The MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE Play-Off Round 1st Legs concluded on Sunday, with the final two contests both finishing as 1-1 draws.
Fagiano Okayama and Urawa Reds met at JFE Harenokuni Stadium to settle who finishes 11th in the overall rankings, with Brazilians Lucao and Danilo Boza both getting their names on the scoresheet.
The first chance of the game fell the way of Urawa’s Kenta Nemoto in the ninth minute, but his back-post header from Shoya Nakajima’s corner was well saved by Okayama goalkeeper Lennart Moser.
Lucao then almost broke the deadlock twice in quick succession, first seeing Danilo Boza clear a low drive off the line in the 14th minute and then being denied by goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa one minute later.
Okayama stopper Moser was also called into action again before half time, staying big to keep out an attempt from Renji Hidano in the 34th minute,
Lucao finally found a way through for Okayama three minutes into the second period, rising highest at the back post to head home a tempting cross from the right by Haruka Motoyama.
Lucao’s compatriot Danilo Boza was on hand to ensure the spoils were shared, however, registering with a header of his own in the 70th minute after Nakajima had dinked the ball in to him.
The clash between Shimizu S-Pulse and Yokohama F･Marinos also ended 1-1, thanks to a pair of goals in the second half from Kazuki Kozuka and Kaina Tanimura.
The first half at IAI Stadium Nihondaira was a cagey affair with clear chances at a premium, and the closest either side came was in the final minute of regular time when Shimizu’s Kai Matsuzaki whistled an attempt inches wide of the far post.
The 13th-place decider then sprang into life 11 minutes into the second half, when Kozuka chested down a dinked ball over the top from Masaki Yumiba and lashed into the net to give Shimizu the lead.
Yokohama F･M refused to be beaten though, and Tanimura made sure the tie remains in the balance after he confidently headed home Jordy Croux’s in-swinging cross from the right in the 72nd minute.
Fagiano Okayama vs Urawa Reds - Game Highlights | PLAY-OFF ROUND 1ˢᵗLEG
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Yokohama F•Marinos - Game Highlights | PLAY-OFF ROUND 1ˢᵗLEG
