Gainare Tottori and Roasso Kumamoto drew 2:2 after extra time before Kumamoto won 4:3 on penalties in the first round of the Emperor's Cup. The match took place on 19 August 2026 and went all the way to the shootout after Fujita and Handai opened the scoring in the second half. Katori and an unnamed Tottori player then levelled things up, setting up a tense finale.
Fujita gave Tottori the lead in the 55th minute, and Kumamoto responded through Handai just before the hour mark. Tottori struck again in the 85th minute to take the advantage, but Katori equalised in the 94th minute. The game stretched to extra time, and neither side could find a winner.
And here's the thing about the penalties — it was a straight knockout from the first kick. Kumamoto scored both opening spots, then Tottori answered. Four penalties went in each side's favour before Kumamoto missed twice and held their nerve to win.
To be fair, the statistics tell a different story from the result. Tottori had 43 per cent possession and only one shot on target, while Kumamoto controlled 57 per cent with four on target. Both sides registered three shots off target, but Kumamoto's efficiency in the shootout proved decisive.
The loss ends Tottori's cup campaign, while Kumamoto advance to face whoever comes next. They had nothing to lose going into the match, and they showed character when it mattered most on the spot.