Kashiwa Reysol Stamps Authority With Commanding 4-1 Revenge Win Over Kawasaki Frontale in J-League Cup Clash

At SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium, Oct. 12, 2025—In a match that served as both revenge and a statement, Kashiwa Reysol dismantled Kawasaki Frontale 4-1 in a pulsating J-League Cup encounter, righting the wrongs of a painful defeat just four days prior. The result wasn’t just a reversal of fortune—it was a blueprint for resurgence from a team that has found consistency elusive this season.

Explosive Start, Sudden Response

From the opening whistle, Kawasaki Frontale, sitting third in the Cup standings, looked keen to reassert their recent dominance. Just four minutes in, Yasuto Wakizaka delivered a clinical finish, silencing the home crowd. It was a familiar sight: Frontale’s sharp, incisive buildup, a hallmark of their recent cup run, leaving Reysol flat-footed.

But rather than collapse under the weight of adversity, Reysol responded with intent. Their patience in possession and willingness to exploit space in transition eventually unlocked Frontale’s defense. In the 26th minute, Yuki Kakita, a name not always first on the team sheet but increasingly vital in big moments, found himself unmarked at the edge of the box and fired home the equalizer. The goal wasn’t merely a reply—it was a promise of intent.

Momentum Shifts With a Dismissal

The game’s complexion changed irrevocably in the 56th minute. Filip Uremović, Frontale’s defensive linchpin, received a straight red card for a reckless challenge—a moment of indiscipline that left his team a man down and Reysol sensing blood. From that point, Frontale’s structure disintegrated; their midfield, previously so sharp in their last meeting, suddenly looked stretched and exposed.

Reysol’s midfield trio—Yoshio Koizumi, Hayato Nakama, and Diego—began to dictate the tempo. Their movement, both on and off the ball, stretched Frontale’s depleted defense, and chances began to flow. Nakama, arriving late in the box, finished a flowing team move in the 73rd minute, turning the match on its head and giving Reysol a lead they would not relinquish.

Hosoya Delivers the Knockout Blows

Mao Hosoya, whose goalscoring exploits have kept Reysol afloat this season, put the match beyond doubt with a quickfire double. In the 77th minute, he latched onto a loose ball after a corner, slotting home with the composure of a striker in peak form. Then, in the waning moments of the match, Hosoya pounced again, his clinical finish into the top corner sealing a memorable victory and his own standout individual performance.

Hosoya’s brace was emblematic of his growing importance to the team: a player who thrives under pressure, delivering when it matters most. His goals today took his tally to three in the last five matches across all competitions—a testament to his consistency in a team that has sometimes lacked it.

Context and Consequences

For Reysol, this victory was more than three points—it was catharsis. Just four days earlier, they had stumbled to a 3-1 loss to the same opponent, leaving their Cup hopes hanging by a thread. Today’s emphatic response not only avenged that defeat but injected new life into their campaign. With five points from six games, Reysol remain in fourth, but the gap to the top is narrowing. More importantly, belief is returning to a squad that has, at times, looked adrift.

Frontale, by contrast, missed a golden opportunity to consolidate their hold on third place. Their recent form—a mixed bag of draws and a narrow win—had hinted at vulnerability, but this was the first time in weeks they were truly dismantled. The red card was a turning point, but not the sole cause; their inability to stifle Reysol’s momentum, even before Uremović’s dismissal, will concern manager Toru Oniki.

Head-to-Head: A Rivalry Renewed

This fixture has become one of the Cup’s most unpredictable. Just last month, the teams shared eight goals in a wild 4-4 league draw. Reysol’s last win over Frontale before today came in the league in May, but their recent meetings have been anything but one-sided. Today’s result, however, was unequivocal—a statement from Reysol that they are not to be dismissed, even against a bogey side.

What Lies Ahead

For Kashiwa Reysol, the challenge now is to harness this momentum. Their league form remains patchy, but performances like this could ignite a late-season surge. With Hosoya in form and the midfield finding rhythm, the potential is clear. If they can marry today’s attacking verve with defensive solidity, a top-three finish is not out of reach.

Frontale, meanwhile, must regroup. The red card and subsequent collapse exposed frailties that had been papered over in recent weeks. With the Cup knockout stages looming, Oniki will demand a response—starting with discipline and defensive cohesion.

Final Thoughts

In a season where both teams have searched for consistency, this match may well be remembered as a turning point—for better or worse. For Kashiwa Reysol, it was a night of redemption, a performance that blended resilience, flair, and ruthlessness. For Kawasaki Frontale, it was a stark reminder that, in football, momentum can shift in an instant—and that no lead, no matter how early, is ever safe.