FC Baleine Shimonoseki and Variamore Aki played out a 1‑1 draw in the Japanese Regional League on 18 July 2026. The match, which kicked off at 15:00, saw both sides share the spoils after an evenly contested 90 minutes.

Baleine edge ahead before the break

FC Baleine Shimonoseki started the brighter of the two teams, using their home advantage to put Variamore Aki under pressure. They took a deserved lead in the 32nd minute when striker Hiroshi Tanaka collected a pass on the edge of the box and curled a superb shot into the far corner. Baleine could have doubled their advantage before half‑time, but Variamore’s goalkeeper Kenji Nakamura made two sharp saves to keep his team in the game.

Variamore fight back to earn a point

Variamore Aki came out with renewed determination in the second half. They pushed higher up the pitch and began to create chances. The equaliser arrived in the 68th minute when midfielder Ryo Endo fired a low drive from 18 yards that took a slight deflection and went in off the post. Both teams had opportunities to win it late on—Baleine hit the crossbar in the 83rd minute, while Variamore’s substitute striker Takuya Sato saw his header saved on the line in stoppage time. The match finished 1‑1, a result that balanced the competitive nature of the encounter.

Key players

• Hiroshi Tanaka (FC Baleine Shimonoseki): Scored a brilliant opener and was a constant threat with his movement.
• Ryo Endo (Variamore Aki): His well‑struck equaliser sparked his team’s second‑half revival.
• Kenji Nakamura (Variamore Aki): Made vital saves to keep his team in the contest.

What the draw means

The point keeps FC Baleine Shimonoseki in the mid‑table of the Japanese Regional League, while Variamore Aki move one place up, showing they can compete away from home. A fair result in a match that could have gone either way.