KŌBE, Japan (Interstat) — Vissel Kobe and FC Tōkyō opened their J1 League campaigns with a 0-0 draw at NOEVIR Stadium Kobe on Sunday. The result defied pregame projections that heavily favored the home side, which was given a 91.4 percent probability to win by Interstat’s ELO system.

Defenses prevailed in a physical match that saw four yellow cards issued. Vissel Kobe’s Matheus Thuler and FC Tōkyō substitutes Sei Muroya, Kein Satō and Keita Endo were cited for key performances. Both clubs begin the season with an 0-0-1 record in league play.