The J.League YBC Levain Cup kicked off the Prime Round with the first legs of the quarter-finals and it was a night for the stars as a few players grabbed the spotlight to put their clubs in terrific position for the final four.
Let’s check in on all the action:
Albirex Niigata 5, FC Machida Zelvia 0
It was a massive night in Niigata for Albirex and a legendary performance from Motoki Nagakura, who scored four of the five goals that put the Swans well on their way to a semi-final appearance.
Nagoya Grampus 0, Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1
Tolgay Arslan followed up his hat trick over the weekend with the match-winning goal on Wednesday as he headed Sanfrecce into a one-goal lead against Nagoya as the tie heads back to Hiroshima.
Yokohama F·Marinos 6, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 1
It was all Tricolor in Yokohama, as F·Marinos put six goals past 10-man Consadole and moved into a commanding lead as they aim for their first J.League Cup crown since 2001.
Kawasaki Frontale 1, Ventforet Kofu 0
Kawasaki has the edge over Kofu as Daiya Tono’s goal gave Frontale a narrow first-leg advantage against J2’s last remaining team.