Emperor's Cup: Kumamoto Crimson vs Mito Wasabi 

The little-known Kumamoto Crimson had been competing in the Japanese Serie B for many years and had been ranked in the middle for a long time. Recently, they were unexpectedly relegated, and then they fought in the Japanese Serie C for three years. In 2021, they returned to the Japanese Serie B as champions. The previous season was a popular relegation season, and the team became the top black horse in the league. With the best away results in the Japanese Serie B, they always ranked high and eventually made it to the promotion playoffs, just one step away from the Japanese Professional League. Last season, the team's performance declined, and they ranked last, only barely avoiding relegation. In the new season, they strive to create another good result, but the team did not start well, and player morale was not ideal;

The weak team Mito Shukui had previously competed in the Japanese second division all year round and had a long-term ranking in the middle. Last season, they hired a new coach, but the team did not perform well and barely managed to avoid relegation. In the new season, they strive to achieve another good result, but the team started poorly and is now on the edge of the relegation zone. In the last three rounds, they have all lost, and the coach was fired midway, resulting in low player morale.

The two teams have faced each other six times in the past six years, but Mito Shukui only lost one game. In the last five games, they have also received four clean sheets, giving them a significant psychological advantage.

The two teams have similar strength and comparable league results (but Kumamoto Deep Red achieved a good result in the semi-finals of the Japanese Emperor Cup last season, with a clearly stronger fighting spirit than their opponents). Facing the poorly performing Mito Kui at home, they naturally have a slight advantage in attractiveness. They made a forced concession in this game, and the home team's heat is high. Therefore, Mito Kui will remain unbeaten away from home.