Mito 1 - 3 Gifu

Mito is now 4 games without a win with an uninspired performance only slightly better than the Tochigi match. At least in this match Mito played solidly if unspectacularly for most of the first match and the last stretch of the second, but chances went largely unfulfilled. Mito's goal came from Takasaki with only a few minutes to go as Yoshihara juked past a Gifu defender, crossed into the penalty area, and Takasaki headed a bouncing shot that curled in as if thrown by a cricket bowler. This lit a fire under the Mito side to try to score the tying goal, but in that exuberance they allowed Gifu's last, game securing goal in injury time.

While Tosu won to move past Mito on goal difference, Mito was fortunate to have both Kofu and Shonan lose this round. The point gap for 3rd place is the same as it was before the loss, and still Mito can be promoted by winning 3 games more than Kofu and Shonan in the home stretch and having a better record than Tosu. The Tosu match coming up on Wednesday at Kasamatsu becomes huge and a win there would keep Mito in the race. A Tosu win, combined with top team wins, could end that hope. Although statistically any team in the top 12 right now is mathematically possible for promotion.

One of the reasons for the less than clockwork performance could be the travel. Because of the traffic expected on the long holiday, the team did not travel by bus on the highway but woke up early and took the express train and first bullet train toward Nagoya. I would find out later that the players were less than perfectly rested and comfortable.

Yoshiahara would be very charismatic and entertaining (although not very insightful) as guest on the After Game Show on SkyPerfecTV which also featured lots of Mito information.