The J.League YBC Levain Cup final will feature Avispa Fukuoka and Urawa Reds after the two teams won their semi-final ties to book their tickets to the Japan National Stadium for the tournament’s ultimate match.
Fukuoka were playing for their first-ever trip to the final, but they didn’t look fazed by the stage in the slightest. After beating Nagoya Grampus in the first leg, 1-0, they went to Toyota Stadium for the second leg and immediately got on top of the home side.
Wellington found the back of the net after just five minutes, giving Avi a 1-0 lead on the day and a two-goal lead on aggregate. The Nagoya crowd was shocked and Fukuoka pushed on, protecting their lead through the rest of the match to capture a famous win.
Not only have Avi never played in a J.League Cup final, they’ve never played for any major trophy before. That will change on November 4, when Avi and their Fukuoka faithful will make the trip to Tokyo as they look to win the first piece of major silverware in club history.
Awaiting them at the National Stadium will be Urawa, whose road to the final was a little more rocky. Yokohama F·Marinos beat the Reds in the first leg, 1-0, leaving Urawa a hole to climb out of in Saitama, but their adoring home crowd helped them do just that.
Urawa pressed from the start and created some opportunities, although it took until after the hour mark before they broke through. Jumpei Hayakawa was fouled in the box, earning Urawa a spot kick that Alexander Scholz buried to level the tie at 1-1.
The tie remained even until the 90th minute, when Urawa were awarded another penalty kick. This time, a cross was ruled to have been handled in the box after a VAR check and Scholz again stepped up to score from the spot. This one turned the tie for Urawa and sent them on to the final.
Now, all eyes turn to November 4. The Japan National Stadium will be buzzing, with Urawa on one end trying to win their first J.League Cup since 2016, while Avi takes the other end as they try to lift their first major trophy. If the final proves to be half as good as the semi-finals, it will be a day to remember.
