J. League first-division side Ventforet Kofu held on to beat plucky Juntendo University 3-2 at home and book their place in the third round of the Emperor's Cup on Saturday.
Takuma Abe scored what proved to be the decider by giving Kofu a 3-1 lead in the 57th minute, but the Yamanashi club was made to work for the win as Juntendo pulled one back through Masahiko Sugita and went close to forcing extra time in the dying stages.
Yuki Hashizume took a long pass from the left and drilled home at the edge of the area to put Kofu in front after seven minutes and Kazunari Hosaka doubled the advantage six minutes later with a crisp finish.