Plenty of Nothing

103rd Emperor's Cup Semi-Finals

Roasso Kumamoto. Source.

It's the Emperor's Cup semi-finals.

Match No. 85: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [4 - 2] Avispa Fukuoka (J1)

These two have met once already this year in league play:

2023/4/29      Avispa Fukuoka 1 - 3 Kawasaki Frontale

They'll meet again on October 20th. Avispa are currently eighth in J1, Frontale ninth.

Match No. 86: Roasso Kumamoto (J2) [0 - 4] Kashiwa Reysol (J1)

I don't think these two have met since they were both members of J2 in the 2010 season, when Reysol won once and there was a scoreless draw. Reysol are currently 16th in J1. Roasso are currently 16th in J2.

Roasso Kumamoto in the Emperor's Cup:

(As NTT Kumamoto)

第80回      R1    NTT Kumamoto 0 - 2 Honda Lock

第81回      R1    NTT Kumamoto 3 - 1 Yamagata FC

                 R2    Yokohama FC 5 - 0 NTT Kumamoto

(As Alouette Kumamoto)

第82回      R1    Fukuoka University of Education 1 - 2 Alouette Kumamoto

                 R2    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 0 Alouette Kumamoto

第83回      R1    TDK 3 - 1 Alouette Kumamoto

第84回      R1    Alouette Kumamoto 5 - 2 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki

                 R2    Alouette Kumamoto 2 - 0 Takamatsu Kita High School

                 R3    Mito HollyHock 4 - 0 Alouette Kumamoto

(As Rosso Kumamoto)

第85回      R1    Rosso Kumamoto 1 - 2 Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima

第86回      R1    Kamatamare Sanuki 0 - 5 Rosso Kumamoto

                 R2    Ryutsu Keizai University 0 - 2 Rosso Kumamoto

                 R3    Vegalta Sendai 1 - 0 Rosso Kumamoto

第87回      R1    Zweigen Kanazawa 3 - 2 Rosso Kumamoto

(As Roasso Kumamoto)

第88回      R3    Tochigi SC 1 - 1 Roasso Kumamoto (Tochigi won on PK)

第89回      R2    Roasso Kumamoto 2 - 2 Yokohama FC (Yokohama won on PK)

第90回      R2    Roasso Kumamoto 2 - 1 Ehime FC

                 R3    Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Roasso Kumamoto

第91回      R2    Gainare Tottori 3 - 0 Roasso Kumamoto

第92回      R2    Roasso Kumamoto 4 - 3 FC Gifu

                 R3    Vegalta Sendai 1 - 2 Roasso Kumamoto

                 R4    Nagoya Grampus 5 - 2 Roasso Kumamoto

第93回      R2    Roasso Kumamoto 1 - 1 Tokushima Vortis (Roasso won on PK)

                 R3    Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 - 0 Roasso Kumamoto

第94回      R2    Roasso Kumamoto 0 - 1 Montedio Yamagata

第95回      R1    Roasso Kumamoto 1 - 0 Fukuoka University

                 R2    Roasso Kumamoto 1 - 0 Gainare Tottori

                 R3    Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1 - 0 Roasso Kumamoto

第96回      R1    Roasso Kumamoto 2 - 1 FC Tosu

                 R2    Roasso Kumamoto 1 - 5 Tokyo Verdy

第97回      R2    Mito HollyHock 1 - 2 Roasso Kumamoto

                 R3    Urawa Red Diamonds 1 - 0 Roasso Kumamoto

第98回      R2    Matsumoto Yamaga 1 - 1 Roasso Kumamoto (Yamaga won on PK)

第99回      R1    Roasso Kumamoto 2 - 0 Verspah Oita

                 R2    Sagan Tosu 1 - 1 Roasso Kumamoto (Sagan won on PK)

第101回    R1    Roasso Kumamoto 3 - 0 Nippon Bunri University

                 R2    Sagan Tosu 1 - 0 Roasso Kumamoto

第102回    R2    Albirex Niigata 1 - 4 Roasso Kumamoto

                 R3    Sagan Tosu 3 - 2 Roasso Kumamoto

第103回    R2    Roasso Kumamoto 2 - 2 FC Ryukyu

                 R3    Sagan Tosu 3 - 4 Roasso Kumamoto

                 R4    FC Tokyo 0 - 2 Roasso Kumamoto

                 QF    Roasso Kumamoto 1 - 1 Vissel Kobe (Roasso won on PK)

103rd Emperor's Cup, Quarter-finals

Former Verdy Kawasaki midfielder Tsuyoshi Kitazawa (left) is a director of the Japan Football Association and also works as a football commentator on NHK. He scored 9 goals in 28 Emperor's Cup appearances during his playing career, including the 1996 cup-winner. Source.

Match No. 81: Albirex Niigata (J1) [1 - 1] Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [Frontale win on PK]

Match No. 82: Avispa Fukuoka (J1) [3 - 1] Shonan Bellmare (J1)

Match No. 83: Roasso Kumamoto (J2) [1 - 1] Vissel Kobe (J1) [Roasso win on PK]    Upset

Match No. 84: Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [2 - 0] Nagoya Grampus (J1)

Shonan Bellmare and Kashiwa Reysol have won the Emperor's Cup three times each, Nagoya Grampus twice, Kawasaki Frontale and Vissel Kobe once each, and the rest never.

Tsuyoshi Kitazawa's Emperor's Cup goals:

1992/12/5      R1    ??'    Fukuoka University      Saga Stadium

1992/12/5      R1    ??'    Fukuoka University      Saga Stadium

1993/12/5      R1    ??'    Hokuden                      Amagasaki Stadium

1993/12/11    R2    ??'    Cosmo Oil                    Oita Athletic Stadium

1994/12/4      R1    ??'    Fujieda Blux                 Yamaha Stadium

1996/11/17    R3      7'    Oita Trinita                    Tottori Stadium

1997/1/1        F        3'    Sanfrecce Hiroshima    Tokyo National Stadium

1999/12/12    R3    27'    Yokohama FC               Ajinomoto Stadium

1999/12/12    R3    97'    Yokohama FC               Ajinomoto Stadium

(Sources: Wikipedia, RSSSF)

103rd Emperor's Cup, Round Four

Press conference for the 2016 film U-31. Present are director Kenji Tani, writer Masaya Tsunamoto, and actors Ryoma Baba and Seijiro Nakamura. The film is "full of love for JEF United Chiba". Source.

Match No. 58: Kataller Toyama (J3) 3 - 4 Albirex Niigata (J1) (July 19)

This Round Three match was abandoned in the first attempt due to a thunderstorm.

Match No. 73: Machida Zelvia (J2) [0 - 1] Albirex Niigata (J1)

Match No. 74: Nagoya Grampus (J1) [3 - 0] Urawa Red Diamonds (J1)

Match No. 75: Ventforet Kofu (J2) [1 - 4] Vissel Kobe (J1)

Match No. 76: Cerezo Osaka (J1) [1 - 1] Shonan Bellmare (J1) [Shonan win on PK]

Match No. 77: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [1 - 0] Kōchi United (JFL)

Match No. 78: Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [1 - 0] Consadole Sapporo (J1)

Match No. 79: Tochigi SC (J2) [2 - 4] Avispa Fukuoka (J1)

Match No. 80: FC Tokyo (J1) [0 - 2] Roasso Kumamoto (J2)    Upset

Machida Zelvia in the Emperor's Cup:

第90回      R2    Machida Zelvia 1 - 0 Tokyo Verdy

                 R3    Albirex Niigata 2 - 1 Machida Zelvia

第91回      R1    Yamanashi Gakuin University High School 2 - 5 Machida Zelvia

                 R2    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 1 Machida Zelvia

第92回      R2    Machida Zelvia 1 - 1 Giravanz Kitakyushu (Zelvia won on PK)

                 R3    FC Imabari 2 - 5 Machida Zelvia

                 R4    Gamba Osaka 3 - 2 Machida Zelvia

第95回      R1    Grulla Morioka 0 - 3 Machida Zelvia

                 R2    Nagoya Grampus 0 - 1 Machida Zelvia

                 R3    Machida Zelvia 2 - 0 Avispa Fukuoka

                 R4    Machida Zelvia 1 - 7 Urawa Red Diamonds

第96回      R1    Machida Zelvia 0 - 1 Kanagawa University

第97回      R2    Machida Zelvia 2 - 4 Oita Trinita

第98回      R2    Fagiano Okayama 0 - 1 Machida Zelvia

                 R3    Kashima Antlers 5 - 1 Machida Zelvia

第99回      R2    Machida Zelvia 0 - 1 Kataller Toyama

第101回    R2    Tochigi SC 2 - 0 Machida Zelvia

第102回    R2    Machida Zelvia 1 - 3 Iwate Grulla Morioka

第103回    R2    Zweigen Kanazawa 2 - 3 Machida Zelvia

                 R3    Yokohama F. Marinos 1 - 4 Machida Zelvia

103rd Emperor's Cup, Round Three

Mito HollyHock versus Kawasaki Frontale in the 2018 cup. Source.

Sixteen J1 clubs, twelve J2 clubs, two J3 clubs and two JFL clubs remain.

Match No. 57: Yokohama F. Marinos (J1) [1 - 4] Machida Zelvia (J2)    Upset

Match No. 58: Kataller Toyama (J3) vs Albirex Niigata (J1) [abandoned]

Match No. 59: Nagoya Grampus (J1) [1 - 1] Vegalta Sendai (J2) [Nagoya win on PK]

Match No. 60: Urawa Red Diamonds (J1) [1 - 0] Montedio Yamagata (J2)

Match No. 61: Kashima Antlers (J1) [1 - 1] Ventforet Kofu (J2) [Kofu win on PK]    Upset

Match No. 62: Vissel Kobe (J1) [5 - 2] Júbilo Iwata (J2)

Match No. 63: Cerezo Osaka (J1) [3 - 1] Omiya Ardija (J2)

Match No. 64: Shonan Bellmare (J1) [2 - 0] Fagiano Okayama (J2)

Match No. 65: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [2 - 1] Mito HollyHock (J2)

Match No. 66: Kōchi United (JFL) [1 - 0] Yokohama FC (J1)    Upset

Match No. 67: Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [2 - 0] Tokushima Vortis (J2)

Match No. 68: Consadole Sapporo (J1) [5 - 2] Verspah Oita (JFL)

Match No. 69: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1) [0 - 2] Tochigi SC (J2)    Upset

Match No. 70: Avispa Fukuoka (J1) [2 - 1] FC Gifu (J3)

Match No. 71: FC Tokyo (J1) [1 - 1] Tokyo Verdy (J2) [FC Tokyo win on PK]

Match No. 72: Sagan Tosu (J1) [3 - 4] Roasso Kumamoto (J2)    Upset

Kōchi United in the Emperor's Cup:

第96回      R1    V-Varen Nagasaki 2 - 1 Kōchi United

第97回      R1    Verspah Oita 2 - 1 Kōchi United

第98回      QR    Kōchi United 3 - 0 Kōchi University FC South Country  

                 R1    Kōchi United 2 - 0 Mitsubishi Mizushima

                 R2    Albirex Niigata 0 - 0 Kōchi United (Albirex won on PK)

第99回      QR    Kōchi United 3 - 2 KUFC Nankoku

                 R1    MD Nagasaki 0 - 1 Kōchi United

                 R2    V-Varen Nagasaki 2 - 1 Kōchi United

第100回    QR    Kōchi United 2 - 0 Kōchi University

                 R2    Kōchi United 2 - 1 Takamatsu University

                 R3    Kōchi United 2 - 1 FC Tokushima

                 R4    University of Tsukuba 3 - 2 Kōchi United

第101回   QR    Kōchi United 2 - 1 Kōchi University

                 R1    Kōchi United 1 - 0 Kamatamare Sanuki

                 R2    Tokushima Vortis 2 - 1 Kōchi United

第102回    QR    Kōchi United 2 - 0 KUFC Nankoku

                 R1    Brew Kashima 0 - 2 Kōchi United

                 R2    Kyoto Sanga 3 - 1 Kōchi United

第103回    QR    Kōchi United 2 - 0 Kōchi University

                 R1    Belugarosso Iwami 1 - 2 Kōchi University

                 R2    Gamba Osaka 1 - 2 Kōchi United

103rd Emperor's Cup, Round Two

Toyofumi Sakano scored four goals for Montedio Yamagata in the 2018 Emperor's Cup. Source.

Match No. 25: Yokohama F. Marinos (J1) [2 - 0] Briobecca Urayasu (JFL)

Match No. 26: Zweigen Kanazawa (J2) [2 - 3] Machida Zelvia (J2)

Match No. 27: Kyoto Sanga (J1) [2 - 2] Kataller Toyama (J3) [Toyama win on PK]    Upset

Match No. 28: Albirex Niigata (J1) [1 - 0] Reilac Shiga (JFL)

Match No. 29: Nagoya Grampus (J1) [3 - 2] Veertien Mie (JFL)

Match No. 30: Vegalta Sendai (J2) [1 - 0] Fujieda MYFC (J2)

Match No. 31: Urawa Red Diamonds (J1) [1 - 0] Kansai University (Kansai Univ)

Match No. 32: Montedio Yamagata (J2) [1 - 0] Sony Sendai (JFL)

Match No. 33: Kashima Antlers (J1) [3 - 0] Honda FC (JFL)

Match No. 34: V-Varen Nagasaki (J2) [0 - 1] Ventforet Kofu (J2)

Match No. 35: Vissel Kobe (J1) [3 - 1] Nagano Parceiro (J3) (June 14)

Match No. 36: Júbilo Iwata (J2) [2 - 0] Kamatamare Sanuki (J3)

Match No. 37: Cerezo Osaka (J1) [5 - 0] Cento Cuore Harima (Kansai 1)

Match No. 38: JEF United Chiba (J2) [0 - 1] Omiya Ardija (J2)

Match No. 39: Shonan Bellmare (J1) [6 - 1] BTOP Hokkaido (Hokkaido)

BTOP Hokkaido and Thank Kuriyama are one and the same.

Match No. 40: Fagiano Okayama (J2) [2 - 1] Giravanz Kitakyushu (J3)

Match No. 41: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [3 - 1] Tochigi City (Kanto 1)

Match No. 42: Mito HollyHock (J2) [1 - 0] Renofa Yamaguchi (J2)

Match No. 43: Gamba Osaka (J1) [1 - 2] Kochi United (JFL)    Upset

Match No. 44: Yokohama FC (J1) [4 - 1] Iwate Grulla Morioka (J3) (June 21)

Match No. 45: Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [7 - 1] Yamanashi Gakuin University Pegasus (Yamanashi 1) 

Match No. 46: Tokushima Vortis (J2) [2 - 1] Iwaki FC (J2)

Match No. 47: Consadole Sapporo (J1) [3 - 0] SC Sagamihara (J3)

Match No. 48: Oita Trinita (J2) [0 - 1] Verspah Oita (JFL)    Upset

Match No. 49: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1) [5 - 0] FC Tokushima (Shikoku)

Match No. 50: Blaublitz Akita (J2) [1 - 2] Tochigi SC (J2)

Match No. 51: Avispa Fukuoka (J1) [2 - 0] FC Imabari (J3)

Match No. 52: Shimizu S-Pulse (J2) [1 - 2] FC Gifu (J3)    Upset

Match No. 53: FC Tokyo (J1) [3 - 1] Fukushima United (J3)

Match No. 54: Tokyo Verdy (J2) [2 - 1] Thespakusatsu Gunma (J2)

Match No. 55: Sagan Tosu (J1) [5 - 1] Tegevagaro Miyazaki (J3)

Match No. 56: Roasso Kumamoto (J2) [2 - 2] FC Ryukyu (J3) [Roasso won on PK] (June 21) 

This round features all 18 J1 clubs, all 22 J2 clubs, 11 from J3, 7 from the JFL, 4 from regional leagues, 1 from a university league and 1 from a prefectural league. Notice how the J1 clubs are given home field advantage.

103rd Emperor's Cup, Round One

Belugarosso. Source.

Match No. 1: Briobecca Urayasu (JFL) [3 - 2] University of Tsukuba (Kanto Univ 1)

Match No. 2: Kataller Toyama (J3) [2 - 1] Hokuriku University (Hokushinetsu Univ 1)

Match No. 3: Reilac Shiga (JFL) [2 - 1] Azul Claro Numazu (J3)    Upset

Match No. 4: Veertien Mie (JFL) [2 - 0] Gainare Tottori (J3)    Upset

Match No. 5: Arterivo Wakayama (Kansai 1) 1 - 3 Kansai University (Kansai Univ)

Match No. 6: Vanraure Hachinohe (J3) [2 - 3] Sony Sendai (JFL)    Upset

Match No. 7: Nara Club (J3) [0 - 1] Honda FC (JFL)    Upset

Match No. 8: Nagano Parceiro (J3) 2 - 0 Laranga Kyoto (Kansai 2)

Match No. 9: Kamatamare Sanuki (J3) 2 - 1 Brew Kashima (Kyushu)

Match No. 10: Fukui United (Hokushinetsu 1) [0 - 1] Cento Cuore Harima (Kansai 1)

Match No. 11: BTOP Hokkaido (Hokkaido) [7 - 0] Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine

Match No. 12: Giravanz Kitakyushu (J3) [2 - 2] Kagoshima United (J3) [Giravanz win on PK]

Match No. 13: Tochigi City (Kanto 1) 4 - 1 Maruyasu Okazaki (JFL)    Upset

Match No. 14: Belugarosso Iwami (Chugoku) [1 - 2] Kochi United (JFL)

Match No. 15: Iwate Grulla Morioka (J3) [4 - 0] Criacao Shinjuku (JFL)

Match No. 16: Tonan Maebashi (Kanto 2) [3 - 4] Yamanashi Gakuin University Pegasus (Yamanashi 1)    Upset

Match No. 17: SC Sagamihara (J3) [2 - 1] Tokyo International University (Kanto 1)

Match No. 18: Verspah Oita (JFL) [2 - 1] Baleine Shimonoseki (Chugoku)

Match No. 19: SRC Hiroshima (Chugoku) [1 - 3] FC Tokushima (Shikoku)

Match No. 20: FC Imabari (J3) [1 - 0] Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki (Nagasaki)

Match No. 21: FC Gifu (J3) 2 - 1 Niigata University of Health and Welfare (Hokushinetsu Univ 1)

Match No. 22: Fukushima United (J3) 4 - 0 North Asia University (Tohoku Univ 1)

Match No. 23: Tegevajaro Miyazaki (J3) 3 - 0 Tokai University Kumamoto (Kyushu Univ)

Match No. 24: FC Ryukyu (J3) [2 - 1] Mitsubishi Mizushima (Chugoku)

There are sixteen J3 clubs in this round, nine JFL clubs, fourteen from the regional leagues, two from prefectural leagues, six from university leagues, plus Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine (I can't figure out which league they play in).

Matches No. 5, 8, 9, 13, 21, 22 and 23 were played yesterday.

2023 Prefectural Championships

A 19th-century Arita ware plate showing the domains of pre-modern Japan. Source.

Hokkaido: 5th Hokkaido Football Championship final (May 5):

Hokkaido Tokachi Sky Earth 0 - 1 BTOP Hokkaido

Aomori: NHK Cup 76th Aomori Football Championship final:

Vanraure Hachinohe [2 - 0] Blancdieu Hirosaki

Iwate: 73rd Iwate Football Championship final:

Iwate Grulla Morioka [7 - 1] Ganju Iwate

Miyagi: 27th Miyagi Championship Hebei Cup:

Sony Sendai [3 - 1] Sendai University

Akita: 33rd Akita Football Championship final (April 16):

North Asia University 4 - 1 TDK Shinwakai

Yamagata: 27th Yamagata Football Championship final (April 23):

Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine 3 - 1 Yamagata University

Fukushima: Fukushima Cup, NHK Cup 28th Fukushima Football Championship final:

Fukushima United [7 - 0] Higashi Nippon International University

Ibaraki: 26th Ibaraki Football Championship final:

University of Tsukuba [2 - 0] Ryutsu Keizai Dragons

Tochigi: NEZAS Cup 28th Tochigi Prefecture Football Championship final:

Sakushin Gakuin University [0 - 8] Tochigi City

Gunma: 28th Gunma President's Cup final:

Tonan Maebashi [2 - 0] Thespakustsu Challengers

Saitama: Friendship Cup 28th Saitama Prefecture Football Championship Tournament final (April 22):

Tokyo International University 1 - 0 Josai University

Chiba: 28th Chiba Prefecture Football Championship final (April 23):

Briobecca Urayasu 2 - 1 Juntendo University

Tokyo: 28th Tokyo Football Tournament final:

Meiji University [0 - 1] Criacao Shinjuku

Kanagawa: 28th Kanagawa Football Championship final:

YSCC Yokohama [0 - 2] SC Sagamihara

Yamanashi: 28th Yamanashi Football Championship final:

Yamanashi Gakuin University Pegasus [3 - 1] USC Nanaho

Nagano: 28th Nagano Football Championship final:

Matsumoto Yamaga [1 - 1] Nagano Parceiro [Parceiro win on PK]

Niigata: 2023 Niigata Daily Cup · NHK Cup · Kyodo News Cup 28th Niigata Prefecture Football Championship final:

Niigata University of Health and Welfare [3 - 2] Niigata University of Health and Welfare FC

It's always Niigata University of Health and Welfare vs Niigata University of Health and Welfare FC.

Toyama: 28th Toyama Football Championship final:

Kataller Toyama [0 - 0] Toyama Shinjo [Kataller win on PK]

Ishikawa: 52nd Ishikawa Football Championship final:

Hokuriku University [2 - 0] Kanazawa Gakuin University

Fukui: Fukui Football Championship final:

Fukui United [4 - 0] Sakai Phoenix

Shizuoka: 28th Suruga Cup Competition Shizuoka Soccer Championship final:

Azul Claro Numazu [3 - 0] Tohoka University

Aichi: AIFA 28th Aichi Football Championship final (May 6):

Maruyasu Okazaki 3 - 0 Chukyo University

Mie: 28th Mie Football Championship final:

Veertien Mie [7 - 0] Suzuka Point Getters

Gifu: 28th Gifu Football Championship final (May 6):

FC Gifu 11 - 0 Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University

Shiga: 28th Shiga Football Championship final:

Reilac Shiga [2 - 1] Lagend Shiga

Kyoto: Kyoto FA Cup 28th Kyoto Championship final:

Laranga Kyoto 0 - 0 Doshisha University (Laranga won on PK)

Osaka: 28th Osaka Football Championship final:

FC Osaka [0 - 2] Kansai University

Hyogo: 26th Hyogo Football Championship final:

Cento Cuore Harima [3 - 2] Basara Hyogo Kwansei Gakuin University

Nara: 28th Nara Football Championship final:

Nara Club [1 - 0] Asuka FC

Wakayama: 28th Wakayama Football Championship final:

Wakayama Kihoku Shukyudan [1 - 5] Arterivo Wakayama

Tottori: Tottori Football Championship final (April 23):

Gainare Tottori 6 - 1 Yonago Genki 

Shimane: 28th Shimane Football Championship final (April 23):

Hikawa Cosmos 0 - 7 Belugarosso Iwami

Okayama: 43rd Okayama Football Championship final (April 23):

Mitsubishi Mizushima 1 - 1 NTN Okayama (Mitsubishi win on PK)

Hiroshima: 2023 All Hiroshima Football Championship final (April 23):

Fukuyama City 1 - 1 SRC Hiroshima (SRC win on PK)

Yamaguchi: Reiwa 5 Yamaguchi Prefecture Football Championship final (April 23):

Shunan Public University 0 - 2 Baleine Shimonoseki

Kagawa: 28th Kagawa Football Championship final:

Kamatamare Sanuki [8 - 0] Tadotsu FC

Tokushima: Football Championship in Tokushima Prefecture:

Yellow Monkeys [0 - 3] FC Tokushima

Ehime: 2023 Ehime Prefecture Football Championship final:

FC Imabari [1 - 0] Ehime FC

Kōchi: 28th Kochi Football Championship final:

Kochi United [2 - 0] Kochi University

Fukuoka: 27th Fukuoka Football Championship final (April 23):

Giravanz Kitakyushu 1 - 0 Fukuoka University

Saga: 28th Saga Football Championship final:

Brew Kashima [2 - 1] Saga University

Nagasaki: 34th Nagasaki Football Championship final (May 6):

MD Nagasaki 0 - 0 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki (Mitsubishi won on PK)

Kumamoto: NHK Cup KFA 27th Kumamoto Football Championship final:

Tokai University Kumamoto [2 - 1] FCK Marrygold

Oita: OFA 2023 Oita Football Championship final:

Verspah Oita [2 - 2] J-Lease FC [Verspah win on PK]

Miyazaki: 27th Miyazaki / NHK Cup Miyazaki Football Championship final:

Tegevajaro Miyazaki [1 - 0] Minebea Mitsumi

Kagoshima: 38th Kagoshima Football Championship final:

Kagoshima United [1 - 0] NIFS Kanoya

Okinawa: OFA Times Cup 28th Okinawa Football Championship final:

FC Ryukyu [2 - 0] Okinawa SV

102nd Emperor's Cup Final

Kofu fans. Source.

It's the final of the 102nd Emperor's Cup. Ventforet Kofu play Sanfrecce Hiroshima. This is the first time that a J2 club has appeared in the final since Montedio Yamagata in 2014. Sanfrecce are currently third in J1, Ventforet 18th in J2.

These two finalists have crossed paths in the Emperor's Cup twice before, in 1994 and 2013, and Sanfrecce won both times. Sanfrecce have taken the cup three times, Ventforet never.

The last time Sanfrecce and Ventforet played each other was in the 2017 J1 League, the year Ventforet were relegated. They took one win each.

The game takes place at Nissan Stadium, Yokohama F. Marinos' home park. The National Stadium is being used for a first anniversary celebration of the Tokyo Olympics.

This year's final is being staged two and a half months earlier than normal to free up Japan's national team players for the World Cup in Qatar.

Match No. 87: Ventforet Kofu (J2) [1 - 1] Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1)    [Ventforet win on PK.]

Ventforet Kofu in the Emperor's Cup:

As Kofu Club

第52回*   R1    Kofu Club 4 - 1 Nippon Steel Muroran

                R2    Hitachi 2 - 0 Kofu Club

第64回    R1    Kofu Club 0 - 3 Yamaha Motors

第66回    R1    Honda 3 - 0 Kofu Club

第74回    R1    Kofu Club 1 - 0 Sapporo University

                R2    Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 - 0 Kofu Club

As Ventforet Kofu

第76回    R1    Kawazoe Club 2 - 5 Ventforet Kofu

                R2    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 2 Kokushikan University

第77回    R1    Kanagawa University 1 - 3 Ventforet Kofu

                R2    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 1 Fukuoka University

                R3    Cerezo Osaka 5 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

第78回    R1    Kawazoe Club 0 - 6 Ventforet Kofu

                R2    Ventforet Kofu 6 - 1 Doto University

                R3    Cerezo Osaka 4 - 6 Ventforet Kofu

                R4    Ventforet Kofu 0 - 3 Yokohama Flügels

第79回    R1    Maebashi Commercial High School 1 - 2 Ventforet Kofu

                R2    Ventforet Kofu 0 - 0 Sony Sendai (Sony won on PK.)

第80回    R1    Matsushita Electric Iga 0 - 4 Ventforet Kofu

                R2    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 1 Doto University

                R3    FC Tokyo 0 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

                R4    JEF United 3 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

第81回    R1    Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences 0 - 4 Ventforet Kofu

                R2    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 ALO's Hokuriku

                R3    Urawa Red Diamonds 2 - 0 Ventforet Kofu

第82回    R1    Tsukuba University 1 - 3 Ventforet Kofu

                R2    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 0 Alouette Kumamoto

                R3    Vegalta Sendai 1 - 0 Ventforet Kofu

第83回    R1    Ventforet Kofu 3 - 0 Fukui University of Technology

                R2    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 1 Momoyama Gakuin University

                R3    Tokyo Verdy 2 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

第84回    R3    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Sony Sendai

                R4    Oita Trinita 2 - 1 Ventforet Kofu   

第85回    R3    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Biwako Seikei SC

                R4    JEF United 3 - 2 Ventforet Kofu

第86回    R4    Ventforet Kofu 3 - 2 Montedio Yamagata

                R5    Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 5 Ventforet Kofu

                QF    Ventforet Kofu 0 - 2 Consadole Sapporo

第87回    R4    Ventforet Kofu 3 - 1 Tokushima Vortis

                R5    Kashima Antlers 2 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

第88回    R3    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Fagiano Okayama

                R4    Gamba Osaka 2 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

第89回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 3 - 3 Kansai University (Ventforet win on PK.)

                R3    Kyoto Sanga 1 - 2 Ventforet Kofu

                R4    Shimizu S-Pulse 3 - 0 Ventforet Kofu

第90回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Matsumoto Yamaga

                R3    Júbilo Iwata 2 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

第91回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 1 Machida Zelvia

                R3    Kashiwa Reysol 6 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

第92回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 0 - 0 Fukushima United (Fukushima won on PK.)

第93回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Fukushima United

                R3    Shonan Bellmare 0 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

                R4    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Consadole Sapporo

                R5    Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1 - 1 Ventforet Kofu (Sanfrecce won on PK.)

第94回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Meiji University

                R3    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 1 Kwansei Gakuin University

                R4    Giravanz Kitakyushu 0 - 0 Ventforet Kofu (Giravanz won on PK.)

第95回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 3 - 2 Juntendo University

                R3    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Ehime FC

                R4    Kashiwa Reysol 2 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

第96回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 0 - 0 Oita Trinita (Trinita won on PK.)

第97回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 0 - 1 Vanraure Hachinohe

第98回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 3 - 1 Ryutsu Keizai University

                R3    Shimizu S-Pulse 0 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

                R4    Cerezo Osaka 0 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

                QF    Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Ventforet Kofu

第99回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 2 FC Gifu (Ventforet won on PK.)

                R3    FC Tokyo 0 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

                R4    Ventforet Kofu 2 - 1 Hosei University

                QF    V-Varen Nagasaki 2 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

第101回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 2 Fukui United

第102回    R2    Ventforet Kofu 5 - 1 International Pacific University

                 R3    Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 1 - 2 Ventforet Kofu

                 R4    Sagan Tosu 1 - 3 Ventforet Kofu

                 QF    Avispa Fukuoka 1 - 2 Ventforet Kofu

                 SF    Ventforet Kofu 1 - 0 Kashima Antlers

                   F    Ventforet Kofu [1 - 1] Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Ventforet win on PK.)

*Improved my grammar.

102nd Emperor's Cup, Semi-Finals

Victory Kickoff!! cosplay. Source.

It's the Emperor's Cup semi-finals.

Match No. 85: Ventforet Kofu (J2) [1 - 0] Kashima Antlers (J1)    Upset

Kashima Antlers won the 2016 Emperor's Cup. Ventforet have never made it past the quarter-finals before.

Match No. 86: Kyoto Sanga (J1) [1 - 2] Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1)

Sanfrecce Hiroshima won the 1965, 1967 and 1969 Emperor's Cups under the name Toyo Kogyo. Kyoto Sanga are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, and the 20th anniversary of their 2002 Emperor's Cup.

Victory Kickoff!! website.

102nd Emperor's Cup, Quarter-Finals

Waseda University beat Toyo Industries 3 - 2 in the 1966 Emperor's Cup final, played on January 15, 1967. Source.

Match No. 81: Avispa Fukuoka (J1) [1 - 2] Ventforet Kofu (J2)

Match No. 82: Vissel Kobe (J1) [0 - 1] Kashima Antlers (J1)

Match No. 83: Kyoto Sanga (J1) [2 - 1] Tokyo Verdy (J2)

Match No. 84: Cerezo Osaka (J1) [1 - 2] Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1)

The two previous Emperor's Cup winners, Kawasaki Frontale and Urawa Reds, are missing from this year's quarter-finals.