Match Report

Sagan Tosu (J1)   4-3 (1-1, 3-2)   Montedio Yamagata (J1)

The 95th Emperor's Cup had its Round 16 (Fourth Round) on Saturday 14 November, as J1 outfits Sagan Tosu and Montedio Yamagata squared off each against other at Best Amenity Stadium.

Tosu edged the goal-scoring thriller in the end. They created driving power toward the opposing goal by sending the ball vertically and quickly. Then in the 11th minute, after HAYASAKA Ryota captured a ball controlling error of an opposing defender and robbed the ball, he fed it into the box from left centre. IKEDA Kei fired a flick by MIZUNUMA Kota for a right-footed blast to give his side the opening goal.

Although Yamagata was dominated by Tosu, who showed acute challenges on the ball on both side of the pitch, they went on level terms just before the half time in the 44th minute. DIEGO left-footed HAYASHI Ryohei's set-up at right centre into the back of the net. After equalising in a favourable time, Yamagata continued to play aggressively in the second half. In the 51st minute, TAKAGI Toshiya took his side ahead with a towering header for MIYASAKA Masaki's right corner kick.

"We came on with the goal," said Tosu coach MORISHITA. The Kyushu side geared up fighting back with one goal down. In the 61st minute, Mizunuma smashed a 20-meter shot at the centre when a loose ball came from KIM Min-Woo's shot after a corner kick.

In the 81st minute again through a corner kick, after Mizunuma sent in a low cross from the right flank, the unmarked TANIGUCHI Hiroyuki tapped in the ball with a diving header for a 3-2 lead. Yet the match saw Yamagata equalise again with Diego's right-footed shot in the 88th minute when he showed a quick response to a deflection from KAWANISHI Shota's shot and put it in.

While the match was looking like getting into the extra time, Mizunuma, who had helped all the Tosu's goals today got, the game winner. Penetrating through the defensive line for Kim's through ball, Mizunuma tipped the ball over the goalkeeper closing to him. That goal was scored two minutes past 90 minutes for the seventh goal of the match.

Match detail (Japanese version only)

Coach and Players' Comments

MORISHITA Hitoshi, Coach (Sagan Tosu)
The match turned out to lack attention to details. After getting the opening goal, our intensity on the ball became weaker on both offence and defence. Just when our defence was loose, we conceded a goal. In the midst of that game flow, I was feeling we were unstable early in the second half.

Then, they scored at that point. But we came on with that goal. I can give my squad credit for the performance in the second half. Today's win doesn't mean the match ended satisfyingly. We could have added more goals at the right time and denied the opponents’ goals. We will be aware of such things and come out for the final match of the league.

ISHIZAKI Nobuhiro, Coach (Montedio Yamagata)
I said to the players, "Our relegation to J2 has just been decided, but let's go out with good motivation." Even though we lost the match, they showed a spirit to win and battled it out. But I'm very disappointed that we gave up four goals because of set pieces and our own mistakes. On the offensive side, conversely, we were able to attack in our favour and scored three goals. We will make a good preparation for the final match of the league.

The 95th Emperor's Cup All Japan Football Championship

Sat. 29 August 2015 - Fri. 1 January 2016
More information