Yokohama F. Marinos take on the visitors Nagoya Grampus in the first leg of YBC Levian Cup semifinals. The match will be played on Wednesday, October 9th at Nissan Stadium (Yokohama).
Yokohama F. Marinos, despite being one of Japan's most decorated football clubs, have only won the J. League Cup once in their history, back in 2001. Since then, the Yokohama-based team has reached the final only once more, losing to Shonan Bellmare in the 2018 final. In this year's J. League Cup, as the league’s runners-up, Marinos began their campaign from the quarterfinal stage, where they comfortably defeated Consadole Sapporo with an aggregate score of 7-4. However, Yokohama approaches the semifinal in less than ideal form. The "Tricolore" have lost six out of their last eight matches across all competitions, and in their most recent J. League away game, they fell to Kashiwa Reysol. Currently sitting in 12th place in the J1 League standings, this is a disappointing result for the ambitious Marinos, who finished no lower than second place in each of the last three seasons. Despite the poor overall team performance, some players have stood out, such as Brazilian striker Anderson Lopes, who has scored 20 goals so far this season. He went on a streak of scoring in four consecutive matches, only to have it broken in the recent loss to Kashiwa Reysol.
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Nagoya Grampus can also boast recent success in the J. League Cup, having won the trophy in 2021 by defeating Cerezo Osaka in the final. That victory remains their only triumph in the competition to date. In the J. League, Grampus are known as solid mid-table performers, regularly finishing in the top 10. This season, they are currently in ninth place. Nagoya’s journey in the J. League Cup began in the second round, where Kenta Hasegawa's side overcame Omiya Ardija, Yokohama FC, Kashiwa Reysol, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima to reach the semifinals. Nagoya had a strong finish to September, securing three consecutive clean-sheet wins at home in the J. League with a combined score of 7-0. However, in early October, they suffered a 1-0 away defeat to Avispa Fukuoka, conceding a goal in the 88th minute. That loss also ended their five-match scoring streak, and for the first time in four matches, forward Kensuke Nagai failed to contribute a goal or assist. The 35-year-old striker tallied two goals and two assists over three games, making him Grampus' top scorer this season with a total of nine (7 goals, 2 assists).
While Yokohama F. Marinos are considered the favorites going into this first leg, the actual chances seem fairly even. Nagoya Grampus have proven to be a tough opponent for the Marinos, who have failed to beat them in their last three meetings, including a 1-2 loss in March of this year.
Prediction for the match: Nagoya Grampus not to lose (X2).
