Possession
SUBSTITUTES
A dramatic comeback victory against a historical rival, sealed by a late winner, ending a difficult winless streak and providing sweet revenge.
Despite a spirited comeback from a two-goal deficit, a late concession led to a heartbreaking loss, compounded by the manager's harsh criticism of the team's performance.
JEF United took control early, with Hiroto Goya converting a penalty rebound in the 19th minute after his initial shot was saved by Tokyo Verdy's Yuya Nagasawa. Goya doubled the lead in the 40th minute, slotting home a pass from Zain Issaka. However, Tokyo Verdy, trailing by two goals at halftime, quickly responded in the second half. Yuya Fukuda, celebrating his 27th birthday, capitalized on a defensive error in the 47th minute to pull one back for Verdy.
Tokyo Verdy's momentum continued, and in the 62nd minute, they earned a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Substitute Taiju Yoshida stepped up and unleashed a magnificent left-footed shot that curled past the wall, struck the inside of the left post, and found the back of the net. This spectacular equalizer sent the stadium into a frenzy and drew widespread praise on social media, with fans calling it "world-class."
Despite being on the back foot for much of the second half after conceding the equalizer, JEF United found a dramatic winner in the 85th minute. A cross from the right flank found Masaru Hidaka unmarked at the far post, and he clinically finished with a direct left-footed shot. This late goal proved to be the decider, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory for JEF United and ending their four-game winless streak. Hidaka later expressed his strong desire for "revenge" against Tokyo Verdy, a team that defeated JEF in the 2023 J1 promotion play-off semi-final.
JEF United, newly promoted to J1, had been struggling with a four-game winless streak. This dramatic 3-2 victory against Tokyo Verdy, a team they lost to in the 2023 J1 promotion play-offs, serves as a significant morale boost and a sweet act of revenge. The team showed resilience to overcome a two-goal lead and secure a late winner, which could be a turning point for their season. Tokyo Verdy, on the other hand, displayed fighting spirit to equalize from two goals down but ultimately succumbed to a late goal. Manager Hiroshi Jofuku's post-match comments, calling the first half "pathetic" and stating the team cannot compete in J1 with such performances, highlight significant concerns about their consistency and defensive solidity.
JEF United's opening goals came from Hiroto Goya, who first scored from a penalty rebound and then added another. Goya openly admitted his strong desire for "revenge" against Tokyo Verdy, a team that eliminated JEF from the 2023 J1 promotion play-offs. His performance in this match was a clear manifestation of the team's deep-seated desire to settle old scores with their rivals.
Trailing by two goals, Tokyo Verdy mounted a fierce comeback in the second half, highlighted by Taiju Yoshida's spectacular free-kick. His perfectly curled shot from outside the box, which hit the post and went in, was hailed as a "super goal" and widely praised on social media as "world-class." This moment dramatically shifted the momentum, bringing Verdy level and briefly suggesting a potential turnaround victory.
For JEF United, this dramatic victory could be a catalyst, boosting their confidence and providing a foundation for a stronger J1 campaign. Their ability to overcome adversity and secure a late win is a significant takeaway. Tokyo Verdy, however, must address the issues highlighted by Manager Jofuku, particularly their "pathetic first half" and defensive lapses. How both teams respond to this "Original 10 Derby" experience in their upcoming fixtures will be a key storyline to follow.
JEF United
Tokyo Verdy
| # | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | +11 | 22 | |
| 1 | 9 | +11 | 23 | |
| 2 | 10 | +6 | 20 | |
| 2 | 9 | +2 |
17 |
| 3 | Machida Zelvia | 10 | -2 | 19 |
| 3 | Nagoya Grampus | 9 | +4 | 16 |
| 4 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 10 | +3 | 16 |
| 4 | Kawasaki Frontale | 9 | -2 | 14 |
| 5 | Kyoto Sanga | 9 | 0 | 14 |
| 5 | Tokyo Verdy | 9 | -2 | 13 |
| 6 | V-Varen Nagasaki | 9 | -4 | 12 |
| 6 | Urawa Reds | 9 | +2 | 11 |
| 7 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 9 | -1 | 11 |
| 7 | Kashiwa Reysol | 9 | +1 | 11 |
| 8 | Fagiano Okayama | 9 | -3 | 11 |
| 8 | Mito Hollyhock | 9 | -6 | 10 |
| 9 | Cerezo Osaka | 9 | -3 | 11 |
| 9 | Yokohama F. Marinos | 9 | -3 | 9 |
| 10 | Avispa Fukuoka | 9 | -9 | 8 |
| 10 | JEF United | 9 | -5 | 8 |