Slots sharing between the South American Football Confederation and the Japanese Federation, the Suruga Cup will have the decision of its 2018 edition on Wednesday, August 8. At Kincho Stadium in Osaka, the Japanese representative will face the Independiente, champion of the 2017 version of the South American Cup. The kickoff is scheduled for 7am (Brasília time). The definition happens in a single match. In case of a tie, extension and penalty shootout can be used to determine the winner.
Osaka recent performance
Winner of the Japanese League Cup in the 2017 season, Cerezo Ozaka won for the first time the right to compete in the Suruga Cup, which won that name due to the bank sponsoring the match.
The team also did well in the Japanese Championship that year. He finished third in the J-League with 63 points (19 wins, 6 draws and 9 losses). It was nine fewer than Kawasaki, champion, and Kashima Antlers, vice.
The current season has been much harder for the team, which has not won six games (three draws and three losses) of the Japanese Championship. With 29 points (seven wins, eight draws and seven losses), he takes seventh place away from Hiroshima 16 points. With 14 days remaining, the possibility of reaching the title is negligible.
Thus, the focus of Cerezo Osaka is even in the canopies. In the Emperor’s Cup, the team secured the passage to the round of 16. It will face, on August 22, the Kofu. It also follows in the fight for the bi in the Japan Cup. It guaranteed its passage to the quarterfinals. His next opponent will be Shonan. Games are scheduled for 5 (one way) and 9 (return) September.
Directed by South Korean coach Jung-Hwan Yoon, Cerezo Osaka counts in his squad with Brazilian midfielder Souza (eight games in the 2018 season of J-League, one goal).
The current form of Independiente
The Independiente won two continental cups last season. In addition to the victory at Sula, he also won the Recopa Sul Americana. This type of competition is a fundamental part of the history of the club, which was the team most champions of the Copa Libertadores of America.
The period of dispute of the Suruga Cup, nevertheless, makes that the match is considered like a training of luxury. Adepta of the calendar in the European system, the Independent is in its preseason. Since returning from vacation, he has only made an official match. On July 20, for the Argentine Cup, thrashed Central Ballester by 8 to 0.
It should debut in the Argentine Championship next Sunday, August 12, against San Martin de Tucumán. However, his participation in the Copa Suruga made the match postponed. The new date has not yet been marked. Thus, Independiente will begin its campaign in the 2018/2019 season of the Argentine Superliga only on August 24, against the Defense and Justice.
Before that, you will still have three commitments to be met by cups. He will play the National Supercup with Newell’s Old Boys; will take Santos in the Round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores of America and will cross with the Brown Adrogue for the Argentine Cup.
Independiente disputed the Suruga Cup in its 2011 edition against Júbilo Iwata. After a 2-2 draw at regular time, he lost the trophy in the penalty shootout.
Final pick for Osaka vs. Independiente
The recent weak retrospect of Cerezo Osaka and the tradition of the Independiente in the dispute of the glasses makes the prognosis in the victory of the Argentine team, which presents more technical quality, will be indicated as the best for bets in the duel scheduled for the morning of this Wednesday .
Independiente to Win – 3.20
