In a thrilling encounter at the National Stadium in Tokyo, JEF United Ichihara Chiba faced off against Omiya Ardija on May 6, 2025, in a match that was highly anticipated as the only J2 League game held at this iconic venue this season. Unfortunately for the home fans, Chiba suffered a narrow defeat, losing 1-2 to Omiya, marking their first loss in seven matches.
The match commenced at 16:00 and attracted a crowd of 49,991, eager to witness Chiba’s first home game at the National Stadium in 20 years, since their last J1 match against Kashima Antlers back in April 2005. Despite the loss, Chiba remains at the top of the J2 standings, holding a four-point lead over second-place Vegalta Sendai.
Omiya Ardija, currently in third place, started the match with great momentum, as Yuya Takazawa opened the scoring just five minutes in, finding the back of the net with a precise right-footed shot. Chiba, however, responded well, leveling the score in the 23rd minute when forward Daichi Ishikawa connected with a well-placed cross to head the ball home.
As the match progressed, both teams fought fiercely for control, with Chiba pushing deep into Omiya's territory. However, the tide turned in the second half when an unfortunate own goal by Chiba resulted in Omiya regaining the lead in the 53rd minute. The situation worsened for Chiba in the 72nd minute when Kalili de Oliveira Junior received a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten men.
Despite being a player down, Chiba continued to threaten Omiya's goal, but they were met with a series of brilliant saves from Omiya's goalkeeper, Akihisa Tsuchiya. The home side's efforts were commendable, but they could not find the equalizer, ultimately succumbing to Omiya's resilience.
Omiya's victory marked their first win at the National Stadium in two decades, their last appearance being a 1-1 draw against Tokyo V in August 2005. This win also ended a three-match winless streak for Omiya, who had been struggling to find their form after a strong start to the season.
After the match, Omiya's Yuya Takazawa expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating, "It feels incredible to beat the top team. Our collective effort and strong mentality carried us through to the end. I felt the atmosphere from the supporters, and it pushed us to perform at our best. We aim to keep this momentum going into our next matches."
Chiba, despite the loss, has had an impressive season thus far, boasting the highest goal tally in the league with 27 goals. Their attacking prowess has been evident, with multiple players contributing, including Ishikawa and Kalili, who have been pivotal in their offensive strategy. Head coach Keiyuki Kobayashi will need to regroup his squad quickly as they aim to bounce back from this setback.
As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to solidify their positions in the league. Chiba, with their eyes set on a return to J1, will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly after conceding two goals in this match. Meanwhile, Omiya will look to build on this victory and close the gap on the top two teams.
With the Golden Week ending, fans are left eagerly anticipating the next round of fixtures, hoping for more exciting matches as both teams strive for their respective goals. The intensity of this top-of-the-table clash has set the stage for an exhilarating second half of the season in the J2 League.
