J2 League's Second Stage Matches Witness Intense Competition
The 2025 Meiji Yasuda J2 League has kicked off its second round of matches, showcasing thrilling confrontations among teams vying for promotion to J1. This weekend, teams previously relegated from J1, like Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and V-Varen Nagasaki, encountered struggles as they aimed for quick rebounds.
On February 23, 2025, seven matches unfolded across various locales. Despite being relegated last season, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, having already lost their opening match, faced Roasso Kumamoto away. Kumamoto's momentum was evident early on as they scored first. A cross from Kaito Abe found Masato Hanadai, who netted the ball just 28 minutes in.
Roasso Kumamoto were not finished there, as they added another goal shortly after halftime. Reiho Watanabe recovered the second ball from enemy territory and danced past defenders before slotting the ball home with his right foot. The match saw Shimohama Ryo score, hitting the left post, completing the home team’s commanding 3-0 victory. This marked Sapporo’s second consecutive loss, continuing their disappointing start.
Meanwhile, V-Varen Nagasaki, who finished third last season, were hoping to claim victory against Renofa Yamaguchi FC after having opened their season without wins. Unfortunately, Nagasaki fell behind through Naoto Misawa’s precise cross to Rui Yokoyama at the 35-minute mark. Although they fought back and equalized with Eduardo's header from a corner after 60 minutes, late-game heroics from Yamaguchi saw them reclaim the lead before Nagasaki salvaged the game with Chuto Okaniwa's last-minute equalizer, ending the match 2-2.
Vegalta Sendai—another team desperately seeking promotion after narrowly missing out last season—was also on the hunt for their first victory against Tokushima Vortis. After maintaining tense momentum throughout the first half, Tokushima broke the deadlock when Joao Victor scored from Daisei Watanabe’s assist. Despite Sendai's late surge, they could not find the back of the net and fell 1-0.
FC Imabari faced off against Fujieda MYFC, battling fiercely yet unable to break the deadlock, ending with a scoreless draw. Despite being reduced to ten men, Imabari’s inaugural season continued to present challenges as they searched for their first victory. Other matches included Oita Trinita and Iwaki FC ending 0-0, as well as Mito Hollyhock correlatively triumphing 1-0 against Montedio Yamagata.
Highlights of the round also included another impressive display from Blaublitz Akita, who triumphed 2-1 over Ehime FC, marking their second consecutive win. The matches showed the fierce competitor spirit among teams striving for promotion within the league.
This round of matches solidified the significance of continuous performance, showcasing how teams are adapting to new strategies and player dynamics. The complete results from the second round of the J2 League's matches were as follows:
February 23 (Sunday):
- Roasso Kumamoto 3-0 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
- Renofa Yamaguchi FC 2-2 V-Varen Nagasaki
- Tokushima Vortis 1-0 Vegalta Sendai
- FC Imabari 0-0 Fujieda MYFC
- Oita Trinita 0-0 Iwaki FC
- Mito Hollyhock 1-0 Montedio Yamagata
- Blaublitz Akita 2-1 Ehime FC
February 22 (Saturday):
- Jubilo Iwata 1-0 Sagan Tosu
- Jef United Chiba 2-0 Kataller Toyama
- RB Omiya Ardija 1-0 Ventforet Kofu
With the season progressing, the league table reveals Chiba leading the pack with six points, followed closely by Tokushima and Iwata, each also boasting six points. Every team aims not just to avoid relegation, but also to capitalize on opportunities to move up to J1.
The upcoming matches promise to be equally thrilling as teams battle for supremacy and strive to secure their place at the top of the league standings. Next week, the J2 League will feature matchups such as Sendai facing Oita and Chiba taking on Yamagata, as anticipation builds around each game and its potential impact on the promotion race.