In an exciting start to the 2025 J.League YBC Levain Cup, Ventforet Kofu secured a hard-fought victory against Fujieda MYFC on March 26, 2025. The match, held at Kofu’s home ground, saw newcomer Yudai Tanaka and 20-year-old Hirokazu Naito each score, leading Kofu to a 2-1 win and advancing them to the next round of the tournament.
Kofu’s head coach made a bold decision by completely overhauling the starting eleven from the league match just three days prior. The team lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with East John taking the goalkeeping position. The three defenders were Eduardo Mancha, Yuki Inoue, and Hirotoshi Ichizuru. In midfield, the experienced Eiji Yamanaka, at 44 years old, partnered with 21-year-old Hiroki Komeda, who is a special designated player for the upcoming season.
The wing-backs were Iwao Kobayashi on the left and Keisuke Sato on the right, while the shadow strikers were Mateus Leiria and Yudai Tanaka. Hirokazu Naito, the center forward, was tasked with leading the attack.
The match began with Kofu struggling to find their footing as Fujieda took control early on. However, the tide turned in the dying moments of the first half. In the 45th minute, Kofu capitalized on a long kick from East John, launching a counter-attack. Naito fought hard to retain possession, allowing Tanaka to break free and score the opening goal, marking his first goal of the season.
Just seven minutes into the second half, Kofu doubled their lead. Mateus made a powerful run down the flank, delivering a precise ground cross that Naito expertly tucked away, scoring his first goal of the season as well. Despite conceding a goal to Fujieda’s Anderson in the 90th minute, Kofu managed to hold on for the win, celebrating their first official victory since the opening match of the J2 league.
This victory sets Kofu up for a challenging next match against J1’s Machida on April 9, 2025, in the Levain Cup second round. Kofu will also face Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, who were recently relegated from J1, in a J2 league match on March 29.
In other matches of the Levain Cup held on the same day, Shimizu S-Pulse triumphed over SC Sagamihara with a score of 3-1, while Mito HollyHock edged out Roasso Kumamoto 1-0. Kataller Toyama defeated JEF United Chiba 4-2, and Fukushima United had a remarkable 6-3 victory against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo after extra time. The day also saw Matsumoto Yamaga win 1-0 against Sagan Tosu, and Blaublitz Akita claim a 2-0 victory over Ehime FC.
Omiya Ardija had a thrilling match against Iwaki FC, which ended in a 3-3 draw, leading to a penalty shootout where Omiya won 7-6. Meanwhile, Tochigi SC progressed to the next round after a goalless draw against Vegalta Sendai, winning 4-3 on penalties. Gunma suffered a heavy defeat, losing 1-4 to V-Varen Nagasaki, while Kagoshima United fell 0-2 to Montedio Yamagata.
The matches highlighted the competitive spirit of the tournament, with teams from various divisions battling for advancement. As the Levain Cup progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming fixtures, particularly Kofu's encounter with Machida, where they hope to build on their recent success.
Overall, the first round of the 2025 J.League YBC Levain Cup showcased thrilling football action, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead. With teams displaying resilience and determination, the competition promises to deliver more unforgettable moments as it unfolds.
