Matchday 2 of the J.League YBC Levain Cup brought some more clarity to all four groups as we got some separation across the board. It’s still early in the group stage and a few teams have only played one match so there’s a long way to go, but we’re getting a clearer picture of the fights for places in the knockout stages.

Kashima Antlers 0, Cerezo Osaka 1

Sota Kitano provided the difference with a 12th minute goal as Cerezo jumped to the top of Group A with wins over Gamba Osaka and now Kashima. In their first match, the attack carried them with three goals and now it was the defense that led them to victory. Cerezo are looking awfully well situated.

Oita Trinita 2, Gamba Osaka 2

Shun Nagasawa put Trinita in front and after Kohei Okuno equalized, he scored again to give Trinita in front once more. Gamba came back for a second time, though, bringing things level through Patric. For Gamba, that’s four goals in two cup matches, but only one point to show for it as their bid to make it out of Group A gets more difficult.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2, Nagoya Grampus 0

Makoto Mitsuta scored just before halftime then Júnior Santos added another late in the second half as Sanfrecce made it six points from two matches to top Group B. Nagoya remain stuck on one point.

Shimizu S-Pulse 1, Tokushima Vortis 1

Vortis got off to a quick start through Mushaga Bakenga, but S-Pulse answered back with pressure as they chased an equalizer. It took until the 70th minute for them to get that goal, but they did as Yuta Kamiya found the back of the net for the draw that puts S-Pulse second in Group B with two points.

Kashiwa Reysol 2, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 3

Reysol were sitting pretty after 24 minutes thanks to a pair of goals from Yugo Masukake, but Consa dominated the second half. Kazuki Fukai got the visitors on the scoreboard in the 57th minute before Taika Nakashima scored in the 85th and 89th minutes to complete the Consa comeback and deliver them all three points. Consa now sit joint top of Group C with four points.

Kyoto Sanga 2, Sagan Tosu 1

Newly promoted Sanga continue their strong start to the season in both the league and cup. Fuki Yamada put Sanga in front and Yuta Toyokawa doubled their advantage in the 75th minute. Shunta Araki gave Sagan a chance late, but it was not enough as Sanga moved joint top of Group C with four points.

Júbilo Iwata 0, Shonan Bellmare 1

Masaki Ikeda was the hero for Shonan as he found the back of the net for the lone goal of the match. The victory pushes Shonan to six points from two matches, a perfect start that has them first in Group D.

Avispa Fukuoka 1, F.C.Tokyo 0

Tatsuya Tanaka scored the key goal for Avispa, who moved to three points and second place in Group D. This was F.C.Tokyo’s first match of the competition so they have no points, but five matches remain for last year’s semi-finalists to get out of the group.