J1 League Gameweek 3
Kashima 3 - 2 FT Avispa Fukuoka
Popular today
Most read in the last 24 hours
Futmetrix Verdict
93
Plzen
vs
Union St. Gilloise
Thu, Sep 17 • 19:00 UTC
⚡ Form
4
⚖️ Balance
100
🏆 Stakes
100
⭐ Stars
45
A gritty start to European nights.
Futmetrix Verdict
59
Real Betis
vs
Getafe
Thu, Sep 17 • 17:00 UTC
⚡ Form
43
⚖️ Balance
67
🏆 Stakes
33
⭐ Stars
70
Getafe's survival instincts face Betis test.
Futmetrix Verdict
56
OFI
vs
1899 Hoffenheim
Thu, Sep 17 • 16:45 UTC
⚡ Form
7
⚖️ Balance
54
🏆 Stakes
100
⭐ Stars
45
Hoffenheim huge favorites in Crete trip.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
31' T. Nara
T. Nara 39'
S. Morooka 43'
HT
58' ↓ Matheus Bueno ↑K. Misao
58' ↓ M. Yoshida ↑A. Cavric
60' Leo Ceara (Y. Matsumura)
64' A. Cavric (Y. Suzuki)
↓ M. Shigemi ↑S. Nago 65'
↓ K. Fujimoto ↑Y. Maejima 65'
↓ Y. Hashimoto ↑D. Fukazawa 65'
67' I. Sekigawa
68' ↓ Y. Matsumura ↑H. Hayashu
↓ Werik Popo ↑S. Usui 70'
Leo Ceara 76'
↓ K. Maeda ↑K. Shiihashi 78'
85' ↓ R. Hirose ↑R. Koike
85' ↓ G. Shibasaki ↑K. Tsukui
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Kashima
Goalkeepers
Tomoki Hayakawa 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Rikuto Hirose 
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
Naomichi Ueda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ikuma Sekigawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ryoya Ogawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Yuta Matsumura 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7.5
Rating
Gaku Shibasaki 
MAGNET
65
Activity
65
Activity
61
Passes
4
Duels
Matheus Bueno
MAGNET
64
Activity
64
Activity
62
Passes
2
Duels
Minato Yoshida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
58
Entry
Forwards
Yuma Suzuki
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
Léo Ceará 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
2
Fouls
7.2
Rating
BENCH
Taiki Yamada 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Keisuke Tsukui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
7
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kim Tae-Hyeon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ryuta Koike
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
7
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kento Misao
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Haruki Hayashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aleksandar Čavrić 
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
34
Minutes
7.6
Rating
Élber
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Homare Tokuda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Avispa Fukuoka
Goalkeepers
Takumi Nagaishi
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Teppei Oka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tatsuki Nara
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
2
Fouls
5.7
Rating
Yuma Tsujioka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Yu Hashimoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Kokoro Maeda 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Tomoya Miki
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Kazuki Fujimoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Forwards
Shu Morooka 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
4
Shots
7.5
Rating
Masato Shigemi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Werik Popó
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
BENCH
Kazuki Fujita
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Masaya Tashiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yota Maejima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
27
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daiki Fukazawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
27
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shohei Takemoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Keiya Shiihashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shintaro Nago
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
27
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shosei Usui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sonosuke Sato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/24/2026 | Avispa Fukuoka | 3 - 3 | Kashima | Friendlies Clubs | |
| 08/16/2025 | Kashima | 1 - 1 | Avispa Fukuoka | J1 League | Mercari Stadium |
| 08/06/2025 | Kashima | 3 - 2 (AET) | Avispa Fukuoka | Emperor Cup | mercari Stadium |
| 05/06/2025 | Avispa Fukuoka | 0 - 1 | Kashima | J1 League | Best Denki Stadium |
| 10/19/2024 | Kashima | 0 - 0 | Avispa Fukuoka | J1 League | Kashima Soccer Stadium |
| 04/03/2024 | Avispa Fukuoka | 1 - 0 | Kashima | J1 League | Best Denki Stadium |
| 09/30/2023 | Avispa Fukuoka | 0 - 0 | Kashima | J1 League | Best Denki Stadium |
| 04/19/2023 | Avispa Fukuoka | 2 - 1 | Kashima | J-League Cup | Best Denki Stadium |
| 04/05/2023 | Kashima | 1 - 0 | Avispa Fukuoka | J-League Cup | Kashima Soccer Stadium |
| 03/12/2023 | Kashima | 0 - 0 | Avispa Fukuoka | J1 League | Kashima Soccer Stadium |
01/24/2026
08/16/2025
08/06/2025
05/06/2025
10/19/2024
04/03/2024
09/30/2023
04/19/2023
04/05/2023
03/12/2023
Kashima Win
Avispa Fukuoka Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +10
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -6
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -3
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -6
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Kashima
Avispa Fukuoka
Kashima
Avispa Fukuoka
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Kashima's Monumental Comeback Shatters Fukuoka
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 75/100. An extraordinary 3-2 comeback victory not only preserved Kashima's perfect start but served as a thunderous statement of intent in the early J1 League title race.
Early Shockwaves
The match began with a narrative few anticipated at the Kashima Soccer Stadium. Despite Kashima commanding 58% of the possession, they found themselves ambushed by a relentless Avispa Fukuoka side. A 31st-minute own goal set off alarm bells for the hosts, and when Shu Morooka doubled the visitors' lead just before the interval, the home crowd was left in stunned silence. Fukuoka’s early game plan was executed to perfection, raining 19 total shots and exerting enormous pressure through eight corner kicks. The sheer Intensity of their attacking transitions made it seem as though the hosts were headed for a catastrophic home defeat.
The Masterstroke
Tactical urgency after the break altered the Balance of power entirely. Kashima emerged with renewed vigour, clawing a goal back on the hour mark to ignite the stadium. The true turning point arrived when the manager introduced Aleksandar Cavric in the 58th minute. Acting as the ultimate super sub, Cavric needed just six minutes to make his mark, latching onto a brilliant setup from Yuma Suzuki to equalize at 2-2. With Yuta Matsumura pulling the strings in midfield and delivering crucial key passes, Kashima’s offensive machinery suddenly looked unstoppable, pinning a fading Fukuoka deep into their own half.
A Statement of Intent
The relentless wave of pressure eventually forced a catastrophic error from the visitors, resulting in a 76th-minute own goal that completed Kashima’s stunning resurrection. This 3-2 thriller carried immense Stakes for the early season landscape. While Fukuoka will bitterly regret squandering a two-goal advantage despite testing the keeper repeatedly, Kashima showcased the pedigree of genuine title contenders. Securing their third consecutive victory to sit on nine points, the home side proved they have the mental fortitude required to navigate the grueling marathon of a top-flight campaign.
Key Questions
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
High shot volume and aggressive attacking transitions from both sides dismantled defensive structures, creating a breathtaking back-and-forth contest.
How did Kashima complete the comeback from behind?
The introduction of substitute Aleksandar Cavric sparked a relentless wave, combining with Yuma Suzuki and Yuta Matsumura to overwhelm Fukuoka's defense.
What does this mean for Kashima's season?
Securing a dramatic win from two goals down solidifies their perfect streak, firmly establishing them as serious early contenders in the title race.
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.
Kashima's Attack Primed to Explode Again
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 41/100. An early-season test of trajectories, as Kashima's prolific attack meets an Avispa Fukuoka side desperate to kickstart their campaign.
The Setup
This August 22, 2026 clash at Mercari Stadium offers a classic stylistic contrast. Kashima sit fourth after a wild opening match that saw them net four times but concede three. Their Form is undeniably positive, yet leaves defensive questions unanswered. Avispa Fukuoka, languishing in 17th after a narrow opening-day defeat, need to find their attacking rhythm quickly. With early-season Stakes still simmering, the overarching narrative rests on Kashima's Stars proving too much for a visiting side still searching for its identity.
Key Battle
This match hinges on the collective clash between Kashima's dynamic forward line and Fukuoka's disciplined but fragile defensive unit. The visitors must weather an early storm; if their backline cracks under the pressure of overlapping runs, the floodgates could open.
Our Prediction
Expect Kashima to dominate possession and dictate the tempo. Fukuoka will likely sit deep and hope to frustrate the hosts, but Kashima's sheer volume of chances should eventually break the deadlock. We foresee a comfortable 2-0 home victory.