Match Report
22 points separated the sides: Blaublitz Akita 12th on 56, Grulla Morioka 22nd on 34. Blaublitz Akita's recent output outran their position: 2nd on form over five rounds, 12th in the table. Scoring rates set the scale: Grulla Morioka 0.83 scored and 1.9 conceded per game, Blaublitz Akita 0.93 and 1.1, with the league averaging 1.23.
Defeat had followed defeat for Grulla Morioka — three in succession, having scored in 7 consecutive games.
The venue was Hokujosogoundo Koen Kitakami Field in Kitakami, with room for 4,946 spectators. Half-time and full-time told different stories: it was 0-0 at the break, before 1 more goal closed it at 0-1.