Shonan Bellmare Edge Past FC Imabari in J2 League Away Test

Shonan Bellmare secured a valuable 2-1 victory on the road against FC Imabari in the Japanese J2 League on September 26, 2026. Played at the Arigato Service Dream Stadium, the match saw the visitors recover from a second-half equaliser to claim all three points with a late winner, strengthening their push for promotion back to J1.

Match Overview

The contest pitted FC Imabari, a club with ambitions of climbing the J2 table, against a Shonan Bellmare side relegated from J1 the previous season and determined to bounce back immediately. The away team started brightly, controlling possession and creating early chances. Imabari, cheered on by a passionate home crowd, looked to hit on the counter and grew into the game after the interval.

Key Moments

• 23rd minute: Shonan broke the deadlock. A swift passing move ended with midfielder Ryo Nagai curling a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
• 58th minute: FC Imabari equalised against the run of play. A quick break down the right saw Kenta Suzuki whip in a cross that was turned home by Marcus Vinicius from close range.
• 82nd minute: Shonan regained the lead. Substitute Yuto Suzuki latched onto a through ball and calmly slotted past the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
• 90+3 minute: Imabari nearly snatched a late equaliser, but Shonan's goalkeeper Daiki Tomii produced a fine save to deny a header from a corner.

Tactical Story

Shonan Bellmare lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to dominate the midfield through quick combinations. Their full-backs pushed high, stretching Imabari's defensive block. FC Imabari responded with a compact 4-4-2, aiming to spring counter-attacks through their pacey wide players. The home side's equaliser came from exactly that tactic, but as they tired in the final 20 minutes, Shonan's superior bench depth told.

Standout Players

Shonan's Ryo Nagai was instrumental, not only scoring the opener but also dictating tempo in the middle. Goalkeeper Daiki Tomii made several crucial stops, including the late save that preserved the win. For Imabari, Marcus Vinicius was a constant threat, while captain Takumi Hama worked tirelessly in midfield.

Season Impact

With this result, Shonan Bellmare move closer to the automatic promotion places, maintaining pressure on the top two. FC Imabari remain in mid-table, but their spirited performance against a promotion contender suggests they can avoid a relegation battle. The J2 League standings remain tight, and both teams will look to build on this match as the season enters its final stretch.