Match Report
On the table this was a mismatch: Tokushima Vortis (8th, 55 pts) held a 21-point advantage over Tochigi (18th, 34 pts). The last five rounds placed Tokushima Vortis 3rd in the league for form — higher than their 8th in the standings. Scoring rates set the scale: Tochigi 0.87 scored and 1.5 conceded per game, Tokushima Vortis 1.11 and 1.16, with the league averaging 1.24.
Tochigi had not won in 5 games. Momentum sat with Tokushima Vortis, winners of their last four. Tochigi had banked 4 of the last 15 points on offer; Tokushima Vortis, 12.
The match was played at Kanseki Stadium (Utsunomiya) in Utsunomiya. It was 0-0 at the break — the second half brought no more goals and it finished 0-0.