J1 League Gameweek 2
Shimizu S-pulse 1 - 1 PEN 1-3 Kyoto Sanga
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Futmetrix Verdict
43
Coventry
vs
Newcastle
Mon, Oct 12 • 19:00 UTC
⚡ Form
47
⚖️ Balance
95
🏆 Stakes
0
⭐ Stars
72
Coventry's survival bid meets Newcastle's inconsistency.
Futmetrix Verdict
83
Al-Wasl FC
vs
Al-Ahli Jeddah
Mon, Oct 12 • 16:00 UTC
⚡ Form
31
⚖️ Balance
82
🏆 Stakes
0
⭐ Stars
66
Early AFC Champions League Elite test.
Futmetrix Verdict
45
Atalanta
vs
Venezia
Mon, Oct 12 • 16:30 UTC
⚡ Form
51
⚖️ Balance
60
🏆 Stakes
0
⭐ Stars
64
Desperate Venezia seek lifeline against Atalanta.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
HT
46' H. Appiah Tawiah
↓ M. Saito ↑T. Yonemoto 46'
↓ T. Hiraoka ↑T. Hirato 46'
50' Kazuki Kozuka
↓ H. Arai ↑M. Okugawa 58'
↓ H. Appiah Tawiah ↑F. Honda 74'
79' ↓ K. Chiba ↑T. Takahashi
79' ↓ K. Kozuka ↑M. Yumiba
↓ Kyoto Sanga ↑Henrique Trevisan 85'
87' ↓ K. Kitagawa ↑R. Gunji
Rafael Elias (F. Honda) 90'
90' ↓ H. Hidaka ↑R. Ohata
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Shimizu S-pulse
Goalkeepers
Yuya Oki 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Ousseini Badamassi 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
5%
Pass Acc
6.7
Rating
Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
62%
Duel Win %
Yuki Honda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yutaka Yoshida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Kazuki Kozuka
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
Matheus Bueno 
SWEEPER
6
Cleanups
6
Cleanups
6
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Kanta Chiba
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
Forwards
Koya Kitagawa 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
7%
Pass Acc
Oh Se-hun 
MAGNET
62
Activity
62
Activity
30
Passes
32
Duels
Capixaba 
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
9
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Togo Umeda 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Kengo Kitazume
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Masaki Yumiba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kai Matsuzaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Shimamoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Ohata
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Riku Gunji
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Toshiki Takahashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alfredo Stephens
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kyoto Sanga
Goalkeepers
Gakuji Ota
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Shinnosuke Fukuda
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
21%
Pass Acc
Hisashi Appiah Tawiah 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
0
Fouls
6.2
Rating
Yoshinori Suzuki
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
54%
Duel Win %
Hidehiro Sugai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
João Pedro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mitsuki Saito
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Taiyo Hiraoka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Forwards
Marco Túlio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rafael Elias 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
8.5
Rating
Haruki Arai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
58
Entry
BENCH
Kentaro Kakoi
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Henrique Trevisan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Masaya Okugawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Takuji Yonemoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
40
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Temma Matsuda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Taiki Hirato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kyo Sato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fuchi Honda 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
16
Minutes
6.9
Rating
Shun Nagasawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/14/2026 | Shimizu S-pulse | 1 - 1 (PEN 1-3) | Kyoto Sanga | J1 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 09/20/2025 | Kyoto Sanga | 0 - 1 | Shimizu S-pulse | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 03/16/2025 | Shimizu S-pulse | 1 - 2 | Kyoto Sanga | J1 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 07/10/2024 | Kyoto Sanga | 3 - 1 | Shimizu S-pulse | Emperor Cup | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 08/27/2022 | Shimizu S-pulse | 1 - 0 | Kyoto Sanga | J1 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 06/22/2022 | Shimizu S-pulse | 0 - 1 | Kyoto Sanga | Emperor Cup | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 05/14/2022 | Kyoto Sanga | 0 - 0 | Shimizu S-pulse | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 11/03/2016 | Shimizu S-pulse | 4 - 1 | Kyoto Sanga | J2 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira (Shizuoka) |
| 05/03/2016 | Kyoto Sanga | 2 - 1 | Shimizu S-pulse | J2 League | Kyōto Nishikyogoku Stadium (Kyōto (Kyoto)) |
02/14/2026
09/20/2025
03/16/2025
07/10/2024
08/27/2022
06/22/2022
05/14/2022
11/03/2016
05/03/2016
Shimizu S-pulse Win
Kyoto Sanga Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Shimizu S-pulse
Kyoto Sanga
Shimizu S-pulse
Kyoto Sanga
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Kyoto Sanga Steal the Show in Nihondaira Penalty Drama
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. This top-of-the-table clash delivered unrelenting drama, culminating in a penalty shootout that saw Kyoto Sanga snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Early Tension at the Top
This top-of-the-table clash immediately lived up to the billing at IAI Stadium Nihondaira. With both sides sitting comfortably on 17 points, the Stakes could not have been higher in this crucial early-season fixture. Kyoto Sanga looked to impose their will early, controlling possession with a confident 56% share of the ball. They dictated the tempo, yet struggled to penetrate a resolute home defense. Shimizu S-pulse absorbed the pressure intelligently, waiting for their moments to strike on the counter. The match remained a tense tactical chess match until moments after the halftime interval. In the 46th minute, a disastrous moment of miscommunication saw H. Appiah Tawiah put the ball into his own net. That calamitous own goal gifted the hosts an unexpected advantage, instantly transforming the atmosphere inside the stadium and forcing the visitors to completely rethink their conservative approach.
VAR Heartbreak and Late Rescue
Chasing the game, the away side pushed higher up the pitch, and the match's Intensity skyrocketed. The hosts thought they had delivered the fatal blow in the 74th minute. Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi found the back of the net to seemingly double the advantage, sparking wild celebrations. However, a lengthy VAR review ultimately cancelled the goal, providing a massive psychological lifeline for the trailing visitors. Buoyed by that reprieve, Kyoto poured bodies forward in search of an equalizer. Se-hun Oh worked tirelessly to relieve pressure for the hosts, putting in an outstanding shift up front, but the wave of pressure was relentless. Just as the clock struck 90 minutes, substitute F. Honda delivered a moment of pure magic. His precise assist found Rafael Elias, who fired home a dramatic late strike to silence the home crowd and wipe out the hosts' 1.74 xG dominance.
Shootout Supremacy
The late equalizer meant this J1 League thriller would be decided from the penalty spot, completely shifting the Balance of momentum. The home side were visibly deflated after conceding so late, and that psychological damage carried over into the shootout. Kyoto's goalkeeper Gakuji Ota stepped into the spotlight as the undisputed hero of the night. Having already produced four massive saves during regulation to keep his team within striking distance, he completely dominated the penalty shootout. His imposing presence between the sticks overwhelmed the Shimizu takers, securing a 3-1 shootout victory for the visitors. This resilient comeback ensures Kyoto keep pace at the very top of the table, proving they have the mental fortitude required for a genuine title race. Meanwhile, Shimizu will rue their missed opportunities and that brutal VAR intervention.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
VAR cancelled a 74th-minute goal by Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi, preventing Shimizu from taking a 2-0 lead and opening the door for Kyoto's late equalizer.
What made Gakuji Ota the Man of the Match?
Gakuji Ota delivered an 8.9-rated masterclass, producing four critical saves during regulation and proving unpassable in the decisive 1-3 penalty shootout victory.
How dramatic was the late winner by Gakuji Ota?
While Ota was the ultimate hero in goal, the dramatic 90th-minute strike was actually scored by Rafael Elias, crucially forcing the match into the deciding shootout.
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.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Summit Meeting Brings Early Title Race Drama
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. Tied on points near the very top of the table, this uncompromising six-pointer will severely test both sides' title credentials.
The Setup
February 14, 2026, marks a massive day in the J1 League as Shimizu S-pulse host Kyoto Sanga at IAI Stadium Nihondaira. With the visitors in second place and the hosts in fourth—both locked on exactly 17 points—the Stakes are absolutely monumental. Kyoto arrive as genuine road specialists, boasting a phenomenal away win rate that makes them incredibly dangerous on their travels. However, fluctuating Form for both sides means the momentum in this critical matchup could swing in an instant.
Key Battle
This clash will be decided by structural discipline rather than individual duels. Shimizu's home attack must find a way through an incredibly resilient Kyoto away block. Expect the visitors to absorb pressure patiently before launching devastating, quick transitions into the channels to exploit the space left behind by an advancing home side.
Our Prediction
Despite the tight league table, the Balance of probabilities points heavily toward the visitors. Led by attacking assets like Rafael Elias and a capable core of Stars, Kyoto Sanga should dictate the tempo on the counter. We expect them to outmaneuver the hosts defensively and secure a commanding 1-3 victory on the road.