Sports · Football · 2 hrs ago
Albirex Niigata beat leaders Sendai to close gap to one point
Albirex Niigata beat Vegalta Sendai 2-1 in the J2 League’s 13th round on Sunday.
The match was played at Niigata’s home ground and brought together second-place Niigata and league leaders Sendai.
Sendai scored first, but Kazuyoshi Shimabuku equalised in the 41st minute.
Masahiro Sekiguchi scored the winner in the 55th minute, giving Niigata a comeback victory.
The result ended Sendai’s run without a league defeat since the opening round and cut the gap at the top to one point.
Niigata also extended its perfect home record to seven wins.
Niigata hosts third-place Toyama on October 31, while Sendai plays Omiya.
Albirex Niigata beat league leaders Vegalta Sendai 2-1 on October 25 to cut the gap at the top of Japan’s J2 League to one point.
Niigata came from behind in a home match at Big Swan Stadium.
Kazuyoshi Shimabuku equalised in the 41st minute after Sendai had scored in the 34th.
Defender Masahiro Sekiguchi scored the winning goal in the 55th minute, his first since joining Niigata.
The victory extended Niigata’s unbeaten home record to seven wins in seven matches.
- Who
- Albirex Niigata and Vegalta Sendai.
- What
- Niigata came from behind to win 2-1 and cut Sendai’s lead to one point.
- When
- October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Big Swan Stadium, Niigata.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sendai scored the opening goal.
Kazuyoshi Shimabuku equalised for Niigata with a counterattack goal.
Masahiro Sekiguchi scored the winner for Niigata, his first goal since joining the club.
Niigata’s win left it one point behind league leaders Sendai.
- Final score
- Albirex Niigata 2-1 Vegalta Sendai
- League round
- 2026/27 J2 League, Round 13
- Niigata’s position
- Second
- Sendai’s position
- First
- Points gap
- One point
- Home record
- Seven consecutive home wins