J1 League Gameweek 7
Vissel Kobe 2 - 1 FT Kashima
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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
78
Atletico Madrid
vs
Manchester United
Tue, Oct 13 • 19:00 UTC
⚡ Form
14
⚖️ Balance
82
🏆 Stakes
50
⭐ Stars
99
Atleti's European lifeline against flying United.
Futmetrix Verdict
42
Coritiba
vs
Botafogo
Mon, Oct 12 • 19:00 UTC
⚡ Form
61
⚖️ Balance
100
🏆 Stakes
2
⭐ Stars
42
Mid-table deadlock looms in Curitiba.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Keisuke Tsukui 23'
Rikuto Hirose 25'
HT
51' Gotoku Sakai
56' Yuya Osako
↓ Rikuto Hirose ↑Ryuta Koike 65'
↓ Keisuke Tsukui ↑Yan Matheus 65'
↓ Homare Tokuda ↑Aleksandar Čavrić 65'
72' ↓ Katsuya Nagato ↑Erik Nascimento de Lima
72' ↓ Yuya Osako ↑Ren Komatsu
Aleksandar Čavrić (Yan Matheus) 73'
77' Tetsushi Yamakawa (Diego Jara Rodrigues)
↓ Matheus Bueno ↑Gaku Shibasaki 79'
↓ Ryoya Ogawa ↑Haruki Hayashi 81'
Kento Misao 90'+1
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Vissel Kobe
Goalkeepers
Shuichi Gonda 
MAGNET
54
Activity
54
Activity
54
Passes
0
Duels
Defenders
Issei Takahashi 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Tetsushi Yamakawa 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Matheus Thuler 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Diego 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7.0
Rating
Midfielders
Yosuke Ideguchi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gotoku Sakai 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Yoshinori Muto 
PROVOCATEUR
5
Fouls Won
5
Fouls Won
10
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Yuta Goke
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Katsuya Nagato
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Forwards
Yuya Osako 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
Daiya Maekawa 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Boniface Nduka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
João Victor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nanasei Iino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mitsuki Hidaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuan Iwamoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuya Kuwasaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ren Komatsu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Erik
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kashima
Goalkeepers
Tomoki Hayakawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Rikuto Hirose
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Naomichi Ueda
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Kim Tae-Hyeon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ryoya Ogawa 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
19%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Keisuke Tsukui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Kento Misao
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuta Matsumura
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
10%
Pass Acc
Matheus Bueno
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
30%
Pass Acc
Yuma Suzuki
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Forwards
Homare Tokuda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
BENCH
Taiki Yamada
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Motosuna
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ryuta Koike
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kaito Chida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gaku Shibasaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Hayashu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Minato Yoshida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yan Matheus
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.6
Rating
Aleksandar Čavrić
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/06/2026 | Kashima | 2 - 0 | Vissel Kobe | J1 League | Mercari Stadium |
| 05/30/2026 | Vissel Kobe | 5 - 0 | Kashima | J1 League | Noevir Stadium |
| 10/17/2025 | Vissel Kobe | 0 - 0 | Kashima | J1 League | Noevir Stadium |
| 03/29/2025 | Kashima | 1 - 0 | Vissel Kobe | J1 League | Mercari Stadium |
| 09/25/2024 | Kashima | 0 - 3 | Vissel Kobe | Emperor Cup | NOEVIR Stadium Kobe |
| 06/30/2024 | Vissel Kobe | 3 - 1 | Kashima | J1 League | NOEVIR Stadium Kobe |
| 05/19/2024 | Kashima | 1 - 0 | Vissel Kobe | J1 League | Kashima Soccer Stadium |
| 10/21/2023 | Vissel Kobe | 3 - 1 | Kashima | J1 League | Japan National Stadium |
| 04/15/2023 | Kashima | 1 - 5 | Vissel Kobe | J1 League | Kashima Soccer Stadium |
| 09/07/2022 | Vissel Kobe | 0 - 1 | Kashima | Emperor Cup | NOEVIR Stadium Kobe |
06/06/2026
05/30/2026
10/17/2025
03/29/2025
09/25/2024
06/30/2024
05/19/2024
10/21/2023
04/15/2023
09/07/2022
Vissel Kobe Win
Kashima Win
Draw
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: +4
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 6 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 6 GD: -3
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
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +14
P: 8 GD: +11
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -8
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Vissel Kobe
Kashima
Vissel Kobe
Kashima
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Yamakawa's Late Strike Settles Top-Tier Thriller at Noevir Stadium
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 83/100. A fixture carrying massive implications for the upper echelons of the J1 League delivered on its promise with a breathless second-half spectacle.
Tactical Gridlock
The atmosphere at Noevir Stadium demanded a spectacle, but the early exchanges resembled a tense tactical standoff reflecting the enormous Stakes on offer. Vissel Kobe edged possession with 52 percent of the ball, patiently probing a resolute Kashima defensive block that refused to crack. The visitors were far from passive spectators, consistently threatening to spring rapid counter-attacking traps and keeping the home defence completely honest under pressure. The Balance of the match swung back and forth between the two penalty areas, though neither side could find the definitive final pass in the opening forty-five minutes. A combined twenty-one shots over the entire contest hinted at the underlying attacking intent, but the first half remained stubbornly scoreless as both title contenders refused to blink first.
The Spark and the Substitutes
The tactical shackles were completely destroyed shortly after the interval, transforming the match entirely. In the 51st minute, a crucial VAR review involving Gotoku Sakai resulted in a penalty being confirmed for the hosts. Yuya Osako stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot-kick to break the deadlock. Staring down a deeply costly defeat, Kashima's management aggressively turned to their bench. They introduced Aleksandar Čavrić and Yan Matheus in a daring double substitution that instantly dialled up the Intensity. The gamble paid off brilliantly in the 73rd minute when Yan Matheus picked out his fellow substitute, allowing Čavrić to rifle home a stunning equaliser that temporarily silenced the raucous home crowd.
Rapid Response
Conceding an equaliser against a direct top-four rival could have derailed the hosts, but their immediate response carried a low Upset Factor given their well-known title ambitions. Barely four minutes after Kashima's dramatic leveller, Diego Jara Rodrigues carved open the visiting defensive line with remarkable vision to find Tetsushi Yamakawa, who buried the decisive winning goal. The 2-1 victory propels Vissel Kobe to 16 points, keeping them breathing heavily down the necks of the league leaders in this crucial early-season title race. For Kashima, the bitter defeat leaves them stranded on 12 points, forcing a serious tactical rethink if they wish to bridge the growing four-point gap to the summit.
Key Questions
What does this mean for Vissel Kobe's season?
Defeating a direct rival pushes them to 16 points, cementing their second-place position and keeping intense pressure on the league leaders.
How did substitute A. Čavrić change the game?
Introduced in the 65th minute, he immediately disrupted the home defence and scored a brilliant equaliser just eight minutes later.
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.
J1 League Heavyweights Collide in High-Stakes Top-Four Clash
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 65/100. This top-four showdown at Noevir Stadium will set the early pace in the race for Champions League qualification.
The Setup
Vissel Kobe's solid defensive base faces the ultimate test against a high-flying Kashima side. Sitting third and fifth respectively, a high Stakes rating underscores the importance of this September 11 clash. Kobe have conceded just three times in five outings, while Kashima arrive as away specialists, boasting an impressive Form rating thanks to 13 goals in six matches. The Balance of this fixture is off the charts, pitting Kobe's rigid structure against Kashima's raw firepower.
Key Battle
Yoshinori Muto is tasked with unlocking the visitors' defence, but the real threat lies at the other end of the pitch. Léo Ceará has been devastating in the final third, driving Kashima's attacking momentum. Muto's pressing from the front against Kashima's ability to supply Ceará will completely dictate the tempo of the afternoon.
Our Prediction
Vissel Kobe edge this one 2-1. Expect Kashima to strike first through their lethal transitions, but the home side will grind them down and turn the tide in the second half.