MATSUYAMA (Interstat) — Kazumasa Shimizu scored twice in the opening 31 minutes and Fukushima Utd added two more goals after halftime to beat Ehime 4-2 on Sunday at Ningineer Stadium in Matsuyama. Shimizu’s early brace set the tone as the visitors built a 2-0 lead before Ehime answered through Shota Tamura just after the half-hour mark. Fukushima Utd restored a two-goal cushion in the 64th minute when K. Tsuchiya scored, and Kosei Ashibe made it 4-1 two minutes later. Arata Kozakai pulled one back for Ehime in the 76th minute, but the home side could not close the gap further. The match featured six goals, one yellow card and a series of second-half substitutions as both sides chased the game.

Shimizu opened the scoring in the 10th minute and doubled Fukushima Utd’s advantage in the 31st. His two-goal performance was the centerpiece for the visitors, who absorbed Ehime’s response and then pulled away after the break. Shimizu was Fukushima Utd’s top star, and his early goals forced Ehime to chase the match from the start. Tamura’s 32nd-minute goal gave Ehime brief momentum, and the home side tried to press for an equalizer before halftime. M. Tanioka received a yellow card for Ehime in the 37th minute as the first half grew more physical. Fukushima Utd went into the interval with a 2-1 lead and then made three changes at the start of the second half.

Those substitutions helped Fukushima Utd regain control, and Tsuchiya’s goal in the 64th minute was followed quickly by Ashibe’s strike in the 66th. Ashibe had entered the match as a substitute in the 46th minute and needed only 44 minutes on the field to score. Tsubasa Nakamura, another second-half introduction, recorded an assist. Kaisei Kano and Jinpei Yoshida also provided assists on the day. Fukushima Utd’s second-half changes included the introductions of Nakamura, Yoshimaru K. and Okuda K. Fukushima Utd’s attacking pressure after the break turned a narrow lead into a comfortable advantage before Ehime responded late.

Ehime made changes in the 56th and 73rd minutes, including the withdrawal of Tamura after his goal. Masamichi Hayashi, who was replaced in the 56th minute, had an assist for Ehime, and Shota Hino also set up a goal. Kozakai, who played 17 minutes, scored Ehime’s second goal in the 76th minute. Ehime’s substitutions in the 73rd minute also included Kamimura S. and Fukushima H., with Tamura departing at the same time. The home side kept pushing but could not find another breakthrough as Fukushima Utd saw out the win. Ehime’s late goal made the final minutes more active, but Fukushima Utd maintained its two-goal margin.

The result moved Fukushima Utd’s record in this competition to 2 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. Ehime’s record in this competition is now 2 wins and 2 losses. Across all competitions, Fukushima Utd is now 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw, while Ehime is 2 wins and 3 losses. Fukushima Utd had previously beaten Giravanz Kitakyushu and drawn with Reilac Shiga, while also losing to Gifu and Mito earlier in its season. Ehime had entered after a win against Renofa Yamaguchi, following losses to Kagoshima Utd and FC Tokyo and a win against Kumamoto. Ehime’s next 10 games are listed in the J3 League, starting with Kochi at home.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Ehime 2, Fukushima Utd 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Ehime with a 62.5 percent probability to win. Ehime had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1. The total score of 6 went under the over/under line of 3.5.