Ventforet Kofu Stun Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in Emperor's Cup Thriller

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo’s Emperor’s Cup run came to a crashing halt on August 26, 2026, as Ventforet Kofu produced a composed 3-1 away victory at the Sapporo Dome. The J1 hosts entered the tie as favourites, but Kofu—a club with a proud history in this competition—delivered a clinical display to book their place in the next round.

Match Overview

From the opening exchanges, Ventforet Kofu showed no fear of the top-flight opposition. Their high pressing unsettled Sapporo’s build-up play, and they took the lead before the half-hour mark with a well-worked move down the right flank. The visitors doubled their advantage shortly after the restart, punishing a defensive lapse to leave the home side shell-shocked.

Consadole Sapporo pulled one back midway through the second half, briefly igniting hopes of a comeback. The Sapporo faithful roared their team forward, and for a ten-minute spell the J1 outfit looked likely to find an equaliser. However, Kofu’s experience in knockout football shone through. The J2 side sealed the tie with a late third goal on the counter-attack, ending any doubt about the outcome.

Key Stats and Significance

• Possession: Sapporo enjoyed the majority of the ball, but Kofu were far more efficient in the final third.
• Discipline: Ventforet Kofu’s defensive structure limited Sapporo to mostly speculative efforts from distance.
• Emperor’s Cup pedigree: Kofu famously won the Emperor’s Cup in 2022, and their know-how in sudden-death matches was evident again here.

For Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, the defeat marks another frustrating chapter in a season of inconsistency. For Ventforet Kofu, the victory continues their love affair with a competition that has repeatedly given them memorable nights. The draw for the next round will now be viewed with great interest by Kofu supporters, who will believe another giant-killing is possible.