SAPPORO (Interstat) — Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo scored in each half and survived a late Iwaki goal to earn a 2-1 home win on Sunday in a J2 League match. Shota Nishino gave Sapporo the lead in the 33rd minute, and Mizuki Uchida doubled the advantage in the 60th. Ryota Nagaki pulled Iwaki back in the 90th minute, but the visitors could not complete the comeback. The home side finished the match with the win.

Sapporo set the tone early and found the opener when Nishino finished in the 33rd. The home side kept pressing and added a second when Uchida scored in the 60th. Uchida and Nishino each played the full match and scored, while Shingo Omori and Yuto Horigome each provided an assist. Omori was on the field for 88 minutes, and Horigome played 80 minutes before being substituted. Sapporo led by two goals until the 90th minute.

Key performances for Sapporo included Uchida’s one-goal game and Nishino’s one-goal game. Nagaki scored in 21 minutes for Iwaki. Omori added an assist in 88 minutes, and Horigome had an assist in 80 minutes. Sapporo led by two goals until Nagaki scored.

Iwaki tried to respond after falling behind by two goals. The visitors made their first change in the 62nd minute, bringing on Kato T. They followed with substitutions in the 68th and 69th minutes, sending on Yamanaka A. and Takahashi Y. Sapporo countered with changes in the 74th and 75th minutes, introducing Shirai H. and Kido S. Both teams made changes during the second half.

Both sides used their benches. Iwaki made two more substitutions in the 79th minute, with Endo R. and Nishitani R. entering. Sapporo brought on Horigome Y. in the 80th minute. The home side then made two changes in the 88th minute, sending on Aoki R. and Omori S. In all, each team used five substitutions during the second half.

Nagaki’s late goal gave Iwaki hope. He scored in the 90th minute after playing 21 minutes off the bench, cutting the deficit to one. The visitors’ only goal came in the final minute. Iwaki pushed forward in the final moments, but Sapporo held on to secure the home victory. Nagaki’s strike was the final goal of the match. Iwaki could not find an equalizer after Nagaki’s goal. The final whistle confirmed the home win.

Iwaki is now 3 wins and 7 losses in the competition and 3 wins and 7 losses across all competitions. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo is now 2 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws in the competition and 2 wins, 7 losses and 2 draws across all competitions. Both clubs have played 10 matches in the competition.

Iwaki’s previous results this season include losses to Vegalta Sendai, Tokushima, Albirex, Oita and Fujieda, along with wins against Sagan, Yokohama FC and Imabari. Sapporo’s previous results include losses to Okayama, Tegevajaro Miyazaki, Tochigi City, Ventforet, Omiya and Albirex, with draws against Oita and Vegalta and a win over Tokushima.

Iwaki’s upcoming schedule includes Blaublitz at home, Ventforet at home, a trip to Bellmare, Jubilo at home, a trip to Tochigi City, a trip to Omiya, Montedio at home, a trip to Vanraure, a trip to Tegevajaro and Kataller at home. Sapporo will travel to Jubilo, host Blaublitz, travel to Montedio, travel to Kataller, host Bellmare, travel to Imabari, travel to Vanraure, host Sagan, travel to Yokohama FC and host Fujieda.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2, Iwaki 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo with a 55.4 percent probability to win.