J1 League Regular Season - 3
Kyoto Sanga 2 - 0 FT Avispa Fukuoka
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
32' Rafael Elias
HT
Yota Maejima 48'
↓ Y. Maejima ↑K. Yamawaki 59'
↓ S. Sato ↑Y. Kitajima 59'
Shintaro Nago 61'
↓ K. Fujimoto ↑Y. Hashimoto 69'
↓ S. Zahedi ↑S. Usui 69'
77' Marco Tulio
78' ↓ T. Matsuda ↑M. Okugawa
↓ K. Okuno ↑Y. Michiwaki 83'
89' João Pedro
90'+2 ↓ Marco Tulio ↑H. Arai
90'+5 ↓ K. Sato ↑K. Nagata
90'+5 ↓ S. Fukuda ↑Y. Ishida
90'+6 ↓ S. Yoon ↑M. Saito
90'+8 Hidehiro Sugai
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Kyoto Sanga
Goalkeepers
G. Ota 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
S. Fukuda 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
50%
Duel Win %
Y. Suzuki 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Henrique Trevisan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Sato 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
21%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
Midfielders
H. Sugai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joao Pedro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Yoon
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
35%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
Forwards
Marco Tulio 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Rafael Elias 
MAGNET
46
Activity
46
Activity
32
Passes
14
Duels
T. Matsuda
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
BENCH
K. Kakoi 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
K. Nagata
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Ishida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Okugawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Hiraoka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Saito
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Hirato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Arai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gustavo Barreto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Avispa Fukuoka
Goalkeepers
Y. Obata
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
T. Kamijima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Tashiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Oka
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
5
Tackles
79%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Y. Maejima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
K. Okuno
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
T. Miki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Fujimoto
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
P. O. Obi
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
T. Nara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Tsujioka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Yamawaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Hashimoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Shigemi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Kitajima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Usui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Michiwaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/22/2026 | Kyoto Sanga | 2 - 0 | Avispa Fukuoka | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 07/21/2025 | Avispa Fukuoka | 2 - 2 | Kyoto Sanga | J1 League | Best Denki Stadium |
| 03/09/2025 | Kyoto Sanga | 0 - 1 | Avispa Fukuoka | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 07/07/2024 | Avispa Fukuoka | 1 - 2 | Kyoto Sanga | J1 League | Best Denki Stadium |
| 05/11/2024 | Kyoto Sanga | 2 - 3 | Avispa Fukuoka | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 08/26/2023 | Kyoto Sanga | 2 - 0 | Avispa Fukuoka | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 04/09/2023 | Avispa Fukuoka | 2 - 1 | Kyoto Sanga | J1 League | Best Denki Stadium |
| 07/10/2022 | Avispa Fukuoka | 1 - 0 | Kyoto Sanga | J1 League | Best Denki Stadium |
| 04/29/2022 | Kyoto Sanga | 0 - 1 | Avispa Fukuoka | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 12/13/2020 | Avispa Fukuoka | 2 - 0 | Kyoto Sanga | J2 League | Level-5 Stadium |
02/22/2026
07/21/2025
03/09/2025
07/07/2024
05/11/2024
08/26/2023
04/09/2023
07/10/2022
04/29/2022
12/13/2020
Kyoto Sanga Win
Avispa Fukuoka Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Kyoto's Relentless Siege Breaks Fukuoka
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 27/100. Kyoto Sanga's absolute dominance of the ball and shot count turned this fixture into a procedural, yet completely lopsided, procession.
Setting the Trap
Sanga Stadium by Kyocera served as the stage for a completely one-sided affair, as Kyoto Sanga smothered the visitors from the outset. Controlling possession at 55 percent, the hosts established a rhythm that pinned the opposition deep in their own half. A high Intensity rating tells the story of this early phase, with Kyoto orchestrating an attacking siege that yielded a barrage of chances. Avispa Fukuoka struggled to find any breathing room, failing to register a single shot on target throughout the entire contest. Instead of a balanced midfield battle, the dynamic quickly devolved into a half-pitch exercise. Kyoto's relentless pressure, highlighted by seven corner kicks, set an ominous tone that the visitors simply could not disrupt, foreshadowing the inevitable breakthrough.
Elias Strikes
The constant knocking on the door finally paid off in the 32nd minute, marking the decisive juncture of the contest. Rafael Elias capitalized on the sustained momentum to fire the hosts into a deserved lead. This moment shattered the low Balance of the match, forcing the visitors to briefly abandon their purely defensive stance. However, their attempts to push forward were disjointed and easily contained by a disciplined defensive unit orchestrated by Shinnosuke Fukuda. His outstanding performance at the back ensured that any sporadic counter-attacks were swiftly neutralized before they could reach the penalty area. The sheer volume of Kyoto's 15 total shots compared to a paltry five from the away side underscored exactly why the momentum never shifted back toward the trailing team. The visitors spent the remainder of the half chasing shadows.
Tulio Seals It
Any lingering hopes for a dramatic late equalizer were extinguished in the 77th minute. Marco Tulio delivered the final blow, doubling the advantage and reflecting the true disparity between the two sides. The low Stakes regarding a comeback were evident as the final whistle approached, with Kyoto comfortably knocking the ball around to see out the result. This commanding 2-0 victory cements Kyoto Sanga’s formidable standing in second place, keeping them firmly in the title race conversation. For the visitors, the lack of offensive bite leaves them languishing mid-table with significant questions to answer about their creative output. The outcome ultimately showcased a massive gulf in class, proving that sheer volume and persistent pressure will eventually crack even the most stubborn defensive setups, especially when the home side refuses to take their foot off the gas pedal.
Key Questions
Who scored the opening goal for Kyoto Sanga?
Rafael Elias broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute to give Kyoto Sanga a deserved lead.
Why did Kyoto Sanga dominate the match?
They controlled 55% possession and unleashed 15 shots compared to Fukuoka's five, effectively neutralizing the visitors' attacking threats.
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.
Title Aspirations on the Line
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 51/100. For a Kyoto Sanga side fiercely chasing the championship, anything less than three points against a mid-table opponent is simply unacceptable.
The Setup
The J1 League title race brings immense pressure to Sanga Stadium by Kyocera on February 22, 2026. Sitting comfortably in second place, Kyoto Sanga must convert their home advantage into a commanding victory. Their underlying Form rating indicates robust attacking intent, even if recent results have seen minor defensive blips. Conversely, Avispa Fukuoka arrive sitting ninth in the table after suffering back-to-back defeats. The Stakes are heavily skewed toward the title-chasing hosts. While the Balance of the match heavily favours Kyoto, Fukuoka's unpredictable transition play could spring a trap if the home side loses focus.
Key Battle
The match will be decided by attacking efficiency. Kyoto's Rafael Elias brings a high Stars rating to the pitch, combining physical presence with sharp link-up play. He will look to outshine Fukuoka's breakout threat, Maeda Kokoro. Despite limited action, Maeda has proven lethal and serves as Fukuoka's primary outlet on the break. How Kyoto's defensive line manages Maeda's pace while supporting Elias's relentless pressure in the final third will be the defining tactical clash.
Our Prediction
Expect Kyoto Sanga to dominate early possession, forcing Fukuoka into a deep defensive block. The visitors will rely entirely on quick counter-attacks, but the sheer volume of Kyoto's offensive pressure will eventually crack their resistance. A comfortable 2-0 victory for the home side seems inevitable, keeping their championship dreams firmly on track.