Match Week 24 in the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE concluded in dramatic fashion on Monday, as Avispa Fukuoka stunned Kyoto Sanga F.C. by scoring twice in injury time to rescue a 2-2 draw.
An own goal and Taichi Hara penalty had given title-chasing Kyoto the lead before the hour mark at BEST DENKI STADIUM, but last-gasp efforts from Wellington and Masato Shigemi ensured Fukuoka sensationally took a share of the spoils
The first meaningful attempt either side had on goal came in the 21st minute, when Hara played a raking cross-field ball from the left towards Shinnosuke Fukuda, and although Kyoto’s captain caught his attempt cleanly enough on the volley it flew just wide.
Tomoya Ando then fired a ferocious volley of his own towards goal from just outside the area in the 27th minute, but while the effort had plenty of pace and power it was straight at Kyoto goalkeeper Gakuji Ota.
Each side also went close just before the interval. First, Fukuoka’s Takumi Kamijima sent a header just over from close range in the 44th minute, then Marco Tulio saw Fukuoka goalkeeper Yuma Obata deny him at full stretch in the fourth minute of first half additional time.
Kyoto did then take the lead in slightly fortuitous fashion in the 54th minute, when Taiki Hirato’s shot took deflections off both Yuto Iwasaki and Kamijima before ricocheting past Obata and into the net.
Four minutes later the visitors doubled their lead, Hara converting without any fuss from the penalty spot after the ball had hit Tatsuki Nara’s arm in the area.
Hosts Fukuoka applied increasing pressure as the clock ticked down though, and in the third minute of additional time they finally pulled one back as Wellington slammed home a fierce drive after Shigemi had headed into his path in the area.
Further drama arrived three minutes later, when another ball was sent into the Kyoto penalty area and a goalmouth scramble ensued. Fukuoka substitute Nassim Ben Khalifa saw his shot blocked on the line, but Shigemi was on hand to make enough of a connection with the rebound to ensure the ball went home at the second time of asking.
The stalemate extended both sides’ unbeaten runs to five games, and saw Kyoto drop to fourth in the rankings, four points behind leaders Vissel Kobe, while Fukuoka climbed to 11th.
Avispa Fukuoka vs. Kyoto Sanga F.C. - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 24
