On 7 December 2025, the MEIJI YASUDA J1 Promotion Play-Offs 2025 reached the semi-final stage with two dramatic matches: JEF United Chiba vs RB Omiya Ardija at Fukuda Denshi Arena, and Tokushima Vortis vs Júbilo Iwata at Pocari Sweat Stadium.
Chiba 4-3 Omiya: Historic comeback from three goals down
At Fukuda Denshi Arena, Omiya took full control early on. Izumi opened the scoring from a set piece, before Sekiguchi doubled the lead with a powerful strike. Shortly after the restart, Arthur Silva added a third, leaving Chiba 0-3 down and seemingly out of the contest.
Chiba, however, refused to give up. In the 71st minute, Carlinhos Júnior pulled one back with a superb finish, and six minutes later Eduardo smashed in the second to make it 2-3. The momentum completely shifted, and 17-year-old debutant Makoto Himeno coolly chipped in the equaliser on 83 minutes.
The stadium erupted again in the 87th minute when Takashi Kawano found the net for the winner. With four unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes, JEF United Chiba completed a stunning comeback to move within one step of a long-awaited return to J1.
Tokushima 1-1 Iwata: Vortis advance thanks to league position
In Tokushima, Júbilo Iwata struck first. Ryoga Sato put the visitors ahead in the 24th minute, and the J2 fifth-placed side looked on course for the final as they defended resolutely against Tokushima’s pressure.
Vortis kept pushing and were finally rewarded in the 82nd minute, when Tony Anderson rose highest to head home a cross from the right. The match finished 1-1, and under the play-off regulations the higher-ranked team in the league table — Tokushima Vortis, who finished 4th — advanced to the final.
Results
| Fixture | Score | Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| JEF United Chiba vs RB Omiya Ardija | 4-3 |
Chiba: Carlinhos Júnior (71′), Eduardo (77′), Makoto Himeno (83′), Takashi Kawano (87′) Omiya: Izumi (20′), Sekiguchi (32′), Arthur Silva (48′) |
| Tokushima Vortis vs Júbilo Iwata | 1-1 (Tokushima advance) |
Tokushima: Tony Anderson (82′) Júbilo: Ryoga Sato (24′) |
Official X & YouTube
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*Match information is based on the official J.LEAGUE report and club match data.
