Cong Phuong was absent the day Yokohama lost the opening match

Goal: Junker 4

The fact that Cong Phuong cannot play is expected before the competition at Yokohama FC this season is very big. Coach Shuhei Yomoda selected 18 players from 39 names in pre-season training to kick off the opening match at home this afternoon, February 18.

The home team of Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium conceded a goal in the 4th minute after a corner kick. Goalkeeper Kengo Nagai chose the wrong place to drop the ball, allowing striker Kasper Junker to cushion the ball into an empty net to open the score.

In the 17th minute, Yokohama FC's net once again shook from Junker's shot. However, after consulting the video assistant referee – VAR, the referee denied the goal for offside.

Despite conceding a goal, the performance on the field showed that Yokohama FC was the team that controlled the ball better with 71%, launching more than 600 passes compared to the opponent's 257. The players followed the spirit of the head coach and played with passion and fierceness in both defense and attack for most of the game. Yokohama's problem lies in the finishing phase when launching 14 shots but only once towards the goal.

Five minutes of injury time in the second half was a tense time when Yokohama continuously pressed. Goalkeeper Kengo Nagai twice went up to attack with corner kicks and the away team's defense was still standing.

Losing the final 0-1, Yokohama FC had a bad start in J-League 1, but showed positive signs of a rookie's play. In the second round, the team will host Shonan Bellmare on February 24.