J1 League opening matches feature Nagasaki victory and Tokyo Verdy draw

The 2026 J1 League season commenced with notable results across several opening matches. V-Varen Nagasaki secured their first victory in the top flight in six years, defeating Kyoto Sanga FC 2-1 at Peace Stadium. Thiago Santana scored both goals for Nagasaki, dedicating his performance to his late father.

Kyoto Sanga FC, entering the season with a new style and formation under the autumn-spring calendar, suffered a loss for the second consecutive season. In another opening match, Tokyo Verdy and Kawasaki Frontale played to a 1-1 draw at Ajinomoto Stadium. Tokyo Verdy took an early lead through Shuppei Mizoguchi, but Lazar Romanic scored a dramatic equalizer for Kawasaki in the 96th minute.