In a thrilling encounter on May 6, 2025, Jubilo Iwata faced Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo at the Daiwa House Premist Dome for the 14th round of the Meiji Yasuda J2 League. Iwata, seeking to break a six-match winless streak, came out strong, quickly establishing dominance over the home team.
The match kicked off with an explosive start as Masaya Inui scored just 38 seconds into the game, giving Iwata an early lead. This was a dream start for Iwata, who had struggled in previous matches and were looking for their first away win in seven games.
Iwata continued to apply pressure, and in the 20th minute, a long feed from Ricardo Grasa led to an own goal by Sapporo's defender, Rei Iizumi. This unfortunate event doubled Iwata's lead, bringing the score to 2-0.
Just five minutes later, Iwata struck again. After a quick counterattack following a Sapporo build-up, Kota Yoshihara's shot hit the post, but Yamato Kaneko was on hand to slot the rebound into the left corner of the net, extending Iwata's lead to 3-0.
Sapporo, now in a difficult position, struggled to create clear chances in the first half. They attempted to respond, with Amadou Bakayoko and Rei Iizumi both coming close, but their efforts were thwarted by Iwata's solid defense.
As the second half commenced, Sapporo sought to turn the tide. They intensified their attacks but found it challenging to penetrate Iwata's resolute backline. In the 70th minute, however, Iwata's Masaya Inui found the net again, making it 4-0 with a well-placed shot to the right side of the goal.
Despite the daunting scoreline, Sapporo refused to give up. In the 77th minute, a header from Nakamura set up substitute Jordi Sanchez, who skillfully converted with his left foot, marking Sapporo's first goal of the match.
Just four minutes later, Sapporo's determination paid off again. A cross from Okuto Nishi found Iizumi, who headed the ball into the net, narrowing the deficit to 4-2. The home crowd erupted in cheers as Sapporo showed signs of life.
In the final moments of the match, Sapporo continued to push forward, desperately seeking another goal to spark a dramatic comeback. However, despite their valiant efforts, they could not find the back of the net again, and the match concluded with Iwata securing a crucial 4-2 victory.
This win marked Iwata's first three points in seven matches, a much-needed boost for the team as they aim to climb the league standings. Sapporo, on the other hand, faced a painful defeat at home, leaving them to reflect on their performance as they look to improve in their upcoming fixtures.
With this victory, Jubilo Iwata moves closer to the top half of the table, while Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo will need to regroup and refocus for their next challenge in the J2 League.
