On Wednesday 26 September, the remaining two Round of 16 (fourth round) matches of the Emperor's Cup JFA 98th Japan Football Championship will take place. The matches had been postponed due to conflict with the AFC Champions League (ACL) match schedule.

Kashima Antlers vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Kashima has the upper hand in total head-to-head record with 23 wins, 15 losses, and 6 draws. The team has especially shown dominance facing Hiroshima from the 2014 season to last season, as they went undefeated over 9 official matches, with 8 wins and 1 draw. However, they have dropped both of their matches this season, highlighting the superb form the Hiroshima side has been showcasing. Despite trailing 14-points in the J. League, the team has great momentum on their side after advancing to the semi-finals at the ACL for the first time in club history.

This season, Hiroshima successfully opened the league undefeated for the first nine matches. They have been leading the league from the fifth Sec. and still leading the pack after the 27th Sec. However, the team has shown signs of losing traction, as they recorded 2 wins, 2 losses, and a draw in the recent 5 league matches played. Their fate will heavily depend on their offence led by PATRIC, who scored a hat-trick in the match against Nagoya Grampus in the third round of the Emperor's Cup, and currently (as of 23 September) leads the league with 20 goals.

The highly anticipated match between the “Champions” Kashima, who has earned a record 19 titles among the triple crown titles (Emperor's Cup, J. League, League Cup), and the Hiroshima side who is seeking for their fourth consecutive quarterfinals appearance is about to kick-off.

Jubilo Iwata vs Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo

In their fourth season under the helm of Coach NANAMI Hiroshi, Iwata has been struggling mightily in the J. League, as they have won consecutive matches in only one occasion, and currently sits in 11th place. After acquiring OKUBO Yoshito from Kawasaki Frontale this summer, the team has seen a great competition among the players, especially in the attacking third. The team has won in the 23rd Sec. with a goal scored by Okubo, but has been winless since, giving them more motivations to perform well at the Emperor's Cup. They will seek to gain momentum in their league action by advancing to their second straight quarterfinals.

On the other hand, a new regime under Coach Mihailo PETROVIC has led Sapporo to a great campaign, as they compete high in the rankings in the J. League, aiming to secure their spot into the ACL. With their attacking third featuring former England National Team member JAY, Thai International CHANATHIP, and the second top Japanese scorer of the league (11 goals) TOKURA Ken, the team seeks to ride their momentum into their first quarterfinals appearance since the 86th Emperor's Cup (2006).

This season, the two teams has faced each other in three occasions, including the J. League YBC Levain CUP qualifiers, and shares an even record of a win, a loss, and a draw. Vegalta Sendai awaits to face the winner of this evenly matched showdown.

【1st Round】Sat. 26, Sun. 27 May
【2nd Round】Wed. 6 June
【3rd Round】Wed. 11 July
【Round of 16】Wed. 22 August (Reserve date Wed. 26 September)
【Quarterfinals】Wed. 24 October
【Semi-final】Sun. 16 December
【Final】Mon. 24 December

Tournament Information