Niigata won home for the first time in about eight months since September last year, and wins Shonan 2-1
◇ Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 18 Niigata 2-1 Shonan (25th May 2025 Denka Big Swan Stadium)
Niigata won Shonan 2-1, winning their first home win of the season. This is the first time he has won at home since the match against Shonan last September, and manager Kimori's first home victory was three points for the first time.
Niigata's forward Taniguchi and midfielder Omi, who started in the Levain Cup match against Tokyo V on the 21st, started in three days in a row. In the 12th minute of the first half, Omi shook the net but was judged to be offside. In the 20th minute, FW Felippi gave the lead a long shot, but in the 31st minute, they passed from the back, and Taniguchi finally pushed in and tied the game.
I've been confused about how to fight in the last few games. In particular, the entire team did not communicate with the opponents of the high press, whether to connect the ball or send it behind them, and in the previous match they were completely defeated by Okayama. He was also eliminated from the Levain Cup, which was runner-up last season. Still, while exchanging opinions with the players, Coach Kimori showed his attitude of fighting in a solid build-up style just like he did until last season, and entered the child's match.
That was achieved in the 26th minute of the second half. He connected with midfielder Okumura and Taniguchi on the left side, and Omi calmly scored a comeback. They fought tenaciously in the final minutes, earning their first win in four matches. The supporters, who had been waiting for a home victory, garnered a huge applause at the moment of victory. He is ranked 19th in the relegation zone, but he earned three points, a stepping stone to make a comeback.
