Sagan Tosu could not get reward from their attacking performance at Matsumoto Stadium on J-League 1 Saturday fixture. A single first-half goal by Dazen Maeda (10’) was enough for promoted side Matsumoto Yamaga to get the all three points of the game after a defensive display. Fernando Torres formed on Lluis Carreras and played the full 90 minutes of the game.

Sagan Tosu claimed possession from the early start and tried to build opportunities for the attacking line, with Torres and Kanazaki up front. But locals made the first blood at 10’ when Daizen Maeda beat Okubo. Sagan Tosu maintained the high pressure over Murayama’s with efforts from Torres and Kanazaki Mu, but he could avoid an equaliser with fine saves to Torres low drive and Yoshiki Takahashi’s header before the break.

After the break Hideto Takahashi tried to kick-start Sagan Tosu with a right footed drive from the edge of the box. Also a counterattack by Torres broke the defensive trap of Matsumoto defence, but Kanazaki could not connect a clear shot inside the box to beat Murayama. Several crosses from left and right flanks neither found the back of the net so finally Sagan Tosu headed back home empty-handed.


- Match stats:

Matsumoto Yamaga: Murayama, Hashiuchi, Lida, Ryo Takahashi, Imai, Paulinho, Miyasaka (Fujita 77’), Tanaka, Nakami, Maeda (Sugimoto 84’), Pereira (Nagai 69’).

Sagan Tosu: Okubo, Galovic (Yong-Woo 75’), Youji Takahashi, Mitsumaru, Hideto Takahashi, Hara, Matsuoka (Harawaka 58’), Yoshiki Takahashi, Cuenca, Fernando Torres, Kanazaki (Toyoda 84’).

Bookings: Fujita 77’.

Goals:

1-0 (10’) Daizen Maeda.