Japan Soccer News
JEF United retained the J-League Nabisco League Cup with a 2-0 win over Kashima Antlers on Friday at Tokyo's National Stadium.
The team from Chiba, managed by Amar Osim, who took over the side when his father Ivica left to coach the Japan national team, was delighted with second half goals from Koki Mizuno and Yuki Abe which sealed the match in front of the 44,704 Culture Day holiday crowd.
Saturday saw more action in the Emperor's Cup which climaxes with the showpiece final on New Year's Day. No J1 club lost to a lower league opponent and FC Tokyo trounced Banditonce Kobe - surely the oddest club name in Japanese football.
Both all-J1 clashes saw the home team triumph in each case. Sanfrecce beat Cerezo and Avispa edged Kyoto Purple Sanga on penalties.
Emperor's Cup 4th Round
Sunday 5 Nov
Omiya Ardija 2 YKK AP 1
Nagoya Grampus Eight 1 Vegalta Sendai 0
Shimizu S-Pulse 6 Tochigi SC 4
FC Tokyo 7 Banditonce Kobe 0
Oita Trinita 4 Thespa 1
Yokohama F Marinos 1 Ehime FC 0
Ventforet 3 Montedio 2
Sat 4 Nov
Urawa Reds 5 Shizuoka 0
Avispa Fukuoka 1 Kyoto Purple Sanga 1 (Avispa 4-3 pens)
Jubilo 1 Reysol 1
Gamba Osaka 2 Bellmare 0
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3 Cerezo Osaka 0
Kawasaki Frontale 3 Sagan 0
Albirex Niigata 2 Vortis 0
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