Sabasports Match Preview
J League Cup: Yokohama F. Marinos vs Kashiwa Reysol
Kickoff Time: 2025-09-03 18:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/ELOISA SANCHEZ
Yokohama F. Marinos, the 2022 league champions and 2023 league runners-up, has seen a decline in performance and form due to the departure of key players. Currently, they are level on points with the relegation zone, facing immense pressure to avoid dropping down. Due to poor results, the club announced a mid-June coaching change, dismissing Australian head coach Patrick Fabio Maxime Kisnorbo and appointing assistant coach Hideo Oshima as interim manager. Statistically, the main reason for Yokohama’s decline is their struggling offense, with a league average of just 0.93 goals per game – worse than even bottom-placed Albirex Niigata. Their top scorer, Daiya Tono (five goals, one assist), is out long-term with a ruptured Achilles tendon. During the summer transfer window, the club spent heavily to sign Israeli national team striker Dean David to bolster the attack, but he has failed to adapt to the J League pace, contributing only one goal so far.
Kashiwa Reysol has always prioritized cup competitions, having reached the 2020 J League Cup final and the 2023 Emperor’s Cup final. This season, the team has performed consistently and currently sits second in the league, making them strong contenders for the championship and a spot in next season’s AFC Champions League. During the summer transfer window, they strengthened multiple positions by signing midfielder Yota Komi from Albirex Niigata, center-back Seiya Baba from Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, and forward Yusuke Segawa from Kawasaki Frontale. All three have adapted well to Kashiwa’s tactics, with Segawa contributing three goals and one assist. In four league matches in August, Kashiwa achieved an impressive record of three wins and one loss, scoring at least two goals in three of those games, showcasing a dynamic attack. So far this season, 13 different players have scored in the league, reflecting a diversified and flourishing offensive effort.
This season, Kashiwa Reysol started from the second round of the J League Cup and has consistently secured victories within regular time, never holding back despite the competition’s lower prize money or lack of AFC Champions League qualification incentives. In contrast, Yokohama F. Marinos is fighting to avoid relegation and lack the bandwidth to focus on the cup. Moreover, Yokohama has suffered two consecutive losses in their last two meetings with Kashiwa, putting them at a psychological disadvantage. In this matchup, Yokohama F. Marinos may face a home defeat.
Yokohama F. Marinos‘s Last 5 Games: LDWLL
25-08-30 Vissel Kobe 1-0 Yokohama F. Marinos
25-08-23 Yokohama F. Marinos 0-0 Machida Zelvia
25-08-16 Shimizu S-Pulse 1-3 Yokohama F. Marinos
25-08-09 Tokyo Verdy 1-0 Yokohama F. Marinos
25-07-30 Yokohama F. Marinos 1-3 Liverpool
Kashiwa Reysol‘s Last 5 Games: WWLWL
25-08-31 Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 Avispa Fukuoka
25-08-22 Kashiwa Reysol 4-2 Urawa Red Diamonds
25-08-17 Fagiano Okayama FC 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol
25-08-10 Kashiwa Reysol 2-0 Shonan Bellmare
25-07-20 Kashima Antlers 3-2 Kashiwa Reysol
Head-To-Head Record
25-05-14 Yokohama F. Marinos 0-2 Kashiwa Reysol
24-10-05 Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 Yokohama F. Marinos
24-05-29 Yokohama F. Marinos 4-0 Kashiwa Reysol
23-09-02 Kashiwa Reysol 2-0 Yokohama F. Marinos
23-06-10 Yokohama F. Marinos 4-3 Kashiwa Reysol
Prediction: Kashiwa Reysol to win