There was sensational drama in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 Promotion Play-Offs 2025 Semi-finals on Sunday, as both JEF United Chiba and Tokushima Vortis came from behind to book their places in next weekend’s final.
As the higher-ranked finishers in the regular 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE season both sides knew they would progress with draws at home to RB Omiya Ardija and Jubilo Iwata, respectively, and each were forced to battle back to get the results they needed - Chiba ultimately completing a remarkable turnaround to beat Omiya 4-3 and Tokushima levelling late on to claim a 1-1 draw against Iwata.
Omiya drew first blood in the 20th minute at Fukuda Denshi Arena, when Toya Izumi headed in from the goal-line after Rion Ichihara had nodded Takumi Tsukui’s cross from deep back across goal.
Things got even better for Omiya 12 minutes later, as Kaishin Sekiguchi’s well-struck shot from outside the area took a deflection off Chiba defender Daisuke Suzuki and flew past goalkeeper Tomoya Wakahara.
Arthur Silva then made it 3-0 to the visitors three minutes into the second half, drilling in another drive from distance that ricocheted in off Masaru Hidaka.
Chiba refused to be beaten though, and Carlinhos Junior pulled one back for the hosts in the 71st minute, volleying home from inside the area.
His fellow Brazilian Eduardo then made it 3-2 six minutes later, firing in from the edge of the box, meaning one more goal would put Chiba through.
That goal duly came in dramatic style in the 83rd minute, when 17-year-old debutant Makoto Himeno, on as a substitute, tore in behind before looping a delicate effort over the onrushing Omiya goalkeeper Yuki Kato and into the net.
Takashi Kawano then completed the turnaround for Chiba with three minutes of regular time remaining, making it 4-3 by powering home a diving header at a corner.
Meanwhile, visitors Iwata took the lead against Tokushima midway through the first half at POCARI SWEAT Stadium.
Ko Matsubara prodded the ball on to Ryoga Sato inside the Tokushima penalty area, and after cutting sharply inside Sato clinically dispatched a low drive into the bottom corner in the 24th minute.
Tokushima knew they only needed a single goal to turn the contest in their favour though, and it duly came with eight minutes remaining.
Substitute Ko Yanagisawa did well to make space for a cross on the right, and after he whipped the ball into the area Thonny Anderson was on hand to head home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Chiba and Tokushima will now meet in the final at Chiba’s Fukuda Denshi Arena on Saturday 13th December, with the hosts again only needing a draw and Tokushima requiring a win for the right to play in the first division next season.
