REGIONAL ROUND Match Week 11 in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE concluded on Sunday, with Gamba Osaka and Nagoya Grampus both emerging victorious from penalty shoot-outs after 2-2 draws, and Mito Hollyhock striking twice in quick succession to beat Kashiwa Reysol 2-0.
G-Osaka were back in J.League action after sealing their place in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 final on Wednesday, and they fell behind in just the fifth minute at home to Fagiano Okayama.
Takaya Kimura broke the deadlock for the visitors at Panasonic Stadium Suita with a header from a corner, but Takeru Kishimoto was on hand to restore parity midway through the first half when he too scored with his head from a corner in the 26th minute.
Issam Jebali then slotted in from just outside the area to put G-Osaka in front 20 minutes into the second half, before Ataru Esaka levelled things up with another header for Okayama in the 72nd minute.
Neither side was able to add to the scoring in the time remaining, and with Daichi Tagami missing Okayama’s second kick and G-Osaka perfect from the spot, the hosts were able to celebrate a 5-3 victory that moved them up to second in the West table.
Elsewhere, Nagoya needed to come from two goals down to send their game against Avispa Fukuoka to a decider from 12 yards.
Shosei Usui opened the scoring at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in the 24th minute, touching in a Yuji Kitajima free-kick from deep, before Masato Shigemi doubled Fukuoka’s lead with a calm finish 11 minutes later.
Yuya Asano headed in a Yudai Kimura delivery with seven minutes remaining to bring Nagoya back into the contest though, and Kimura then forced the game to penalties in the third minute of stoppage time, just about adjusting his feet in time to divert a driven pass from Masahito Ono into the net.
Nagoya’s kickers were also flawless in the shootout, sealing a 5-4 win on account of Yutaka Michiwaki missing Fukuoka’s third attempt. The two points moved Nagoya into third place on 18 points, one behind G-Osaka.
In the East, meanwhile, Mito picked up their second regulation-time win of the season thanks to two goals in five minutes from Keisuke Tada and Arata Watanabe.
Tada struck first on the hour mark, converting after being teed up by Takumi Mase, and then turned provider for Watanabe in the 65th minute, lifting Mito up into sixth on 15 points and leaving Kashiwa four points behind in eighth.
Gamba Osaka vs Fagiano Okayama - Game Highlights | MW11
Nagoya Grampus vs Avispa Fukuoka - Game Highlights | MW11
Mito Hollyhock vs Kashiwa Reysol - Game Highlights | MW11
