Idol Cup 2014

[bluewind78]

Welcome to the Stadium Pacifico Yokohama where we'll have a cracker of a game this evening between the surprise packages of this tournament so far. Both sides today have emerged out of their group stages undefeated and are looking into cruising past the quarter-finals of the Idol Cup 2014. It remains to be seen if REAL BERIKYUU can continue their winning streak in this knock-out stage of the competition, after the experienced veterans brushed aside CF MORNING MUSUME 3-1 in a hard-fought victory last week. So without wasting time, let's have a look at the lineup:

REAL BERIKYUU FC




As you can see here, team manager MAKOTO was not taking any chances today by not deviating from his usual 4-3-1-2 formation. Hagiwara Mai returns from an ankle injury just in time to take Tsugunaga Momoko's place as left-back after the latter was sent off in that previous match against the younger Musumes. Captain Shimizu has announced that this will be her last tournament before retiring from the idol football scene for good, so they are definitely going to up their game here tonight. Strike partners Yajima Maimi and Okai Chisato, who are currently the joint top scorers with 22 goals between them in this competition, will as usual look to the services of their fellow C-ute playmaker Suzuki Airi lurking just behind them, supplying them with the creative attacking passes that have helped earned the two the reputation of being one of the formidable strike partnerships in the idol footballing world. Midfield general Shimizu will, as usual dictate the rhythm of play for their side from central midfield. The inspirational captain is hoping their club will end this season on a high note. Once again, the Berikyuus will be relying on the speed of Nakajima and Tokunaga from the left and right wings respectively. Tokunaga, in particular, have been looking particularly threatening down the right flank, and it's anybody's guess who their adversaries will look to in an attempt to contain the speedy midfield winger. Sudo, as usual, will serve a holding role both in central midfield and central defence. A reliable character who was so successful in foiling attacks before the opponents could reach the last half of her field, she is instrumental in marshalling the defence jointly with Sugaya Risako assisting her. Natsuyaki, a player who seemed to have a telephatic understanding with right-winger Tokunaga, will once again make her presence felt both upfield and in defence. Kumai, the obvious and only choice for keeper, once again keeps her place in the team as the trusted custodian of goal.


SUMAJUICE UNITED




Undoubtedly the product of a renowned youth system, SUMAJUICE was once touted as the future of Hello Project football by the legendary Tsunku himself. After her sterling performance against FAIRIES FC two days earlier, Uemura Akari will hope to repeat the feat of maintaining a clean sheet this evening, being in goal for SUMAJUICE UNITED. Takeuchi and Nakanishi will take on the defensive duties of marking and containing the threat of their opponent's two deadly strikers, Yajima and Okai. They will be assisted by the wingbacks Tamura Meimi on the right and Katsuta Rina to the left. Tamura, often criticized for making too many runs further upfield to assist in attacks, will be hoping Takagi Sayuki, playing on the same right side of midfield, comes back into the game with full fitness. Juice=Juice leader Miyazaki Yuka will be designated central playmaker today, perhaps an experimental decision to switch the style of attack to empower the aggressive and prodigal Kanazawa Tomoko the chance to play as an attacking midfielder, a role Kanatomo clearly relish as she already has 4 goals to her name this season despite being a midfield player. Captain Wada Ayaka will start this game on the left flank of this orthodox 4-4-2 setup, supplying the quality crosses that have enabled Miyamoto Karin and her fellow forward Fukuda Kanon score vital winning goals against other more experienced senior sides.


So how will this game shape up? It is experience against the flair and youth. Stay tuned with us as the two sides prepare for this epic encounter