BIZEN, Japan (Interstat) — Masaya Matsumoto scored in the 64th minute as Okayama defeated visiting Chiba 1-0 at NTN Okayamaseisakusho Jinkoshiba Field on Wednesday. Chiba could not find an equalizer, and Okayama protected the narrow lead through the closing stages. Chiba’s Ishio R. received a yellow card in the 29th minute, and Yonekura K. was booked in first-half stoppage time. Okayama’s Kamiya Yuta was cautioned in the 50th minute, and Leo Gaucho received a yellow card in the 82nd. Chiba made an early substitution in the 11th minute, while Okayama changed players in the 18th and 59th minutes, with further substitutions later in the match. The hosts then managed the game after the break. Okayama improved to 1-0 in the competition and 2-0 across all competitions. Chiba fell to 0-1 in the competition and 0-2 overall. Matsumoto’s goal decided a match in which Okayama held off the visitors after taking the lead.