J-League - Yokohama F Marinos 0-0 Yokohama FC - Yokohama Derby Draw

A 0-0 draw, although an intense game, meant the Yokohama sides bump heads and fall behind in the J-League. Lots of missed chances and the lack of creativity had both sides struggling for a sniff of goal.

The first Yokohama derby of the 2025 season saw the hosts’ Steve Holland field a team with several changes. Suzuki comes in for Walsh, Amano and Inoue replace Uenaka and Yan respectively, whilst Yamane partners Watanabe who retains his spot.

The Marinos need a win to climb out of the relegation zone and vanquish any worries early.

Holland’s tactics involved a 4-2-3-1 with Lopes as their focal point.

For the visitors, Yomoda opted for only one change to his Yokohama FC side which means Arai was handed his chance at the expense of their number 10 Paulo.

FC Yokohama sit 10th and much higher than their rivals, but will also need a win in this derby to raise any hopes for the season ahead.

Yomoda’s men lined up in a 3-4-3.

The Marinos have been the more successful side as they have won five of the eight Yokohama derbies played - with FC only winning two.

The first minute kick-off saw immediate direct football from the Marinos, who squandered possession almost immediately.

A halt to the game was made after a tough clash meant Suzuki received the blunt of the challenge, and seemed injured. Amano was also scathed and Holland seemed tempted to rest him.

A harsh introduction to the derby meant it was going to be a long game for both sides.

Musashi Suzuki only played five minutes before being exchanged for Joao Paulo after his clash with Amano left him struggling.

As of the 6th minute, it was the hosts which seemed more dominant, attaining control of the ball - but small mistakes meant they occasionally gave it up to their rivals.

The Marinos’ 4-2-3-1 meant they were fluid from the back, one full-back would bomb up whilst the two defensive midfielders control the game with the defence. It much often looked like a back three with support from the two midfielders.

As of the 10th minute mark, Marinos had a firm grasp on the game with 74% possession and making FC’s half look like their own - playing a very high, controlling line.

A good combination by FC’s whole left side gained them a corner in the 16th minute - it was an impressive bit of play that shows what they can do on the ball when the Marinos did not hog the ball.

The corner was almost successful, but Sakarugawa could not get a firm header on it - it was almost 1-0.

Marinos’ Tono came close with a wide shot which could have hit the edge of the goal anytime. It came from a good partnership with right-back Suzuki who is seemingly instructed to attack and create more.

In what was a good end-to-end game, both teams began to see more of the ball rather than just a one-side show. FC’s Arai seemed like an ambitious winger willing to put a risky ball into the box - only for the visitors’ strikers to be unable to reach it.

Despite having less possession, FC Yokohama amassed a 0.22 xG as compared to their hosts’ 0.05 - two shots from each team in the 21st minute was a sign of things to come.

The dangerous partnership of Arai and Shimbo down FC’s left was what the Marinos needed to stop. It was running rampant and serving as a complete lifeline amidst the possessive play the hosts employed.

A scarce chance in the 27th minute for Paulo went wide after a scrap fest with the Marinos’ defenders ended in the winger finding space.

FC’s low block meant the work the Marinos had to put in was often met with the ball thrown back at them. Both sides were digging deep, but the lack of creativity sometimes cost them any sort of chance.

Anderson Lopes registered his first shot of the game, but it was straight into the arms of Ichikawa much to the disappointment of the fans.

At the 37th minute, it was mainly Riku Yamane who the home fans had to thank - he had completed 91% of his passes, and rarely dispossessed. 

While for the visitors, Joao Paulo had been the heartbeat of the attack, bolting forward in a sharp fashion whenever a counter was needed.

Yokohama Marinos displayed quality control from the back, soaking up their rivals' pressure, oozing class. But it didn’t seem to offer anything going forward as most of their long balls did not work, easily dealt by the trio of Nduka, Fukumori and Yamazaki.

Just before half-time, a hectic goalmouth scramble ended in a shot from Sakuragawa blowing miles over the bar in what was Yokohama FC’s best chance to go in front.

HALF TIME - Yokohama Marinos 0 (0.15 xG) 65% possession, Yokohama FC 0 (0.45 xG) 35% possession. Both teams with five shots each, one big chance missed for Yokhama FC.

The second half kicked off with the Marinos attempting a defence-splitting move, but were only debuffed by the FC defenders, yet again. Both sides' defenses were efficient this game, constantly alert.

Sakuragawa was once again present in front of goal in the 48th minute, but was not able to place the header on target.

Akito Fukumori’s shirt pulling meant the Marinos received a free kick and he was booked - but the advantage was wasted, straight into Ichikawa’s hands once more.

Albeit the match being end-to-end, there were never any clear cut chances created as of the 55th minute. Which meant the score remained at 0-0.

Yokohama FC’s xG stood at a 0.61 as they edged closer and closer to goal, still, with the Marinos dominating on possession (60%).

The Marinos made a few changes in the 59th minute in a bid to replenish the attack, exchanging Tono for the Brazilian Yan. While Amano was subbed off for Asahi Uenaka.

Excellent work by Mizuki Arai in the 61st minute led to chaos in the Marinos box – with Sakuragawa attempting a shot, but was blocked by Suzuki, who was in pain after a clash with another player.

The game hit a higher gear in the 65th minute as both teams saw the ball in a short space of time. Combinations between players on both sides mixed up the play, and it was an entertaining spectacle, albeit not many chances on goal.

Sakuragawa suffered a collision with Ichikawa in the 69th minute forcing a break in the play - whilst the both sides made further changes, FC swapping Junya Suzuki for Yuri Lara, and the Marinos exchanging Kenta Inoue and Kota Watanabe for Jose Elber and Jean Claude.

There were countless desperate long balls over the top from both teams, but once again, a lack of clear-cut creativity. The derby remained goalless at the 78th minute mark.

As the game entered the 80th minute, both sides began to be even more intense. Four players were involved in a single block on danger man Diego Lopes, vanquishing any hope of the shot landing on target.

Late changes – a double substitution from Yokohama FC involved an attack overhaul - Keijiro Ogawa and Toma Murata being introduced.

The Marinos followed suit with a change, taking off Toichi Suzuki for Katsuya Nagato.

Stoppage time was just as intense with the changes. Although goalless still, the crowd could be heard cheering their home side on just as they did at the start.

Marinos were unlucky not to grab a late winner after Jean Claude landed a header on target, but easily claimed by Ichikawa.

Again, it was the Marinos all of the last minutes. Several shots were blocked, and the substitutes were extra unlucky not to have made an impact.

Both Yokohama sides will be kicking themselves after sharing the points - with Yokohama FC level on points with Kyoto Sanga, who came off a 1-0 win against champions Kobe Vissel.

Yokohama Marinos will be worried as they sit with only two points after three games.