Match Report
Giravanz Kitakyushu, 8th on 56 points, faced a 21-point deficit to Tochigi City (1st, 77). Recent form told a different story for Tochigi City: only 5th in the league over the last five rounds despite sitting 1st. Scoring rates set the scale: Giravanz Kitakyushu 1.21 scored and 1.08 conceded per game, Tochigi City 1.82 and 0.97, with the league averaging 1.28.
Three consecutive defeats weighed on Giravanz Kitakyushu. Giravanz Kitakyushu had banked 6 of the last 15 points on offer; Tochigi City, 12.
The match was played at Mikuni World Stadium (Kitakyushu) in Kitakyushu. On the scoreboard, Tochigi City led 2-1 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 1-3.