The second round of the 2024 J.League YBC Levain Cup brought Japan’s top-flight clubs into the competition and, with it, came the tournament’s first big upset.

Meiji Yasuda J2 League side V-Varen Nagasaki toppled first-division Júbilo Iwata, 1-0, thanks to a goal by Kazuki Kushibiki.

There was nearly another massive upset as J3 club Matsumoto Yamaga took a lead into the final 20 minutes against cup holders Avispa Fukuoka.

Seiya Inoue, who scored the own goal that gave Yamaga the lead, then put the ball into the other net to equalize. The two sides failed to score in the rest of regulation or extra time, sending it to penalty kicks, where Avispa prevailed 4-2 to thwart Yamaga’s upset bid.

Elsewhere, reigning J1 champions Vissel Kobe survived a scare at FC Imabari, requiring an extra-time penalty kick from Daiju Sasaki to advance, 2-1.

Full results and highlights from the matches can be found on our J.League YBC Levain Cup scores page.

The remaining nine ties in the second round are set for next week.