Two more 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE sides were dealt early exits in the Emperor's Cup JFA 105th Japan Football Championship 1st Round on Sunday, as RB Omiya Ardija lost 1-0 to the University of Tsukuba and FC Imabari fell to a 2-0 defeat against Kagoshima United FC of the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE.
Omiya have been flying high in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE this season but found themselves stunned at home by the University of Tsukuba, who secured a place in the 2nd Round thanks to Rando Hiroi’s 40th-minute header.
Kagoshima’s passage was sealed by two late goals inside seven minutes at ASICS SATOYAMA STADIUM. Substitute Charles Nduka put the visitors ahead in the 79th minute, before Keito Kawamura made the victory safe in the 86th.
Another university side gave their J.League opponents a scare in Toyama, although Kataller Toyama of the MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE recovered after falling behind to Juntendo University to claim a 2-1 win. Yuto Oi gave Juntendo University the lead after 16 minutes, but Shosei Usui equalised for Toyama in the 67th minute and Manato Furukawa completed the comeback three minutes later.
There were goals galore at TOHO Stadium, meanwhile, as Fukushima United FC cruised past Tokyo International University 9-1. Kota Mori, Hiroki Higuchi, and Ryoma Ishii all claimed braces for Fukushima, with Takumi Fujitani, Tsubasa Nakamura, and Kanta Jojo also finding the net. Shusuke Furuya struck Tokyo International University’s consolation.
Zweigen Kanazawa also had their shooting boots on, as they disposed of Chukyo University 6-0. Yusei Shinomiya opened the scoring and goals from Kaito Miyazaki, Hayato Otani, and two from Yusei Toshida put Kanazawa firmly in the driving seat, before Patric, who won the Emperor’s Cup twice while at Gamba Osaka, added a sixth late on.
Elsewhere, Matsumoto Yamaga F.C. needed extra-time to get the better of fellow MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE side FC Osaka. Kaiga Murakoshi put Matsumoto ahead in the 25th minute, and although Ryu Kawakami equalised for FC Osaka with 19 minutes remaining Yusuke Kikui delivered the decisive blow for Matsumoto seven minutes into extra-time.
In the day’s other games, Oita Trinita beat Lvnirosso NC thanks to first-half goals from Kotaro Arima and Kohei Isa, and Thespa Gunma and Giravanz Kitakyushu claimed 1-0 wins over Hosei University and Beluga Rosso Iwami, respectively - Yuya Takazawa with a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of injury time for Gunma, and Mahiro Yoshinaga finding the net for Kitakyushu.
