15 first round fixtures of the Emperor's Cup JFA 99th Japan Football Championship took place on Sunday 26 May, as all teams advancing to the second round were determined.

Pick-up Match

Briobecca Urayasu 0-1 (0-1, 0-0) Hosei University

On this day, Fukuda Denshi Arena featured a match between Briobecca Urayasu (Chiba) and Hosei University, who earned their seed position by winning the 67th All Japan University Football Tournament. While both sides took a passive approach to start the match, it was Hosei University who gradually took control of the match. The university side effectively utilised their fullbacks to spread the opposing defence line, while anticipating for their opportunities to send the ball upfront to their ace UEDA Ayase, who was recently named to the squad of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) for the CONMEBOL Copa America Brazil 2019.

Hosei University took their shots early and earned six corner kicks within the first half. With momentum on their side, Hosei University took the lead in the 35th minute. The opening goal came when MORIOKA Riku delivered a ball towards the opposing goal. With the Urayasu goalkeeper hesitating to make his decision, TAKEMOTO Hiroki capitalised on the opportunity by scoring a header.

After conceding the goal, Briobecca Urayasu shifted their formation from 4-4-1-1 to 3-4-3 in efforts to change the dynamics of the match. Despite finishing the first half with zero shots taken, the team started to effectively utilise the space behind the Hosei defence line to initiate more attacks from the flanks.

In the 55th minute, Hosei University came close from scoring their second goal, when Ueda connected with a cross and struck the post. The university side brought fresh legs to their offence in the 62nd minute to add more pressure upfront. Urayasu’s biggest opportunity came in the 73rd minute when KIKUSHIMA Taku delivered the ball from the left side towards the other end, connecting with KOJIMA Tatsuki, who redirected the ball with a header to allow TAKENAKA Koki to strike a shot, but the attempt was saved by a superb effort made by the Hosei University goalkeeper NAKANO Kojiro.

Despite the efforts made by Urayasu, Hosei University showcased great persistency to keep the clean sheet and earn their ticket to the second round where Tokyo Verdy (J2) awaits.

32 fixtures of the second round will take place on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 10 July, where the J1 clubs will make their appearance.

Coaches and Players' Comments

TSUNAMI Satoshi, Coach (Briobecca Urayasu)
To be honest, it felt like our opponents had the upper hand at the individual level. Our opponents created opportunities through the long balls and forced us to drop deep in our own territory. We struggled against their approach and failed to execute our game plan. Although we managed to regain our composure in defence after shifting to 3-4-3, we lacked power in offence. In order to achieve our goal to get promoted to the JFL we have been utilising three different systems, and each system has its merits and demerits. We must improve ourselves so that we can fight with confidence regardless of the system.

DF #7 AKIBA Yushi (Briobecca Urayasu)
We allowed our opponents to play too freely in the first half and that has caused us to run out of gas towards the end. Although we managed to create some good opportunities in the second half, we didn’t have enough energy to capitalise on those chances. In the scene where we conceded the goal, we assumed someone was going to make the play and stopped running, and that was a very regretful play. Despite the opponents being a younger team, we always enter the match with a spirit of a challenger and that was the same for today. To be honest, I really wanted to play against (my former team) Tokyo Verdy in the second round.

NAGAYAMA Kazuya, Coach (Hosei University)
After suffering a loss to Meiji University in last week’s league match, the players worked very hard to make the necessary adjustments. Today we managed to position ourselves well and maintained a good distance between each other. All of our players were involved in both offence and defence, and ran hard throughout the match, which led us to this victory. The second round will be held during the Universiade, so we will be missing players who are selected to the national team, but that opens up an opportunity for the rest of the players. As long as we can keep working as a team, we can create opportunities and showcase an organised defence. Until the second round, we will prepare ourselves through our league and cup matches to build a team that can win the match.

FW #18 UEDA Ayase (Hosei University)
The best way I can contribute for the team is by scoring goals. Even if I can’t score goals, I still try to help out the team by possessing the ball. When the team is up by a goal, everyone on the team must be on the same page. In situations like that, I must commit myself in defence and make the right decisions to help the team. Despite being selected to the Japan National Team, I am still a member of Hosei University and I don’t feel the need to change myself because of the selection. The most important thing for me right now is to give my best efforts towards the match scheduled ahead of me. I hope to continue to showcase my style in the future events.

Results of other matches

Blaublitz Akita 0-3 (0-2, 0-1) Meiji University
AC Nagano Parceiro 1-0 (0-0, 1-0) Niigata University of Health and Welfare
Veertien Mie 3-2 (2-1, 0-1, Ex: 1-0, 0-0) Kwansei Gakuin University
MD Nagasaki 0-1 (0-0, 0-1) Kochi United SC
Hokkaido University of Education Iwamizawa Campus 0-2 (0-0, 0-2) Ryutsu Keizai University
Nara Club 1-2 (0-2, 1-0) Ritsumeikan University
Matsuyama University 0-2 (0-1, 0-1) Okinawa SV
SRC Hiroshima 1-2 (1-1, 0-1) National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya
Gainare Tottori 2-2 (2-0, 0-2, Ex: 0-0, 0-0, PK: 4-3) International Pacific University
Giravanz Kitakyushu 6-0 (3-0, 3-0) Tokuyama University
Gifu Kyoritsu University 2-4 (0-2, 2-2) Hokuriku University
Roasso Kumamoto 2-0 (0-0, 2-0) Verspah Oita
Iwate Grulla Morioka 1-0 (0-0, 1-0) Yamanashi Gakuin University Pegasus
Kataller Toyama 2-0 (1-0, 1-0) FC Kariya

Fixtures and Results through the 3rd Round

【1st Round】Sat. 25, Sun. 26 May
【2nd Round】Wed. 3, Wed. 10 July
【3rd Round】Wed. 14 August
【Round of 16】Wed. 18 September
【Quarterfinals】Wed. 23 October
【Semi-final】Sat. 21 December
【Final】Wed. 1 January 2020

Tournament Information