Sports · Football · 1 hr ago
Takumi Kato scores first J1 goal to earn Kyoto a 2-2 draw
Kyoto Sanga forward Takumi Kato scored his first J1 goal in a 2-2 draw with Gamba Osaka on October 24.
The 27-year-old came on at half-time, and his stoppage-time finish rescued a point after Kyoto had fallen behind.
Kato had faced two serious injuries to his left knee early in his career, then played in J3 before returning to Japan’s top league with Kyoto in 2026.
He struggled for playing time and spoke with coach Ranko Popović about what he needed to improve.
He worked to contribute beyond defending, adding runs into space and greater persistence around the goal.
Kato said the team’s wins matter more than his own goals, and he wants Kyoto to turn draws into victories.
He plans to keep improving and compete for more starts as the season continues.
Kyoto Sanga drew 2-2 with Gamba Osaka after Takumi Kato scored his first J1 goal in stoppage time.
The 27-year-old forward came on at half-time and scored in the second minute of added time.
Kato’s goal came after Gamba defender Shota Fukuoka mishandled a cross.
Kato said he was pleased to score but put the team’s victory ahead of his personal achievement.
He had endured two serious knee injuries and spells in J3 before returning to J1 with Kyoto.
- Who
- Kyoto forward Takumi Kato scored his first J1 goal.
- What
- Kyoto drew 2-2 with Gamba Osaka after Kato scored a late equalizer.
- When
- October 24, in a J1 League match.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Kato reacted to a loose ball after Gamba defender Shota Fukuoka mishandled a cross.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
While in his third year at Waseda University, Kato was announced as a future Shimizu S-Pulse signing.
Kato joined Shimizu and suffered a left anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for a long period.
Kato suffered another rupture of his left anterior cruciate ligament.
After spells with SC Sagamihara and Matsumoto Yamaga in J3, Kato joined Kyoto.
Kato scored in stoppage time as Kyoto drew 2-2 with Gamba Osaka.
- Score
- Kyoto Sanga 2-2 Gamba Osaka
- Goal
- Takumi Kato’s first J1 goal
- Match date
- October 24
- Competition
- J1 League, 12th round
- Goal time
- Second minute of added time
What people are saying
My result is of course very satisfying, but I want the team’s victory more than my own result.
If my goal today could be turned into three points, I would want it to be.
I thought a cross would come when Haruki Arai got the ball.