Match Report
Albirex Niigata, 20th on 24 points, faced a 40-point deficit to Vissel Kobe (5th, 64). On recent form Vissel Kobe sat only 13th league-wide over the last five rounds, well short of their 5th overall. Against a league average of 1.2 goals per team per game, Albirex Niigata ran at 0.95 scored and 1.76 conceded, Vissel Kobe at 1.21 and 0.87.
Albirex Niigata's winless run stood at 15.
The venue was Denka Big Swan Stadium, with room for 42,300 spectators. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Vissel Kobe led 1-0 at the break, before 3 more goals closed it at 2-2.
Goal scorers
Albirex Niigata: Takuya Shimamura (74'), Yamato Wakatsuki (90') · Vissel Kobe: Yuya Osako (52'), Yuya Osako (45')
Key stats
Possession: Albirex Niigata 53% · Vissel Kobe 47% · Total shots: 6-18 · On target: 4-7 · Corners: 6-2