🏏 Sun, 24 May 2026 14:00 JST
Tokyo Verdy
vs
Yokohama F. Marinos
3-4-2-1 vs 4-2-3-1
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- This meeting in which mid-table Tokyo Verdy (10th, 23 points) host drop-zone Yokohama F. Marinos (19th, 14 points) is an important game that will shape both clubs' futures. Verdy lack consistency with two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five, but won 1-0 away at Mito last time out. Yokohama F. Marinos have struggled with one win, two draws and two losses in their last five and are in the difficult position of being just two points clear of bottom side JEF Chiba (12 points).
- In Matchday 4, Yokohama F. Marinos won 3-2 at home, a game in which an end-to-end battle unfolded. Verdy will want to gain revenge at Ajinomoto Stadium and secure mid-table stability. Yokohama F. Marinos want to take three points as a foothold to escape the relegation zone.
- Verdy, using a 3-4-2-1, are marshalled in midfield by former Japan international and club icon Koki Morita (No. 10, a one-club man at Verdy). Against them, in Yokohama F. Marinos' 4-2-3-1, former Tokyo Verdy academy product Jun Amano (172cm, a playmaker with accurate passing despite his small frame) is fired up to face his former club. The battle for midfield control between the two sides will be where the game is decided.
- In Verdy's attack, Yuzuki Someno (born 2006), who won the high-school championship Golden Boot in his Shoshi High School days, looks to score. Against Verdy's defence, anchored by Brazilian goalkeeper Mateus (formerly of Corinthians and a Brazil U-20 player), Yokohama F. Marinos rely on Kaina Tanimura (formerly of Iwaki FC, a late-blooming striker who climbed from the JFL to J1) battling alone up front.
- Yokohama F. Marinos' left-sider, Brazilian Yuri Araujo (170cm, formerly of Academico de Viseu with 8 goals in 30 games), has cutting inside onto his left foot as a weapon. His one-on-one with Verdy's right-sider Yuan Matsuhashi is a match-up to watch. The duel between Verdy's left-sider Yuya Fukuda (a high-school championship and inter-high double winner with Higashi Fukuoka) and Yokohama F. Marinos' right-back Taisei Inoue (183cm, formerly of Sagan Tosu) is also not to be missed.
- Yokohama F. Marinos' centre-back, Colombian Jason Quinones (187cm, 86kg, formerly of Aguilas Doradas with 8 goals in 34 games), combines aerial strength with a scoring threat at set pieces. For Verdy, how far the CB pairing of Kaito Suzuki (a Paris Olympics-generation U-23 Japan player) and Naoki Hayashi (formerly of Kashima Antlers) can cope will be key.
- Yokohama F. Marinos have Belgian right winger Jordy Croux (a former assists leader in their J2 days and current vice-captain) on the bench. A cameo as a card in difficult situations is anticipated, with the role of breaking the deadlock through accurate crosses from his left foot and cut-in shots expected of him.