Kashiwa Reysol were unable to move back to the top of the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE table on Sunday, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Fagiano Okayama.
A victory would have enabled third-placed Kashiwa to leapfrog both Kyoto Sanga F.C. and Kashima Antlers and move two points clear at the summit, but Okayama instead took all three points to lift themselves up into 10th.
The hosts opened the scoring in just the fourth minute at JFE Harenokuni Stadium, when Hiroto Iwabuchi netted with a sharp finish from inside the area after a phenomenal ball into him by Ataru Esaka.
Esaka almost turned from provider to scorer in the 33rd minute with another sublime piece of skill, but his improvised back-flick from the outer edge of the six-yard box bounced off the bar and was cleared to safety.
Kazunari Ichimi then went close to doubling Okayama’s lead two minutes later, also hitting the woodwork with a shot against the post from close range, after which Eiji Miyamoto’s attempt from just outside the area was deflected behind for a corner.
That meant it remained 1-0 at the break, and the contest continued to be closely fought throughout the second period as neither team gave an inch.
Kashiwa thought they had equalised with 10 minutes left on the clock, but the offside flag was raised after Tojiro Kubo headed home Diego’s cross at the back post, with Diego having strayed just offside before sending his cross in from the left.
Then, in the 90th minute, the hammer blow came as Okayama made it 2-0.
Okayama goalkeeper Svend Brodersen sent a long kick downfield, and after his opposite number Ryosuke Kojima lost an aerial battle with Lucao just outside the Kashiwa penalty area the goal gaped. Lucao made no mistake with the opportunity, taking a touch to set himself and then stroking home before Kojima could recover.
That wasn’t to be the end of the scoring, however, and Hayato Nakama gave Kashiwa a glimmer of hope when he slotted into the bottom corner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Nakama then had a glorious chance to make it 2-2 two minutes later, but couldn’t quite make a full connection with a close-range header, sending it off target to ensure Okayama were able to celebrate back-to-back victories.
Fagiano Okayama vs. Kashiwa Reysol - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 26
