In a thrilling matchup at Peace Stadium, V-Varen Nagasaki showcased a dominant performance against Blaublitz Akita, winning 5-1 in the Meiji Yasuda J2 League Round 6 on March 23, 2025. This victory marks Nagasaki’s second consecutive win and keeps the team unbeaten in six games, with an impressive record of four wins and two draws since the season commenced.
The match began with an explosive start when Matheus Jesus opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Receiving a strategic pass from teammate Hotaru Yamaguchi, Jesus skillfully navigated past Akita's defense and unleashed a left-footed shot that found the back of the net. This goal was significant for Jesus, who scored for the first time since the opening match of the season.
Just moments into the second half, in the 52nd minute, Jesus struck again, heading the ball into the goal after an accurate cross from right back Masahiro Sekiguchi, marking his fourth goal of the season. The onslaught continued, and in the 62nd minute, Marcos Guilherme added to the scoreline, capitalizing on a rebound after his initial shot was brilliantly saved. This effort brought the score to 3-0 for Nagasaki and instilled further confidence in the home team.
However, Akita managed to respond a short while later. After a corner taken from the right, former Nagasaki player Kota Muramatsu found the net in the 64th minute, cutting Nagasaki's lead to 3-1. Nonetheless, the visitors' joy was short-lived. In a stunning display of skill and precision, Matheus Jesus completed his hat trick in the 89th minute, heading home from a corner kick, which shocked Akita’s defense. This goal marked Jesus’s impressive fifth goal of the season.
The final minutes of the match saw another remarkable milestone, as rookie midfielder Junya Aoki scored his first professional goal during stoppage time. Aoki's goal solidified the final score at 5-1, highlighting a comprehensive team performance with multiple players contributing to the scoreline.
This decisive victory not only cemented V-Varen Nagasaki's position in third place in the league, just one point shy of the automatic promotion zone to J1, but it also reflected the team's incredible form and potential for the ongoing season. With their current momentum, fans are hopeful for continued success as the league progresses, particularly with the next match ahead where they aim to further extend this fruitful run.
Nagasaki's triumph echoes their strong start to the season and keeps their spirits high as they seek promotion. After suffering four consecutive defeats following a promising start to the season, Akita will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to turn their fortunes around as the league matches continue.
This match undoubtedly filled the stands with excitement and anticipation, showcasing the captivating nature of J2 League football.
