Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Tochigi City 1st with 77 points, Azul Claro Numazu 20th with 28, 49 apart. Azul Claro Numazu's recent output outran their position: 16th on form over five rounds, 20th in the table. Scoring rates set the scale: Azul Claro Numazu 1.05 scored and 1.5 conceded per game, Tochigi City 1.82 and 0.97, with the league averaging 1.28.
Four consecutive defeats weighed on Azul Claro Numazu.
Shizuoka Ashitaka Athletic Stadium staged the fixture, a ground that holds 10,000. It was 2-2 at the break, and the second half added 5 goals for the 4-5 full-time score.
Goal scorers
Azul Claro Numazu: Kengo Kawamata (21'), Keita Shirawachi (45'), Ibrahim Suzuki (68'), Terukazu Shinozaki (71') · Tochigi City: Matej Jonjić (8'), Byron Vásquez (38'), Masahide Hiraoka (50'), Shun Utsugi (90'), Peter Utaka (90')
Key stats
Possession: Azul Claro Numazu 43% · Tochigi City 57% · Total shots: 6-20 · On target: 5-7 · Corners: 2-7