From zeroes to heroes: Fukuoka's stunning revival continues (Avispa Fukuoka vs Yokohama F. Marinos analysis) | OneFootball

Avispa Fukuoka Continue Impressive Run with Victory Over Struggling Marinos

Miki Stars as Fukuoka Climb to League Summit

Avispa Fukuoka extended their remarkable unbeaten streak to seven matches with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos at Best Denki Stadium, temporarily propelling them to the top of the J1 League standings.

Despite falling behind to an early Daiya Tono strike, Kim Myung Hwi's side showed their resilience to turn the match around through goals from Kazuki Fujimoto and Tomoya Miki, who delivered a match-winning performance.

The result leaves Stephen Holland's Marinos rooted to the bottom of the table, extending their winless run to four matches and deepening their relegation concerns.

Match Highlights

Yokohama started brightly and took the lead in the 11th minute when January signing Tono found the net with a well-executed finish, silencing the home crowd.

Avispa responded impressively and drew level in the 37th minute when Fujimoto converted from Miki's assist. The hosts thought they had completed the turnaround before half-time, only for VAR to intervene and disallow what would have been their second goal.

The decisive moment came in the 81st minute when Miki, already provider of the equaliser, turned scorer by converting Yota Maejima's pass to secure all three points for the home side.

Tactical Battle

Despite Yokohama dominating possession (59% to Avispa's 41%), it was the hosts who created the better chances, registering 13 shots to Marinos' seven.

Avispa's 3-4-2-1 formation proved effective, particularly in transition moments, with their counter-attacking strategy yielding dividends against a Yokohama side that struggled to convert territorial advantage into meaningful opportunities.

Tomoya Ando was imperious in Avispa's defence, recording two blocks, three interceptions and winning nine duels as the hosts withstood periods of Yokohama pressure.

Manager Reaction

"The balance between hard work and tactical discipline was key today," said Avispa manager Kim Myung Hwi post-match. "We respect Yokohama's quality, but our players showed tremendous character to control the match in crucial moments."

League Context

The victory takes Avispa to 19 points, marking a remarkable turnaround for a side that lost their opening three fixtures of the season. Their current form – six wins and a draw in their last seven – has transformed them into genuine contenders.

For Yokohama, the situation grows increasingly concerning. The 18th-placed side have failed to arrest their slide despite dominating possession in matches, with defensive vulnerabilities continuing to undermine their performances.

Both sides face Shimizu S-Pulse in their upcoming fixtures, with Avispa travelling to IAI Stadium Nihondaira while Yokohama host the same opposition at Nissan Stadium.