Tokushima Vortis 1–1 FC Imabari: Stalemate at Pocari Sweat Stadium

Tokushima Vortis and FC Imabari shared the spoils after a 1–1 draw in the J2/J3 100 Year Vision League on 24 May 2026. The match at the Pocari Sweat Stadium saw both teams score inside a lively opening 20 minutes before settling into a tense, tactical battle that yielded no further goals.

Match Overview

Tokushima started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute when striker Kazuki Nishiya turned home a low cross from the right wing. The goal energised the home crowd, but Imabari responded instantly. Just seven minutes later, midfielder Shuhei Hotta equalised with a powerful strike from outside the box that beat the Vortis goalkeeper low to his left.

After that frantic start, the tempo dropped considerably. Both midfields became congested, and clear‑cut chances were at a premium. Tokushima enjoyed more of the ball but struggled to break down a well‑organised Imabari defence. Imabari, for their part, looked dangerous on the break but lacked the final pass.

Key Moments

• 12' – 1‑0 Tokushima: Nishiya’s poacher’s finish from a cross by right‑back Yuto Uchida.
• 19' – 1‑1 Imabari: Hotta’s long‑range effort took a slight deflection to wrong‑foot the goalkeeper.
• 68' – Imabari Hit the Post: A shot from substitute Ryo Taki beat the goalkeeper but cannoned off the upright.

Standings Impact

The draw leaves Tokushima Vortis in 9th place, while FC Imabari climb to 12th. Both managers expressed frustration at not taking maximum points, but admitted that a share of the spoils was a fair reflection of the match.

Vortis coach Kohei Miyazaki said: “We started well, but after their equaliser we lost our rhythm. We need to be sharper in the final third if we want to challenge the top teams.”