Le Mans 3-1 Troyes

Daisuke Matsui scored two beautiful goals in the first half to give his team a comfortable and much needed victory in this away game. The first goal was came from a pretty sideways right footed heel shot when a pass off a corner came to him just as he had his back to the goal. The second goal was a rather dynamic and high volley off his left foot as Daisuke stretched to reach. He kept firmly within the defense line while reacting smoothly to a ball headed towards the goal area. Both goals reflected that particular Daisuke flavor that Le Mans supporters have grown to appreciate, lightness and flexibility. When questioned after the game about the difficult volley shot, Matsui said that goals like that sometimes go in so effortlessly and sometimes just won't go in. Though many had their hopes on a third from him in the second half, it was not to be this day. Matsui started and played the full 90 minutes. Le Mans raised their position to 7th. >>Video highlights -- right-click and save

On the 17th, Le Mans won a PK shoot-out 3-2 against Ligue 2 Gueugnon to make it to the semi finals of the domestic Cup after the game remained at 1-1 at the end of the extended period. Matsui was sent in during the second half and also kicked one of the PKs. >>Right-click and save: PK shootout entire video

Heracles 2-1 RBC

Sota Hirayama scored yet another goal -- his 7th of the season so far. A cross from the right met perfectly with Hirayama's head as he sailed towards the goal. The ball scraping past the goalie's fingers to goal right.

Hirayama was unable to score during his last game against AZ, ending his three gamae streak. He commented that playing a top team like AZ he may have gotten too tense and was unable to play naturally. Heracles has a very simple strategy when it comes to their attack, given their relative strength in the league, but perhaps because of that they have been able to utilize Hirayama's height and strength in the air and post plays effectively. And because of the simplicity of their aims, Hirayama knows when and where to expect the ball. In this game against RBC, he said that he was able to play more naturally and relaxed. However, he was subbed out of the game in the second half after colliding with the opponent, and after he began to lose the ball frequently.

Things are not completely peachy for the the youngster. Now that he's had time to settle in at the club, he may have gotten a little too comfortable with his situation. Recently, he was reprimanded by the coaching staff and captain Hoogma for his lack of full effort during training. When he first went to the Netherlands, it was all he could do to keep up with the training pace and the players around him. But now that he's gotten used to all that, he has admitted that the coaches were correct in getting angry, and that he will put 100% into the practices.
>>Right-click and download Hirayama goal

Celtic 3-1 Motherwell

I thought Shunsuke Nakamura would be rested for this one following his absences from practice this past week due to a virus. Despite his fever and stuffed nose, he did show up for the final practice ahead of the game, even saying that it was refreshing to be out and practicing.

But his poor health was reflected in the match, and Shunsuke was unable to make his usual mark on the team. Manager Strachan changed things around by introducing a 4-3-3 system. The team was able to make their chances count and get the goals they needed, and initial reports from Celtic supporters seem to indicate that the defensive work and overall energy was better than it has been lately. I wonder if Strachan will insist on the 4-back defense line or whether it is a matter of who he has available on the roster. Shunsuke was substituted out at 62 minutes, I think it's his second earliest substitution this season. >>Click for game highlights

Grenoble 0-0 Gueugnon

Masashi Oguro had his home debut this weekend. 16 minutes into the second half, he appeared in front of the Grenoble crowd and gave enough of a promising performance to inspire an "Oguro" chant from the spectators. Though the manager was clearly disappointed that Oguro has yet to score a goal, he commented that Oguro played effectively and with speed, demanding into the game with aggressiveness, bringing hope to the supporters. There was one instance where the former Gamba goalgetter found himself face to face with the goalie, but linesmen called him offsides. Unfortunately, his name made it to the match report not for a goal, but for his first yellow card after sliding and tackling the opponent... Last season in the J1, Oguro did not receive one caution.

Mallorca 2-2 Deportivo

Yoshito Okubo scored his first goal of the season. Mallorca was down 2-0 at halftime, but six minutes after returning to the pitch, Okubo created the momentum for the draw by (finally) finding the net.