All three games ended 2-1 as REGIONAL ROUND Match Week 4 in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE kicked off on Friday night, with Kyoto Sanga F.C., FC Machida Zelvia, and Vissel Kobe each sealing all three points from their fixtures.
Kyoto left it late in their game away to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, striking twice in the closing minutes to come from behind and snatch the win.
Hayato Araki opened the scoring for hosts Hiroshima six minutes before half-time at EDION PEACE WING HIROSHIMA, powering home a bullet header from Naoto Arai’s corner.
Rafael Elias was on hand to equalise for Kyoto in the 81st minute, however, slotting confidently past Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako after Marco Tulio had seized upon a loose ball and teed up his fellow Brazilian.
Their compatriot Henrique Trevisan then completed the comeback in the third minute of additional time, soaring through the air at the back post to dramatically head home Haruki Arai’s tempting cross from the left.
Elsewhere, FC Machida set themselves on the way to victory over JEF United Chiba in just the fifth minute at Machida GION Stadium, when Yuki Soma seized upon a loose ball after a long throw-in from the right by Kotaro Hayashi and toe-poked in with his left foot.
Erik doubled the hosts’ advantage in the 59th minute - tucking in a rebound from close range after Tomoya Wakahara had saved from Neta Lavi - and although Daichi Ishikawa pulled one back for Chiba with a looping effort five minutes later that was where the fightback ended, leaving Chiba still in search of their first win of the season.
In the day’s other game, Kobe defeated 10-man Avispa Fukuoka - for whom Tomoya Miki was sent off in the 31st minute.
Yoshinori Muto broke the visitors’ resistance eight minutes into the second half, slamming into the net from close range after Ren Komatsu had headed the ball into his path.
Komatsu then got his own name on the scoresheet seven minutes later, meeting Daiju Sasaki’s ball in from the right with a skilful flick at the near post.
Fukuoka continued to battle bravely and pulled a goal back in the 90th minute - Yu Hashimoto bending a delightful free-kick from 25 yards around the Kobe wall and into the net - but it wasn’t enough to rescue any points.
FC Machida Zelvia vs JEF United Chiba - Game Highlights | MW4
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Kyoto Sanga F.C. - Game Highlights | MW4
Vissel Kobe vs Avispa Fukuoka - Game Highlights | MW4
