Frode Johnsen saves the day

They may have waited ten rounds to see it, but Frode Johnsen's first ever goal for Shimizu S-Pulse was a vital one, as the Norwegian struck a critical reply in Shimizu's 2-2 draw at home to JEF United.

Some 15,129 fans braved driving rain in Shimizu and the home fans among them will have left the happier, after substitute Johnsen pulled a goal back with ten minutes remaining. The former Norwegian international also played a role in Shimizu's equaliser just two minutes from time, as Takuma Edamura slid home on the rebound after Masahiro Okamoto could only parry a point-blank strike from another substitute in Kazuki Hara.

Before that the Chiba Dogs had taken a two goal lead, as first Daisuke Saito took advantage of a lucky richochet off Shimizu defender Naoaki Aoyama, before lashing home on the volley just after the half hour mark.

JEF United then doubled their advantage some nine minutes after the half-time break, as a swirling Tatsuya Yazawa cross was headed home in textbook fashion by slightly-built Brazilian midfielder Michael.

United were in control of this game, but they will rue missed chances in front of goal as the hosts roared back to life late on in this match, thanks mainly to the contribution of substitutes Hara and Johnsen.

Johnsen's goal was a well-taken one in slippery conditions, although a deflection off United talisman Seiichiro Maki seemed to wrong-foot Okamoto in the United goal.

With two minutes remaining and the visitors pouring forward at every opportunity, Johnsen then did well to hold the ball up on the edge of the area and lure former Shimizu defender Takumi Wada into a mis-timed challenge, before intelligently laying the ball off for captain Akihiro Hyodo to send a skidding pass across the six yard box. Kazuki Hara was the quickest to react, but after seeing his shot well-saved by Okamoto, the ball looped in the air and allowed Takuma Edamura to pounce and slide home on the half-volley.

This may have been a morale-boosting comeback for Shimizu S-Pulse, but questions will once again be asked of how the league's second-from-bottom team could outplay the hosts for large stretches of this match.

The wet weather made conditions tough for both sides, and having faced four gruelling clashes in Golden Week so far, it remains to be seen how Kenta Hasegawa's team holds up when they make the trip to Kashima Stadium to face defending champions Kashima Antlers on Sunday afternoon.