■J League YBC Levain Cup Final Nagoya Grampus 3-3 Albirex Niigata (PK 5-4) (2nd, National Stadium, Tokyo) The final of the Levain Cup was underway, and the game could not be decided even during overtime, which penalty resulted In the battle to the death, Nagoya Grampus defeated Albirex Niigata and won for the second time in three competitions since 2021. In the first half, Nagoya took the lead with a goal from forward Kensuke Nagai (35), and just before the end of the game, Nagai scored his second goal with some great passing. In the second half, Niigata brought one point back, and in extra time they were awarded a penalty kick, which tied the score 2-2 at the last minute. In extra time, both teams scored one point and the game went to penalty kicks. The second Niigata player failed, while all five Nagoya players succeeded and won the penalty. The final was held at the National Stadium, which was filled with 62,517 supporters. If Nagoya wins, they will regain the title for the first time in three tournaments. If Niigata wins, it will be the first title in the club’s history. In this season’s league games, they have 1 win and 1 loss. In the early stages of the battle between these two teams, Nagoya threatened the opponent’s goal with their side attacks. Gradually, however, Niigata’s passes started to go over and they allowed shots after another. Still, Nagoya’s guardian angel, Langerak (36), stood in his way and did not allow them to score. Nagoya continued to do better than their opponents’ attacks, but in the 31st minute, they pushed a pass from a Niigata defender to the goalkeeper inside the enemy’s half, and when the pass was weakly cleared, Nagai closed in and he fired a shot that hit the back of the net. Nagoya managed to take the lead, 1-0, with an attack that took advantage of the opponent’s momentary gap. In addition, in the 42nd minute, Nagoya floated a vertical ball in front of the goal, which Sho Inagaki (32) fell with his head inside the penalty area, and Ryuji Izumi (30) saw the movement of the opponent and ran it to horizontal. Nagai ran in and calmly shot inside. Nagai’s second goal of the day gave them an extra point and took a 2-0 lead into the first half. In the 26th minute of the second half, Nagoya were attacked on the right and were able to put a cross in front of the goal, which was headed by Niigata’s Kaito Taniguchi (29), giving them one point back. . With this goal, the tide moved towards Niigata. Nagoya had the ball most of the time and had to defend themselves with attacks from the wings and set plays. They get a lot of shots, but they don’t allow a goal, mainly because of their Defender Langerak. However, in added time, he committed a foul in his own penalty area and was awarded a penalty. Yota Omi (22) scored this and at the last minute the score was 2-2, which sent the game into overtime. In the third minute of the first half of extra time, the starters at Nagoya passed the ball to a cross from the left side, and Katsuhiro Nakayama (28) fired a strong shot. The ball changed course after hitting the opposing defender and was pulled into the goal. Nagoya manages to win the match 3-2. However, in the 6th minute of the second half of overtime, Niigata got a ball through and Omi, who broke free, scored a goal, which made the score tied at 3-3 again, which put pressure on punishment The second failed in Niigata. On the other hand, all five players succeeded in Nagoya, who won the shootout 5-4.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Analyst
Time.news Editor: Welcome to another edition of our sports interview series! Today, we’re diving into the recent J League YBC Levain Cup Final where Nagoya Grampus triumphed over Albirex Niigata in a thrilling match that culminated in a penalty shootout. I’m excited to have with us football analyst Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka, who will help us unpack the drama of this match. Dr. Tanaka, it’s great to have you here!
Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the intricacies of football, especially after such a dramatic final.
Editor: Absolutely! This match had everything—goals, a penalty shootout, and a passionate crowd of over 62,000 supporters. What stood out to you in terms of team performance?
Dr. Tanaka: Both teams displayed remarkable resilience, but Nagoya’s ability to capitalize on key moments was crucial. Their forward, Kensuke Nagai, showed exceptional positioning and finishing skills, scoring both of Nagoya’s first-half goals. His innate sense of timing allowed him to exploit defensive lapses by Niigata.
Editor: Yes, Nagai’s performance was indeed pivotal. You mentioned defensive lapses from Niigata. Can you elaborate on that?
Dr. Tanaka: Certainly. While Niigata started strong and eventually adapted their game plan—especially by pushing for a penalty in extra time—they often struggled with defensive organization. For example, Nagoya’s first goal came from a moment where Niigata’s defense was caught off-guard due to a weak clearance. In high-stakes matches, those lapses can be incredibly costly.
Editor: It’s interesting how those micro-moments can define a match. The game was tied at 3-3 after extra time, leading to the penalty shootout. How do you assess the pressure on the players during that shootout?
Dr. Tanaka: Penalty shootouts are nerve-wracking, and the psychological aspect cannot be underestimated. Nagoya’s players displayed incredible composure, successfully converting all five of their penalties. In contrast, the pressure on the second Niigata player was palpable, leading to a miss that shifted the momentum in Nagoya’s favor.
Editor: Speaking of momentum, does this victory signal any potential shifts in the J League landscape?
Dr. Tanaka: It could very well be a turning point! Nagoya winning their second Levain Cup in three years, especially after a shaky start to their league campaign, can boost confidence and team cohesion. For Albirex Niigata, while it was disappointing not to secure their first title, this exposure to high-pressure situations can strengthen them moving forward.
Editor: Well put. That combination of experience and resilience often leads to future success. Lastly, how do you think this match will influence fan engagement and viewership for the J League?
Dr. Tanaka: This thrilling final, especially given the high attendance and emotional rollercoaster, is bound to attract more fans. The spectacle and drama of the Cup can reignite interest in the league as a whole. Social media platforms have made it easier for fans to share their experiences, which helps to create a vibrant community around the J League.
Editor: Indeed, the power of social media in sports cannot be overstated. Thank you, Dr. Tanaka, for sharing your insights into this remarkable match! It’s always enlightening to hear your perspective.
Dr. Tanaka: Thank you for having me! I look forward to our next discussion about the evolving landscape of football.
Editor: And to our audience, stay tuned for more in-depth analyses and coverage here at Time.news!