[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Sanfrecce Hiroshima Staying in the Title Hunt

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Heading into the J.League's slate of weekend matches on Saturday and Sunday, August 24 and 25, Sanfrecce Hiroshima led the 20-team circuit with 48 goals in the 2024 season.

Scoring the most goals is, of course, often a key ingredient in the recipe for success on the pitch.

But what about Sanfrecce's defense?

Manager Michael Skibbe's squad has allowed the second-fewest goals (26) this season, sharing that distinction with Avispa Fukuoka.

Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising that three-time J.League champion Hiroshima (2012, 2013 and '15) is in the title hunt this season.

Sanfrecce are riding a five-match winning streak heading into their Sunday showdown with Kashiwa Reysol at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, which opened in 2024. Kickoff is 6:30 PM.

And German boss Skibbe's side is in second place with 49 points (13 wins, 10 draws, four defeats). Eleven matches remain on its schedule.

Promoted FC Machida Zelvia, playing their first season in the J.League first division, aka J1, have 53 points (16 wins, five draws, six defeats). Over their past five matches, Zelvia had mixed results (in succession): win, loss, draw, loss, win.

Also in the hunt for the title are the Kashima Antlers (48 points), Gamba Osaka (47) and Vissel Kobe (46).

A Quick Look at Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Win Streak

Sanfrecce, meanwhile, are playing steady, quality soccer of late, outsourcing opponents 10-2 during their five-match win streak. It started with a 1-0 triumph over Avispa on July 14, then a 4-1 decision over Sagan Tosu on July 21.

On August 7, Sanfrecce edged Tokyo Verdy 1-0, followed by a 2-0 win against Cerezo Osaka four days later, with German-born newcomer Tolgay Arslan, a veteran midfielder, scoring twice (78th and 85th minutes).

The Hiroshima franchise kept its win streak alive by topping Nagoya Grampus 2-1 on August 17, getting goals from defender Hayato Araki (48th minute) and Mutsuki Kato (55th).

Kasper Junker scored for Grampus in the 88th minute to spoil the shutout bid at Toyota Stadium.

In their first encounter this season, Sanfrecce defeated Zelvia 2-1 at Machida Gion Stadium on April 3.

The rivals' much-anticipated rematch is set for September 28 in Hiroshima.

Top Goalscorers for Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Standout forward Yuki Ohashi, 28, left Sanfrecce in late July to join English Football League Championship squad Blackburn Rovers. He had 11 goals and three assists in 22 matches this season. Now he has two goals in his first two matches for the English second-tier club.

With Ohashi's departure, Sanfrecce Hiroshima are relying on other players to ignite the offense. This includes defender Naoto Arai and Cypriot forward Pieros Sotiriou, who are second and third on the team's goalscoring chart with six and five.

Midfielder Shunki Higashi is a vital catalyst for the offense with six assists to date in J.League matches. That puts him one shy of the league lead.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima Display Consistent Play Under Skibbe

Skibbe was named the J.League Manager of the Year in 2022, his first season in charge. Sanfrecce finished third in 2022, were the championship runners-up in the Emperor's Cup, and they won the YBC Levain Cup (also known as the J.League Cup) that year.

In 2023, Skibbe guided Hiroshima to another third-place finish in J1.

In evaluating his team's performance against Cerezo Osaka on August 11, Skibbe gave a detailed assessment to reporters. And the remarks below appear to capture the essence of his overall views on the team's 2024 season.

"I think it was a good game in a tense J.League match, and when you play against Cerezo Osaka, home or away, it is a really tense and close game," Skibbe told reporters. "In the end, I think we created more clear-cut chances than they did, and we were able to score two goals and win the game.

"I am very satisfied with the team's performance today."

On offense and on defense, Sanfrecce's win over Cerezo highlighted the team's strengths.

"We were able to defend compactly throughout the game, and I am satisfied with our attacking performance," Skibbe commented. "I think the second half in particular was excellent."

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.