Yokohama FC come from behind to beat FC Gifu 2-1 in YBC Levain Cup

Yokohama FC recovered from a goal down to defeat FC Gifu 2-1 in the YBC Levain Cup on 29 September 2026, using a stronger second-half performance to secure their place in the next stage of the competition. At Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium, the home side started brightly and took a surprise lead, but Yokohama's quality and patience eventually told.

FC Gifu opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a well-taken goal. After winning the ball in midfield, they moved it quickly to the right, and a low cross was converted at the near post. The goal lifted the home crowd, and Gifu defended their lead with energy for the remainder of the first half, limiting Yokohama FC to shots from distance.

Match overview

Yokohama FC regrouped at half-time and began to dominate possession after the break. Their equaliser arrived in the 56th minute when a clever exchange on the edge of the box opened up space, and the finish was drilled into the bottom corner. From that point on, Yokohama looked the more likely winner, pinning FC Gifu back and creating a series of chances from wide areas.

The decisive goal came in the 84th minute. A substitute made an immediate impact, arriving late in the box to meet a cut-back and guide the ball past the goalkeeper. FC Gifu pushed forward in the final minutes, but Yokohama FC managed the game professionally and saw out the victory.

Key moments

• 22nd minute — FC Gifu take the lead: A quick break down the right ended with a close-range finish at the near post.
• 56th minute — Yokohama FC equalise: A neat one-two on the edge of the area created space for a low shot into the corner.
• 84th minute — Yokohama FC score the winner: A substitute converted a cut-back from close range.
• 90+2 minute — Gifu's late chance: A header from a free-kick was saved comfortably by the Yokohama goalkeeper.

Tactical story

FC Gifu's first-half plan worked well. They sat in a compact shape, pressed at the right moments and attacked directly when they won the ball. The early goal gave them something to defend, and they nearly reached half-time with the lead intact. However, as the game wore on, Yokohama FC's superior passing quality began to stretch the home side's midfield.

Yokohama FC increased the tempo after the break, moving the ball quicker and getting their full-backs higher up the pitch. That width forced FC Gifu to defend deeper and created the space for the equaliser and the late winner. The substitution that produced the second goal was a decisive tactical move.

Standout players

Yokohama FC's substitute was the match-winner, showing excellent movement to arrive in the box at the perfect moment. Their central midfielder controlled the second half and helped turn possession into pressure. For FC Gifu, the goalscorer took his chance well and the goalkeeper made several important saves to keep the score level for as long as possible.

What the result means

The 2-1 win sends Yokohama FC through and highlights their ability to respond after a slow start. FC Gifu can take encouragement from a committed performance against stronger opposition, but they will rue the chances they could not take in the first half. In the YBC Levain Cup, the ability to recover from setbacks is essential, and Yokohama FC showed exactly that on the road.