Reigning champions Vissel Kobe needed a penalty shoot-out to emerge victorious from the Emperor's Cup JFA 105th Japan Football Championship quarter-finals on Wednesday, advancing 4-2 on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw against 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE side S.C. Sagamihara.
Elsewhere, Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat Nagoya Grampus 4-2, FC Machida Zelvia cruised past Kashima Antlers 3-0, and FC TOKYO came from a goal down to defeat Urawa Reds 2-1 to complete an all-2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE semi-final line-up.
Daisuke Kato gave Sagamihara the lead after 15 minutes at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka, slamming in from the edge of the six-yard box after Takumu Fujinuma had played the ball across goal.
Kobe drew level a quarter of an hour later though, when Haruya Ide sent a wicked cross into the area from the right and Ren Komatsu headed home at the near post.
There were to be no further goals in the remainder of regular or extra-time, and with Ryo Takano and Kazuki Fukui both missing for Sagamihara in the shoot-out it was left to Jean Patric to convert Kobe’s fourth attempt and book his side’s place in the semi-finals.
There was a goal-fest in Nagoya, meanwhile, where the hosts found themselves 4-0 down before threatening to mount a sensational late comeback.
Satoshi Tanaka struck in the fifth and 19th minutes to give Hiroshima the initiative, Yotaro Nakajima made it 3-0 to the visitors with a penalty three minutes before half-time, and Shuto Nakano added a fourth when he tucked in at the back post in the 48th minute.
Kensuke Nagai slid in to meet Yuya Yamagishi’s cross and make it 4-1 six minutes later though, and Yamagishi registered with eight minutes remaining, but it was too late to affect the outcome of the game.
FC Machida also assumed control of their contest against Kashima in the first half, with Asahi Masuyama breaking the deadlock with a header from a corner in the 15th minute and Shota Fujio scoring with a deflected effort six minutes later. Hokuto Shimoda wrapped up the win with an outrageous shot from inside his own half one minute into the second period.
In the day’s other game, Takuro Kaneko’s left-footed finish from inside the area in the 42nd minute put Urawa in front at Saitama Stadium 2002, but FC TOKYO pulled level seven minutes into the second half when Marcelo Ryan rifled into the bottom corner, and the Brazilian was teed up by Marcos Guilherme 13 minutes later to complete his side’s comeback and ensure they, too, are now just one step away from the final.
