J1 League Regular Season - 17
Fagiano Okayama 2 - 0 FT Shimizu S-pulse
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
11' K. Shirai (Werik Popo)
40' H. Omori
HT
↓ T. Takahashi ↑K. Chiba 60'
↓ K. Kitazume ↑H. Hidaka 60'
J. Sumiyoshi 63'
65' ↓ Werik Popo ↑Leo Gaucho
65' ↓ T. Kimura ↑Lucao
↓ K. Matsuzaki ↑K. Kozuka 70'
74' ↓ A. Esaka ↑J. Nishikawa
79' Leo Gaucho (Lucao)
↓ Y. Shimamoto ↑A. Ahmedov 83'
85' ↓ T. Yamane ↑H. Motoyama
85' ↓ K. Shirai ↑N. Browne
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Fagiano Okayama
Goalkeepers
Taro Hamada 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Hiroshi Omori 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
54%
Duel Win %
Yugo Tatsuta 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Yoshitake Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Kosuke Shirai 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Eiji Miyamoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kosei Ogura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Towa Yamane
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
Forwards
Takaya Kimura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Ataru Esaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Werik Popó 
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
BENCH
Lennart Moser 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Kaito Abe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Haruka Motoyama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Masaya Matsumoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Noah Kenshin Browne
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jun Nishikawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Léo Gaúcho 
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
25
Minutes
7.2
Rating
Lucão
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
25
Minutes
6.6
Rating
Kota Kawano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shimizu S-pulse
Goalkeepers
Yuya Oki 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Kengo Kitazume
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
92%
Duel Win %
Yuki Honda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mateus Brunetti 
MAGNET
85
Activity
85
Activity
67
Passes
18
Duels
Midfielders
Zento Uno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matheus Bueno
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Yudai Shimamoto 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
14%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Toshiki Takahashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Oh Se-Hun
MAGNET
67
Activity
67
Activity
31
Passes
36
Duels
Kai Matsuzaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
BENCH
Togo Umeda
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Haruto Hidaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yutaka Yoshida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sodai Hasukawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Masaki Yumiba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kazuki Kozuka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rinsei Ohata
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kanta Chiba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ahmed Ahmedov
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/14/2026 | Shimizu S-pulse | 1 - 1 (PEN 4-2) | Fagiano Okayama | J1 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 12/06/2025 | Shimizu S-pulse | 1 - 2 | Fagiano Okayama | J1 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 03/02/2025 | Fagiano Okayama | 1 - 1 | Shimizu S-pulse | J1 League | City Light Stadium |
| 06/30/2024 | Shimizu S-pulse | 3 - 1 | Fagiano Okayama | J2 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 04/28/2024 | Fagiano Okayama | 0 - 1 | Shimizu S-pulse | J2 League | City Light Stadium |
| 07/29/2023 | Shimizu S-pulse | 1 - 0 | Fagiano Okayama | J2 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 02/26/2023 | Fagiano Okayama | 0 - 0 | Shimizu S-pulse | J2 League | City Light Stadium |
| 11/12/2016 | Shimizu S-pulse | 2 - 1 | Fagiano Okayama | J2 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira (Shizuoka) |
| 07/03/2016 | Fagiano Okayama | 2 - 2 | Shimizu S-pulse | J2 League | City Light Stadium (Okayama) |
03/14/2026
12/06/2025
03/02/2025
06/30/2024
04/28/2024
07/29/2023
02/26/2023
11/12/2016
07/03/2016
Fagiano Okayama Win
Shimizu S-pulse Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 17 GD: +5
P: 17 GD: +5
P: 17 GD: +6
P: 17 GD: +6
P: 17 GD: 0
P: 17 GD: +3
P: 17 GD: -1
P: 17 GD: -7
P: 17 GD: -8
P: 17 GD: -9
League Standings
P: 18 GD: +4
P: 18 GD: +9
P: 18 GD: +2
P: 18 GD: +8
P: 18 GD: -3
P: 17 GD: +5
P: 17 GD: -1
P: 18 GD: -6
P: 18 GD: -8
P: 18 GD: -10
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Clinical Okayama Punish Profligate Shimizu
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 29/100. In a classic display of counter-attacking efficiency, Fagiano Okayama surrendered possession but ruthlessly punished Shimizu S-pulse to secure a vital victory.
The Early Shockwave
With early season Stakes running high, Fagiano Okayama needed just 11 minutes to ignite City Light Stadium. A sharp sequence saw Werik Popo thread the needle for K. Shirai, who buried the opener with remarkable composure. This early breakthrough fundamentally shifted the tactical landscape. Shimizu S-pulse responded by dominating the ball, ultimately hoarding 60% possession and stringing together over 400 passes. However, their control lacked penetration. Despite registering 11 total shots, only two managed to test the home goalkeeper. The visitors controlled the tempo, but Okayama’s low block remained deeply comfortable, absorbing the pressure while constantly threatening to spring forward. The home side's structural discipline turned an apparent possession deficit into a tactical masterclass, frustrating the away contingent.
VAR Intervention and Defensive Resilience
The Intensity flared shortly before the interval when Okayama thought they had doubled their advantage. In the 40th minute, H. Omori forced the ball into the net during a chaotic penalty box scramble, sparking wild celebrations. However, a lengthy VAR review ultimately ruled the goal out for a foul in the build-up. This reprieve offered Shimizu a lifeline, significantly restoring the match's Balance as they entered the second half. The visitors pushed their defensive line higher in search of an equaliser, but they met an impassable wall marshalled by Yoshitake Suzuki. Okayama's defensive unit absorbed phase after phase of recycling possession, repelling crosses and blocking crucial passing lanes to maintain their slender advantage amidst mounting pressure.
The Super Sub Secures the Points
As the clock ticked down and Shimizu threw caution to the wind, Okayama's manager turned to his bench for the decisive blow. Introduced in the 65th minute, Lucao proved to be the ultimate game-changer. With eleven minutes remaining, the substitute exploited the vast spaces left behind by the desperate defensive line, delivering a precise assist for Leo Gaucho to sweep home. This 79th-minute strike served as the definitive knockout punch, ensuring an Upset Factor was kept firmly off the table. The 2-0 victory propels Okayama to 21 points, solidifying their position in the upper half of the J1 League standings. For the visitors, it was a harsh lesson in efficiency; dominating the ball means nothing without a killer instinct in the final third.
Key Questions
What made Kosuke Shirai the Man of the Match?
Shirai set the tactical tone by scoring a crucial 11th-minute opener, providing Okayama the foundation to execute their successful counter-attacking strategy.
How did substitute Kosuke Shirai change the game?
Shirai actually started and scored early. It was substitute Lucao who genuinely changed the second half, providing the crucial assist for the 79th-minute goal.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
A Pivotal J1 League Six-Pointer
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 87/100. With merely a single point separating the two sides, this clash is an absolute must-watch that could drastically reshape the upper half of the J1 League table.
The Setup
The Stakes could not be higher as we head into this crucial regular-season matchup on May 17, 2026. Shimizu S-pulse currently sit sixth with 24 points, desperately trying to protect their slim advantage over Fagiano Okayama, who are breathing down their necks in seventh with 23 points. An off-the-charts Balance rating confirms exactly what the standings suggest: these two teams are incredibly evenly matched. On the pitch at City Light Stadium, momentum will be a massive factor. Okayama’s strong Form rating reflects a solid rhythm, highlighted by three wins in their last five outings. Meanwhile, Shimizu are looking to stop the bleeding; after stringing together three consecutive victories, they have stumbled into back-to-back defeats. On the individual front, a healthy Stars rating is bolstered by the presence of dynamic creators like Ataru Esaka and Kosuke Shirai, who have been lighting up the pitch for the hosts.
Key Battle
Without isolating a single matchup, the tactical fight will be decided by the host's surging attacking unit pressing against a visiting backline that has suddenly looked fragile. Shimizu’s defense must regain its composure to survive Okayama’s aggressive midfield transitions. If the visitors sit too deep, the home side's wingbacks will overload the flanks and create high-quality chances.
Our Prediction
We are backing the hosts to edge a tense, closely fought 2-1 victory. Fagiano Okayama will likely dictate the tempo early on, leveraging their home crowd to press high. Shimizu will find moments on the counter, but their recent defensive lapses will ultimately allow the home side to secure the decisive goal late in the second half.