Gifu and Tokushima Vortis played out a 0:0 draw in the Round of 128 of the J-League Cup on Tuesday. The match stretched into extra time before both sides settled for a point each. To be fair, neither side offered much in the way of clear chances.
Gifu took the lead in the first half through possession but struggled to convert. Tokushima controlled 55 per cent of the ball and registered six shots on target, yet could not find the net. There is the thing — plenty of possession meant little without penetration.
Yellow cards accumulated as the game wore on. D. Hirase received the first caution in the 33rd minute, while H. Suzuki and T. Yamaguchi joined him before half-time. Tokushima's own discipline issues emerged later, with K. Hagino and H. Tanaka both booked after 90 minutes.
Substitutions came thick and fast once the match reached the 46th minute. Tokushima made three changes in the 73rd minute alone, bringing on Kim Yu-Geon, J. Tell and L. Izuchukwu. Gifu responded with their own alterations, including H. Suzuki and J. Miyazaki on the hour mark.
Statistics tell a simple story. Gifu managed 103 attacks compared to Tokushima's 106, but neither side could break through. The visitors had more corners and more shots, yet the scoreboard remained unchanged by the final whistle.
The result leaves both teams in the hunt for progression, though neither has yet secured advancement. Gifu arrive here following mixed form, including a 1:3 defeat to Cerezo Osaka last week. Tokushima come off a 1:0 win over Oita Trinita and a 3:0 victory in their previous outing.
