Kashima beat Kofu 3-1
In the Emperor’s Cup Round 3 on Sep 23, Kashima Antlers defeated Ventforet Kofu 3–1 at Mercari Stadium to reach the last 16. Leo Ceara opened the scoring in the 34th minute, Minato Yoshida added a second in the 54th, and newcomer Sho Omori scored in the 62nd. A late goal narrowed the margin, but Kashima held on in front of 11,498 fans.
Source: Ｊリーグ公式サイト
Kashiwa rout Imabari 4-0
Kashiwa Reysol booked a place in the Emperor’s Cup last 16 with a 4–0 win over FC Imabari on Sep 23 at SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium. Mao Hosoya opened the scoring (37’), Tojiro Kubo made it 2–0 (44’), Hosoya added a second (53’), and Sachiro Toshima sealed the victory (85’). The match was played in rainy conditions before 7,068 fans.
Source: Ｊリーグ公式サイト
Gamba roar to 5-0 win over Tokushima
Gamba Osaka produced a dominant display in a 5–0 Emperor’s Cup Round 3 victory over Tokushima Vortis on Sep 23 at Panasonic Stadium Suita. Takashi Usami opened the scoring (19’), Ryoya Yamashita (57’), Deniz Hummet (64’), Ginjiro Ikegaya (86’) and Ryotaro Meshino (89’) completed the rout. Attendance was 9,016.
Source: Ｊリーグ公式サイト
Kobe win 1-0 thanks to Erik
Vissel Kobe advanced to the Emperor’s Cup last 16 with a 1–0 home win over Sagan Tosu on Sep 23 at NOEVIR Stadium Kobe. Erik scored the decisive goal in the 78th minute, and Kobe held on in front of 6,887 spectators to secure progression to the next round.
Source: Ｊリーグ公式サイト
Kyoto win with 88th-minute winner
Kyoto Sanga F.C. edged Fujieda MYFC 1–0 in an Emperor’s Cup Round 3 clash on Sep 23 at SANGA STADIUM by KYOCERA. Everton Maceio struck the dramatic winner in the 88th minute, sending Kyoto through to the last 16 in front of 6,359 fans after a tightly contested match.
Source: Ｊリーグ公式サイト
Machida win as Ogawa nets decisive goal
FC Machida Zelvia beat Tochigi City 2–1 in an Emperor’s Cup Round 3 match on Sep 23 at Machida GION Stadium to reach the last 16. With the score level at 1–1, Koki Ogawa struck the decisive goal in the 70th minute. The match drew 3,003 spectators and was played in rainy conditions.
Source: Ｊリーグ公式サイト
Kawasaki forward Yu Kobayashi announces retirement
Kawasaki Frontale announced on Sep 23 that forward Yu Kobayashi will retire effective Jan 1, 2027. Kobayashi joined the club in 2010 and spent 17 seasons there, recording 405 J1 appearances and 144 J1 goals as of Sep 23, 2026. He was the J1 MVP and top scorer in 2017.
Source: Ｊリーグ公式サイト