Plenty of Nothing

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.

102nd Emperor's Cup, Round Four

Yokohama Flügels won the Emperor's Cup on January 1st, 1999, but they no longer existed by the time the Super Cup came around on February 27th. Source.

It's the Emperor's Cup, Round Four: Eleven J1 clubs and five J2 clubs mix it up.

Match No. 73: Tokyo Verdy (J2) [2 - 1] Júbilo Iwata (J1) (July 20)    Upset.

Match No. 74: Avispa Fukuoka (J1) [2 - 0] V-Varen Nagasaki (J2)

Match No. 75: Kashima Antlers (J1) [2 - 0] Gamba Osaka (J1)

Match No. 76: Nagoya Grampus (J1) [1 - 2] Cerezo Osaka (J1)

Match No. 77: Tochigi SC (J2) [1 - 2] Kyoto Sanga (J1)

Match No. 78: Sagan Tosu (J1) [1 - 3] Ventforet Kofu (J2)    Upset.

Match No. 79: Vissel Kobe (J1) [2 - 1] Kashiwa Reysol (J1)

Match No. 80: Thespakusatsu Gunma (J2) [0 - 1] Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1)

102nd Emperor's Cup, Round Three

Sakka Gemu. Source.

It's the Emperor's Cup, Round Three. There are sixteen matches featuring all twenty J1 teams and twelve from J2. There were no upsets in Round Two.

Match No. 57: Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [0 - 1] Tokyo Verdy (J2)    Upset

Match No. 58: Shonan Bellmare (J1) [0 - 1] Júbilo Iwata (J1)

Match No. 59: Avispa Fukuoka (J1) [3 - 1] Iwate Grulla Morioka (J2)

Match No. 60: FC Tokyo (J1) [2 - 3] V-Varen Nagasaki (J2)    Upset

Match No. 61: Kashima Antlers (J1) [3 - 0] Omiya Ardija (J2)

Match No. 62: Gamba Osaka (J1) [3 - 1] Oita Trinita (J2)

Match No. 63: Nagoya Grampus (J1) [1 - 0] Zweigen Kanazawa (J2)

Match No. 64: Cerezo Osaka (J1) [3 - 2] Vegalta Sendai (J2)

Match No. 65: Yokohama F. Marinos (J1) [0 - 2] Tochigi SC (J2)    Upset

Match No. 66: Shimizu S-Pulse (J1) [0 - 1] Kyoto Sanga (J1)

Match No. 67: Sagan Tosu (J1) [3 - 2] Roasso Kumamoto (J2)

Match No. 68: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (J1) [1 - 2] Ventforet Kofu (J2)    Upset

Match No. 69: Vissel Kobe (J1) [2 - 1] Renofa Yamaguchi (J2)

Match No. 70: Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [2 - 1] Tokushima Vortis (J2)

Match No. 71: Urawa Red Diamonds (J1) [0 - 1] Thespakusatsu Gunma (J2)    Upset

Match No. 72: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1) [3 - 0] Yokohama FC (J2)

102nd Emperor's Cup, Round Two

Komazawa Olympic Park was built in 1964 on the site of the 1940 Olympic park, and still has that Sixties vibe. The finals of the 45th and 46th Emperor's Cups were played here. Source.

It's Round Two of the 102nd Emperor's Cup. The 24 winners from Round One meet up with forty J1 and J2 clubs.

Match No. 25:  Kawasaki Frontale (J1) [5 - 0] Sapporo University (Hokkaido Univ 1)

Match No. 26:  Tokyo Verdy (J2) [2 - 1] Blaublitz Akita (J2)

Match No. 27:  Shonan Bellmare (J1) [3 - 0] Vertfee Yaita (Kanto 2)

Match No. 28:  Júbilo Iwata (J1) [5 - 2] Matsumoto Yamaga (J3)

Match No. 29:  Avispa Fukuoka (J1) [3 - 0] Okinawa SV (Kyushu)

Match No. 30:  Machida Zelvia (J2) [1 - 3] Iwate Grulla Morioka (J2)

Match No. 31:  FC Tokyo (J1) [2 - 0] Fuji University (Tohoku Univ 1)

Match No. 32:  V-Varen Nagasaki (J2) [1 - 0] Kagoshima United (J3)

Match No. 33:  Kashima Antlers (J1) [2 - 1] Niigata University of Health and Welfare (Hokushinetsu Univ 1)

Match No. 34:  FC Ryukyu (J2) [1 - 4] Omiya Ardija (J2)

Match No. 35:  Gamba Osaka (J1) [4 - 2] FC Gifu (J3)

Match No. 36:  Oita Trinita (J2) [3 - 0] Kagura Shimane (JFL)

Match No. 37:  Nagoya Grampus (J1) [2 - 0] Doshisha University (Kansai Univ 1)

Match No. 38:  JEF United Chiba (J2) [1 - 2] Zweigen Kanazawa (J2)

Match No. 39:  Cerezo Osaka (J1) [3 - 1] Kansai University (Kansai Univ 1)

Match No. 40:  Vegalta Sendai (J2) [2 - 1] Honda FC (JFL)

Match No. 41:  Yokohama F. Marinos (J1) [3 - 0] Suzuka Point Getters (JFL)

Match No. 42:  Fagiano Okayama (J2) [0 - 1] Tochigi SC (J2)

Match No. 43:  Shimizu S-Pulse (J1) [8 - 0] Shunan Public University (Chugoku Univ 1)

Match No. 44:  Kyoto Sanga (J1) [3 - 1] Kochi United (JFL)

Match No. 45:  Sagan Tosu (J1) [1 - 0] Verspah Oita (JFL)

Match No. 46:  Albirex Niigata (J2) [1 - 4] Roasso Kumamoto (J2)

Match No. 47:  Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (J1) [4 - 3] Toin University of Yokohama (Kanto Univ 1)

Match No. 48:  Ventforet Kofu (J2) [5 - 1] International Pacific University (Chugoku Univ 1)

Match No. 49:  Vissel Kobe (J1) [3 - 2] Kataller Toyama (J3)

Match No. 50:  Mito HollyHock (J2) [1 - 2] Renofa Yamaguchi (J2)

Match No. 51:  Kashiwa Reysol (J1) [1 - 0] Tsukuba University (Kanto Univ 1)

Match No. 52:  Tokushima Vortis (J2) [2 - 1] Fukuyama City FC (Chugoku)

Match No. 53:  Urawa Red Diamonds (J1) [1 - 0] Fukushima United (J3)

Match No. 54:  Montedio Yamagata (J2) [1 - 3] Thespakusatsu Gunma (J2)

Match No. 55:  Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1) [2 - 0] Honda Lock (JFL)

Match No. 56:  Yokohama FC (J2) [3 - 3] Sony Sendai (JFL) [Yokohama win on PK.]

Matches 31, 47 and 56 will be played June 8th.

102nd Emperor's Cup, Round One

JFA House, on Football Avenue, in Bunkyo City, Tokyo. Google Street View.

It's the first round of the 102nd Emperor's Cup. This year's format reverts to the one in place before Covid arrived; however, because of the FIFA World Cup in November, the Emperor's Cup final has been moved forward to October 16th, the earliest it has been since 1968.

Once again Honda FC get into Round One as the top amateur club in the country.

Match No. 1:    Sapporo University (Hokkaido Univ 1) 1 - 0 Yamanashi Gakuin University Pegasus (Yamanashi 1)

Match No. 2:    Vertfee Yaita (Kanto 2) 7 - 0 Nagai Club (Tohoku 2 South)

Match No. 3:    Matsumoto Yamaga (J3) 3 - 2 Hokuriku University (Hokushinetsu Univ 1)

Match No. 4:    FC Imabari (J3) 1 - 4 Okinawa SV (Kyushu)    Upset

Match No. 5:    Tonan Maebishi (Kanto 2) [0 - 1] Fuji University (Tohoku Univ 1)

Match No. 6:    Kagoshima United (J3) [3 - 1] Giravanz Kitakyushu (J3)

Match No. 7:    Vanraure Hachinohe (J3) [0 - 1] Niigata University of Health and Welfare (Hokushinetsu Univ 1)    Upset

Match No. 8:    FC Gifu (J3) 3 - 2 Chukyo University (Tokai Univ 1)

Match No. 9:    MD Nagasaki (Nagasaki 1) [1 - 2] Kagura Shimane (JFL)

Match No. 10:  Fukui United (Hokushinetsu) [0 - 1] Doshisha University (Kansai Univ 1)

Match No. 11:  Arterivo Wakayama (Kansai 1) 2 - 4 Kansai University (Kansai Univ 1)

Match No. 12:  Nara Club (JFL) [0 - 1] Honda FC (JFL)

Match No. 13:  Suzuka Point Getters (JFL) [3 - 0] Cento Cuore Harima (Kansai 1)

Match No. 14:  Takamatsu University (Shikoku Univ 1) [0 - 3] Shunan Public University (Chugoku Univ 1)

Match No. 15:  Brew Kashima (Kyushu) [0 - 2] Kochi United (JFL)

Match No. 16:  Gainare Tottori (J3) [0 - 4] Verspah Oita (JFL)    Upset

Match No. 17:  Toin University of Yokohama (Kanto Univ 1) [1 - 0] Rissho University (Kanto Univ 1)

Match No. 18:  MIO Biwako Shiga (JFL) [1 - 2] International Pacific University (Chugoku Univ 1)    Upset

Match No. 19:  Kataller Toyama (J3) [1 - 0] Fujieda MYFC (J3)

Match No. 20:  Tsukuba University (Kanto Univ 1) [2 - 2] Briobecca Urayasu (Kanto 1) [Tsukuba won on PK]

Match No. 21:  Fukuyama City FC (Chugoku) [3 - 2] FC Tokushima (Shikoku)

Match No. 22:  Fukushima United (J3) 7 - 1 North Asia University (Tohoku Univ 1)

Match No. 23:  Honda Lock (JFL) 3 - 0 FCK MarryGold (Kumamoto 1)

Match No. 24:  Sony Sendai (JFL) 3 - 1 Tokyo International University FC (Kanto 2)

Matches 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 22, 23 and 24 were played yesterday.

2022 Prefectural Finals

Morioka Zebra last made it to Round One of the Emperor's Cup in 1980.  Source.

Hokkaido: 4th Hokkaido Football Championship final:

Tokachi Sky Earth [0 - 1] Sapporo University

Aomori: NHK Cup 75nd Aomori Football Championship final:

ReinMeer Aomori [0 - 1] Vanraure Hachinohe

Akita: 32nd Akita Football Championship final (April 17):

North Asia University 3 - 0 Akita Cambiare

Iwate: 72nd Iwate Football Championship final:

Morioka Zebra [0 - 3] Fuji University

Yamagata: 26th Yamagata Football Championship final (May 1):

Nagai Club 2 - 0 Yamagata University

Miyagi: 26th Miyagi Championship Hebei Cup:

Sony Sendai [3 - 0] Sendai University

Fukushima: Fukushima Cup, NHK Cup 27th Fukushima Football Championship final:

Iwaki FC [0 - 1] Fukushima United

Ibaraki: 25th Ibaraki Football Championship final:

Ryutsu Keizai Drgons [1 - 3] Tsukuba University Kicking Club

Tokyo: 27th Tokyo Football Tournament final:

Rissho University [1 - 0] Kokushikan University

Tochigi: NEZAS Cup 27th Tochigi Prefecture Football Championship final:

Tochigi City [3 - 3] Vertfee Yaita    [Vertfee win on PK.]

Gunma: 27th Gunma President's Cup final:

Jobu University [3 - 5] Tonan Maebashi

Saitama: Friendship Cup 27th Saitama Prefecture Football Championship Tournament final (May 7):

Tokyo International University FC 1 - 0 Tokyo International University Athletic Association

Chiba: 27th Chiba Prefecture Football Championship final (May 7):

Juntendo University 0 - 2 Briobecca Urasawa

Kanagawa: 27th Kanagawa Football Championship final:

SC Sagamihara [0 - 3] Toin University of Yokohama

Yamanashi: 27th Yamanashi Football Championship final:

Route HFC [2 - 5] Yamanashi Gakuin University Pegasus

Nagano: 27th Nagano Football Championship final:

Nagano Parceiro [0 - 1] Matsumoto Yamaga

Niigata: 2022 Niigata Daily Cup · NHK Cup · Kyodo News Cup 27th Niigata Prefecture Football Championship final:

Niigata University of Health and Welfare SC [2 - 0] Niigata University of Health and Welfare FC

Toyama: 27th Toyama Football Championship final:

Kataller Toyama [1 - 0] Toyama Shinjo Club

Ishikawa: 51st Ishikawa Football Championship final:

Kanazawa Seiryo University [1 - 2] Hokuriku University

Fukui: Fukui Football Championship final:

Fukui United [7 - 1] Sakai Phoenix

Shizuoka: 27th Suruga Cup Competition Shizuoka Soccer Championship final:

Fujieda MYFC [1 - 0] Azul Claro Numazu

Aichi: AIFA 27th Aichi Football Championship final:

Maruyasu Okazaki [1 - 2] Chukyo University

Mie: 27th Mie Football Championship final:

Suzuka Point Getters [0 - 0] Vierteen Mie    [Point Getters win on PK.]

Gifu: 27th Gifu Football Championship final (May 7)

FC Gifu 5 - 0 Gifu Kyoritsu University

Shiga: 27th Shiga Football Championship final (May 7):

Biwako Seikei Sport College 1 - 1 MIO Biwako Shiga (MIO win on PK.)

Kyoto: Kyoto FA Cup 27th Kyoto Championship final (May 7):

Doshisha University 2 - 1 Kyoto Sangyo University

Osaka: 27th Osaka Football Championship final (May 7):

FC Osaka 0 - 2 Kansai University

Hyogo: 25th Hyogo Football Championship final (May 7):

Cento Cuore Harima 2 - 0 FC AWJ

Nara: 27th Nara Football Championship final:

Nara Club [2 - 0] Tenri University

Wakayama: 27th Wakayama Football Championship final (May 5):

Arterivo Wakayama 2 - 0 Wakayama Kihoku Kicking Team

Tottori: Tottori Football Championship final (April 24):

Gainare Tottori 5 - 0 Yonago Genki SC

Shimane: 27th Shimane Football Championship final (April 24):

Kagura Shimane 3 - 0 Beluga Rosso Hamada

Kagura Shimane are the former Matsue City FC.

Okayama: 42nd Okayama Football Championship final (April 24):

Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima 1 - 2 International Pacific University

Hiroshima: 2022 All Hiroshima Football Championship final (April 24):

Fukuyama City FC 2 - 1 SRC Hiroshima

Yamaguchi: Reiwa 4 Yamaguchi Prefecture Football Championship final (April 24):

FC Baleine Shimonoseki 0 - 1 Shunan Public University

Kagawa: 27th Kagawa Football Championship final:

Kamatamare Sanuki vs Takamatsu University

[Game cancelled due to Covid. Takamatsu advance.]

Tokushima: Football Championship in Tokushima Prefecture (April 24):

FC Tokushima 5 - 0 Yellow Monkeys

I'm not making this up.

Kōchi: 27th Kochi Football Championship final:

Kochi United [2 - 0] KUFC Nankoku

Ehime: 2022 Ehime Prefecture Football Championship final:

Ehime FC vs FC Imabari

This game was cancelled due to Covid. FC Imabari advance.

Fukuoka: 26th Fukuoka Football Championship final (April 24):

Giravanz Kitakyushu 0 - 0 Fukuoka University    (Giravanz win on PK.)

Saga: 27th Saga Football Championship final:

Brew Kashima [2 - 0] Kawasoe Club

Brew Kashima is the former Saga Lixil.

Nagasaki: 33rd Nagasaki Football Championship final (May 7):

MD Nagasaki 1 - 0 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki

Kumamoto: NHK Cup KFA 26th Kumamoto Football Championship final (May 7):

Kumamoto Gakuen University 1 - 1 FCK Marigold (Marigold win on PK.)

Oita: OFA 2022 Oita Football Championship final:

Verspah Oita vs J-Lease FC

J-Lease were formed in 2018 and are tearing through the leagues, having won Oita Divisions 3, 2 and 1 in three seasons. They're currently tied for first in the Kyushu League.

But J-Lease decline because of Covid. Verspah advance.

Miyazaki: 26th Miyazaki / NHK Cup Miyazaki Football Championship final:

Tegevagaro Miyazaki [1 - 2] Honda Lock

Kagoshima: 37th Kagoshima Football Championship final:

NIFS Kanoya [2 - 3] Kagoshima United

Okinawa: OFA Times Cup 27th Okinawa Football Championship final:

Okinawa SV [1 - 1] Kaihoku Bank SC    [Okinawa SV win on PK.]

101st Emperor's Cup Final

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries collect the silverware, January 1, 1972. Source.

It's the final of the 101th Emperor's Cup: Urawa Red Diamonds versus Oita Trinita.

Urawa won the 1971, 1973, 1978, 1980, 2005, 2006 and 2018 Cups, the first four times under the corporate name Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This is the fiftieth anniversary of their first win, give or take a couple weeks.

Oita Trinita appear in the final for the first time.

The Emperor's Cup final is normally held on New Year's Day, but this year's final was brought forward to December 19th so that Japan could host the FIFA Club World Cup in December. However, Japan dropped out in September due to Covid concerns and the Club World Cup was moved to the UAE, to be played in February 2022. But the December 19th final remains as an artefact of that relocated tournament.

In its early years the Emperor's Cup final was actually all over the calendar. Only March, July and August have not had one. The January 1st final only became the standard with the 48th Emperor's Cup, and it has been held on that date for every cup since, except for the 94th, the 98th and this one.

[Urawa Red Diamonds 2 - 1 Oita Trinita]

Fujieda City Hall SC in the Emperor's Cup:

60回    R1    Hosei University 2 - 1 Fujieda City Hall

66回    R1    All Nippon Airways Yokohama 3 - 1 Fujieda City Hall

69回    R1    Fujieda City Hall 0 - 2 All Nippon Airways SC

Okinawa SV in the Emperor's Cup:

99回    R1    Matsuyama University 0 - 2 Okinawa SV

            R2    Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4 - 0 Okinawa SV

100回    R1    NIFS Kanoya 1 - 0 Okinawa SV

101回    R1    Fukuoka University 1 - 3 Okinawa SV

             R2    V-Varen Nagasaki 2 - 0 Okinawa SV

101st Emperor's Cup Semi-finals

Kawasaki Frontale supporters. Source.

It's the semi-finals of the 101st Emperor's Cup.

Match No. 87: Urawa Red Diamonds [2 - 0] Cerezo Osaka

Match No. 88: Kawasaki Frontale [1 - 1] Oita Trinita [Trinita win on PK]    Upset

Frontale won the J League this season. Urawa Reds finished sixth, Cerezo twelfth, Trinita eighteenth.

Frontale won both league matches against Trinita, while Urawa and Cerezo each took a win in league play. Cerezo knocked Urawa out of the Levain Cup playoffs.

Gamba Osaka in the Emperor's Cup:

As Matsushita Electric SC:

61回    R1    Kawasaki Steel Mizushima 1 - 3 Matsushita Electric

           R2    Yomiuri 1 - 0 Matsushita Electric

62回    R1    Teijin 0 - 2 Matsushita Electric

           R2    Matsushita Electric 2 - 4 Yanmar Diesel

63回    R1    Matsushita Electric 3 - 1 Kawasaki Steel Mizushima

           R2    Mazda 2 - 0 Matsushita Electic

64回    R1    Nippon Kokan 0 - 1 Matsushita Electric

           R2    Matsushita Electric 0 - 2 Yanmar Diesel

65回    R1    Matsushita Electric 2 - 3 Mitsubishi Motors

66回    R1    Matsushita Electric 1 - 1 Toyota Motors (Matsushita won on PK.)

           R2    Matsushita Electric 0 - 2 Yamaha Motors

67回    R1    Yawata Steel 0 - 2 Matsushita Electric

           R2    Matsushita Electric 0 - 0 Nippon Kokan (Matsushita won on PK.)

           QF    Mazda 0 - 0 Matsushita Electric (Mazda won on PK.)

68回    R1    Fujitsu 1 - 2 Matsushita Electric

           R2    Yamaha Motors 2 - 0 Matsushita Electric

69回    R1    Matsushita Electric 0 - 1 Mazda

70回    R1    YKK 2 - 9 Matsushita Electric

           R2    Juntendo University 0 - 2 Matsushita Electric

           QF    Matsushita Electric 2 - 1 Kokushikan University

           SF    Honda 1 - 2 Matsushita Electric

             F    Nissan Motors 0 - 0 Matsushita Electric (Matsushita won on PK.)

71回    R1    Shin Nitttetsu Muroran 0 - 5 Matsushita Electric

           R2    Mitsubishi Motors 1 - 0 Matsuchita Electric

As Gamba Osaka:

72回    R1    Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima 0 - 5 Gamba Osaka

           R2    Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 - 3 Gamba Osaka

           QF    Verdy Kawasaki 1 - 1 Gamba Osaka (Verdy won on PK.)

73回    R1    Kochi University 0 - 5 Gamba Osaka

           R2    Nagoya Grampus Eight 3 - 2 Gamba Osaka

74回    R1    Hannan University 1 - 3 Gamba Osaka

           R2    Otsuka Pharmaceutical 0 - 5 Gamba Osaka

           QF    Gamba Osaka 2 - 0 Kyoto Purple Sanga

           SF    Bellmare Hiratsuka 3 - 2 Gamba Osaka

75回    R1    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Hokuriku Electric Power

           R2    Gamba Osaka 4 - 1 Brummell Sendai

           QF    Urawa Red Diamonds 1 - 2 Gamba Osaka

           SF    Gamba Osaka 1 - 2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

76回    R3    Gamba Osaka 4 - 1 Montedio Yamagata

           R4    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Fujitsu

           QF    Kyoto Purple Sanga 2 - 3 Gamba Osaka

           SF    Gamba Osaka 0 - 2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

77回    R3    Gamba Osaka 3 - 2 Sagan Tosu

           R4    Urawa Red Diamonds 1 - 2 Gamba Osaka

           QF    Kashima Antlers 3 - 0 Gamba Osaka

78回    R3    Gamba Osaka 1 - 2 Montedio Yamagata

79回    R4    Yokohama F. Marinos 2 - 1 Gamba Osaka

80回    R3    Gamba Osaka 4 - 1 Oita Trinita

           R4    Gamba Osaka 1 - 1 Kashiwa Reysol (Gamba won on PK.)

           QF    Júbilo Iwata 0 - 1 Gamba Osaka

           SF    Kashima Antlers 3 - 2 Gamba Osaka

81回    R3    Gamba Osaka 5 - 0 Mito HollyHock

           R4    Gamba Osaka 1 - 0 Albirex Niigata

           QF    Gamba Osaka 0 - 2 Shimizu S-Pulse

82回    R3    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Honda FC

           R4    Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 0 Gamba Osaka

83回    R3    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Consadole Sapporo

           R4    Cerezo Osaka 3 - 2 Gamba Osaka

84回    R4    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Sagan Tosu

           R5    Gamba Osaka 5 - 0 Yokohama FC

           QF    Kashima Antlers 0 - 1 Gamba Osaka

           SF    Tokyo Verdy 3 - 1 Gamba Osaka

85回    R4    Gamba Osaka 3 - 3 Yokohama FC (Gamba won on PK.)

           R5    Gamba Osaka 5 - 3 Kashiwa Reysol

           QF    Gamba Osaka 1 - 3 Cerezo Osaka

86回    R4    Gamba Osaka 2 - 1 Shonan Bellmare

           R5    Gamba Osaka 4 - 2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

           QF    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Yokohama F. Marinos

           SF    Gamba Osaka 2 - 1 Consadole Sapporo

             F    Urawa Red Diamonds 1 - 0 Gamba Osaka

87回    R4    Gamba Osaka 2 - 2 Montedio Yamagata (Gamba won on PK.)

           R5    Oita Trinita 1 - 3 Gamba Osaka

           QF    Gamba Osaka 1 - 0 Shimizu S-Pulse

           SF    Gamba Osaka 1 - 3 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

88回    R4    Gamba Osaka 2 - 1 Ventforet Kofu

           R5    Júbilo Iwata 1 - 3 Gamba Osaka

           QF    Gamba Osaka 2 - 1 Nagoya Grampus

           SF    Yokohama F. Marinos 0 - 1 Gamba Osaka

             F    Gamba Osaka 1 - 0 Kashiwa Reysol

89回    R2    Gamba Osaka 5 - 2 Ryutsu Keizai University

           R3    Gamba Osaka 6 - 1 Fukuoka University

           R4    Sagan Tosu 1 - 3 Gamba Osaka

           QF    Kashima Antlers 1 - 2 Gamba Osaka

           SF    Gamba Osaka 2 - 1 Vegalta Sendai

             F    Gamba Osaka 4 - 1 Nagoya Grampus

90回    R2    Gamba Osaka 6 - 2 Osaka of Health and Sport Sciences

           R3    Gamba Osaka 3 - 2 Tochigi SC

           R4    Gamba Osaka 4 - 1 Kashiwa Reysol

           QF    Gamba Osaka 2 - 1 Urawa Red Diamonds

           SF    Shimizu S-Pulse 3 - 0 Gamba Osaka

91回    R2    Gamba Osaka 2 - 0 Sagawa Shiga

           R3    Gamba Osaka 2 - 3 Mito HollyHock

92回    R2    Gamba Osaka 3 - 0 Kansai University

           R3    Gamba Osaka 1 - 0 Mito HollyHock

           R4    Gamba Osaka 3 - 2 Machida Zelvia

           QF    Cerezo Osaka 1 - 2 Gamba Osaka

           SF    Gamba Osaka 1 - 0 Kashima Antlers

             F    Gamba Osaka 0 - 1 Kashiwa Reysol

93回    R2    Gamba Osaka 5 - 0 FC Imabari

           R3    Omiya Ardija 0 - 0 Gamba Osaka (Ardija won on PK.)

94回    R2    Gamba Osaka 5 - 1 Zweigen Kanazawa

           R3    Gamba Osaka 1 - 0 Tokushima Vortis

           R4    Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1 - 3 Gamba Osaka

           QF    Gamba Osaka 2 - 0 Omiya Ardija

           SF    Gamba Osaka 5 - 2 Shimizu S-Pulse

             F    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Montedio Yamagata

95回    R4    Kawasaki Frontale 0 - 2 Gamba Osaka

           QF    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Sagan Tosu

           SF    Gamba Osaka 3 - 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

             F    Urawa Red Diamonds 1 - 2 Gamba Osaka

96回    R4    Gamba Osaka 1 - 0 Shimizu S-Pulse

           QF    Yokohama F. Marinos 2 - 1 Gamba Osaka

97回    R2    Gamba Osaka 3 - 0 Verspah Oita

           R3    Gamba Osaka 2 - 0 JEF United Chiba

           R4    Gamba Osaka 2 - 3 Kashiwa Reysol

98回    R2    Gamba Osaka 1 - 2 Kwansei Gakuin University

99回    R2    Gamba Osaka 7 - 1 Kamatamare Sanuki

           R3    Gamba Osaka 0 - 2 Hosei University

100回    SF    Gamba Osaka 2 - 0 Tokushima Vortis

                F    Kawasaki Frontale 1 - 0 Gamba Osaka

101回    R2    Gamba Osaka 3 - 1 Kwansei Gakuin University

             R3    Gamba Osaka 2 - 0 Matsumoto Yamaga

             R4    Gamba Osaka 4 - 1 Shonan Bellmare

             QF    Gamba Osaka 0 - 2 Urawa Red Diamonds