Levain Cup

J2 side Albirex Niigata prepare for their Levain Cup match against Matsumoto on the 29th, with reports suggesting MF Arai, a holding midfielder by trade, is likely to start at left back. The unusual positional switch is drawing attention as Niigata manage their squad options for the cup tie.

Jubilo Iwata will host J1 League side JEF United Chiba in the second round of the Levain Cup. Local coverage in Shizuoka highlights the challenge for Iwata's younger players against a Chiba side expected to field its best lineup, with interest focused on how the fledglings perform at home.

FC Osaka and Avispa Fukuoka are meeting in a J.League Levain Cup second-round fixture, drawing attention from Japanese football fans. The cup round has produced upsets elsewhere, with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo knocked out after a 1-2 defeat to Fagiano Okayama. Japanese outlets are covering the second-round results as the competition progresses.

Sagan Tosu are hosting Tokyo Verdy in the second leg of the Levain Cup first round, with fans discussing the key points ahead of kickoff. Coverage in Japan centres on what Verdy need to do to get past Tosu, with pre-match analysis circulating among supporters of both clubs.

Urawa Reds open their Levain Cup campaign with a first-round tie against J3 side Kataller Toyama, with the match scheduled to kick off around 9pm on Monday, September 28. Fans in Japan are following the fixture, which pits the J1 club against a lower-division opponent, and some coverage includes live streaming of the game.

Fujieda MYFC host J1 side Cerezo Osaka on the 29th in a Levain Cup fixture. The Shizuoka-based club come into the match on a tough schedule with only two days' rest between games, and local coverage is focusing on whether they can show their resilience and claim their first win in six matches against the top-flight opponent.

J3 side Zweigen Kanazawa host J1 club Shimizu S-Pulse on the 29th in the second round of the Levain Cup. Shimizu are expected to field a squad close to full strength, with local reports urging the side to stay focused and take the win without giving their lower-division opponents any opening.

J2 side Niigata face Matsumoto on the 29th in the Levain Cup. Reports say defensive midfielder Arai, whose natural position is in the holding role, is likely to be deployed at left back for the match. The unusual positional switch and how it affects Niigata's setup is drawing attention ahead of kickoff.

Montedio Yamagata are set to take on Yokohama F. Marinos in the second round of the J.League Levain Cup, with the match scheduled for September 29. Fans are checking TV broadcast and online streaming details ahead of kickoff, as the cup tie pits the J2 side against a top-flight Yokohama team in a single knockout fixture.