Overview
- Jean Patric struck in the 58th minute to secure a 1-0 home win over Ulsan HD in Kobe.
- The result moves Vissel Kobe to the top of the East standings on nine points from four games.
- It was Ulsan's first defeat of the tournament, and the two-time champions slipped to fourth place.
- Yuya Osako had an early goal ruled out for offside and later hit the crossbar, with Daiju Sasaki also striking the post.
- The competition advances the top eight teams in each zone to knockout rounds starting in March, and elsewhere Johor Darul Ta'zim beat Shanghai Shenhua 3-1 to climb the table.