Giravanz Kitakyushu 1-2 Roasso Kumamoto: Late Drama Decides Kyushu Derby in J3 Action

In a fiercely contested Kyushu derby at Mikuni World Stadium, Roasso Kumamoto came from behind to snatch a vital 2-1 victory over Giravanz Kitakyushu on May 6, 2026, in the J2/J3 100 Year Vision League. The result handed Kumamoto three crucial points in the league standings while leaving the home side ruing missed opportunities in a match that swung on two second-half moments of brilliance.

Match Overview

Played under clear skies with a kickoff temperature of 18°C, the encounter was a tense affair between two regional rivals who know each other well. Kitakyushu started brightly and took a deserved lead through a well-worked move in the 34th minute, but Kumamoto's resilience and tactical adjustments in the second half turned the match on its head. The visitors equalized just past the hour mark before snatching all three points with a clinical finish in the 78th minute that silenced the home crowd of 5,843.

First Half: Kitakyushu Take Control

The home side dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes, pressing high and forcing Kumamoto into defensive errors. Their breakthrough came when midfielder Shota Kanno threaded a perfect through ball to striker Ryosuke Tada, who slotted calmly past the Kumamoto goalkeeper for his fifth goal of the season. Kitakyushu could have doubled their lead before halftime but were denied by a stunning save from Kumamoto's custodian Yoshiki Matsushita, who tipped a curling free-kick onto the crossbar.

Second Half: Kumamoto's Tactical Masterstroke

Roasso manager Takenori Kuwata made a crucial tactical switch at halftime, introducing winger Yutaka Taniguchi to stretch the Kitakyushu defense. The change paid immediate dividends as Kumamoto began creating chances down the flanks. The equalizer came in the 63rd minute when captain Shota Fukumura rose highest to meet a corner, powering a header into the bottom corner. The momentum had shifted decisively, and Kumamoto continued to push.

The Winning Goal

The decisive moment arrived with 12 minutes remaining. A quick counter-attack caught Kitakyushu's backline out of position, and substitute forward Keisuke Ogasawara showed composure beyond his years, cutting inside onto his right foot and curling a sublime effort into the far post. The goal sparked jubilant scenes among the traveling Kumamoto supporters and left Kitakyushu with too little time to mount a response.

Standout Players

• Keisuke Ogasawara (Kumamoto) – The 21-year-old substitute was the match-winner, scoring a superb goal and providing energy off the bench.
• Yoshiki Matsushita (Kumamoto) – Made several crucial saves, including a first-half stop that kept his team in the game.
• Ryosuke Tada (Kitakyushu) – Took his goal well but lacked service after Kumamoto's tactical shift.

League Impact

The victory lifts Roasso Kumamoto into mid-table in the J2/J3 100 Year Vision League standings, building momentum as the season approaches its midpoint. For Kitakyushu, this was a missed opportunity to climb closer to the promotion playoff places, having now lost two of their last three home matches. The defeat leaves them in 12th position, six points off the top six with work to do in the coming weeks.