Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo went high octane for their 2021 J.League 1 opener as they tore apart a hapless Yokohama FC 5-1 at the Sapporo Dome on Saturday. Mihailo Petrovic’s men showcased a brutal show of attacking football that left Yokohama FC devastated, with the Northerners going 4-1 up in the first half before Thai international Chanathip Songkrasin rounded off the rout with his side’s fifth in the second half.
Consadole showed Yokohama FC a glimpse of what’s to come as they went 2-0 up within the first five minutes of the match. Yoshiaki Komai gave the hosts the lead in the 2nd minute with a low shot that went through the legs of a Yokohama FC defender before being deflected into the goal by the goalpost. Two minutes after the opener, Takuro Kaneko doubled Consadole’s lead with an angled shot that went above the head of Yokohama FC goalie Yuji Rokutan. Young attacker Tsuyoshi Ogashiwa played a huge role in both goals as it was his pin-point assists that helped both Komai and Kaneko in giving Consadole the early advantage
New arrival Kleber, signed from J.League 2 side JEF United Chiba, gave Yokohama FC a glimmer of hope in the 29th minute with a powerful close-ranged shot. The Brazilian seized a good ball given to him by Yuya Takagi and he managed to beat Takanori Sugeno with his first touch.
However, all hopes for a Yokohama FC fightback were snuffed out right at the stroke of half-time, with Consadole scoring a double whammy to extend their advantage.
Brazilian Anderson Lopes made it 3-1 for the hosts in the 45th minute with a close-ranged finish, Ogashiwa once again having a huge role in creating Consadole’s third goal. Shortly afterwards in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Kaneko completed his brace, beating Rokutan with a curled effort to make it 4-1 for the Northerners.
The second half wasn’t as action packed as the first, however Chanathip managed to land himself in the scoresheet as he scored Consadole’s fifth in the 77th minute. The Thai pocket rocket, who had caused problems for the Yokohama FC defense throughout the match, snatched a deserved goal with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area.
No further goals were scored afterwards and with a sizable goal difference Consadole managed to make themselves home at the top of the league at the end of Saturday’s Matchweek 1 action.
Newly promoted Tokushima Vortis started life back in the top flight with a 1-1 draw away at Oita Trinita, with former Albirex Niigata striker Arata Watanabe grabbing himself a debut goal for a much-changed Oita, who had their core players plucked away from them by bigger clubs during the off-season. In Hiroshima, Vegalta Sendai managed to heroically earn themselves a point away at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scoring a 90th minute equalizer despite playing the majority of the match with 10 men following Simao Mate’s 27th minute red card.
Shimizu S-Pulse started life underneath new head coach Miguel Angel Lotina with a bang after the men in orange had stunned Kashima Antlers 3-1 at the Kashima Soccer Stadium, a win that was made sweeter by the fact that Shimizu had to come from behind for their three points. Sagan Tosu edged out Shonan Bellmare at the Shonan BMW Stadium Hiratsuka thanks to an 80th minute penalty from Daichi Hayashi, while Cerezo Osaka worked out a routine 2-0 win at home over 10-man Kashiwa Reysol.
Last but not least, Saturday’s Matchweek 1 action was rounded off by Vissel Kobe prevailing in the first Hanshin Derby of the season, beating neighbors Gamba Osaka 1-0 at the Misaki Park Stadium thanks to a 79th minute effort from Kyogo Furuhashi.
Round 1 continues on Sunday, with newly promoted Avispa Fukuoka welcoming last year’s bronze medalists Nagoya Grampus to the Best Denki Stadium.