There are high expectations for a second-year professional dribbler. J1 Albirex Niigata midfielder Okumura Hitoshi (24) came on as a substitute in the match against Kawasaki F (1-3) on the 25th, scoring his second goal of the season with an additional time of the second half, 0-3. Goalkeeper Tashiro Ryuga got out of the long feed and got back with his right foot.

In the first match of new manager Irie Toru, Okumura started on the bench for the first time in 11 games. The average starting lineup is 29.36, the oldest of the season, and five experienced players in their 30s, including 32-year-old midfielder Takagi Yoshiro, who had limited playing time during his predecessor, coach Kimori Daisuke, and forward Yuji Ono, have started five players in their 30s. With three days in the previous match, 24-year-old Okumura, who had been on the pitch as a key player, was eliminated from starting pitcher.

The 168cm dribbler came on as a substitute in the 21st minute of the second half, with a 0-2 turn. When he held the ball, he actively set off and created a rhythm to his attack. In the 27th minute, he cut into the center from the left side and took a mid-range shot from the right foot, hitting the post directly. In the 41st minute, forward Ota Shusuke made a pass that led to a scoring opportunity. He once again proved himself an indispensable player as a starting pitcher, and scored the final goal.

Last season, when he was in his first year at university, he played in 730 minutes of 16 games and assisted with 0 points. This season he has taken the regular position of the left-side half and played in 1,157 minutes of 20 games. He has been involved in many opportunities with his agile play, but as he himself realizes that his accuracy has declined in the final quality, he lacks the accuracy of his essential shots and final pass, and only scores two goals and assists.

In Niigata, small attackers such as midfielder Homma Shion (now Certain Osaka) and midfielder Minode Shunsuke (now Sparta) made a strong impact in the past. There are 17 league games left this season. As Okumura escapes from the J2 relegation zone, he is now required to see the goal, assist and visible numbers as Albi's new face.[Ishikawa Hidekazu](Nickan Sports.com/Soccer Column “Analytical Cooking”)