Albirex Niigata 2-1 Sapporo in the J2 League, round 2 at Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata (42,300 capacity).

Albirex Niigata won 2, drew 0 and lost 3 of their previous 5 matches (L–L–W–L–W), scoring 10 and conceding 11.

Sapporo won 2, drew 1 and lost 2 of their previous 5 matches (W–W–D–L–L), scoring 13 and conceding 12.

The two sides have met 10 times: Albirex Niigata 7 wins, Sapporo 0, 3 draws.