Own goal redemption: Kawasaki's six-match curse finally broken | OneFootball

Kawasaki Frontale Break Winless Run with Comeback Victory Over Yokohama FC

Late Own Goal Seals 2-1 Win in J1 League Clash

Kawasaki Frontale ended their six-match winless streak in the J1 League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over struggling Yokohama FC at Uvance Todoroki Stadium on Wednesday night.

The hosts, still recovering from their heartbreak in the AFC Champions League Elite final earlier this month, found themselves behind after just four minutes when Yuri Lara fired Yokohama ahead from Kaili Shimbo's assist.

Despite dominating possession, Kawasaki had to wait until the 33rd minute to level through midfielder Yuki Yamamoto. The equalizer came after sustained pressure from the home side, who controlled 73% of possession throughout the match.

Decisive Moment

The decisive moment arrived with just six minutes remaining when Yokohama defender Boniface Nduka turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Kawasaki's attack, handing the hosts a vital three points.

"We needed this result after a difficult period," said Yamamoto, who delivered an 8.0-rated performance with his goal and controlled midfield display. "It wasn't perfect, but we showed character to come back and win."

Possession Dominance

Kawasaki's technical superiority was evident in the statistics, completing 649 of 734 passes (88% accuracy) compared to Yokohama's 164 of 264 (62%). However, despite their control of the ball, the hosts struggled to convert possession into clear chances, registering just two shots on target from their 15 attempts.

Yokohama, meanwhile, were more efficient with their limited opportunities, forcing Louis Yamaguchi into four important saves from their five shots on target.

Turning Point

The win lifts Kawasaki out of their recent slump and away from the lower reaches of the table, where they had been sitting in 16th position before kickoff. For Yokohama FC, who remain firmly in the relegation battle in 18th place, it was another disappointing result despite their promising start.

Midfielder Kento Tachibanada was instrumental in Kawasaki's control of the match, completing 96 passes at 94% accuracy and winning eight duels before being substituted in the 79th minute. Veteran playmaker Akihiro Ienaga also impressed with his creativity, providing two key passes and completing all his dribble attempts.

For the visitors, goalscorer Yuri Lara was their standout performer, winning nine of 14 duels and making two interceptions alongside his early strike.