March 1, 2026 – A hard-fought match between Faziarno Okayama and Nagoya Grampus ended in a 1-1 draw after a penalty shootout, marking Nagoya Grampus’s second consecutive loss despite a goal from forward Yuto Yamagishi. The game, held at JFE Clear Stadium, highlighted the competitive nature of the J1 League and the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Yamagishi scored in the 48th minute, giving Nagoya Grampus an early lead. However, Okayama’s Kouta Kawano equalized in the 79th minute, forcing the game into a penalty shootout. Okayama ultimately prevailed 5-4 in the shootout.
“Although it was our first win of the year in a penalty shootout, it made me seek to take all three points even more,” said Okayama manager Toshiyuki Kiyama. “I think we were able to play the game as we had hoped, and we created a lot of chances, so we need to work on finishing those opportunities.”
Kiyama also noted that while the team wasn’t facing major challenges, they were undone by Okayama’s ability to capitalize on their single chance. “We need to continue to work on improving that aspect of our game,” he added. “We will give our all in the next match as well.”
Kawano, reflecting on his goal, explained that he was unmarked and the team had been preparing for that specific play all week. “The ball came to the right spot, and all I had to do was head it in with all my might,” he said. He expressed a desire for the team to secure a win rather than a draw, and to add another goal to seal the victory.
Kawano also emphasized the significance of the win, especially after a string of unsuccessful results. He was the fifth kicker and had previously missed a penalty in the opening match. “Mozer also created a good opportunity, and all I had to do was score,” he said. “A point from a draw is different than a point from a win, so it depends on us whether we can carry this momentum forward.”
“I transferred to Okayama to score goals that lead to victory,” Kawano continued. “While this win came through a penalty shootout, I want to prepare well again and score many more goals to secure three points.”
