
4th Official: Satoshi KARAKAMI

13:30

Shimizu S-Pulse are hosting Sanfrecce Hiroshima presently standing second in the J1 League. After their memorable win in the derby against Jubilo Iwata S-Pulse will be eager to go one step further during the end of the season aiming ofr the highest position possible!

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 MEMBERS INTERVIEW: KAZUYA MURATA

The Smiling Teacher!

Ever-smiling Kazuya Murata, born on October 7th 1988, is a highly popular senior member who has already played for Shimizu S-Pulse since 2013.
Born in Moriyama City in Shiga Prefecture he attended Yasu High School, an establishment well-known for its soccer/football club in Shiga Prefecture, and later attended Osaka University of Health and Sports Sciences where among others he was awarded a Physical Education Teaching License.
He first joined Cerezo Osaka Soccer Club in 2011 before moving to Shimizu S-Pulse two years later. He is married and has a 3-year old son.

Question: What was the main difference for you between your native Shiga prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture?
Kazuya Murata: I can’t say there were huge differences to overcome as both share a welcome “country” atmosphere. I actually feel very comfortable in Shimizu and Shizuoka Prefecture with its nature spread along the sea and deep inland. Although Shiga Prefecture has no sea shore, the big Lake Biwa certainly makes it up as an inland sea! It is certainly a great region to live in a professional sportsman with a family!

Q: What about the local food, then?
K M: I must admit that not being born near meant I had eaten almost no sushi until I came to Shimizu. I was a big meat eater and it did take a long time before I started enjoying fish and seafood. On the other hand I must admit that coming to Shizuoka contributed to a far better balance in my daily diet!

Q: Quite an interesting comment from one who knows a fair bit about health and sports Sciences! What about vegetables, then?
K M: (laugh) If it were not for the wife, I would be hopeless. I understand I need them and fortunately my better half concocts food with as much vegetables as possible, cutting them in small pieces and including them in soups, especially minestrone, and curries in particular!

Q: How do you spend your free time?
K M: I spend as much as time as possible with my young son watching him growing and trying to contribute as much as possible to his education.
I keep visiting regularly schools to gain as much experience as possible for when I retire from soccer and becomes the teacher according to my studies at university.

Q: What do you usually drink with your food?
K M: as I can’t drink any alcohol, I consume green tea, sports drinks, although the latter might not be that healthy (laugh)!

Q: Would you like to recommend a restaurant to our fans and readers?
K M: We mentioned in our private conversation prior to this interview a great Osaka-style Takoyaki restaurant called Ebisu in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City whose owner has become a personal friend. Another fine place, inexpensive with nice food and cozy atmosphere, is Onion in Shimizu Ku! Thinking of the name, I feel less guilty for not eating enough vegetables!

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 MEMBERS INTERVIEW: KO MATSUBARA

A young man with an ambition!

Ko Matsubara, born on August 30th 1996, is still a very young (almost 22 years of age) Shimizu S-Pulse player but is already an established member/senior member who has started in most matches so far this year.
He is also a Shizuoka prefecture home-grown player who was playing for the Jubilo JR Iwata Youth team when attending Hamamatsu Kaiseikan High School in Hamamatsu City.
He first appeared for Shimizu S-Pulse in 2015 and has already been selected 3 times for the J League Under-22.
Originally an attacker, he is very versatile player who converted to a dangerous attacking left back constantly taking part in counters apart of being a very effective defender.

Question: Ko, would you care describing yourself?
-Ko Matsubara: I am still young and not very talkative. I still have to learn before expressing myself at ease. One thing is sure: I do not like to lose and may have to control my temper on the pitch.
Off the pitch I concentrate on my interests and am a quiet person.

Q: How often do you go back to your birthplace in Hamamatsu and do you still visit your schools?
K M: I do go back home when on holidays, which means basically only during the off season. I do pay a visit at least once a year to my schools to keep the links with my youth and help out.

Q: What are your hobbies apart of soccer/football?
K M: Computer games, definitely. I play them on my smart phone and easily get lost into them. Recently, after an acquaintance offered me some, I taken a liking to reading books. Being a professional sportsman I do have to take a lot of rest in between exercise, games and physical care, so these hobbies are easy to enjoy.

Q: What fashion do you follow?
K M: Formal or casual, depending on the occasion. I prefer slacks and shirts of the latest fashion. I must admit I do spend quite a big amount of money on clothes as I enjoy being well-dressed. You could say this is another one of my hobbies!

Q: What food do you particularly enjoy?
K M: Sushi and seafood, especially raw seafood! I am always on a look out for a new restaurant, so I would be grateful if you could introduce me to one! Because I have to take care of my physical condition I have started to appreciate vegetables. I have recently developed a special liking for broccoli!

Q: What is your ambition as a soccer/football player?
K M: As high and as far as possible! I know I still have my future ahead of me, but I would like very much to play abroad although that might imply quite an amount of dedication and learning. Naturally, my dream would be to play for the National Japan Eleven!

Q: Dear Ko, thank you so much for sparing your time and I wish you all the best! And who knows, I might have to interview you for a bigger reason one day!
K M: You are most welcome!

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 2018 Season New Team Announcement Meeting

Official Shimizu S-Pulse jerseys for 2018 season!

On January 12th the Shimizu S-Pulse 2018 Season New Team Announcement Meeting took place from 10 a.m. on the 4th floor of the Century Hotel in Shizuoka City!
This was a long-awaited meeting after the near escape 2107 and some needed soul-searching.

It must be said that the club men-in-charge of the club did not disappoint and decided to take the bull by the horns genuinely recognizing the past mistakes and resolutely looking forward.

The President, Vice President and General Manager candidly addressed all issues in a refreshingly positive manner auguring well for the future.

The main points presented by the President were:
-FINANCES:
2027 season budget was almost 34 billion yen and will upgraded to 38.5 billion yen in 2018, 40 billion yen in 2019 and 42 billion yen in 2020.
This is a budget well above the average in the J1 league with a sponsorship total coming 3rd in Japan, general earnings taking 5th place in Japan, sales reaching the 6th spot in japan and the wages taking 9th spot in a league accounting for 18 clubs.
These figures will be upgraded this year and i the next two years with a clearly defined target to aim at a spot in the upper half of the J1 League in 2018, at least better that 7th place in the J! League and best 4 in the Emperor’s Cup Levain Cup and finally aim at the very top in all competitions in 2020!
Shimizu S-Piulse aims at no less than becoming J1 League Champins within 5 years and ACL Champions within 7 years.
For this the budget will reach 45 billion yen by then, with more than 620 sponsors (compared to 500 in 2018)!

-TARGETS:
But the bigger changes to help reach these lofty goals is a marked change of staff and philosophy with the arrivals of Swedish Team manager, Jan Anders Jonsson and his head coach, Yoshiyuki Shinoda!

New Team Manager, Jan Anders Jonsson, who knows Japan well for having already played and coached there prudently avoided offering his own targets asking to fans to wait at least 3 weeks before he gets to know his players better,
Nevertheless he already informed anyone interested that his style will be hands on, focusing on communications and flexibility, taking a direct approach when needed but asking players to think more for themselves especially during training sessions to become more naturally adaptable on the field. He also insisted on team spirit and mutual reliance.

For this he will be ably helped by head coach, Yoshiyuki Shinoda, who in spite of his relatively youth has been a full time high level head coach for no less than 12 years!
This certainly promises high expectations from all the fans who will learn soon that things will be very different indeed!

Finally we were presented the new recruits (except for one who is still awaiting his working visa)*
MF Akihiro HYODO (Jersey No 15), a former Shimizu S-Pulse who has played at the highest level for the last 12 years.
MF Jumpei KUSUKAMI (Jersey No 14), who has played at the highest level for the last 7 years, including a stint in the Australian Top League.
DF HWANG SEOK HO (Jersey No 3), Korean International
GK Yosiaki ARAI (Jersey No 31), a top-class goalkeeper just out of university.
and five young players to nurture for the near future:
MF Yasufumi NISHIMURA (Jersey No 36) from Osaka
FW Daigo TAKAHASHI (Jersey No 37) from Kagoshima
FW Jin HIRATSUKA (Jersey No 33) from Gifu and Shimizu S-Pulse Youth Team
DF Kento ITO (Jersey No 35) from Aichi and Shimizu S-Pulse Youth Team
MF Yuta TAKI (Jersey No 34) from Mishima City in Shizuoka refecture and Shimizu S-Pulse Youth Team

Expect a few more interviews 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