J1 League Gameweek 1
Tokyo Verdy 3 - 1 FT Mito Hollyhock
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Futmetrix Verdict
43
Coventry
vs
Newcastle
Mon, Oct 12 โข 19:00 UTC
โก Form
47
โ๏ธ Balance
95
๐ Stakes
0
โญ Stars
72
Coventry's survival bid meets Newcastle's inconsistency.
Futmetrix Verdict
83
Al-Wasl FC
vs
Al-Ahli Jeddah
Mon, Oct 12 โข 16:00 UTC
โก Form
31
โ๏ธ Balance
82
๐ Stakes
0
โญ Stars
66
Early AFC Champions League Elite test.
Futmetrix Verdict
45
Atalanta
vs
Venezia
Mon, Oct 12 โข 16:30 UTC
โก Form
51
โ๏ธ Balance
60
๐ Stakes
0
โญ 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
8' H. Yamamoto
21' K. Saito (K. Morita)
Kenta Itakura 42'
HT
โ H. Yamamoto โK. Okuda 46'
49' Y. Matsuhashi (K. Morita)
Kishin Gokita 50'
52' โ K. Morita โY. Arai
โ K. Gokita โK. Tada 57'
C. Kato (K. Tada) 59'
โ Y. Nagao โM. Arai 65'
โ Y. Torikai โT. Semba 65'
74' โ K. Saito โJ. Yamamoto
75' โ Y. Matsuhashi โH. Hirao
โ C. Kato โS. Aihara 80'
90' โ I. Someno โS. Teranuma
90' โ K. Miyahara โR. Inoue
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Tokyo Verdy
Goalkeepers
Matheus Vidotto 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Kaito Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Naoki Hayashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kazuya Miyahara 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
35%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
Midfielders
Yosuke Uchida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rei Hirakawa 
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
10
Duels Won
91%
Win %
Koki Morita 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
2
Assists
25%
Pass Acc
Daiki Fukazawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Yuan Matsuhashi 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Kosuke Saito
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Itsuki Someno 
MAGNET
53
Activity
53
Activity
29
Passes
24
Duels
BENCH
Yuya Nagasawa 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Ryota Inoue
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Taiju Yoshida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tetsuyuki Inami
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joi Yamamoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuta Arai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
38
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hiroto Yamami
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shimon Teranuma
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ghaith Al Mhairat
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mito Hollyhock
Goalkeepers
Konosuke Nishikawa 
SIEVE
25%
Save %
25%
Save %
3
Conceded
1
Saves
Defenders
Takahiro Iida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Seiya Inoue
MAGNET
105
Activity
105
Activity
95
Passes
10
Duels
Kenta Itakura
MAGNET
114
Activity
114
Activity
98
Passes
16
Duels
Sho Omori
MAGNET
91
Activity
91
Activity
89
Passes
2
Duels
Midfielders
Chihiro Kato 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.2
Rating
Y. Nagao
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Koshi Osaki
MAGNET
66
Activity
66
Activity
54
Passes
12
Duels
Hayata Yamamoto 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
0
Fouls
5.7
Rating
Forwards
Yoshiki Torikai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
K. Gokita
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
BENCH
Shuhei Matsubara
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Takumi Mase
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Fofana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mizuki Arai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Taishi Semba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Yamashita
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Koya Okuda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shohei Aihara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Keisuke Tada 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
33
Minutes
6.9
Rating
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/08/2026 | Tokyo Verdy | 3 - 1 | Mito Hollyhock | J1 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 07/29/2023 | Tokyo Verdy | 0 - 0 | Mito Hollyhock | J2 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 04/29/2023 | Mito Hollyhock | 0 - 2 | Tokyo Verdy | J2 League | Kโs Denki Stadium |
| 09/21/2022 | Mito Hollyhock | 1 - 2 | Tokyo Verdy | J2 League | Kโs Denki Stadium |
| 05/14/2022 | Tokyo Verdy | 0 - 2 | Mito Hollyhock | J2 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 08/09/2021 | Mito Hollyhock | 1 - 1 | Tokyo Verdy | J2 League | Kโs Denki Stadium |
| 04/04/2021 | Tokyo Verdy | 2 - 1 | Mito Hollyhock | J2 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 12/20/2020 | Tokyo Verdy | 0 - 1 | Mito Hollyhock | J2 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 08/16/2020 | Mito Hollyhock | 0 - 2 | Tokyo Verdy | J2 League | Kโs Denki Stadium |
| 08/24/2019 | Mito Hollyhock | 1 - 2 | Tokyo Verdy | J2 League | K's denki Stadium Mito (Mito) |
02/08/2026
07/29/2023
04/29/2023
09/21/2022
05/14/2022
08/09/2021
04/04/2021
12/20/2020
08/16/2020
08/24/2019
Tokyo Verdy Win
Mito Hollyhock Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Tokyo Verdy
Mito Hollyhock
Tokyo Verdy
Mito Hollyhock
Brutal Efficiency at Ajinomoto Stadium
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 36/100. A masterclass in transitional play proved that sterile possession means nothing without a ruthless edge in the final third.
The Opening Act
Ajinomoto Stadium witnessed a chaotic opening sequence that immediately tore up the tactical script. Tokyo Verdy struck first under bizarre circumstances, as H. Yamamoto turned the ball into his own net just eight minutes in, gifting the hosts an early advantage. Despite falling behind, Mito Hollyhock immediately established control of the ball, passing with confidence and ultimately recording a controlled possession figure of 59 percent. The Balance of play seemed to lean towards the away side as they probed for a response. Yet, rather than capitulate to the pressure, Verdy absorbed it with remarkable defensive discipline. They allowed their opponents to stroke the ball around the middle third while patiently waiting to trigger their devastating transitions. It was a classic rope-a-dope strategy that perfectly set the stage for the attacking masterclass that followed.
The Pivot
The tide turned with brutal efficiency as the hosts bared their teeth on the counter. In the 21st minute, K. Saito doubled the advantage, finishing off a brilliant sequence orchestrated by the imperious K. Morita. The halftime interval did nothing to cool Verdy's momentum. Just four minutes into the second period, Morita picked another crucial lock, serving up a flawless delivery for Y. Matsuhashi to slam home. This phase of play saw the match's Intensity rating skyrocket, transforming the atmosphere entirely. The hosts produced a staggering display of attacking economy, defying a modest 0.83 expected goals tally to build an unassailable three-goal cushion. Moritaโs twin assists completely broke Mitoโs structural integrity, turning sterile possession into a glaring defensive nightmare for the shell-shocked visitors.
Resolution
Trailing by three, the visitors refused to surrender without a fight. Managerial intervention briefly breathed life into their attack when K. Tada entered the fray in the 57th minute. The substitute made an immediate, tangible impact, slicing a pass through the defensive lines for C. Kato to pull a goal back just two minutes later. With both clubs battling for early positioning around fifth and sixth in the J1 League standings, the Stakes were unmistakably high. However, Verdy tightened their grip in the closing stages, protecting their lead with cynical intelligence. The hosts successfully neutralized Mitoโs pedestrian passing carousel, restricting them to a solitary shot on target all match. It was a defining performance of substance over style, proving that possession statistics mean nothing without a killer instinct.
Key Questions
How did substitute Koki Morita change the game?
Though not a substitute, K. Morita started and completely dictated the match, providing two crucial assists to orchestrate Tokyo Verdy's clinical 3-1 victory.
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.
Top Four Ambitions on the Line
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 7/100. Separated by a single point, this clash will ruthlessly expose which of these two inconsistent sides truly has the pedigree for a Champions League spot.
The Setup
This February 08, 2026 showdown at Ajinomoto Stadium represents a classic six-pointer in the top-four race. Fifth-placed Tokyo Verdy sit precariously on 13 points, constantly looking over their shoulders at a Mito Hollyhock side trailing by just one point in sixth. The raw Stakes metrics read on the modest side simply due to the early phase of the regular season, but an incredibly high Balance rating suggests a fiercely competitive 90 minutes. Neither side boasts an impressive Form rating, trading wins and losses week by week, making this a pivotal moment for either club to finally establish some consistency.
Key Battle
With a notably low Stars rating defining this fixture, do not expect individual brilliance to save the day. The match will be won in the engine room. K. Morita will attempt to dictate the tempo for the hosts, but he faces a rugged, disciplined Mito Hollyhock midfield block designed to stifle creativity. It is a tactical war of attrition rather than a highlight reel waiting to happen.
Our Prediction
A gritty 1-1 draw. Both teams have proven too erratic to command a full 90 minutes, and the mutual fear of conceding ground in the Champions League race will eventually neutralize the contest.