Ventforet Kofu produced a resilient home performance on 29 August 2026, coming from behind to defeat Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2-1 in an entertaining J2 League contest. The 18:00 kickoff had a little bit of everything — an early away goal, a spirited Kofu response, and a late winner that sent the home supporters home happy.

How the match developed

Consadole Sapporo made the ideal start, taking the lead in the 12th minute. A well-worked move down the right ended with a low cross being turned in at the near post, giving the visitors a platform to defend. But Ventforet Kofu refused to be rattled. They slowly grew into the match and began to dominate possession in the middle third.

The equalizer came shortly before halftime, when Kofu’s patient build-up play paid off. A clever cut-back from the byline found its way to an unmarked forward, who swept the ball into the net to make it 1-1. That goal changed the atmosphere inside the stadium and sent the sides to the break on level terms.

Second-half determination

Kofu came out with renewed energy in the second half and looked the more dangerous side. Sapporo sat deeper as the match wore on, inviting pressure from the home team. The winning goal arrived in the 78th minute after a period of sustained pressure. A scrappy clearance fell kindly on the edge of the box, and Kofu’s midfielder shifted the ball onto his stronger foot before curling a shot into the bottom corner.

Sapporo pushed forward in the closing stages, but Kofu’s back line remained composed and limited the visitors to long-range efforts. The final whistle was greeted with relief and celebration by the home crowd.

Star performers

• Kofu’s midfield engine room controlled the tempo after the opening 15 minutes.
• The goalkeeper’s command of his box gave the back line confidence throughout the match.
• Sapporo’s target man was dangerous in the air but received too little support after halftime.

What this result means

For Ventforet Kofu, this victory represents another important step in their J2 League campaign. Coming from behind shows genuine character and will give the team confidence in tight fixtures. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, meanwhile, will be disappointed to surrender the lead, and they will need to address their second-half drop in intensity if they are to challenge at the top of the table.