Match Report
ThespaKusatsu Gunma, 20th on 40 points, faced a 43-point deficit to Vissel Kobe (2nd, 83). Recent form flatters ThespaKusatsu Gunma's table spot — 13th league-wide over the last five rounds while sitting 20th. Scoring rates set the scale: ThespaKusatsu Gunma 1.02 scored and 1.45 conceded per game, Vissel Kobe 1.86 and 0.98, with the league averaging 1.31.
Defeat had followed defeat for ThespaKusatsu Gunma — three in succession. Defeat had not touched Vissel Kobe in 6 games, having scored in 7 consecutive games. Over the last five, ThespaKusatsu Gunma had taken 4 of 15 points to Vissel Kobe's 13.
Shoda Shoyu Stadium (Maebashi) in Maebashi hosted the game. J. Iida officiated: 96 games logged, averaging 1.3 yellow cards each. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Vissel Kobe led 2-1 at the break, before 1 more goal closed it at 2-2.