Match Report
On the table this was a mismatch: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (4th, 68 pts) held a 25-point advantage over Tokyo Verdy (17th, 43 pts). On the form table Tokyo Verdy stood 13th over the last five rounds, despite being 17th overall. In league terms the two rates read 0.61/1.08 for Tokyo Verdy and 1.21/0.74 for Sanfrecce Hiroshima (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.2.
5 previous meetings sit in the GioScore records — Tokyo Verdy 0, draws 0, Sanfrecce Hiroshima 5, at 3.8 goals per meeting. Home advantage has meant little here: 40% of the meetings went to the host. History points to goals: 80% of the meetings had three or more, and both sides scored in 80%.
Ajinomoto Stadium in Chōfu staged the fixture, a ground that holds 50,100. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Sanfrecce Hiroshima led 1-0 at the break, before 2 more goals closed it at 0-3.
Goal scorers
Sanfrecce Hiroshima: Shuto Nakano (6'), Sota Nakamura (62'), Naoto Arai (83')