There were a few upsets in the Emperor's Cup JFA 105th Japan Football Championship 2nd Round on Wednesday, as 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE sides Yokohama F･Marinos, Fagiano Okayama, and Kashiwa Reysol were all eliminated by lower-league opposition.
Yokohama F･M fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Rein Meer Aomori of the Japan Football League, with both goals coming in the first half at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium.
Aomori goalkeeper Riku Hirosue sensationally opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 35th minute, before Luis Fernando made sure of the win in the first minute of first-half stoppage time.
Okayama were also beaten 2-0 in front of their own fans, as Shuntaro Kawabe and Futo Yoshihara struck a goal in each half for 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE side Giravanz Kitakyushu, while Kashiwa succumbed by the same scoreline after extra-time against TOYO University.
Things finished 0-0 after 90 minutes at SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium, but Yusei Yamanouchi stunned the hosts to break the deadlock for TOYO University in the 107th minute, before Yuki Oda wrapped things up in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
Jubilo Iwata of the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE also saw their participation ended in the 2nd Round, as they went down 2-1 at home to MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE opponent S.C. Sagamihara. Ikki Kawasaki had given Iwata the lead in the first half, but Akito Takagi and Rafael Furtado both struck back after the break to secure the win for Sagamihara.
Three other MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE sides were also made to work hard for their progression to the next round.
Albirex Niigata required an extra-time effort from Keisuke Kasai to get past Fukuyama City FC 1-0, FC Machida Zelvia needed 86th- and 92nd-minute goals from Shota Fujio and Yuki Soma to snatch a 2-1 victory after it looked like Sakyo Hasegawa’s 58th-minute opener would seal a famous win for Kyoto Sangyo University, and an 87th minute finish from Shinnosuke Fukuda secured Kyoto Sanga F.C. a 1-0 win over Nara Club.
Elsewhere, the all-MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE clash between JEF United Chiba and Roasso Kumamoto went all the way to a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw, with visitors Kumamoto edging things 5-4 from 12 yards.
