Zweigen Kanazawa FC 2-1 FC Imabari — YBC Levain Cup
Tuesday, 2 September 2026, 18:00 kickoff

Zweigen Kanazawa FC kept their YBC Levain Cup hopes firmly alive with a determined 2-1 victory over FC Imabari on Tuesday evening. Goals in each half proved enough for the home side, who had to withstand a late surge from Imabari after the visitors pulled one back late in the contest.

The win was built on a strong team display, with Kanazawa controlling long spells of the game while also showing defensive resilience when it mattered most. For FC Imabari, the result was a disappointing one, yet the late goal gives them reason to believe they can still influence the final group standings in the remaining fixtures.

How the match unfolded

Zweigen Kanazawa started with real intent, pressing FC Imabari high up the pitch and forcing an early mistake in the visitor’s defensive third. The home side’s opening goal was the product of that pressure: a lost pass in midfield was seized upon quickly, and a sweeping move ended with a precise low finish from just inside the penalty area. The early strike set the tone and gave Kanazawa full control of the first half.

FC Imabari took time to recover from the setback. Their ball retention improved as the half progressed, but they created very little of note before the interval. Kanazawa, meanwhile, continued to look dangerous on the break and might have increased their lead before half-time had it not been for a sharp save from the Imabari goalkeeper.

The second half was more competitive. FC Imabari showed greater urgency and began to commit more players forward, but Kanazawa extended their advantage with a well-worked set-piece routine in the 64th minute. A short corner created space for a cross, and a glancing header found the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

Imabari refused to accept defeat and deservedly pulled a goal back with ten minutes remaining. A flowing move down the left wing ended with a first-time finish across the goalkeeper, setting up a tense final stretch. Kanazawa managed the closing stages well, however, dropping deep and protecting their box to secure all three points.

Key moments

• 8’ — Kanazawa strike early: a high turnover is punished with a composed finish from inside the area, giving the hosts a perfect start.
• 33’ — Imabari keeper keeps his team in it: a strong one-handed save prevents Kanazawa from doubling their lead before the break.
• 64’ — Set-piece masterclass: a rehearsed corner routine ends with a firm header into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
• 83’ — Imabari reply: an excellent attacking move finally provides the visitors with a lifeline through a first-time finish.

Tactical story

Kanazawa’s game plan revolved around intensity out of possession. Their pressing traps worked effectively in the first half, forcing Imabari into sideways passes and preventing them from building any sustained momentum. When Imabari did manage to play out, the home defence stayed compact and closed down space quickly.

FC Imabari improved once they simplified their approach in the second half. By using the wider areas more frequently and putting crosses into the box earlier, they created a greater threat and eventually found a way past the Kanazawa defence. Their late pressure was promising, but it came too late to change the final outcome.

Standout performances

Zweigen Kanazawa’s central midfielder was the standout performer of the evening. He covered more ground than anyone else on the pitch, broke up Imabari attacks, and started several of Kanazawa’s most dangerous moves. His energy set the platform for the home side’s victory.

FC Imabari’s main creative threat came from their left winger, who grew into the game after a quiet first half. He was directly involved in the goal and caused constant problems whenever he received the ball in advanced areas. His deliveries and willingness to take on defenders were the highlight of Imabari’s play.

What the result means

This was an important win for Zweigen Kanazawa in their YBC Levain Cup campaign. Collecting maximum points in a competitive group is always valuable, and the manner of the performance suggests they are growing in confidence as the season enters its final phase.

FC Imabari will be disappointed, but they remain alive in the group and can still qualify if results go their way in the remaining matches. The late goal they scored in Kanazawa could prove significant in tiebreakers, though their immediate priority will be correcting the slow start that left them chasing the game from the opening exchanges.