[Analytical Cuisine]Niigata's first scoreless goals for 4 matches in 15 years, but “An unfortunate scene with corner kicks” and “set plays are important” – Analytical Cuisine – Soccer Column: Nikkan Sports

Albirex Niigata, the lowest in J1, drew 0-0 with Nagoya at home on the 23rd. They stopped losing streak at 4, but they didn't win 12 games. With seven games remaining, they are seven points behind the remaining area. He was heavily defended with defender Hayakawa Fumiya (31) and was able to concede a goal for the first time in 12 games, but he scored no goals in four consecutive games. This is the club's first humiliation in 15 years since rounds 3-6 of 2010 that they have not scored goals in four matches in J1.

Hayakawa, who struggled as the game captain, said after the match, “I think it's great that he was strong forward for 90 minutes, and as a defensive player, he was able to hold him to zero. There was a close call in the corner kick, so I'm aiming to be a player who can score and make the team win.”

It's true that as a team there were many chances to be corner kicked. However, following the match against Yokohama FC on the 20th, when 10 corner kicks were unstoppable, they were unable to score in the match against Nagoya that day, earning five corner kicks, surpassing one of their opponents, but were unable to reach the goal. The teams competing for the top J1 this season have recorded around 10 points from set pieces so far. Meanwhile, Niigata has not scored a single goal that pinpoints corner kicks and free kicks.

Set plays that increase importance. In the top English Premier League, Arsenal has strengthened set pieces to improve their scoring capabilities. In the corner kick, multiple people suddenly moved from the far side to the near side and screwed them in, making them screw. The Japanese national team is also strengthening, and manager Moriyasu Kazushi said, “If we score one point, the flow can sometimes come. Even when we reach the top level, set pieces will be important.” It is clear that Niigata is also designing mainly with coaches, but I hope they get results soon.[Ishikawa Hidekazu](Nickan Sports.com/Soccer Column “Analytical Cooking”)