The Emperor’s Cup rolled into the third round on Wednesday and it was Kochi United who stole headlines once again. The fourth division Japan Football League club upended Meiji Yasuda J1 League side Yokohama FC to advance to the round of 16 and keep their dream alive.

Kochi United have been on a dream run, winning as expected against fifth division Belugarosso Iwami in the first round, but then dispatching top flight Gamba Osaka in the second round, 2-1.

Matched against another J1 side in the third round, they were up to the task once more. Yui Takano found the back of the net in the 56th minute and the Kochi United defense made it stand up, rolling to a victory that propelled them into the fourth round of the Emperor’s Cup for only the second time in club history.

Last year’s shocking champion, Ventforet Kofu, stayed alive in the competition with an upset of their own. The second tier club took J1’s Kashima Antlers to penalty kicks, where they won 11-10 from the spot in a thrilling finish.

The third round also brought us J1’s top team taking on the first place team in J2 and it was the second division side who prevailed as Machida Zelvia beat Yokohama F·Marinos, 4-1. It was a dominant performance by the J2 side, with Mitchell Duke scoring after a mere five minutes and Machida Zelvia jumping out to a 4-0 lead before Marinos scored a late consolation goal.

Kataller Toyama was the other fourth division side in the third round and they still have a chance to join Kochi United in moving on. Kataller played J1 side Albirex Niigata to a 2-2 tie before weather forced the match to be abandoned. It will be completed at a later date.

The Emperor’s Cup will return to action on August 2 with the round of 16.

Third round results

Yokohama F·Marinos 1-4 Machida Zelvia

Cerezo Osaka 3-1 Omiya Ardija

F.C.Tokyo 1-1 (9-8 pen) Tokyo Verdy

Urawa Reds 1-0 Montedio Yamagata

Kochi United 1-0 Yokohama FC

Kashima Antlers 1-1 (10-11 pen) Ventforet Kofu

Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 Mito HollyHock

Vissel Kobe 5-2 Júbilo Iwata

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 5-2 Verspah Oita

Nagoya Grampus 1-1 (5-4 pen) Vegalta Sendai

Kashiwa Reysol 2-0 Tokushima Vortis

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 0-2 Tochigi SC

Shonan Bellmare 2-0 Fagiano Okayama

Avispa Fukuoka 2-1 FC Gifu

Sagan Tosu 3-4 Roasso Kumamoto

Kataller Toyama 2-2 (suspended) Albirex Niigata