KAWASAKI, Japan (Interstat) — S’frecce Hiroshima opened its J1 League campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Kawasaki Frontale on Sunday, overcoming a dominant home side and defying pregame projections that heavily favored the hosts at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium.

Tatsuya Ito was the catalyst for the visitors, scoring the opening goal and assisting on the equalizer in a man-of-the-match performance. Substitute Hayao Kawabe leveled the match just before halftime, and fellow substitute Sota Nakamura scored the winner 11 minutes after the break to secure all three points for Hiroshima.

The result handed Kawasaki Frontale a losing start to their league season in front of their home supporters, a surprising outcome given that statistical models from Interstat gave Frontale a 76.3 percent probability of winning. The same simulator had projected a 1-1 draw, a forecast Hiroshima narrowly surpassed with its second-half strike.

The match began at a frantic pace, with the home side applying consistent pressure. Despite Kawasaki’s early control, it was Hiroshima who struck first against the run of play in the 12th minute. Forward Tatsuya Ito found space inside the area and finished clinically to give the visitors an early lead.

The goal did little to stifle Kawasaki Frontale’s offensive efforts, but their pursuit of an equalizer was momentarily disrupted by a pair of first-half yellow cards. S’frecce’s Sota Koshimichi was booked in the 23rd minute for a tactical foul, and goalscorer Ito received a caution 10 minutes later for a late challenge.

Just when it seemed Hiroshima would carry their slim lead into the break, Kawasaki Frontale found their response in stoppage time. In the fourth minute of added time, defender Jesiel played a long ball to midfielder So Kawahara, who delivered a cross into the box. Ito, the goalscorer, turned provider, heading the ball across goal for substitute Hayao Kawabe to tap in from close range, sending the teams into halftime level at 1-1.

The momentum appeared to have swung firmly in the home team’s favor, but Hiroshima reclaimed the lead for good in the 56th minute. The winning move was initiated by another substitute, Sota Koshimichi, who atoned for his earlier yellow card by delivering an assist. His pass found Sota Nakamura, who had also entered the match from the bench, and Nakamura made no mistake with his finish to put Hiroshima ahead 2-1.

Kawasaki Frontale pushed tirelessly for a second equalizer, but the Hiroshima defense held firm under increasing pressure. The home side’s frustration grew as the half wore on, resulting in two more cautions. Midfielder So Kawahara was shown a yellow card in the 72nd minute, and defender Jesiel was booked in the 84th minute for a desperate challenge as time ticked away.

Despite several late pushes and a handful of scoring chances, Kawasaki Frontale could not find a way past the resolute S’frecce backline a second time. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for the visitors, a result that will be seen as a significant upset given the pregame context.

With the win, S’frecce Hiroshima begins its J1 League season with a perfect record of one win and zero losses, a mark that also reflects its overall record across all competitions. For Kawasaki Frontale, the loss marks a disappointing start, leaving them with a record of zero wins and one loss both in the league and in all competitions as they look to rebound in their next fixture.