Sports · Football · 6 hrs ago
Fukuoka and Chiba meet with both at risk of falling to last place
Avispa Fukuoka travels to face JEF United Chiba in Japan’s J1 League on Nov.
1.
Both teams have seven points, with Fukuoka provisionally 19th and Chiba 20th, so the loser will fall to last place.
Fukuoka has lost four straight competitive matches and is trying to halt a slide that has left it in the relegation zone.
Its defense has conceded in 12 consecutive matches, and it has allowed 21 goals in 12 league games.
Defender Kennedyebusu Mikuni returns to the starting lineup after about two and a half months out, while captain Takumi Ueshima also returns.
Coach Shinya Tsukahara has said the team needs to get back to its strengths and may change how it plays, especially in defense.
The match offers both sides a chance to take vital points in the fight to avoid relegation.
Avispa Fukuoka and JEF United Chiba, both on seven points, were set to meet with the loser at risk of becoming the J1 league’s sole bottom team.
Fukuoka were 19th and Chiba 20th before the match.
Fukuoka had lost four consecutive competitive matches and conceded in 12 straight.
Fukuoka made four changes to their starting lineup, including bringing Kennedyebusu Mikuni back as a starter after two and a half months.
Coach Shinya Tsukahara said the team had discussed changes, particularly to its defending.
- Who
- Avispa Fukuoka and JEF United Chiba.
- What
- The teams were set to meet in a J1 match, with both at risk of falling to last place if Fukuoka lost.
- When
- November 1, 2026.
- Where
- Fukuda Denshi Arena in Chiba.
- Why
- Both teams had seven points, and Fukuoka could fall to sole last place with a defeat.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fukuoka lost to Tokyo Verdy, according to the preview article.
Fukuoka held a two-part meeting after the break, discussing what the team wanted to challenge.
Fukuoka and Chiba were scheduled to meet at Fukuda Denshi Arena in J1’s 13th round.
- Fukuoka’s position
- 19th, with 7 points
- Chiba’s position
- 20th, with 7 points
- Fukuoka’s losing run
- Four consecutive competitive matches
- Fukuoka’s defensive run
- Conceded in 12 consecutive matches
- Fukuoka lineup changes
- Four changes from the previous match
- Mikuni’s return
- First start in two and a half months
3 sources
What people are saying
Even if we keep doing the same things as before, there is a high chance we will get similar results.
We want to bring out what is good about Avispa in the first place.
The gap from our initial goal of finishing sixth or higher has grown considerably, so it was good to discuss where to set a realistic goal and how we need to play to pursue it.
The most important thing is to beat the opponent in front of us.