Meiji Yasuda J1 League clubs were perfect in the second round of the Emperor’s Cup, as all 18 top-flight teams won their contests to advance to the next stage of the historic cup competition.

Teams from the top two flights entered the tournament in the second round, making these the first games of this year’s competition to feature the top 40 clubs in the Japanese pyramid.

Kyoto Sanga F.C., Gamba Osaka, and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo were all pushed hard, with the clubs needing to battle through extra-time to secure victory, but Sanga topped fourth-tier Kochi United, Gamba got past J3’s FC Gifu, and Consadole ultimately took care of business against a hard-battling Toin University side.

The third round will commence on June 22.