Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Gamba Osaka were both celebrating three points in the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE on Sunday, Hiroshima after winning 4-0 away to Yokohama FC and G-Osaka after picking up their first win in six matches with a 2-0 victory over FC TOKYO.
Kosuke Kinoshita got Hiroshima up and running with a close-range header from a corner in the 17th minute at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium - his first MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE goal for the club after joining from Kashiwa Reysol.
Mutsuki Kato doubled the visitors’ lead six minutes later, anticipating a mistake in the Yokohama FC backline and slotting beyond goalkeeper Phelipe Megiolaro after the ball fell to him in the area.
Hiroshima didn’t let up and Naoto Arai made it 3-0 in the 39th minute, flicking in a header at the far post after a floated ball into the box from deep by Sota Nakamura.
Yokohama FC came out swinging at the start of the second half as they looked to find a way back into the contest, and they hit the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds in the 61st minute.
First, Yuri Lara’s header from a corner came back off the bar, then Boniface Nduka’s attempt after the ball found its way to him at the back post struck the upright after a deflection.
That was to be as close as the hosts came though, and Kinoshita wrapped up the win for Hiroshima with 15 minutes remaining to lift his side up into third place, five points behind leaders Kashima with a game in hand. Yokohama FC remain second bottom.
Meanwhile, G-Osaka almost got off to a fast start at Panasonic Stadium Suita, but a combination of Go Hatano and Sei Muroya pulled off a remarkable block to deny Takashi Usami from point-blank range in the ninth minute.
Usami couldn’t be stopped in the 33rd minute though, as he bent a sensational free-kick in at the near post from 25 yards out to give G-Osaka the lead.
Keita Endo went close to equalising with a free-kick of his own seven minutes later, but couldn’t quite get it to dip enough and it dropped just over the bar.
FC TOKYO had a golden opportunity from the penalty spot seven minutes into the second half, but Jun Ichimori was equal to Marcelo Ryan’s spot-kick, saving well down to his left.
Takeru Kishimoto then made the points safe for G-Osaka in the third minute of stoppage time, guiding a rebound deftly home after Hatano had initially saved Juan Alano’s shot from the edge of the area.
Yokohama FC vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 21
Gamba Osaka vs. FC TOKYO - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 21
