Sakura Osaka beat Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 on Sunday, and has only lost once in the last 6 rounds of league matches, which is like the blooming of cherry blossoms on a spring day. This good performance is due to the solidity of the team's backline, and Sakura's recent defensive performance is more unbreakable than ever.
Hiromitsu Okuno, the backbone of the midfield, will once again be the key to win the game with his stable play and excellent skills. However, if the defense in the middle of the midfield fails to reach the expected high level, Sakura will be in a tough battle against the hard-working opponents like Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima lost 1-2 against FC Tokyo in the last round, ending their undefeated streak in the last 7 rounds of league matches. The loss was partly due to Sanfrecce's inability to make effective decisions against FC Tokyo's impenetrable defense, failing to show their proper level of play.
The focus of the match will be on the right side of Sanfrecce's defense, as Kusumi Koshido will be in a fierce battle with Sakura's left wingman Ryosuke Yamanaka. If Kusumi has to defend too often, Sanfrecce's attacking prowess will be greatly reduced, so he will have to be assertive.
Given Sakura Osaka's recent improvement on the defensive end, I think Hiroshima will face a tough test in this match, especially in the midfield battle. While both sides may struggle to perform at their best on the offensive end, expect a 1-1 draw with a point each.
