[Analytical Cuisine]Niigata aims to establish a “victory equation” with new strengths. There are no 1-0 to 2-0 yet this season – Analytical Cuisine – Soccer Column: Nikkan Sports

First move is sure to win. They are able to score the opening goal needed to establish the winning formula. J1 Albirex Niigata drew 1-1 with Kawasaki F at home on the 16th. They took the lead in the beginning, and midfielder Shirai Nagachi, who joined the team mid-season, took the lead in the 7th minute of the first half, took the lead from a vivid collaboration. However, they were caught up just before the end of the first half and were unable to earn another 3 points.

This is the 13th game this season, and they have three wins, six draws, and four losses. The winning rate (window rate = number of wins / number of matches) is only 23.1%, the lowest in the league. No team in J1 since 2000 has had a winning percentage of less than 30% in the first game, and it is clear that Niigata has a major problem with the fight after the lead this season. Supporters are also unable to be happy by letting go of the opening goal.

Although they took the lead in the first half in 10 of their 13 games, they have not yet scored an additional goal 1-0 to widen their lead. The second goal is far away, and they were caught up in the first half in seven of the 10 games that took the lead in the first half, missing three points. Manager Irie Toru, who was the first person to gain one point since becoming manager, regretted, saying, “The good start of the game continued from the previous match, and we were able to score from the target shape. After that, the result was that we were unable to add points today.”

Still, 13 first-take games meant that they were tied for sixth place in the league. Not only FW Buda, but also new players such as midfielder Ohara Motoki and midfielder Mateus Moraes, who made the first goal in their first appearance since their transfer, were active in the match against Kawasaki F. With seven players joining this summer, the team is showing signs of rising, but there are 12 games left. The situation remains tough, and there are still many corrections to be made on both offensive and defensive sides.[Ishikawa Hidekazu](Nickan Sports.com/Soccer Column “Analytical Cooking”)