The J.League DAZN New Year Cup opened on Sunday in Okinawa with FC Ryukyu defeating JEF United Chiba by a 3-1 final score.

The hosts seized the initiative from the opening whistle, finally taking the lead in the 28th minute when Yuta Togashi turned in Yutaro Chinen’s pass for the 1-0 lead. 

Shortly before the break, Ryuji Saito converted the penalty kick he had earned moments earlier when he was tripped in the box.

Things went from bad to worse for JEF in the 50th minute when midfielder Andrew Kumagai’s back pass bounded into the net for an own goal, although they were able to nab a consolation strike in the 65th minute courtesy of Hiroki Sugajima.