On February 23, 2025, Yokohama F. Marinos faced off against Sanfrecce Hiroshima at the Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, with the home team clinching victory with a narrow 1-0 scoreline. This match marked an intense battle as both teams sought to improve their standings early in the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League season.
Hiroshima entered the match riding high after their recent triumphs. Having won the FUJIFILM SUPER CUP 2025 on February 8 and securing two victories on their AFC Champions League schedule, the team was eager to extend their successful streak. With five consecutive wins overall to start the season, they were confident and maintained good form coming onto their home turf.
Conversely, Yokohama aimed to shake off the disappointment of their first J1 League game against Albirex Niigata, where they had to settle for a 1-1 draw. They were determined to secure their first win of the season against the formidable Hiroshima side.
The match kicked off with Hiroshima dictATING play, showcasing their aggressive approach and control of the ball. Despite the early dominance, they struggled to create clear-cut chances. At the same time, Yokohama slowly worked to increase their possession, rhythmically passing but facing hurdles against Hiroshima’s intense defensive strategies. The first half ended frustratingly for both sides, as the teams failed to break the deadlock.
After the break, the intensity ramped up. Just minutes after the restart, Hiroshima’s forward Tanaka Sō seized the opportunity to intercept the ball high up the pitch. Kato Rikuji then made a threatening run down the right flank, delivering a well-placed cross. Jermaine Li found himself at the end of the cross, but his shot clattered against Jason Quiñones, leading to the referee awarding penalty to Hiroshima due to handball.
At the 49-minute mark, Jermaine made no mistake, expertly sending the penalty kick low to the left corner, past the reach of Yokohama’s goalkeeper. This marked Jermaine’s first goal since his transfer, eliciting joy from the home crowd as Hiroshima took the lead.
The remainder of the match saw relentless efforts from Yokohama, who made several attempts to equalize. An orchestrated substitution by coach Kevin Muscat, involving four attacking players, injected some vitality and tactical shifts, but it wasn't enough to shift the momentum. Late chances arose for Yokohama, including one from Watanabe Kōta. After receiving the ball outside the penalty area, his precise strike aimed at the upper corner flew just over the crossbar, resulting in another letdown as the clock ticked away.
Finally, the match concluded with Hiroshima celebrating their second consecutive league victory and deepening their winning streak to five matches across all competitions. For Yokohama, the results left them at one point from their two league appearances, with their performance raising questions about their strategy and execution as the season progresses.
Moving forward, Hiroshima’s next challenge will see them travel to face Shimizu S-Pulse on February 26, 2025, whereas Yokohama will prepare for their home derby against Yokohama FC, also scheduled for the same day.
This match showcased the competitive spirit of the J1 League and highlighted the challenges and triumphs encountered by teams at this early juncture of the season. With Hiroshima riding high, they remain strong contenders moving forward, whereas Yokohama must regroup and refocus if they are to turn their season around.