March is set to bring excitement to J3 League fans as the third round matchups are scheduled for the weekend of March 1st and 2nd. A total of ten fixtures await, with teams eager to carve out their progression early this season.
Up first, Tochigi SC will play host to Numazu at home on March 1st following their recent disappointing loss to Gunma, which marked their first defeat of the season. Interestingly, the spotlight will be on 38-year-old stricker Ken Tokura, who is aiming to score his first goal since moving to Tochigi. On the other side, Numazu seeks redemption after a draw against Matsumoto, hoping experienced forward Kengo Kawamata—a 35-year-old who netted the equalizer last game—can spark them to victory.
Sagami Hara welcomes Kagoshima United FC, after claiming their first win against Tochigi SC last round. Here, fans are eager to see if star forward Akihito Takagi can continue his scoring streak, having netted goals consecutively. Conversely, Kagoshima, coming off a loss to Kanazawa, hopes to uplift spirits with Gaku Yonezawa, who scored his first goal last game, aiming to bring his side’s fortunes back on track.
Meanwhile, Nagano will face Gunma, which has recently gained momentum with their first win this season against Tochigi. After being held scoreless against Kitakyushu, Nagano seeks answers on the offensive front, with pressure mounting on their attack following just one shot taken last match. Gunma's Kyoshi Nishimura is also under the spotlight after scoring against Tochigi and will be hoping to capitalize against his former club.
Gifu plays at home against Kitakyushu, also seeking their first win after two consecutive losses. The team is geared toward improved offensive displays, with new recruit Naoki Yamada expected to energize their attack. On the flip side, Kitakyushu just secured their first win this season, thanks to Sota Watanabe, who scored as a substitute last match.
With Nara taking on Matsumoto, both teams are searching for points after last-minute setbacks. Nara, having lost 0-2 against Sanuki, must solidify their defense as they fend off Matsumoto, who themselves are eager for their first win of the season, struggling to hold their lead during previous fixtures.
Riyukyu is set for their showdown with Fukushima, both chasing their initial victories of the year. After failing to score against FC Osaka last time out, Riyukyu is desperate for their attack to ignite, whereas Fukushima must shore up their defense after conceding five goals across their last two games.
Tochigi SC will also welcome Miyazaki, with both teams fresh off defeats. Tochigi hopes to recover from a 1-2 loss against Sagami Hara, which showcased defensive vulnerabilities early on. Miyazaki, having secured their first victory by overcoming Fukushima, seeks to build momentum with effective set plays central to their strategy.
Torres faces off against Aomori, after drawing once and losing once this season. Both teams are hungry for points as they adjust to their lineups, with focus on new forwards Ikki Yoshida from Torres, who will seek to deliver results against last year's familiar opponent, Aomori, who had previously secured victory against Gifu.
The upcoming clash between Sanuki and Kanazawa promises to be thrilling, with Sanuki arriving off their impressive victory against Nara. They will be eager to keep the momentum going, particularly with captain Shion Niwa shining during the last game. Kanazawa is similarly encouraged after defeating Kagoshima, relying on new talent, Tomoya Ohsawa and Patrick, who delivered standout performances.
Finally, Kōchi faces FC Osaka, hoping to secure their first win of the season. Improving their solidity at the back and solving their scoring conundrum will be on their agenda. FC Osaka managed to triumph over Ryukyu but will need to push and dig deep if they are to extend their winning streak.
This weekend’s matches promise plenty of excitement as teams battle for position and pride. Playmakers, newcomers, and seasoned veterans are all gearing up for action.