Just three months after the fireworks had died down on the 2020 edition, the J.League Cup started anew once again on Tuesday with the 2021 season. Hostilities resume in Japan’s secondary club cup competition as Oita Trinita host Vissel Kobe at the Showa Denko Dome while Shonan Bellmare squared off against Urawa Red Diamonds at the Shonan BMW Stadium Hiratsuka in Matchweek 1 of the J.League Cup’s group stage.
The J.League Cup provides head coaches of J.League 1 sides with the opportunity to roll out the youth and fringe players for some well-needed game time and it was an Oita youngster who opened the scoring at the Showa Denko Dome, with Kazuki Fujimoto notching himself in the scoresheet after 20 minutes. Vissel struck back in the 44th minute, however, and parity was restored thanks to another youngster, Asahi Masuyama.
Vissel then stamped their authority in the second half, with head coach Atsuhiro Miura fielding out a strong lineup that included Daiya Maekawa in goal, Reo Osaki in defense, and Junya Tanaka up front. Yuya Nakasaka beat Oita goalie William Popp (not to be confused with the SCG Muangthong United attacker of similar name, Willian Popp) in the 51st minute to give Vissel the lead, before the men from Hyogo Prefecture sealed up the win in the 81st minute thanks to Tanaka’s effort.
The early kick-off on Tuesday saw both Shonan and Urawa playing out a goalless stalemate in Hiratsuka.
Matchweek 1 of the J.League Cup group stages continue on Wednesday with FC Tokyo facing off against Tokushima Vortis at the Ajinomoto Stadium, Avispa Fukuoka challenging Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo at the Best Denki Stadium, Kashiwa Reysol taking on Yokohama FC at the Hitachi Kashiwa Stadium, Yokohama F. Marinos accepting the challenge of Vegalta Sendai at the NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Stadium, Kashima Antlers tackling Sagan Tosu at the Kashima Soccer Stadium, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima hosting Shimizu S-Pulse at the Hiroshima Big Arch.