J1 League Gameweek 1
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3 - 0 FT JEF United Chiba
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Futmetrix Verdict
29
FT
Thu, Sep 17
Plzen
0-3
Union St. Gilloise
β‘ Intensity
38
βοΈ Balance
22
π Stakes
0
π² Upset
10
Union St. Gilloise conquer Doosan Arena.
Futmetrix Verdict
51
FT
Thu, Sep 17
Real Betis
1-0
Getafe
β‘ Intensity
51
βοΈ Balance
25
π Stakes
33
π² Upset
0
Ezzalzouli breakthrough sinks ten-man Getafe.
Futmetrix Verdict
41
FT
Thu, Sep 17
OFI
2-0
1899 Hoffenheim
β‘ Intensity
41
βοΈ Balance
28
π Stakes
0
π² Upset
100
OFI stun Hoffenheim in Crete.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
3' S. Nakano
43' Y. Nakajima
HT
46' β N. Maeda βS. Haller
β Y. Kobayashi βMatheus Indio 46'
β T. Matsumura βK. Yamura 64'
β K. Tanaka βM. Himeno 64'
65' β Y. Nakajima βT. Matsumoto
Erison 66'
β T. Tsukui βR. Ishio 78'
79' A. Suzuki (T. Matsumoto)
β D. Ishikawa βL. Rocha 80'
80' β S. Higashi βN. Arai
80' β T. Shiotani βT. Yamasaki
85' β M. Kato βT. Kawamura
88' T. Kawamura
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Goalkeepers
Issei Ouchi 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Tsukasa Shiotani
LATE SHIFT
10
Late Mins
10
Late Mins
80
Total Mins
80
Entry
Hayato Araki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sho Sasaki 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
Shuto Nakano 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Hayao Kawabe 
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
70
Passes
2
Duels
Yotaro Nakajima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Shunki Higashi 
ARCHITECT
7
Key Passes
7
Key Passes
0
Assists
24%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Naoki Maeda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Masaru Kato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Akito Suzuki 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
BENCH
Keisuke Osako 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Takaaki Shichi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Taichi Yamasaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Naoto Arai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daiki Suga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Taishi Matsumoto 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
30
Minutes
6.6
Rating
Shimon Kobayashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Takumu Kawamura 
CLUTCH HERO
88
Goal Time
88
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.3
Rating
SΓ©bastien Haller
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
50
Total Mins
Started
Entry
JEF United Chiba
Goalkeepers
JosΓ© Aurelio SuΓ‘rez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Takahiro Iida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daniel Hall
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Koji Toriumi
MAGNET
82
Activity
82
Activity
73
Passes
9
Duels
Midfielders
Kazuki Tanaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Takayuki Mae 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Yusuke Kobayashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Takumi Tsukui
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Forwards
Takumi Matsumura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Daichi Ishikawa
LATE SHIFT
10
Late Mins
10
Late Mins
80
Total Mins
80
Entry
Erison
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
95
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Ryota Suzuki
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Rikuto Ishio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Takashi Kawano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matheus Γndio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
50
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Makoto Himeno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Takuya Yasui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ken Yamura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hiroto Goya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leonardo Rocha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
League Standings
P: 6 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 6 GD: +8
P: 6 GD: +3
P: 6 GD: +2
P: 6 GD: +1
P: 6 GD: 0
P: 6 GD: +3
P: 6 GD: +3
P: 6 GD: -3
P: 6 GD: -3
P: 6 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 6 GD: -1
P: 6 GD: -4
P: 6 GD: -7
P: 6 GD: -6
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
JEF United Chiba
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
JEF United Chiba
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Hiroshima Dismantle Chiba in Emphatic Home Win
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 31/100. A ruthless attacking masterclass saw the hosts suffocate their visitors and establish complete dominance at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima.
Opening Act
The atmosphere at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima was electric, and it took mere moments for the hosts to firmly assert their tactical authority. In the third minute, S. Nakano broke the deadlock with a lethal strike, setting a relentless early tempo that JEF United Chiba simply could not cope with. Sanfrecce Hiroshima systematically controlled possession, holding 55% of the ball and turning the pitch into their own tactical playground. The Intensity of their early pressing was completely off the charts, leaving the visitors frantically scrambling to patch up a crumbling defensive line. Chiba looked disjointed, struggling to string passes together as the hosts operated with total freedom, dictating the rhythm and refusing to let their opponents settle into any sort of comfortable defensive block.
The Pivot
What followed the opening blitz was nothing short of a one-sided attacking siege that tested every ounce of Chiba's resolve. The hosts relentlessly probed the flanks, ultimately unleashing a devastating barrage of 23 shots and pinning the visitors deep inside their own penalty area. The sheer volume of high-quality chances drastically skewed the Balance of the tie, making it feel like a matter of time before the floodgates opened. Chiba's attackers managed just five attempts on the counter, but whenever they threatened to shift momentum, goalkeeper Issei Ouchi stood incredibly tall, executing three crucial saves. Just ahead of him, Sasaki Sho marshalled the backline flawlessly, delivering an outstanding defensive performance that entirely smothered the visitors' fleeting moments of hope.
Resolution
The final blow was delivered seamlessly via the bench, underlining the massive tactical and squad-depth gulf between the two sides. Sensing the visitors' exhaustion, the hosts struck again on 79 minutes when substitute T. Matsumoto intelligently carved open the tired defence to provide a precise assist for A. Suzuki. Moments later, substitute T. Kawamura added a clinical third to emphatically complete the rout. This commanding victory at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima sends a rather clear warning shot to the rest of the J1 League. For the visitors, the drawing board awaits after being comprehensively dismantled on the road. The three points solidify a superb outing for the home fans, who witnessed a complete footballing exhibition from start to finish.
Key Questions
What made Shuto Nakano the Man of the Match?
He dictated the tempo from midfield, providing three key passes and netting the crucial third-minute opener that shattered Chiba's defensive game plan entirely.
How did substitute Shuto Nakano change the game?
Though Nakano actually started the match and dominated early, it was substitutes like T. Matsumoto and T. Kawamura who truly changed the late game with crucial goal contributions.
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.
Sanfrecce Expected to Coast on Opening Day
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 23/100. Opening day fixtures often bring surprises, but Hiroshimaβs overwhelming home advantage leaves little room for a fairytale Chiba upset.
The Setup
With the season just kicking off on August 08, 2026, the Stakes are technically low, but setting a winning tone is everything. Sanfrecce Hiroshima boast a massive probability edge here. A modest Stars rating means this won't be a glamorous showcase at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, but the tactical mismatch is glaring. A low Balance rating points to a heavy tilt in the hosts' favor, while a neutral Form rating reflects the clean slate of a brand new campaign.
Key Battle
Chiba's deep defensive block against Hiroshima's midfield engine. The hosts will command possession, forcing JEF United Chiba to sit deep, absorb intense pressure, and rely on isolated counter-attacks to relieve the siege.
Our Prediction
Hiroshima win, 2-0. Expect H. Kawabe and S. Tanaka to control the tempo from the opening whistle. Chiba will defend stubbornly, hoping Carlinhos JΓΊnior can snatch a miracle goal on the break, but getting past K. Osako in net is a tall order. Once the first goal goes in, the floodgates could easily open.