Plenty of Nothing

101st Emperor's Cup, Round Three

Grulla supporters. Source.

Matches involving clubs in the AFC Champions League will be played at a later date.

Match No. 59: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [1 - 1] JEF United Chiba (J2) (July 21) [Frontale won on PK.]

Match No. 60: Shimizu S-Pulse (J1) [2 - 1] Iwate Grulla Morioka (J3)

Match No. 61: Ocacias Kyoto (Kansai 1) [1 - 3] Verspah Oita (JFL)

Match No. 62: Honda FC (JFL) [1 - 4] Júbilo Iwata (J2)

Match No. 63: Cerezo Osaka (J1) vs Albirex Niigata (J2) (August 4)

Match No. 64: Sagan Tosu (J1) [1 - 0] Avispa Fukuoka (J1)

Match No. 65: Kashima Antlers (J1) [3 - 0] Tochigi SC (J2)

Match No. 66: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (J1) [1 - 2] V-Varen Nagasaki (J2)    Upset

Match No. 67: Gamba Osaka (J1) vs Matsumoto Yamaga (J2) (August 18)

Match No. 68: Vanraure Hachinohe (J3) [1 - 2] Shonen Bellmare (J1)

Match No. 69: Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [1 - 2] Kyoto Sanga (J2)    Upset

Match No. 70: Urawa Red Diamonds (J1) [1 - 0] SC Sagamihara (J2)

Match No. 71: Nagoya Grampus (J1) vs Fagiano Okayama (J2) (July 14) (August 2)

[The July 14 match was abandoned due to a thunderstorm.]

Match No. 72: Vissel Kobe (J1) [1 - 0] Tokushima Vortis (J1)

Match No. 73: Juntendo University (Kanto Univ 1) [2 - 3] Thespakusatsu Gunma (J2)

Match No. 74: Oita Trinita (J1) [2 - 0] Fukui United (Hokushinetsu 1)

Nirasaki Astros in the Emperor's Cup:

  31回    R1    Nirasaki Club 2 - 0 Nittetsu Mining

              R2    All Kwangaku 2 - 0 Nirasaki Club

  32回    R1    Tokyo University of Education 6 - 0 Nirasaki Club

  77回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 0 - 2 NTT Kanto

  78回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 2 - 3 Brummell Sendai

  79回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 4 - 4 Doto University (Doto won on PK.)

  80回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 0 - 4 Hosei University

  81回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 0 - 4 Kyoto Purple Sanga

  82回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 0 - 2 Hamamatsu University

  83回    R1    Honda FC 5 - 0 Nirasaki Astros

  85回    R1    Sapporo University 2 - 0 Nirasaki Astros

  86回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 3 - 2 Yamagata University

              R2    Nirasaki Astros 1 - 3 Ritsumeikan University

  87回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 0 - 8 TDK

  95回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 0 - 3 Juntendo University

  97回    R1    Nirasaki Astros 1 - 5 Briobecca Urayasu

  98回    R1    Hokkaido University of Education 1 - 1 Nirasaki Astros (Hokkaido won on PK.)

101回    R1    Tochigi City 9 - 0 Nirasaki Astros

101st Emperor's Cup, Round Two

Remarkably, J2 side SC Sagamihara have never been in the Emperor's Cup until now. Whenever they had to qualify via the Kanagawa Prefecture championship here was always some Yokohama club in there ahead of them. Source.

Match No. 27: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [1 - 1] AC Nagano Parceiro (J3) [Frontale win on PK.]

Match No. 28: JEF United Chiba (J2) [1 - 0] Omiya Ardija (J2)

Match No. 29: Shimizu S-Pulse (J1) [1 - 0] Fukuyama City (Hiroshima 1)

Match No. 30: Vegalta Sendai (J1) [0 - 1] Iwate Grulla Morioka (J3) Upset!

Match No. 31: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1) [1 - 5] Ocacias Kyoto (Kansai 1) (June 16) Upset!!!

Match No. 32: Montedio Yamagata (J2) [1 - 2] Verspah Oita (JFL) Upset!

Match No. 33: Yokohama F. Marinos (J1) [2 - 2] Honda FC (JFL) [Honda win on PK.] Upset!

Match No. 34: Júbilo Iwata (J2) [3 - 0] Hokkaido Tokachi Sky Earth (Hokkaido)

Match No. 35: Cerezo Osaka (J1) [2 - 0] Gainare Tottori (J3)

Match No. 36: Albirex Niigata (J2) [4 - 1] Zweigen Kanazawa (J2)

Match No. 37: Sagan Tosu (J1) [1 - 0] Roasso Kumamoto (J3)

Match No. 38: Avispa Fukuoka (J1) [6 - 0] Kagoshima United (J3)

Match No. 39: Kashima Antlers (J1) [8 - 1] YSCC (J3) (June 16)

Match No. 40: Tochigi SC (J2) [2 - 0] Machida Zelvia (J2)

Match No. 41: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (J1) [5 - 3] Sony Sendai (JFL)

Match No. 42: V-Varen Nagasaki (J2) [2 - 0] Okinawa SV (Kyushu)

Match No. 43: Gamba Osaka (J1) [3 - 1] Kwansei Gakuin University (Kansai Univ) (June 16)

Match No. 44: Matsumoto Yamaga (J2) [1 - 0] FC Ryukyu (J2)

Match No. 45: Yokohama FC (J1) [1 - 2] Vanraure Hachinohe (J3) (June 16) Upset!

Match No. 46: Shonen Bellmare (J1) [0 - 0] FC Osaka (JFL) [Shonen win on PK.]

Match No. 47: Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [3 - 0] Tochigi City (Kanto 1)

Match No. 48: Kyoto Sanga (J2) [3 - 1] FC Imabari (J3)

Match No. 49: Urawa Red Diamonds (J1) [1 - 0] Kataller Toyama (J3)

Match No. 50: Giravanz Kitakyushu (J2) [0 - 1] SC Sagamihara (J2)

Match No. 51: Nagoya Grampus (J1) [5 - 0] Mitsubishi Mizushima (Chugoku)

Match No. 52: Tokyo Verdy (J2) [0 - 1] Fagiano Okayama (J2) (June 16)

Match No. 53: Vissel Kobe (J1) [4 - 0] Suzuka Point Getters (JFL) (June 16)

Match No. 54: Tokushima Vortis (J1) [2 - 1] Kochi United (JFL)

Match No. 55: FC Tokyo (J1) [1 - 2] Juntendo University (Kanto Univ 1) Upset!

Match No. 56: Mito HollyHock (J2) [0 - 3] Thespakusatsu Gunma (J2)

Match No. 57: Oita Trinita (J1) [3 - 2] Honda Lock (J3)

Match No. 58: Ventforet Kofu (J2) [1 - 2] Fukui United (Hokushinetsu 1) Upset!

Ongoing consecutive-year streaks in the Emperor's Cup:

41    Gamba Osaka (30) + Matsushita Electric (11)

31    Tokushima Vortis (17) + Otsuka Pharmaceutical (14)

27    Kawasaki Frontale (25) + Fujitsu SC (2)

19    Blaublitz Akita (11) + TDK (8)

13    Arterivo Wakayama

  7    Matsue City FC

  6    Honda FC

  6    Niigata University of Health and Welfare

  6    FC Tokushima

  6    Kōchi United

  5    Iwaki FC

  5    Verspah Oita

  3    Tochigi City FC

  3    Yamanashi Gakuin University Pegasus

  3    Fukui United

  3    MD Nagasaki

  3    Okinawa SV

  2    Sony Sendai

  2    Saruta Kogyo

  2    Oyama SC

  2    Tonan Maebashi

  2    Suzuka Point Getters

  2    Ococias Kyoto

  2    Mitsubishi Mizushima

  2    Fukuyama City

  2    Baleine Shimonoseki

  2    Fukuoka University

101st Emperor's Cup, Round One

Suzuka vs Kariya. Source.

It's Round One of the 101st Emperor's Cup. This year the tournament reverts to its pre-Covid format, with some changes. Due to the expansion of J1 to 20 teams, four J2 clubs are bumped into this round. Add the 47 prefectural champions and the best amateur club, and you get 52 clubs in 26 matches.

Match No. 1: AC Nagano Parceiro (J3) 3 - 1 Niigata University of Health and Welfare FC (Hokushinetsu 1)

Match No. 2: Fukuyama City (Hiroshima 1) [2 - 1] Matsue City (JFL) Upset

Match No. 3: Iwate Grulla Morioka (J3) [13 - 0] Oyama SC (Tohoku 2)

Match No. 4: Arterivo Wakayama (Kansai 1) 3 - 3 Ocacias Kyoto (Kansai 1) (Ococias won on PK.)

Match No. 5: Renofa Yamaguchi (J2) 1 - 1 Verspah Oita (JFL) (Verspah won on PK.) Upset

Match No. 6: FC Gifu (J3) 0 - 2 Honda FC (JFL) Upset

Match No. 7: Blaublitz Akita (J2) [1 - 1] Hokkaido Tokachi Sky Earth (Hokkaido) [Sky Earth won on PK.] Upset

Match No. 8: Gainare Tottori (J3) [4 - 1] FC Tokushima (Shikoku)

Match No. 9: Roasso Kumamoto (J3) 3 - 0 Nippon Bunri University Alumni

Match No. 10: Kagoshima United (J3) [4 - 0] MD Nagasaki (Nagasaki 1)

Match No. 11: Ryutsu Keizai University (Kanto Univ 1) 2 - 3 YSCC (J3)

Match No. 12: Iwaki FC (JFL) 2 - 2 Sony Sendai (JFL) (Sony won on PK.)

Match No. 13: Fukuoka University (Kyushu Univ) [1 - 3] Okinawa SV (Kyushu)

Match No. 14: Biwako Seikei Sport College (Kansai Univ) [0 - 2] Kwansei Gakuin University (Kansai Univ)

Match No. 15: Vanraure Hachinohe (J3) [13 - 0] Saruta Kogyo (Tohoku 1)

Match No. 16: Porvenir Asuka (Kansai 1) [0 - 2] FC Osaka (JFL)

Match No. 17: Tochigi City (Kanto 1) [9 - 0] [Nirasaki Astros (Yamanashi 1)] (May 26)

Yamanashi Gakuin University Pegasus were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in the Yamanashi prefectural championship and are replaced by Nirasaki Astros.

Match No. 18: Ehime FC (J2) 1 - 2 FC Imabari (J3)    Upset

Match No. 19: Kataller Toyama (J3) [8 - 0] FC Hokuriku (Hokushinetsu 1)

Match No. 20: SC Sagamihara (J2) 3 - 1 Komazawa University (Kanto Univ 1)

Match No. 21: Mitsubishi Mizushima (Chugoku) 3 - 1 Baleine Shimonoseki (Chugoku)

Match No. 22: Suzuka Point Getters (JFL) [2 - 1] FC Kariya (JFL)

Match No. 23: Kochi United (JFL) [1 - 0] Kamatamare Sanuki (J3)  Upset

Match No. 24: Tonan Maebashi (Kanto 2) [1 - 6] Juntendo University (Kanto Univ 1) [May 26][June 5]

Match No. 25: Honda Lock (J3) 5 - 0 Saga Kawasoe Club (Kyushu)

Match No. 26: Fukui United (Hokushinetsu 1) [2 - 1] Aventura Kawaguchi (Kanto 2)

Which clubs have been 48th club in Round One, and how did they fare?

2021        Verspah Oita

2020        Honda FC                               Advanced to QF

2019        Hosei University                     Advanced to R4

2018        Ryutsu Keizai University        Advanced to R2

2017        Honda FC                               Advanced to R2

2016        Kwansei Gakuin University    Knocked out of R1

2015        Vanraure Hachinohe              Knocked out of R1

2014        AC Nagano Parceiro              Advanced to R2

2013        Kamatamare Sanuki              Advanced to R2

2012        V-Varen Nagasaki                  Advanced to R2

2021 Prefecture Finals

FC Kariya and Maruyasu Okayama also met in the 2019 Aichi final. Source.

Hokkaido: 39th Chijihai Zendo Football Championship final:

Semi-finals (May 8):

Tokachi Sky Earth (Hokkaido) wo/scr Iwamizama University of Education (Hokkaido Univ 1)

Norbritz Hokkaido (Hokkaido) 1 - 1 Sapporo University (Hokkaido) (Norbritz win on PK.)

Final (May 9):

Norbritz Hokkaido [1 - 2] Tokachi Sky Earth

The Aomori FA has been playing through its prefectural championship bracket since March 21st. Hokkaido's championship runs from May 8th to May 9th.

Aomori: NHK Cup 74nd Aomori Football Championship final (May 9):

ReinMeer Aomori (JFL) [0 - 2] Vanraure Hachinohe (J3)

Akita: 31st Akita Football Championship final (March 28):

Saruta Kogyo (Tohoku 1) 2 - 0 North Asia University (Tohoku Univ)

Iwate: 71st Iwate Football Championship final (April 18):

Iwate Grulla Morioka (J3) 3 - 0 Fuji University (Tohoku Univ)

Yamagata: 25th Yamagata Football Championship final (May 9):

Oyama SC (Tohoku 2) [2 - 1] Yamagata University School of Medicine (Tohoku Univ)

Miyagi: 25th Miyagi Championship Hebei Cup (May 9):

Sony Sendai (JFL) [2 - 1] Cobaltore Onagawa (Tohoku 1)

Fukushima: Fukushima Cup, NHK Cup 26th Fukushima Football Championship final (May 9):

Fukushima United (J3) [0 - 2] Iwaki FC (JFL)

Ibaraki: 24th Ibaraki Football Championship final (May 9):

Tsukuba University (Kanto Univ 1) [2 - 3] Ryutsu Keizai University (Kanto Univ 1)

Tokyo: 26th Tokyo Football Tournament final (May 9):

Komazawa University (Kanto Univ 1) [2 - 2] Hosei University (Kanto Univ 1) [Komazawa won on PK.]

Tochigi: NEZAS Cup 26th Tochigi Prefecture Football Championship final (May 9):

Tochigi City (Kanto 1) [1 - 1] FC Casa (Tochigi 1) [Tochigi City won on PK.]

Gunma: 26th Gunma President's Cup final (May 9):

Tonan Maebashi (Kanto 2) [3 - 1] Jobu University (Kitakanto)

Saitama: Friendship Cup 26th Saitama Prefecture Football Championship Tournament final (May 8):

Shobi University (Saitama Univ) 1 - 4 Aventura Kawaguchi (Kanto 2)

Chiba: 26th Chiba Prefecture Football Championship final (May 8):

Vonds Ichihara Vert (Kanto 2) 0 - 1 Juntendo University (Kanto Univ 1)

Kanagawa: 26th Kanagawa Football Championship final (may 9):

Toin University of Yokohama (Kanto Univ 1) [0 - 2] YSCC (J3)

Yamanashi: 26th Yamanashi Football Championship final (May 9):

Yamanashi Gakuin University Pegasus (Yamanashi 1) [4 - 1] Nirasaki Astros (Yamanashi 1)

Nagano: 26th Nagano Football Championship final (May 9):

AC Nagano Parceiro (J3) [1 - 0] Arista Asama (Hokushinetsu 1)

Niigata: 2021 Niigata Daily Cup · NHK Cup · Kyodo News Cup 25th Niigata Prefecture Football Championship final:

Niigata University of Health and Welfare (Hokushinetsu Univ) [0 - 2] Niigata University of Health and Welfare FC (Hokushinetsu 1)

Toyama: 26th Toyama Football Championship final (May 9):

Kataller Toyama (J3) [5 - 0] Toyama Shinjo Club (Hokushinetsu 1)

Ishikawa: 50th Ishikawa Football Championship final (May 9):

FC Hokuriku (Hokushinetsu 1) [1 - 0] Hokuriku University (Hokushinetsu Univ)

Fukui: Fukui Football Championship final (May 9):

Fukui United (Hokushinetsu 1) [8 - 0] Fukui University of Technology (Hokushinetsu Univ)

Shizuoka: 26th Suruga Cup Competition Shizuoka Soccer Championship final (May 9):

Tokoha University (Tokai 1) [0 - 2] Honda FC (JFL)

Aichi: AIFA 26th Aichi Football Championship final (May 8):

Maruyasu Okazaki (JFL) 0 - 1 FC Kariya (JFL)

Mie: 26th Mie Football Championship final:

Suzuka Point Getters (JFL) [3 - 0] FC Ise-Shima (Tokai 1)

Gifu: 26th Gifu Football Championship final (May 8):

FC Gifu (J3) 2 - 0 FC Gifu Second (Tokai 2)

Shiga: 26th Shiga Football Championship final (May 8):

Biwako Seikei Sport College (Kansai Univ) 3 - 0 MIO Biwako Shoga (JFL)

Kyoto: Kyoto FA Cup 26th Kyoto Championship final (May 8):

AS Laranja Kyoto (Kansai 1) 0 - 1 Ococias Kyoto (Kansai 1)

Osaka: 26th Osaka Football Championship final (May 8):

FC Osaka (JFL) 2 - 1 Tiamo Hirakata (JFL)

Hyogo: 24th Hyogo Football Championship final (May 9):

Kwansei Gakuin University (Kansai Univ) [3 - 2] FC Awajishima (Kansai 2)

Nara: 26th Nara Football Championship final (May 9):

Nara Club (JFL) [0 - 1] Porvenir Asuka (Kansai 1)

Wakayama: 26th Wakayama Football Championship final (May 2):

Arterivo Wakayama (Kansai 1) 9 - 0 Wakayama Kihoku Shukyudan (Wakayama 1)

Tottori: Tottori Football Championship final (cancelled):

The April 18th final between Gainare Tottori (J3) and Yonago Genki (Chugoku) was cancelled due to coronavirus. Gainare, as the higher-ranking team, were designated Tottori representatives.

Shimane: 26th Shimane Football Championship final (April 18):

Matsue City (JFL) 2 - 0 E-Wing Izumo (Shimane 1)

Okayama: 41st Okayama Football Championship final (April 18):

Mitsubishi Mizushima (Chugoku) 6 - 0 Eneos Mizushima (Chugoku)

Hiroshima: 2021 All Hiroshima Football Championship final (April 18):

Fukuyama City (Hiroshima 1) 4 - 1 SRC Hiroshima (Chugoku)

Yamaguchi: Reiwa 3 Yamaguchi Prefecture Football Championship final (April 18):

Baleine Shimonoseki (Chugoku) 2 - 0 Tokuyama University (Chugoku Univ 1)

Kagawa: 26th Kagawa Football Championship final (May 9):

Kamatamare Sanuki (J3) [2 - 1] Takamatsu University (Shikoku Univ 1)

Tokushima: Football Championship in Tokushima Prefecture (April 18):

FC Tokushima (Shikoku) 7 - 1 N.J FC (Tokushima 1)

Kōchi: 26th Kochi Football Championship final (May 9):

Kochi United (JFL) [2 - 1] Kochi University (Shikoku)

Ehime: 2021 Ehime Prefecture Football Championship final (May 9):

FC Imabari (J3) [5 - 1] Lvnirosso NC (Shikoku)

Fukuoka: 25th Fukuoka Football Championship final (April 18):

Fukuoka University (Kyushu Univ) 4 - 1 Kyushu Kyoritsu University (Kyushu Univ)

Saga: 26th Saga Football Championship final (May 9):

Saga Lixil FC (Kyushu) [3 - 4] Saga Kawasoe Club (Kyushu)

Nagasaki: 32nd Nagasaki Football Championship final (May 9):

MD Nagasaki (Nagasaki 1) [3 - 1] Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki (Nagasaki 1)

Kumamoto: NHK Cup KFA 25th Kumamoto Football Championship final (May 9):

Roasso Kumamoto (J3) vs Tokai University Kumamoto (Kyushu Univ) [Roasso declared winner.]

Oita: OFA 2021 Oita Football Championship final (May 9):

Nippon Bunri University Alumni [4 - 0] FC Nakatsu (Kyushu)

Miyazaki: 25th Miyazaki / NHK Cup Miyazaki Football Championship final (May 9):

Tegevagaro Miyazaki (J3) [0 - 0] Honda Lock (J3) [Honda Lock won on PK.]

Kagoshima: 36th Kagoshima Football Championship final (May 9):

Kagoshima United (J3) [3 - 0] NIFS Kanoya (Kyushu)

Okinawa: OFA Times Cup 26th Okinawa Football Championship final (May 9):

Okinawa SV (Kyushu) [3 - 0] Kaiho Bank SC (Kyushu)

Previous finals: 2020, 2019, 2018.

100th Emperor's Cup Final

Yu Kobayashi (#11) is Frontale's top scorer. Source.

It's the final of the 100th Emperor's Cup: Kawasaki Frontale meet Gamba Osaka.

Gamba have won the cup five times before (once as Matsushita Electric); Frontale never have.

Frontale vs Gamba so far this season:

2020/8/1        Gamba Osaka 0 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale        J1

2020/11/25    Kawasaki Frontale 5 - 0 Gamba Osaka        J1

Frontale secured the league title in this game.

They didn't meet in the League Cup.

Frontale is Italian for frontal, and Gamba is Italian for leg. The Gekisaka-approved abbreviations for Kawasaki Frontale and Gamba Osaka are 川崎F and G大阪.

[FT: Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 0 Gamba Osaka]

The schedule for the 101st Emperor's Cup is out.

Years in which the same two teams played in the Emperor's Cup final and the following Super Cup:

回56/1977    Furukawa Electric and Yanmar Diesel

回57/1978    Fujita Industries and Yanmar Diesel

回58/1979    Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Toyo Industries

回59/1980    Fujita Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

回80/2001    Kashima Antlers and Shimizu S-Pulse

回86/2007    Urawa Red Diamonds and Gamba Osaka

回87/2008    Kashima Antlers and Sanfrecce Hiroshima

回93/2014    Yokohama F. Marionos and Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Teams in bold won both games.

Kawasaki Frontale in the Emperor's Cup:

99回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 0 Meiji University

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 1 Fagiano Okayama

            R4    Vissel Kobe 3 - 2 Kawasaki Frontale

98回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 2 Sony Sendai

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 1 Mito HollyHock (Frontale won on PK.)

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 1 Shonan Bellmare

            QF    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 3 Montedio Yamagata

97回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 0 Tochigi Uva

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 4 - 0 Thespakusatsu Gunma

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 4 - 1 Shimizu S-Pulse

            QF    Kawasaki Frontale 0 - 1 Kashiwa Reysol

96回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 1 Blaublitz Akita

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 4 - 1 JEF United Chiba

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 3 Urawa Red Diamonds

            QF    FC Tokyo 1 - 2 Kawasaki Frontale

            SF    Omiya Ardija 0 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale

              F    Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale

95回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 0 Matsue City FC

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 0 Kyoto Sanga

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 0 - 2 Gamba Osaka

94回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 1 YSCC Yokohama

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 0 - 1 Ehime FC

93回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 1 Kochi University

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 0 Tokyo Verdy

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 0 Montedio Yamagata

            QF    Sagan Tosu 2 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale

92回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 0 Tokuyama University

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 2 Tokushima Vortis

            R4    Omiya Ardija 4 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

91回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 1 Arte Takasaki

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 4 - 0 Oita Trinita

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 0 - 1 Shonan Bellmare

90回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 4 - 0 NIFS Kanoya

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 1 Yokohama FC

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 3 Montedio Yamagata (Montedio won on PK.)

89回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 6 - 1 Renofa Yamaguchi

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 1 Kataller Toyama

            R4    Yokohama F. Marinos 1 - 2 Kawasaki Frontale

            QF    Vegalta Sendai 2 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale

88回    R4    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 1 Montedio Yamagata

            R5    Kawasaki Frontale 0 - 2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

87回    R4    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 0 Cerezo Osaka

            R5    Vissel Kobe 0 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

            QF    Ehime FC 0 - 2 Kawasaki Frontale

            SF    Kawasaki Frontale 0 - 1 Kashima Antlers

86回    R4    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 0 Sagan Tosu

            R5    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 5 Ventforet Kofu

85回    R4    Kawasaki Frontale 5 - 1 Sagawa Express

            R5    Yokohama F. Marinos 2 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

            QF    Urawa Red Diamonds 2 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale

84回    R3    Kawasaki Frontale 4 - 0 Ehime FC

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 2 Vissel Kobe

            R5    Kashima Antlers 3 - 2 Kawasaki Frontale

83回    R1    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 0 Juntendo University

            R2    Kawasaki Frontale 7 - 1 Kunimi High School

            R3    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 0 Oita Trinita

            R4    JEF United Ichihara 5 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale

82回    R1    Matches FC 0 - 7 Kawasaki Frontale

            R2    Kawasaki Frontale 6 - 0 SC Tottori

            R3    Vissel Kobe 1 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 0 Gamba Osaka

            QF    Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale

81回    R1    Kwansei Gakuin University 0 - 5 Kawasaki Frontale

            R2    Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 0 Hosei University

            R3    Consadole Sapporo 2 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

            R4    Yokohama FC 1 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

            QF    Tokyo Verdy 0 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

            SF    Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 2 Shimizu S-Pulse

80回    R3    Kawasaki Frontale 0 - 2 Urawa Red Diamonds

79回    R1    Ehime FC 0 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

            R2    Kawasaki Frontale 5 - 1 Josai University

            R3    JEF United Ichihara 2 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

            R4    Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 3 Verdy Kawasaki

78回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 0 YKK

            R3    Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale

77回    R2    Kawasaki Frontale 3 - 0 Luminoso Sayama

            R3    Vissel Kobe 2 - 0 Kawasaki Frontale

(Prior to 1997 the club was known as Fujitsu SC.)

76回    R1    Morioka Zebra 0 - 5 Fujitsu

            R2    Fujitsu 3 - 0 Fukuoka University

            R3    JEF United Ichihara 0 - 0 Fujitsu (Fujitsu won on PK.)

            R4    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Fujitsu

75回    R1    Fujitsu 2 - 5 Fukuoka Blux

72回    R1    YKK 0 - 4 Fujitsu

            R2    Urawa Red Diamonds 3 - 0 Fujitsu

71回    R1    Honda FC 2 - 1 Fujitsu

70回    R1    Fujitsu 1 - 2 Honda FC

68回    R1    Fujitsu 1 - 2 Matsushita Electric

67回    R1    Honda FC 2 - 0 Fujitsu

63回    R1    Fukushima FC 0 - 5 Fujitsu

            R2    Mitsubishi Motors 1 - 2 Fujitsu

            QF    Fujitsu 0 - 6 Nissan Motors

62回    R1    Fujitsu 4 - 3 Honda FC

            R2    Yamaha Motors 1 - 0 Fujitsu

61回    R1    Fujitsu 1 - 3 Hitachi

60回    R1    Fujitsu 2 - 2 Osaka University of Economics (Osaka won on PK.)

58回    R1    Fujitsu 4 - 0 Kyushu Sangyo University

            R2    Fujitsu 1 - 0 Nippon Kokan

            QF    Fujita Industries 3 - 0 Fujitsu

57回    R1    Osaka University of Commerce 1 - 3 Fujitsu

            R2    Toyo Industries 1 - 0 Fujitsu

100th Emperor's Cup QF and SF

No. 16 for Fukuyama City, Hiroki Takahashi. Source.

Quarter-finals (December 23)

Match No. 47: Blaublitz Akita (J3) 3 - 1 Fukuyama City (Hiroshima I)

Match No. 48: Tokushima Vortis (J2) 3 - 0 Honda FC (JFL)

Semi-finals

Match No. 49: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [2 - 0] Blaublitz Akita (J3)

Match No. 50: Gamba Osaka (J1) [2 - 0] Tokushima Vortis (J2)

Fukuyama City's drive to the 100th Emperor's Cup:

Hiroshima Prefecture Championship:

QF    Fukuyama City 1 - 0 Fukuyama University

SF    Fukuyama City 5 - 2 Hiroshima University of Economics

  F    Fukuyama City 3 - 0 SRC Hiroshima

Emperor's Cup:

R2    Fukuyama City 1 - 0 Baleine Shimonoseki

R3    Mitsubishi Mizushima 0 - 2 Fukuyama City

R4    Fukuyama City 2 - 1 Arterivo Wakayama

R5    Fukui United 0 - 3 Fukuyama City

QF    Blaublitz Akita 3 - 1 Fukuyama City

Ongoing consecutive-year streaks in the Emperor's Cup:

This year the Emperor's Cup was reformatted to include only a handful of top-flight clubs (two from J1, and one each from J2 and J3), which means that a lot of consecutive-year streaks have come to an end. What are the continuing ones?

40    Gamba Osaka (29) + Matsushita Electric (11)

30    Tokushima Vortis (16) + Otsuka Pharmaceutical (14)

26    Kawasaki Frontale (24) + Fujitsu SC (2)

18    Blaublitz Akita (10) + TDK (8)

12    Nara Club

12    Arterivo Wakayama

  6    Tokyo International University

  6    Matsue City FC

  5    Honda FC

  5    Niigata University of Health and Welfare

  5    FC Tokushima

  5    Kōchi United

  4    Iwaki FC

  4    Verspah Oita

  3    MIO Biwako Shiga

  2    Tochigi City FC

  2    Toin University of Yokohama

  2    Yamahashi Gakuin University

  2    Fukui United

  2    Matsuyama University

  2    MD Nagasaki

  2    NIFS Kanoya

  2    Okinawa SV

J3 versus JFL in the Emperor's Cup:

2015/8/29      Nara Club (JFL) 0 - 0 Fujieda MYFC (J3) (MYFC won on PK.)

2016/8/27      Blaublitz Akita (J3) 2 - 0 Vanraure Hachinohe (JFL)

2016/8/27      FC Ryukyu (J3) 1 - 0 Honda Lock (JFL)

2017/4/23      FC Ryukyu (J3) 5 - 5 FC Imabari (JFL) (Imabari won on PK.)

2017/4/23      Grulla Morioka (J3) 2 - 0 Sony Sendai (JFL)

2018/5/26      FC Ryukyu (J3) 1 - 1 FC Imabari (JFL) (Imabari won on PK.)

2018/5/27      Gainare Tottori (J3) 1 - 1 Verspah Oita (JFL) (Gainare won on PK.)

2019/5/26      Roasso Kumamoto (J3) 2 - 0 Verspah Oita (JFL)

2019/5/26      Matsue City (JFL) 2 - 2 Kamatamare Sanuki (J3) (Sanuki won on PK.)

J3 leads the JFL seven wins to two.

100th Emperor's Cup Round Five

University of Tsukuba. Confusingly, their shirt sponsor is retail chain Joyful Honda. Source.

It's the Emperor's Cup, Round Five. This is the last round without any J League teams and the first of three consecutive rounds in which there are only four clubs. The winners of this round will go on to meet the champions of J2 and J3, and the winners of that round will go on to meet the top two J1 teams. This format has been hammered out over the course of the pandemic and will very likely never be used again. Today's matches are:

Match No. 45: Fukui United [0 - 3] Fukuyama City

Match No. 45: Honda FC [2 - 1] University of Tsukuba

Fukuyama City are in their first Emperor's Cup. They were started in 2017 as Fukuyama SCC and took on their present name last year. They wear white and have a red rose as their emblem.

Fukui United were known as Fukui Saurcos until 2019. Fukui is the dinosaur capital of Japan.

Honda FC are the onetime JSL club that refused to go professional and now clog up the top of the JFL standings making it hard for other teams to get promoted. You can memorize a list of their many Emperor's Cup appearances here.

University of Tsukuba have been around the Emperor's Cup since 1935. There's a list of their cup games here.

Honda FC and University of Tsukuba have met twice before in the Emperor's Cup:

1984/12/15    R1    Honda 2 - 2 University of Tsukuba (Honda won on PK.)

1989/12/9      R1    Honda 4 - 3 University of Tsukuba

FC Kariya in the Emperor's Cup:

99回    R1    Kataller Toyama 2 - 0 FC Kariya

92回    R1    Zweigen Kanazawa 0 - 1 FC Kariya

            R2    Nagoya Grampus 2 - 0 FC Kariya

89回    R1    Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 0 FC Kariya

87回    R2    FC Kariya 0 - 1 Zweigen Kanazawa

(Prior to 2006 the club was known as Denso SC.)

85回    R2    FC Ryukyu 1 - 0 Denso

82回    R1    Denso 1 - 1 Sapporo University (Denso won on PK.)

            R2    Yokohama FC 3 - 2 Denso

81回    R1    Denso 4 - 2 Akita Commercial High School

            R2    Mito HollyHock 1 - 0 Denso

80回    R1    FC Primeiro 1 - 6 Denso

            R2    Denso 2 - 1 Juntendo University

            R3    Shimizu S-Pulse 3 - 0 Denso

79回    R1    Nara Sangyo University 2 - 7 Denso

            R2    Denso 7 - 0 Iwami

            R3    Kashiwa Reysol 4 - 2 Denso

78回    R1    Matsubashi Electrical Works Iga Ueno 0 - 5 Denso

            R2    Denso 1 - 3 Tsukuba University

77回    R1    Aoyama Gakuin University 1 - 0 Denso

76回    R1    Denso 3 - 1 Juntendo University

            R2    Denso 3 - 1 Blaze Kumamoto

            R3    Yokohama Flügels 4 - 0 Denso

(Prior to 1996 the club was known as Nippon Denso.)

75回    R1    Bellmare Hiratsuka 3 - 0 Nippon Denso

74回    R1    Nippon Denso 1 - 3 Kyoto Purple Sanga

71回    R1    Nippon Denso 1 - 6 Hitachi

100th Emperor's Cup, Round Four

No. 13 for Verspah, Shogo Tsukada.  Source.

It's Round Four of the Emperor's Cup, in which the winners of the eight regions pair off.

Match No. 41: Fukui United [2 - 1] ReinMeer Aomori

Match No. 42: Fukuyama City [2 - 1] Arterivo Wakayama

Match No. 43: Verspah Oita [0 - 1] Honda FC

Verspah won this year's JFL, and Honda came fourth. Verspah beat Honda 1 - 0 in league play on November 7th.

Match No. 44: University of Tsukuba [3 - 2] Kochi United

ReinMeer Aomori in the Emperor's Cup:

100回    R1    ReinMeer Aomori 2 - 1 Sapporo University

             R2    Iwaki FC 0 - 3 ReinMeer Aomori

             R3    Fuji University 1 - 2 ReinMeer Aomori

  98回    R1    Sakushin Gakuin University 3 - 3 ReinMeer Aomori (ReinMeer won on PK.)

             R2    JEF United Chiba 2 - 2 ReinMeer Aomori (JEF won on PK.)

  95回    R1    Mito HollyHock 4 - 2 ReinMeer Aomori

Verspah Oita in the Emperor's Cup:

100回    R1    Verspah Oita 2 - 2 Tegevajaro Miyazaki (Verspah won on PK.)

             R2    MD Nagasaki 0 - 2 Verspah Oita

             R3    NIFS Kanoya 1 - 2 Verspah Oita

  99回    R1    Roasso Kumamoto 2 - 0 Verspah Oita

  98回    R1    Gainare Tottori 1 - 1 Verspah Oita (Gainare won on PK.)

  97回    R1    Verspah Oita 2 - 1 Kochi United

             R2    Gamba Osaka 3 - 0 Verspah Oita

  95回    R1    Yokkaichi University 1 - 6 Verspah Oita

             R2    Sagan Tosu 4 - 0 Verspah Oita

  94回    R1    Dezzolla Shimani 0 - 5 Verspah Oita

             R2    Oita Trinita 2 - 1 Verspah Oita

(Prior to December 2013 the club was known as Hoyo Oita.)

  93回    R1    Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki 1 - 2 Hoyo Oita

             R2    Oita Trinita 2 - 0 Hoyo Oita

  92回    R1    Hoyo Oita 3 - 0 High School of Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science

             R2    Tokyo Verdy 3 - 0 Hoyo Oita

(Prior to 2012 the club was known as Hoyo AC Elan Oita.)

  91回    R1    Fukuoka University 2 - 0 Hoyo AC Elan Oita

(Prior to 2011 the club was known as Hoyo Atletico Elan Oita.)

  90回    R1    Hoyo Atletico Elan Oita 1 - 2 Honda Lock

Verspah Oita as a bowl of instant noodles. Source.

100th Emperor's Cup, Round Three

NIFS. Source.

Match No. 33: Fuji University (Tohoku University I) [1 - 2] ReinMeer Aomori (JFL)

Match No. 34: University of Tsukuba (Kanto University I) [3 - 2] Tokyo Musashino City (JFL)

Match No. 35: Niigata University of Health and Welfare (Hokushinetsu University I) [0 - 2] Fukui United FC (Hokushinetsu I)

Match No. 36: Honda FC (JFL) [1 - 0] Maruyasu Okazaki (JFL)

Match No. 37: Arterivo Wakayama (Kansai I) [3 - 2] Tiamo Hirakata (Kansai I)

Match No. 38: Fukuyama City (Hiroshima I) [2 - 0] Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima (Chugoku I)

Match No. 39: Kōchi United SC (JFL) [2 - 1] FC Tokushima (Shikoku) (November 11)

Match No. 40: NIFS Kanoya (Kyushu) [1 - 2] Verspah Oita (JFL)

NIFS have never got past Round Three.

National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya in the Emperor's Cup:

2020/9/23      R2    Fukuoka University 1 - 4 NIFS Kanoya

2020/9/16      R1    NIFS Kanoya 1 - 0 Okinawa SV

2019/8/14      R3    NIFS Kanoya 1 - 2 Oita Trinita

2019/7/3        R2    Nagoya Grampus 0 - 3 NIFS Kanoya

2019/5/26      R1    SRC Hiroshima 1 - 2 NIFS Kanoya

2013/9/1        R1    NIFS Kanoya 0 - 1 Kōchi University

2010/9/5        R2    Kawasaki Frontale 4 - 0 NIFS Kanoya

2010/9/3        R1    YSCC Yokohama 0 - 3 NIFS Kanoya

2009/10/31    R3    Júbilo Iwata 3 - 1 NIFS Kanoya

2009/10/11    R2    Tokushima Vortis 1 - 3 NIFS Kanoya

2009/9/21      R1    NIFS Kanoya 2 - 0 Hamada FC Cosmos

2007/10/7      R1    Montedio Yamagata 3 - 0 NIFS Kanoya

2006/9/23      R2    NIFS Kanoya 0 - 3 Biwako Seikei Sport College

2006/9/17      R1    Teihens FC 0 - 5 NIFS Kanoya

2005/9/17      R1    SC Tottori 1 - 0 NIFS Kanoya

2004/9/26      R2    Momoyama Gakuin University 2 - 0 NIFS Kanoya

2000/?/?        R1    NIFS Kanoya 1 - 4 Jatco TT

1999/?/?        R2    Albirex Niigata 1 - 0 NIFS Kanoya

1999/?/?        R1    NIFS Kanoya 1 - 0 Konan University

1993/?/?        R1    NIFS Kanoya 1 - 2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

100th Emperor's Cup, Round Two

Niigata University of Health and Welfare. Source.

It's the 100th Emperor's Cup, Round Two. This round continues the process of evening up the number of teams from each region. You'll notice that all of the Kanto teams also played in Round One, but none of the Shikoku teams did.

All the clubs of the 2020 JFL are present in this round except for FC Osaka, Tegevajaro Miyazaki, Veertien Mie, Suzuka Point Getters and Honda Lock, and four of those five were eliminated by another JFL team. Only FC Osaka were knocked out by a lower league side, in the Osaka prefecture championship.

(Hokkaido and Tohoku)

Match No. 17: Fuji University (Tohoku University I) [3 - 2] Sony Sendai (JFL)

Fuji University appeared in Round One of the 2004 Emperor's Cup and were beaten by Oita Trinita's U-18 squad.

Match No. 18: Iwaki FC (JFL) [0 - 3] ReinMeer Aomori (JFL)

Iwaki and ReinMeer had their first ever JFL meeting Sunday. This is the only all-JFL match in this round.

(Kanto)

Match No. 19: University of Tsukuba (Kanto University I) [4 - 3] Toin University of Yokohama (Kanto University I)

Big varsity match.

Match No. 20: Vonds Ichihara (Kanto I) [2 - 3] Tokyo Musashino City (JFL)

(Hokushinetsu)

Match No. 21: Niigata University of Health and Welfare (Hokushinetsu University I) [3 - 0] Arista Asama (Hokushinetsu I)

Match No. 22: Fukui United FC (Hokushinetsu I) [2 - 1] Toyama Shinjo Club (Hokushinetsu I)

(Tokai)

Match No. 23: Honda FC (JFL) [2 - 1] Tohoka University (Tokai University I)

Match No. 24: Nagara Club (Tokai II) [0 - 4] Maruyasu Okazaki (JFL)

(Kansai)

Match No. 25: Arterivo Wakayama (Kansai I) [1 - 0] MIO Biwaki Shiga (JFL)

Match No. 26: Tiamo Hirakata (Kansai I) [1 - 0] Nara Club (JFL)

(Chugoku)

Match No. 27: Fukuyama City (Hiroshima I) [1 - 0] Baleine Shimonoseki (Chugoku I) [September 30]

Match No. 28: Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima (Chugoku I) [1 - 0] Matsue City (JFL)

(Shikoku)

Match No. 29: Kōchi United SC (JFL) [2 - 1] Takamatsu University (Shikoku University I)

Match No. 30: FC Tokushima (Shikoku) [5 - 0] Matsuyama University (Shikoku University I)

(Kyushu)

Match No. 31: Fukuoka University (Kyushu University I) [1 - 4] NIFS Kanoya (Kyushu)

Match No. 32: MD Nagasaki (Nagasaki I) [0 - 2] Verspah Oita (JFL)

Niigata University of Health and Welfare in the Emperor's Cup:

99回    R1    Nagano Parceiro 1 - 0 Niigata University of Health and Welfare

98回    R1    Nagano Parceiro 3 - 2 Niigata University of Health and Welfare

97回    R1    Gifu Keizai University 1 - 3 Niigata University of Health and Welfare

            R2    Cerezo Osaka 2 - 0 Niigata University of Health and Welfare

96回    R1    Kataller Toyama 1 - 0 Niigata University of Health and Welfare