Street Fighter League Japan Results And Standings Division S (Day 10)

The final matchday was full of drama. 

The three matches to happen were:

• Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto vs DetonatioN FocusMe
• Shinobism Gaming vs NagoyaNTPOJA
• Good 8 Squad vs FUKUSHIMA IBUSHIGIN

Game 1: Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto vs DetonatioN FocusMe

• Nemo (Bison) 2 vs Itabashi Zangief (Zangief) 0
• Fuudo (Ed) 1 vs Machabo (Akuma) 2
• Higuchi (Guile) 2 vs John Takeuchi (Rashid)  3

While DetonatioN FocusMe are already out of the running for the playoffs, they had the chance to play spoiler to Saishunkan Sol. With the rivalry between Nemo and Itabashin Zangief, there was a lot of incentive for DFM to play the spoiler role and they relished in it. Itazan lost to Nemo in the rival match and that set SSK on a great path, but their dreams were dashed thanks to a great win by Machabo over Fuudo. The anchor match saw Higuchi play John Takeuchi. Higuchi has been in red-hot form all through this season and his first match against John was a blowout. But with some very, very meticulous spacing and whiff punishing, John Takeuchi found a way and won against Higuchi. 

This gave SSK only 10 points and in danger of missing out on the playoffs if Shinobism Gaming can get a very good result. 

Final Scores

Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto (10) vs DetonatioN FocusMe (30)

Game 2: Shinobism Gaming vs NagoyaNTPOJA

• Yamaguchi (Ed) 0 vs Mocchi (Akuma) 2
• Fujimura (Akuma) 1 vs Otani (Akuma) 2
• Momochi (Ed) 3 vs Kei.B (Bison) 0
• Momochi (Ed) 0 vs Tachikawa (Manon) 1

Shinobism had their fate in their hands and as long as they won all their games, they would be in a very good place to make the playoffs. They would have felt they were in a good position with how bad NagoyaNTPOJA have been this season. However, the underdogs with no horse in the race really hit hard with Mocchi, who was yet to get a win this season,  getting his first victory over Yamaguchi. Things went from bad to worse when Otani defeated Fujimura. With everything looking in shambles, Momochi stepped up and like the leader he is, won his match. 

Although, he lost the tie-breaker, he at least got his team 20 points. Things look precarious for Shinobism, but the final match of the day will make things clearer. 

Final Scores

Shinobism Gaming (20) vs NagoyaNTPOJA (25)

Game 3: Good 8 Squad vs FUKUSHIMA IBUSHIGIN

• YHC-Mochi (Dhalsim) 1 vs Yanai (Bison) 2
• Pugera (Bison) 0 vs Sasamo (Ed) 2
• Gachikun (Rashid) 3 vs Kakeru (Bison) 1
• Kawano (Akuma) 0 vs Sasamo (Ed) 1

The final game was between two teams that were hoping to book a favorable position in the playoffs. With Shinobism's loss, all IBUSHIGIN needed was at least 10 points and they got that right off the bat with Yanai getting a win over YHC-Mochi. Sasamo, who was their best player on the day, got a win against Pugera and Kakeru was up to bat with a win for him meaning a top of the table finish for IBUSHIGIN. But against Gachikun, he was unable to get the win and the game was tied. 

The tie-breaker was still an important match as a win would give IBUSHIGIN the home advantage in the playoffs. Again, it was Sasamo that delivered defeating Kawano to win the match for his team. With this, IBUSHIGIN finish second place on the table and have the home advantage when they face Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto. 

Final Scores

Good 8 Squad (25) vs FUKUSHIMA IBUSHIGIN (20)

The playoffs will take place on the 21st and 22nd of December 2024 with IBUSHIGIN playing Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto who will be away from home and then the winner of that match will face Good 8 Squad who will be home. The same will happen over on the Division F side with the winners of both playoffs fighting it out in the Grand Final which will be in February 2025.