Date: July 15, 2026 | Venue: NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium, Yokohama | Score: Yokohama F. Marinos 1 – 1 Tegevajaro Miyazaki

Match Overview

In a tightly contested international club friendly, J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos were held to a 1-1 draw by J3 League outfit Tegevajaro Miyazaki at their home ground. The match served as a valuable preseason test for both teams, with Marinos looking to sharpen their attacking patterns ahead of the resumption of domestic duty, while Miyazaki impressed with a disciplined defensive display and a clinical counter-attack.

First Half – Marinos Dominate but Fail to Break Through

Yokohama controlled possession from the opening whistle, pressing high through their trademark 4-2-3-1 system. Brazilian forward Élber looked lively on the right flank, forcing an early save from Miyazaki goalkeeper Kohei Kato. Despite several crosses and a flurry of corners, Marinos struggled to find the final ball. The visitors, organized in a compact 5-4-1 shape, soaked up pressure and occasionally threatened on the break. The first half ended goalless, with the home side left frustrated by a string of offside calls and wayward shots.

Second Half – Goals and Drama

The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute. A neat exchange between midfielder Kota Watanabe and striker Anderson Lopes saw the ball slip through to substitute Kenyu Sugimoto, who slotted calmly under the goalkeeper to give Marinos a 1-0 lead. However, the advantage lasted only twelve minutes. Miyazaki’s speedy forward Koki Kuroda latched onto a long ball over the top, outpaced the Marinos center-backs, and fired a low shot past the advancing goalkeeper. Both sides made multiple substitutions in the final quarter, but no further goals were scored.

Key Moments

• 58′ – Goal by Kenyu Sugimoto (Yokohama F. Marinos): Created by a clever one-two in the box.
• 70′ – Goal by Koki Kuroda (Tegevajaro Miyazaki): A lightning counter-attack, finished clinically.
• 82′ – Marinos hit the post through a long-range effort from Joel Chima Fujita.
• 89′ – Miyazaki almost snatched a winner when a free kick forced a diving save from Marinos’ reserve goalkeeper.

What the Result Means

For Yokohama F. Marinos, the draw highlighted the need to improve finishing against deep-lying defenses as they prepare for the J1 League season. Head coach Javi Gracia later praised the team’s ball circulation but admitted “the final third lacked precision.” For Tegevajaro Miyazaki, the result is a morale booster against a top-flight opponent, demonstrating their ability to compete physically and tactically. The club, currently mid-table in J3, will take confidence from the performance into their upcoming league fixtures.