Preview: Yokohama F. Marinos’ key central defender returns from suspension as Sanfrecce Hiroshima loses midfielder to transfer

On June 19 at 6 pm, J1 League Matchday 13 fixture sees Yokohama F. Marinos host Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

In their last J1 League match, Marinos lost 1-3 at home to Machida Zelvia, with Yosuke Ideguchi scoring the opener in the 14th minute. However, without Eduardio, their defense struggled against aerial attacks and ultimately let the points slip away. After the match, manager Kevin Muscat apologized, saying, “Machida played very well in the second half, and we didn’t put in the effort. That’s the issue.” Fans, however, were not satisfied, with many staying behind to criticize the players on the pitch.

Marinos currently sit in 13th place with a record of 5 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, 14 points behind the title race despite having two games in hand. The team’s campaign has been affected by their ACL commitments. At home, they have a record of 2 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, conceding an average of 1 goal per game, showing slightly better defensive performance than away matches. They recently advanced in the Emperor’s Cup after a hard-fought penalty shootout victory over FC Gifu, meaning they will face a busy schedule with three competitions ongoing.

For this match, Marinos’ central defender Eduardio returns from suspension, but there are doubts about Brazilian forward Elber’s availability after he was left out of the previous squad. Additionally, rumors suggest that top scorer Anderson Lopes received offers from the Middle East during the break, with his future uncertain.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima, on the other hand, secured a 4-1 win over Tokyo Verdy in their last league fixture, with striker Eder scoring twice. Substitute forward Douglas Viera also netted against his former club, indicating a return to form. Manager Hajime Moriyasu praised his team’s performance and expressed hope for younger players to step up amid several departures or injuries. Sanfrecce is currently fifth in the standings, 9 points off the top, unbeaten in 8 away matches (2 wins, 6 draws). They’ve also progressed in both the J.League Cup (eliminating FC Tokyo) and Emperor’s Cup (defeating YSCC Social FC). Sanfrecce will face a similar multi-tournament challenge.

Midfielder Takumi Kanamori bid farewell to home fans in the recent match, while center-back Hiraoki Abe may join Standard Liège in Belgium. Substitute defensive midfielder Atsuki Ito, a former international, is set to join Thai side Buriram United, expressing dissatisfaction with his substitute role and requesting a transfer.

In their previous 20 encounters, Yokohama F. Marinos hold a slight advantage with 8 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses. In this fixture, Marinos, searching for redemption after recent setbacks, will face a Hiroshima side that, despite personnel changes, is in better form. What fireworks can we expect from this encounter?

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