FC Tokyo, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, Vegalta Sendai and Ventforet Kofu were all early MEIJI YASUDA J1 League casualties in the Emperor’s Cup Second Round on Wednesday.
Tokyo bowed out to AC Nagano Parceiro in front of their own fans after their clash went to a penalty shootout when extra time finished 1-1.
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo then collapsed in extra time to fall 5-2 to Iwaki FC, while Vegalta Sendai fell 3-2 at home to Tsukuba University and Ventforet Kofu succumbed 1-0 to Vanraure Hachinohe.
Other than Sanfrecce Hiroshima narrowly edging their clash with Kagoshima United 3-2 with Urawa Reds beating Grulla Morioka by the same scoreline, it was plain sailing for the rest of Japan’s top flight.
Kashima Antlers, Shimizu S-Pulse, Gamba Osaka, Omiya Ardija, Cerezo Osaka, Vissel Kobe, Yokohama F. Marinos, Sagan Tosu and Kawasaki Frontale all saw out their clashes convincingly.
Jubilo Iwata are also through after winning on penalties, while Kashiwa Reysol and Albirex Niigata scraped through their respective ties to reach the Third Round, to be played on July 12.