<h3 id="h11f7f76b10">Cerezo win the final game of a five-match run, attacking until the very end to match their season-high with three goals, as Shinji Kagawa's penalty proves the winner.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0fdb50e09df34c558a7ef50bbb349b78/0511MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Two days after the match against Shimizu S-Pulse, Cerezo Osaka returned to their home ground, YANMAR HANASAKA STADIUM, to face V-Varen Nagasaki in Matchday 16 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round. The starting lineup featured four changes from the previous match, with Thiago Andrade, Motohiko Nakajima, Hayato Okuda, and Kosuke Nakamura returning to the side after a one-game absence. Thiago started as the lone striker, with Nakajima in the hole and Okuda at left-back. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f372aed797d1476784cb566eb4dec1ab/0511MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo were initially met with a high press from Nagasaki. In the 8th minute, a clearance from Kosuke Nakamura was intercepted, allowing Norman Campbell to break through the backline, but Dion Cools prevented a goal with a superb recovery. Cerezo responded immediately in the 9th minute when Okuda intercepted a switch of play deep in opposition territory. Yumeki Yokoyama drove forward and centered for Nakajima, who beat his marker with his first touch and unleashed a dipping strike that narrowly cleared the crossbar. In the 14th and 16th minutes, Cerezo bypassed the press with slick buildup to find Thiago in behind; though both were ruled offside, the interplay spearheaded by Masaya Shibayama was encouraging. Just as Cerezo were asserting control, they conceded a penalty in the 21st minute after Cools was judged to have committed a high-boot foul in the box during a corner sequence. Ryogo Yamasaki converted the spot-kick to give Nagasaki the lead. Despite the misfortune of the penalty—reminiscent of the Shimizu match—Cerezo equalized quickly. In the 28th minute, Okuda intercepted a vertical pass high up the pitch. Shinnosuke Hatanaka found Shibayama, who fed Nakajima to split the center; as Nakajima prepared to shoot, Thiago arrived from behind to lash the ball home, with Nakajima credited for the assist. In the 30th minute, Shibayama, Nelson Ishiwatari, and Cools—who frequently rotated positions—combined to break down the right flank, ending with a long-range effort from Okuda on the opposite side. In the 37th minute, Thiago threatened again with a header from a Yokoyama cross. In first-half stoppage time, Thiago beat his man on the left and centered for Nakajima, whose turn and shot sailed over the bar. After weathering the early press, Cerezo dictated play following the equalizer and finished the half with momentum. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b8dd0ae6805d406b942511ebdffbf274/0511MR.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8569bc3f7f074d44bfe509febbbdc2c7/0511MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo maintained their offensive stance in the second half. In the 59th minute, Ishiwatari won possession in midfield and found Nakajima, who crossed from the left; the clearance fell to Yokoyama, who teed up Ishiwatari for a chip that drifted just wide. Continuing to probe deep into the final third, Cerezo won a corner in the 62nd minute via a Cools cross. From the ensuing delivery in the 63rd minute, Shunta Tanaka met Shibayama’s precise kick at the near post to head Cerezo in front. Marking their third consecutive game with a goal from a set piece, Cerezo stayed on the front foot. However, in the 72nd minute, they were caught on the break after their own corner was cleared. Matheus Jesus, a second-half substitute, drove forward and rounded Kosuke Nakamura to equalize. It was a lapse in risk management during a period of sustained dominance. Unfazed, Cerezo continued to push for a winner. In the 77th minute, Rikito Inoue hit the post from a Shibayama corner, and a minute later, Shibayama drew a save after cutting inside. Their persistence paid off in the 81st minute when Nakajima won a penalty following a counterattack involving Shibayama and Thiago. Nakajima took the kick himself but fired it straight at Go Hatano’s legs, with the rebound hitting the bar. In the 85th minute, Manager Papas made a triple substitution, introducing Shion Homma, Shinji Kagawa, and Satoki Uejo for the attacking trio. Solomon Sakuragawa replaced Thiago in the 88th minute, setting the stage for late drama. In the 90th minute, Sakuragawa’s shot from a Kagawa pass struck a defender’s hand. Following a VAR-assisted on-field review, a penalty was awarded. This time, Kagawa stepped up and clinically found the bottom left corner, beating Hatano despite the keeper guessing correctly. After surviving a barrage of long throws and a point-blank save from Kosuke Nakamura in the 98th minute, Cerezo emerged 3-2 winners after ten minutes of stoppage time. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/c9d65c4d296c40bf87bfabee2e8d2991/0511MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e00e09533af7438abba10fd830dde341/0511MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> "I think it was a very exciting game for the supporters," Manager Arthur Papas began after the match. "We saw a lot of courage to play forward and get into the penalty area. The opposition is a threat, but our group showed an attacking mentality today, making this a very significant victory." While the five-match run highlighted some issues in closing out games, Cerezo secured eight points and climbed to 4th place. Their next match is a crucial home clash against league leaders Nagoya Grampus, who sit six points ahead. To keep their title hopes alive, the team must unite to secure all three points. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/c67be0ece6ab4178ae6224c95bc6b442/0511MR%20(3).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs V-Varen Nagasaki (J1 100 Year Vision League MD16)

<h3 id="hb8f6abe300">Shunta Tanaka’s goal from a corner gave Cerezo the lead, but a late penalty led to a shootout defeat. They aim to conclude the 5-match run with a win against Nagasaki at home next.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/88e371b08dc5442dbf32b656a9e0be03/0507MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> Two days after the match against Avispa Fukuoka, Cerezo Osaka traveled away to face Shimizu S-Pulse in Matchday 15 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round. Aiming for a third straight win within 90 minutes, the starting lineup saw five changes from the Fukuoka match. Maintaining a 4-2-3-1 formation, Solomon Sakuragawa started up front, with Shinji Kagawa in the hole, Yumeki Yokoyama on the left wing, Dion Cools at right-back, and Kim Jin Hyeon in goal. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b9937f33fd5e427f8349ae55678316d1/0507MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo were initially pressed by the home side's momentum, but Jin Hyeon prevented an early deficit by saving Zento Uno’s long-range effort in the 2nd minute. After the 10-minute mark, Cerezo established possession, entering the opposition half through Kagawa and Masaya Shibayama. In the 13th minute, Kagawa intercepted in midfield to launch a counter; he met Yokoyama’s cross with a goal-bound shot, only for it to be cleared by Shimizu defender Yutaka Yoshida. In the 17th minute, Cerezo broke through the center via Ayumu Ohata, Sakuragawa, Yokoyama, Kagawa, and Shibayama. Shibayama spread the play to the right, where Cools won a corner. Nelson Ishiwatari contested Shibayama’s delivery, and Shunta Tanaka prodded home the loose ball. Although Yoshida cleared it again, the ball had already crossed the line, and the goal stood. In the 25th minute, Sakuragawa laid off a vertical pass from Rikito Inoue for Shibayama, who cut inside and shot just wide as they pursued a second. In the 28th minute, Oh Se Hun broke down the flank and crossed for Hikaru Nakahara at the far post, but Jin Hyeon denied the point-blank strike with a fine save. The game then settled with few major openings for either side. In first-half stoppage time, Yokoyama cut in from the left off a Kagawa pass but fired his shot wide. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/318386361dd3451abe97e3fa185283f2/0507MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9b994e004d294df88e4d21cbbdf79a72/0507MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> Trailing by a goal, Shimizu intensified their attack in the second half. Capixaba’s introduction on the left wing added thrust, and in the 57th minute, Yudai Shimamoto, seeking a goal in his third straight game, cut inside the box and shot, but Jin Hyeon saved at the near post. In the 60th minute, Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi’s header from a corner rattled the crossbar. After weathering a 15-minute onslaught of long balls, Cerezo introduced Thiago Andrade and Hayato Okuda for Shibayama and Cools in the 66th minute. Thiago’s runs sparked the offense; he broke through from a Sakuragawa pass in the 68th minute and threatened again from an Okuda ball in the 72nd. A golden chance arrived in the 78th minute when Thiago met Shunta Tanaka’s cross from a cleared corner, but his header was thwarted by a superb save from Shimizu’s substitute keeper Yuya Oki. While Capixaba hit the post in the 74th minute, Cerezo pushed back during the closing stages to create chances and run down the clock. In the 81st minute, Manager Arthur Papas replaced Sakuragawa with Hayato Tanaka, switching to a back three (defending in a 5-2-3) to see out the game. Shimizu struggled to create openings until the 85th minute, when Shinnosuke Hatanaka was judged to have committed a foul with his studs in the box, resulting in a penalty. Matheus Bueno converted the spot-kick in the 90th minute to level the scores. After eight minutes of stoppage time, the match ended 1-1, heading to a shootout. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/921ec1dbbac0479bb44ca4abfa68fe70/0507MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> This marked Cerezo’s third consecutive penalty shootout. Batting second, Shunta Tanaka and Motohiko Nakajima converted their attempts, but Hatanaka’s third-round effort was saved. Although Thiago scored the fourth, Shimizu’s perfect record of five successful kicks settled the contest. It was Cerezo’s first shootout loss since the opening match, snapping their two-game winning streak. "Even when we were under pressure, we were defending well at the back," Shunta Tanaka remarked, lamenting the momentary lapse. While the penalty decision was unfortunate, tactical issues remained in the buildup. "I think we could have done more in terms of our performance after scoring, which is why we couldn't clinch the win," Manager Arthur Papas summarized, highlighting the team’s management of the game while under pressure in the second half. Returning home with two days’ rest to face V-Varen Nagasaki, the priority will be physical recovery and finding the clinical edge to secure a victory within 90 minutes. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d07414ab1727498b97fb3d3154ca269d/0507MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Shimizu S-Pulse vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 100 Year Vision League MD15)

<h3 id="hf0c2c86263">Cerezo conceded a golazo and struggled against Fukuoka's defense but equalized via Rikito Inoue's header from corner, eventually clinching a victory in their second straight shootout after a goalless second-half push thanks to Kosuke Nakamura's vital saves.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/2ef7e26b85194d79b399c46e7421e276/0504MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Three days after the match against Vissel Kobe, Cerezo Osaka returned home for the first time in three games to face Avispa Fukuoka in Matchday 13 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round. The starting lineup saw all 11 players rotated from the Kobe match, returning to the same starting XI used in the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima two rounds prior. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/516554b3653044da92be657e7e85e697/0504MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> In the 3rd minute, Masaya Shibayama played a pass to Motohiko Nakajima, who laid it off for Hayato Okuda to cross, earning a corner after breaking down the right side. The start was promising, with Thiago Andrade getting behind the defense from an Okuda pass in the 7th minute. However, in the 10th minute, a mistake in the buildup allowed Fukuoka their first shot, followed by a goal in the 11th minute. After losing possession in midfield, Cerezo succumbed to a quick counter-attack, culminating in a powerful long-range strike from lone striker Shosei Usui. Immediately after in the 12th minute, Thiago chased a Nakajima pass into space but was intercepted by the keeper. In the 14th minute, Nakajima and Thiago again targeted the space behind the center from Shion Homma's through ball, but were blocked by the defenders. From that point on, Cerezo struggled to mount effective attacks against Fukuoka's well-organized defense, which alternated between pressing and retreating. Past the 35th minute, Manager Arthur Papas reshuffled the front four. Aiming to "stretch the opposition's defensive line by using wide wingers" as he noted they "weren't posing enough of a threat, especially in behind," he moved Nakajima to the top, Shibayama to the hole, Thiago to the left, and Shion Homma to the right. In the 45th minute, this shift paid off as Shibayama initiated a move through Homma and Ayumu Ohata to win a corner. Rikito Inoue met Shibayama's delivery at the far post, equalizing in first-half stoppage time. "Bringing the score level right before halftime was massive in this match," the manager reflected. Finding the equalizer before the break was the turning point as they had nearly fallen into Fukuoka's trap. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/3e4d148ece1e43a398f1743754d2c470/0504MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cd7653136fcf4e9b90e7dda49b33b34e/0504MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo entered the opposition half from the start of the second half. While they began to build good sequences through Masaya Shibayama, the final pass lacked accuracy, preventing them from getting shots off. A scare came in the 58th minute when Kosuke Nakamura parried a cross into the path of an oncoming attacker, but Nelson Ishiwatari tracked back to clear the danger. In the 62nd minute, Manager Arthur Papas introduced Solomon Sakuragawa and Dion Cools for Shibayama and Homma, with Cools slotting into a right midfield role. Fukuoka created a decisive chance immediately after in the 64th minute. Breaking through the right side, they sent in a cross for Tomoya Miki to shoot from point-blank range, but Kosuke Nakamura pulled off a miraculous reflex save. As the guardian stood tall, Cerezo had their own golden opportunity in the 73rd minute. Okuda, receiving a cross-field ball from the newly introduced Shinji Kagawa, delivered a precise cross that Sakuragawa headed against the crossbar. Against a tiring Fukuoka side, Cerezo pushed hard late on, with Yumeki Yokoyama—who entered alongside Kagawa—taking players on down the left. A final chance came in the 90th minute: Okuda gathered a second ball from a corner and found Kagawa on the right. Kagawa’s sharp, low-driven cross was met by Shinnosuke Hatanaka, but his effort narrowly cleared the bar. The match ended 1-1. Although Cerezo dominated possession and pass counts, they failed to enter the box effectively, finishing with only seven shots. "In a match like today's, it may look like we are controlling the game on the surface, but we are not," Arthur Papas remarked, acknowledging the lingering tactical issues. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ddaf0aa0b057490b9e62a038907b156e/0504MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cb7d17a5f3fa40b98d07f54d06608aa7/0504MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> In the ensuing penalty shootout, Shinji Kagawa stepped up as the first taker for Cerezo, who went second. After he converted calmly, Kosuke Nakamura stopped Fukuoka's second taker, Keiya Shiihashi. Gaining a psychological advantage, Shunta Tanaka, Cools, and Hatanaka all converted their kicks to maintain the pressure. The match was decided when Fukuoka's fifth kicker, Takumi Kamijima, fired over the bar. Securing their second consecutive shootout victory following the Kobe match, Cerezo climbed to 4th place. The next fixture is an away match against Shimizu S-Pulse with only two days' rest. Despite the grueling schedule and a 13:00 kickoff, the entire team will prepare diligently to aim for a third straight win. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e2aed6dc8c13485a9ba515db2b8cd89b/0504MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Avispa Fukuoka (J1 100 Year Vision League MD14)

<h3 id="h4fb7268bec">With all 11 starters rotated, Cerezo stuns league leaders Kobe in a penalty shootout, fueled by a series of superb saves from Kim Jin Hyeon!</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b7abef36bb65412f8f5a890d3069ce6c/0501MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Three days after the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Cerezo Osaka traveled to the away grounds of Noevir Stadium Kobe to contest Matchday 13 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round against Vissel Kobe. Facing this fixture just a short period after the fierce battle in Hiroshima, the team rotated all 11 starting players. Thiago Andrade, who had scored in three consecutive games, was left out of the squad, and the formation was a 3-4-2-1. This was the same system employed during the congested Golden Week schedule last season. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/44f3725349104ccab1b1ce49c9f963c1/0501MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> In the 3rd minute, Kobe broke down the left side, handing a decisive chance to Makoto Mitsuta. However, the shot was stopped by Kim Jin Hyeon, making his first appearance since the opening match. "Kobe is a team that comes out with great momentum in the first 10 to 15 minutes. The key today was to prevent them from utilizing that strength, yet Kobe still managed to create chances. Even so, I felt that as long as I stopped them, we would be fine. Today was a match for players with limited minutes, and I believed it was crucial for me to keep a clean sheet so they could play with confidence," the guardian reflected after the match. Manager Arthur Papas also offered praise, stating, "Jin Hyeon’s big save at the start allowed us to settle into the game properly." It was a priceless play that prevented the team from becoming unsettled. "Many of the players were pairing up in an official match for the first time, and it was at Kobe's home. I knew we had to play realistically to some extent, with defense as our base," said Shinji Kagawa, who fought hard while wearing the captain's armband. The formation shifted to a five-man backline during defensive phases. Kyohei Yoshino, playing in the center of the back three, recalled, "The manager told us to control the line strictly. I was calling out to everyone to keep the line high so we wouldn't become stretched." They aligned the defense without dropping too deep and successfully caught the opposition offside. Although the left side was breached again in the 20th and 41st minutes, Kim Jin Hyeon stopped Yoshinori Muto’s effort in the former instance, while Dion Cools blocked Daiju Sasaki’s shooting lane in the latter, forcing the ball off target. Though pinned back for much of the first half, Cerezo created an opening in the 31st minute with a long pass from Hinata Kida to Solomon Sakuragawa, followed by a major chance in the 40th minute. Yumeki Yokoyama held the ball up high, allowing Hinata Kida to unleash a powerful mid-range strike. Satoki Uejo rushed in to meet the rebound from the goalkeeper, but his header went straight at the keeper. The first half ended scoreless. "Ending the first half at 0-0 was our greatest achievement today. It was good that we put our bodies on the line to keep it level," said Kyohei Yoshino, noting that holding the scoreline with an unfamiliar lineup paved the way for the second half. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/03c5ff5b778b4e8dafa2a5074b314946/0501MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ea010043fc9a4e3f93c05838fcfa6182/0501MR.jpg" alt=""> Kobe maintained pressure at the start of the second half, but Cerezo pushed back to create opportunities. Yumeki Yokoyama, who had been quiet in the first half, came alive on the wing. He created a chance with a pass to Solomon Sakuragawa in the 46th minute and troubled the opposition with a cross following a vertical breakthrough in the 48th minute. In the 50th minute, Yoshinori Muto met a cross from Kobe’s left at the far post for a decisive header, but Kim Jin Hyeon again produced a spectacular save, reaching out to deny Kobe any momentum. A golden opportunity arrived in the 62nd minute. Solomon Sakuragawa latched onto a long pass from Hayato Tanaka—making his first start since the opening day—and broke through the left for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. His powerful strike was on target but was parried by a fine save from Shuichi Gonda. Solomon Sakuragawa turned and shot again inside the penalty area in the 65th minute, but his effort narrowly missed the post. Manager Arthur Papas introduced key players early, including Motohiko Nakajima, Shinnosuke Hatanaka, Hayato Okuda, and Masaya Shibayama. From the middle to the end of the half, Nakajima and Shibayama accelerated the attack by finding space behind Kobe's press, but the opening goal remained elusive. The defense, which remained a back three despite the substitutions, held firm to secure a clean sheet. The match proceeded to a penalty shootout under the competition's special rules. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a824557656f24a299c959452774b3629/0501MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/fd126088e27b4fcb8c2f3d1da4d87621/0501MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo took the first kick, with Kagawa stepping up as the first taker. After a brief pause, he calmly converted into the bottom left corner. Shunta Tanaka and Cools followed with successful kicks. Jin Hyeon then stopped Kobe’s third taker, Katsuya Nagato. For the fourth round, Nakajima scored emphatically for Cerezo, while Kobe’s Jean Patric missed the target, sealing the result. Following their victory in Matchday 8 at home, Cerezo again defeated Kobe via a shootout. This match, approached with 11 changes to the starting lineup, was a test of the team's collective depth. "By everyone contributing to a penalty win after a draw, we showed that everyone is prepared for the team," said Cools. Cerezo will now look to turn the two points gained at the home of Vissel Kobe—who have reached the ACLE semifinals and lead the J1 100 Year Vision League WEST—into confidence as they fight through the remaining three matches of the Golden Week. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/83b3de1c29154802aae3425ccd587a51/0501MR%20(3).jpg" alt="">

Review: Vissel Kobe vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 100 Year Vision League MD13)

<h3 id="h12a4c14a51">Thiago Andrade’s third goal in as many games led a dominant first half, but things turned dark late on as an own goal and a penalty allowed a comeback, resulting in a painful defeat.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/166ebe146f6c413e902bb0a961dd7724/0427MR.jpg" alt=""> Six days after their victory over Kyoto Sanga F.C., Cerezo Osaka headed into an away fixture against Sanfrecce Hiroshima for Matchday 12 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round, targeting a third consecutive win. The starting lineup remained unchanged from the Kyoto match, with Thiago Andrade—who had scored in two straight games—at the top, supported by a creative trio of Masaya Shibayama, Motohiko Nakajima, and Shion Homma in the second line. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/c60e419d3fa443f5965e185378c65232/0427MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> "The start of the match and our initial approach will be particularly important," Manager Arthur Papas had stated before the game, and Cerezo’s start was indeed superb. Defensively, they pressed aggressively from the front to win possession, then moved the ball with a light, rhythmic tempo. In the 5th minute, Nelson Ishiwatari intercepted in midfield, leading to a chance as Shibayama played Thiago into space. A decisive opportunity followed in the 7th minute when they won the ball centrally again; Nakajima drove forward and drew defenders before sliding a final pass to Shibayama, whose near-post effort struck the woodwork. Maintaining their offensive rhythm, Cerezo took the lead in the 12th minute. Initiated by Shibayama and Ishiwatari, Nakajima and Homma linked up through the center to break down the defense. An attempted clearance of Hayato Okuda's cross fell to Thiago, who lashed a left-footed strike into the top-left corner. The onslaught continued. In the 17th minute, Shibayama fired just wide from an Ishiwatari pass. Another big chance arrived in the 20th minute; the moment Hiroshima’s left wing-back Shunki Higashi received the ball, Okuda pressed high to force a turnover, triggering a short counter. Nakajima latched onto Shibayama’s pass and rounded a defender toward the goal. Despite being fouled in what would have been a one-on-one with the keeper, the whistle remained silent. From around the 20th minute, Hiroshima began to apply pressure. In the 27th minute, Tsukasa Shiotani intercepted a vertical pass to launch a counter, ending with Mutsuki Kato hitting the post from Tolgay Arslan’s cross. While momentum threatened to shift, Cerezo refused to relinquish control easily. In the 34th minute, Shinnosuke Hatanaka intercepted and Thiago drove forward, allowing Nakajima to overlap and unleash a powerful long-range strike. In the 37th minute, Kosuke Nakamura made a fine save from Akito Suzuki’s header. The first half ended with both sides trading attacks, Cerezo heading into the break with a one-goal lead. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f5d7a574354345daa925ceb77fde79d1/0427MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/50e1d9e824e64c1b989638d3d6c34817/0427MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Solomon Sakuragawa replaced Thiago at the start of the second half. In the 48th minute, Ayumu Ohata carried the ball a long distance, leading to an immediate shot from Sakuragawa via a Homma pass. Another massive chance came on the counter in the 52nd minute when Nakajima crossed from Sakuragawa's pass; Homma lunged at the far post but was denied by a last-ditch defensive clearance. In the 56th minute, Okuda’s powerful long-range effort was kept out by a fine Keisuke Osako save. While the second-half start was decent, Hiroshima began to push back with intense pressure, particularly targeting Cerezo’s left flank through Naoto Arai’s crosses and Shuto Nakano, who had entered as the right center-back. Around the 70th minute, Cerezo weathered a fierce storm, with Nakamura making saves and Tanaka, Inoue, Hatanaka, and Ohata throwing their bodies on the line to block shots. A major scare followed in the 72nd minute as Nakamura produced a big save from Kosuke Kinoshita’s header, and Higashi’s follow-up went over the bar. Immediately after in the 73rd minute, Cerezo had a golden opportunity to secure the game. Ishiwatari intercepted a throw-in, and Nakajima chested and headed the ball forward. Shibayama pounced on a defensive error and broke through for a one-on-one with the keeper. An additional goal here would have firmly swung the momentum, but his outside-of-the-foot strike missed the target. In the 78th minute, Manager Papas introduced Dion Cools and Shinji Kagawa to solidify the defense and control the closing stages. The plan worked until the 86th minute when a momentary lapse proved costly. Naoki Maeda was allowed to break down the flank from Nakano’s pass; Cools, attempting to deal with a cross aimed at Ryo Germain, inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net. Then in the 90th minute, Cools was penalized for a handball following a corner, resulting in a penalty. Kinoshita converted, handing Hiroshima the lead. Despite being minutes away from a third straight win, Cerezo could not withstand the pressure exerted by Hiroshima and their substitutes. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/c24264f6f07f48d5bb62d12219b16a46/0427MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/673857d1703b4658baf947ddacb53528/0427MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> The first half was a masterclass where "we were able to do what we wanted in both offense and defense" (Shunta Tanaka), demonstrating the team's growth this season. Even under Hiroshima’s second-half fightback, they defended desperately as they had in the previous two matches. This made the eventual comeback defeat all the more regrettable in a match where a win would have provided a massive confidence boost. Tanaka noted that "when we are pushed back, we need to push back ourselves and maintain possession in the opponent's half," while Ishiwatari emphasized that "it's about how we defend organizationally when under pressure late in the game; it's important for everyone to be on the same page." Rikito Inoue described it as a "truly painful defeat," a painful loss in their pursuit of the top spots in the 100 Year Vision League. Nevertheless, the next fixture arrives in just three days. They must recover physically and mentally as they head to the home of league leaders Vissel Kobe. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f0f42cd4666d428b9c5c9a95f4e2b7e4/0427MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

Review: Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 100 Year Vision League MD12)

<h3 id="h0a7391b565">Cerezo Osaka mark the first match at YANMAR HANASAKA STADIUM with a season-high three goals and a clean sheet, securing consecutive wins with their first 90-minute home victory.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a6fc8978f3e7470daec7995f7be44500/0420MR.jpg" alt=""> Six days after winning the away Osaka Derby, Cerezo Osaka returned home to face Kyoto Sanga F.C. in the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round, Matchday 11, aiming for a second consecutive win. This fixture was the first since the stadium was renamed "YANMAR HANASAKA STADIUM" and was held as the "Let the Future Bloom: YANMAR HANASAKA STADIUM Memorial Match." <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9b9a3ca7dc4d4955b20438b225d9c0e2/0420MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> There was one change to the starting lineup, with Shion Homma replacing the injured Reiya Sakata on the left wing. Thiago Andrade continued as the lone striker. In the first half, Cerezo changed ends and played with the wind at their backs. In the 12th minute, Thiago had a chance after running behind the defense onto a pass from Motohiko Nakajima. However, Cerezo initially struggled against Kyoto’s pressure, facing an immediate threat from a counterattack just two minutes in. Shinnosuke Hatanaka recovered well to block Joao Pedro’s shot. In the 14th minute, Marco Tulio broke through the left flank, but Kosuke Nakamura safely caught Gustavo Barreto’s effort. Despite some misplaced passes in their own half due to Kyoto’s high press, Cerezo avoided conceding and converted their first shot in the 18th minute. Hayato Okuda intercepted a long ball high up the pitch, and after linking up with Masaya Shibayama to break down the right side, Thiago met Shibayama’s pass in the center to find the net. The stadium erupted as Thiago cleverly beat the goalkeeper for his second goal in as many games. Kyoto responded with attacks in the 24th and 26th minutes, but Ayumu Ohata blocked the former, while Nakamura made a brilliant save in a one-on-one situation for the latter. Cerezo increased their offensive pressure after the 30th minute and had a decisive chance in the 37th minute. A sequence involving Nakajima, Homma, and Thiago ended with Thiago’s shot being blocked, but Shibayama gathered the rebound and fired a composed shot. While it beat the keeper, Kyoto defender Shinnosuke Fukuda blocked it on the line, preventing a second goal. The half ended 1-0. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/12ab51e706494290907c3671440e7815/0420MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0c73a5722ffd4943b8c5fc12dba6832e/0420MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Kyoto dominated possession at the start of the second half, but Cerezo continued to create chances by utilizing Thiago’s runs. In the 62nd minute, Solomon Sakuragawa replaced Thiago, who had worked tirelessly since the start. Using the number 9 as a focal point to hold up play, Cerezo sought a second goal. In the 66th minute, Rikito Inoue intercepted an opponent's throw-in high up the field. Nelson Ishiwatari reacted to the loose ball, beat a defender, and drove forward before delivering an exquisite through ball to Homma, who had made a diagonal run behind Sakuragawa. "The moment the pass arrived and I controlled it, I knew I was going to beat him," Homma recalled after the match. He rounded the oncoming Kyoto keeper Takeshi Ota and finished from a tight angle. Homma erupted in celebration after scoring his first J1 goal, a long-awaited moment nearly a year after joining on loan from Urawa Reds last March. In the 74th minute, Nakamura faced another one-on-one but again denied Kyoto with his right foot. Cerezo weathered Kyoto's late attacks and added a third goal in second-half stoppage time. Shinji Kagawa’s free kick hit the wall, and Okuda fired the rebound from distance; Sakuragawa reacted quickest to the keeper’s parry and poked the ball home. The final whistle blew shortly after. While both sides had an equal number of chances, Cerezo’s clinical finishing and solid defending resulted in a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Kyoto. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9531a492e3684643bc49049b2d43a4de/0420MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/35b9cf9d12aa4d698eaa24fd097a6152/0420MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> After the match, Manager Papas praised the team, saying, "We won as a result of fighting collectively as a group. Everyone worked hard and delivered a good performance in both offense and defense." Cerezo celebrated the "first Hanasaka match" in style with a season-high three goals and a clean sheet. Having drawn level with Kyoto on points and moved within sight of the upper echelon of the table, Cerezo will target a third consecutive win in the next fixture against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Building on the momentum of these victories and further refining their play, they will head into enemy territory in one week's time. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1a2a9729fe314c30ac7ea19ffe24964d/0420MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Kyoto Sanga F.C. (J1 100 Year Vision League MD11)

<h3 id="hebb04e93a5">Thiago Andrade scores the winner and Kosuke Nakamura saves a PK in a fierce 100-min away Osaka Derby! United as one, Cerezo triumphantly proclaim "OSAKA is Pink" (Manager Papas).</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/86b24d47254a48a995a1ac076e0a4ee8/0413MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> This fixture marked the start of the second half of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League. Cerezo Osaka entered the away Osaka Derby determined to avenge their season-opening defeat on penalties at Yanmar Stadium Nagai. There was one change to the starting lineup from the previous match against Nagoya Grampus, with Motohiko Nakajima coming in for Solomon Sakuragawa. Additionally, Satoki Uejo returned to the matchday squad for the first time in approximately ten months, since June 4 last year. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d537da288dfa40ac8f0c228278975124/0413MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo started the match with an unconventional tactical setup. Thiago Andrade played as the lone striker, with Nakajima as the attacking midfielder, Masaya Shibayama on the right wing, and Reiya Sakata on the left. Manager Arthur Papas revealed that he only informed Thiago—who noted it was his first time in the number 9 role—of the start on the day before the match. This marked another tactical experiment following the "double number 10" system used two matches ago against Vissel Kobe. "I thought it would turn out well. With Thiago in the middle, we can exploit the space behind the defense from either side, which gives the team an advantage," Shunta Tanaka remarked after the game, and the new formation functioned from the start. In the 4th minute, Shibayama cut in from the right after a throw-in to record the first shot. In the 5th minute, Nelson Ishiwatari won the ball high up to launch a short counter, but Thiago missed the target from Shibayama’s final pass. In the 10th minute, Nelson intercepted again in midfield, leading to a sequence through Thiago, Nakajima, and Sakata, ending with a powerful long-range strike from Nakajima. Manager Papas, who stated the day before that the team would not play tentatively, shared the objective of starting with high intensity and aggression for the first 15 minutes. Cerezo successfully seized control. Their intent to build from the back was clear; Shibayama, drifting inside from the right, along with Nakajima, Shunta Tanaka, and Nelson, created numerical advantages in midfield to draw the opponent out, allowing Thiago and Sakata to attack the space behind with speed. Another chance came in the 24th minute when Ayumu Ohata crossed after being played into space by Shibayama, but Nakajima could not finish after cutting inside. Defensively, Cerezo’s pressing forced the opponent into long balls which they recovered, holding Gamba to zero shots until late in the half. Despite controlling the rhythm, a misplaced central pass in the 38th minute allowed Gamba a short counter, resulting in a decisive shot by Welton that Kosuke Nakamura brilliantly saved with his right foot. Another scare followed in the 40th minute, but Ohata threw himself to block Dawhan's effort. Cerezo then took the lead from this momentum. After Takeru Kishimoto picked up the loose ball from Ohata’s block, his cross drifted to the far side, leading to a sequence involving Hayato Okuda, Shibayama, and Rikito Inoue that eventually broke down the right flank. Nakajima laid off Shibayama’s forward pass with his heel, and Shunta Tanaka delivered a pinpoint through ball. Thiago ran onto the pass—which Tanaka said was intended to be hit first-time—and struck a first-time shot through the legs of goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi. The "Number 9 Thiago" brought the opening goal, and another chance arose in the 43rd minute via a simulated counter. Nakajima played an exquisite pass into space on the left from Thiago’s layoff, but Sakata pulled up with a hamstring injury while chasing it. Sakata was unable to continue and was replaced by Yumeki Yokoyama as the half ended. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/2468c96735ec4d158259f70c489514af/0413MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/996a3438f9e2427c8fa4add30f2e76c3/0413MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Following an excellent first half characterized by unified intent in both offense and defense, Gamba took control from the start of the second half. Having increased their midfield intensity through substitutions, Gamba earned a penalty in the 68th minute when Harumi Minamino got behind the defense from Shuto Abe’s pass and was fouled by Inoue. Given the flow of the second half, an equalizer could have shifted the momentum entirely, but Nakamura saved Deniz Hummet’s penalty. Although Abe pushed in the rebound, the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. In the 84th minute, Gamba created another clear chance after breaking down the flank, but Inoue blocked the final shot. In the 86th minute, Sakuragawa and Uejo were introduced, with Sakuragawa holding the ball up to buy time. While Cerezo failed to create decisive chances in the second half, they kept Gamba scoreless until the final whistle. During the lengthy 13-minute stoppage time, they held firm with a five-back system as Shunta Tanaka dropped deep, securing a 1-0 victory and successfully avenging their opening-day defeat. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/bef39dd158764827ac0ce62094f735bd/0413MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e94272ceeccf4785a2fa90f92c618c8d/0413MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> "The Derby is special, and the emotions are different from a regular match. With the pride of both sides on the line, it is rewarding and important to win. Since we let our supporters see the opponent celebrating at our home in the opener, I wanted us to show them our celebration after winning at their home today," said Captain Shunta Tanaka. Manager Papas, securing a second consecutive victory at Panasonic Stadium Suita following last year’s opener, attributed the win to "everyone fulfilling their roles and sharing the same vision." He remained focused, adding, "Next week is a different match. We need to switch our focus." In the next fixture against Kyoto Sanga F.C. at home, Cerezo Osaka will aim for consecutive wins with their unified approach once more. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0d54699954c34859bc795f77d85a4a7a/0413MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Gamba Osaka vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 100 Year Vision League MD10)

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached for Raia Hayashi of Kokushikan University to join the club for the 2026/27 season (in January 2027). <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"My name is Raia Hayashi from Kokushikan University, and I will be joining Cerezo Osaka from 2027. I am truly proud to take my first steps as a professional footballer, a path I have envisioned since childhood, at this historic club. I am who I am today because of my family, who have continued to support me, as well as my coaches and teammates. I am truly grateful. I will continue to uphold the attitude I valued at Kokushikan University, "one step more, one step faster," and to repay everyone through results, I will contribute to the team with my characteristic drive and work rate. I will maintain a relentless pursuit of victory and continue to fight with grit and single-minded dedication at all times. I will work hard to demonstrate my value on the pitch and become a player who can move the hearts of everyone who supports me as soon as possible. To all Cerezo Osaka fans and supporters, thank you for your support." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth December 8, 2004 Place of Birth ShigaNiigata Height / Weight 181cm / 76kg Position Defender Career Mito JFC Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-15 Kyoto Tachibana High School Kokushikan University Playing Style A physically imposing full-back who has excelled for the All Japan University Select Team and the Kanto University Select Team. His strengths lie in his dynamic play utilizing his gifted physique, and he also possesses a powerful mid-range shot. Defensively, he is solid and characterized by his high level of selflessness and dedication.

Kokushikan University's Raia Hayashi agreed to join Cerezo Osaka for the 2026/27 season (January 2027)

<h3 id="h3c8c10a143">Defense collapses early in the second half to concede three as Cerezo Osaka reach the midway point of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League West in 9th, looking to bounce back in the upcoming Osaka Derby.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b6891bf10d144953b0f6d4350dbfb9c4/0406MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Twelve days after the penalty shootout victory against Vissel Kobe, following the international break, Cerezo Osaka traveled away to face Nagoya Grampus for Matchday 9 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round, aiming for consecutive wins. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ada14b0c6fc44ba0b98716d8af34b514/0406MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> While Manager Arthur Papas had employed a "double number 10" system against Kobe, he returned to a 4-2-3-1 with Solomon Sakuragawa as the lone striker for this match. Cerezo seized the momentum early on, controlling possession through Sakuragawa to enter the opponent's half and pinning them back by winning second balls. The first chance came in the 18th minute. Hayato Okuda, starting at right-back again, broke into the box after a one-two with Masaya Shibayama. Although blocked by a defender, the resulting corner created a threat. Sakuragawa flicked Shibayama’s delivery at the near post, but Nelson Ishiwatari just failed to connect at the far post. The game remained balanced after the 20th minute. In the 24th minute, Nagoya broke through Cerezo's left flank, but Ishiwatari desperately cleared the cross. Nagoya missed a decisive chance from the ensuing corner as the shot went over the bar. Cerezo responded in the 32nd minute when Shunta Tanaka intercepted a pass in the center, leading to a Shibayama chance via another one-two with Tanaka. In the 33rd minute, Nagoya threatened through the middle with two vertical passes, but Ayumu Ohata covered well. Shinnosuke Hatanaka also cleared a dangerous situation in the 34th minute after an intercepted pass intended for Ishiwatari. In the 41st minute, Ohata delivered a sharp cross after being played in by Shibayama, but Nagoya's defense cleared before a shot could be taken. Both sides reached the goalmouth, but committed defending kept the score 0-0 at halftime. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/825443f413fa406fb009ed95e0c71c4e/0406MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0c9121cf9ddc42799fa435a47f0fbc02/0406MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> As wind and rain intensified in the second half with Cerezo playing against the wind, the deadlock broke in the 46th minute. Rikito Inoue failed to fully clear a long ball, allowing Nagoya striker Yuya Yamagishi to settle possession and score in a one-on-one with the keeper. A shaky Cerezo conceded again in the 53rd minute; an intercepted pass in their own half led to a swift vertical attack, finished by another Yamagishi goal, this time a header from a cross. Immediately after the second goal, Manager Papas made a double substitution, bringing on Motohiko Nakajima and Yumeki Yokoyama for Inoue and Reiya Sakata. Shunta Tanaka dropped to center-back, while Nakajima paired with Ishiwatari in a double pivot. Yokoyama took up Sakata's spot on the right wing and energized the attack. He attempted a shot himself in the 58th minute and delivered an exquisite cross in the 61st, though Thiago Andrade could not finish. In the 74th minute, Shinji Kagawa and Shion Homma replaced Shibayama and Thiago. Cerezo's intent to build from the back became clearer, creating a decisive chance in the 87th minute through Kagawa and Nakajima, but Ohata’s shot was saved by keeper Daniel Schmidt. Another chance arrived in stoppage time as Homma, released on the left by a delicate Kagawa pass, saw his placed effort saved again. Unable to find a consolation goal, Cerezo fell 0-3. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/80a91b83722446c193d27e36de256620/0406MR.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/7ff19c5992194b499d647838d9787c31/0406MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> With the defeat at the midway point of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100-Year Vision League Regional League Round, the gap to leaders Kobe has widened. However, the next match is the Osaka Derby at Gamba Osaka’s home. "Current form doesn't matter. I want to head into the away match with a strong mindset," said Shunta Tanaka. For the coming week, Hatanaka emphasized the importance of preparation: "It's about how much heart we can put into training based on today's reflections to bring energy and passion to the team." Aiming to avenge the penalty loss in the season opener at home, Cerezo will look to secure all three points on rival territory. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d63ee939571741618ad714166cd7e419/0406MR%20(8)%20(1).jpg" alt="">

Review: Nagoya Grampus vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 100 Year Vision League MD9)

<h3 id="h2172aa8145">False nine works as Rikito Inoue scores the opener, and despite a second-half equalizer, Cerezo win on penalties to crown the Yodoko Sakura Stadium finale.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8e66cc4b8f364d659e29257211fc8a68/0324MR.jpg" alt=""> In this matchday of three consecutive league fixtures and back-to-back home games, Cerezo Osaka faced Vissel Kobe at Yodoko Sakura Stadium for Matchday 8 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round. The starting eleven saw six changes from the previous match against Fagiano Okayama. Hayato Okuda and Shion Homma made their first starts of the season, while Kyohei Noborizato returned for the first time since Matchday 1, Masaya Shibayama and Reiya Sakata since Matchday 4, and Shinnosuke Hatanaka since Matchday 6. Kim Jin Hyeon also returned to the bench after being sidelined with an injury. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/603bb86dbb74449194c70217cc3ac29e/0324MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> Solomon Sakuragawa, who had started seven consecutive matches this season, began on the bench. In the much-anticipated frontline, Homma and Shibayama took up the twin-striker positions. However, they did not simply stay forward; they dropped deep from the center to receive the ball, progressing while creating numerical advantages in midfield. "I dropped deep at the right timing into positions where the center-backs couldn't catch me or the opponent's defensive midfielders couldn't see me, touched the ball, and moved forward again. I played while constantly changing the opponent's line of sight," said Shibayama after the match, as Cerezo proceeded without letting the Kobe players clearly identify who was marking whom. "The idea was to control the game in a 'double pivot, double number 10' formation to close the distances, which led to today's tactical approach," stated Manager Arthur Papas regarding today's intent. When the two "false nines" dropped deep, there were moments where Shunta Tanaka or Nelson Ishiwatari moved forward, and Thiago Andrade on the left flank was also used effectively. In the 11th minute, Thiago broke through the space on the left from a Shibayama through-ball and delivered a cross. It was cleared by a defender, but the resulting corner led to the opening goal. For the first corner, they opted for a short corner. After shifting the opponent's focus, Sakata picked up the second ball and shot after a dribble. Although narrowly denied by the goalkeeper, they succeeded in taking the lead on the next corner. Rikito Inoue met Shibayama's cross to the near post. In the middle of the first half, the defensive block dropped, leading to periods where Kobe held possession and pinned them back. In the 19th and 33rd minutes, Kobe picked up second balls from corners and long throws to fire mid-range shots, but they missed the target. In the 39th minute, Shibayama received a pass in the center and carried it forward to shoot, and there was another decisive chance in first-half stoppage time. Finally, Thiago cut inside and delivered an exquisite right-footed cross; Sakata lunged in for a volley, but it went over the crossbar. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ba1b23c106f24bd9a0dea8bb222c8a9b/0324MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cf42b41b2c11495bbbe8f4c63b02f885/0324MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Ayumu Ohata replaced Noborizato at the start of the second half. The second half also began with Cerezo in control. In the 51st and 52nd minutes, they gained successive set-piece opportunities, and Homma lunged toward a cross from Ohata, who had picked up the second ball. In the 59th minute, Manager Papas substituted Sakuragawa for Homma, seeking a decisive second goal. However, in the 68th minute, Mitsuki Hidaka of Kobe struck a powerful shot from a goalmouth scramble to equalize. "Cerezo had players back, but conversely, having so many people made it ambiguous as to who should close down the ball," said Inoue. It was a moment where they were caught in an instantaneous "air pocket." As Kobe intensified their offensive from this point, Cerezo were forced onto the defensive. Especially toward the end of the match, Kobe increased their set-piece opportunities and pinned them back, but Cerezo managed to clear the danger and did not allow a go-ahead goal. Then, a decisive chance arrived in second-half stoppage time. After Hatanaka spread the play to the right, the ball moved through Dion Cools to Okuda, who delivered a pinpoint cross. Sakuragawa met it with his head, but the header missed the target. Subsequently, Yumeki Yokoyama, released by a Shinji Kagawa pass, broke through vertically and shot. It deflected off an opponent and nearly sailed into the net, but narrowly failed to score. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1c53d32b920248fdb8e411369316ab80/0324MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b61e91fc58d4474f96e06d3a973ab629/0324MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> The match ended 1-1. The decision was left to a penalty shootout, where all five of Cerezo's takers—Kagawa, Cools, Shunta Tanaka, Hatanaka, and Rikito Inoue—were successful. Kobe's first five also converted without blinking. While Shibayama, appearing as the sixth taker for Cerezo, scored, the shot from Kobe's sixth taker, Kento Hamasaki, struck the crossbar. Cerezo Osaka crowned their final match at Yodoko Sakura Stadium with a victory. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/6ed28d6f71ac423bbea77fddfce6358d/0324MR%20(4).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Vissel Kobe (J1 100 Year Vision League MD8)

<h3 id="ha71e92f29f">Cerezo Osaka take the lead via the Yumeki Yokoyama-Solomon Sakuragawa hotline but end in a regrettable comeback defeat, looking for a win in the next home fixture against Vissel Kobe.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1299590f8c444872a36cdd2dc1879ea5/0320MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Three days after the dramatic comeback victory against Kyoto Sanga F.C. in the previous match, Cerezo Osaka hosted Fagiano Okayama at home for Matchday 7 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round. The starting eleven saw one change from the previous match. Hinata Kida replaced Shinnosuke Hatanaka, who was substituted in the last game; Kida played as a defensive midfielder, while Shunta Tanaka dropped back to center-back. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b8c49b396af843879d1bcbb30fa009fc/0320MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> The match began under chilling rain, and in the early stages, Okayama held possession and used the width of the pitch, allowing their left wing-back Towa Yamane to threaten with crosses and shots after cutting inside. In attack, Cerezo struggled to progress the ball initially against Okayama's man-oriented pressing, but they moved forward by effectively using long balls to Solomon Sakuragawa. In the 13th minute, Yumeki Yokoyama picked up a second ball from a Sakuragawa aerial challenge and played a pass into the space behind. Although it narrowly failed to reach Motohiko Nakajima, it created a situation that would have been a decisive chance had it connected. In the 19th minute, Cerezo succeeded in taking the lead. The play started with goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura passing through the center, moving to Nelson Ishiwatari before being carried to the left flank. From there, Hinata Kida provided support in the center again, and with Sakuragawa acting as the focal point, the play expanded to the right side. This created a one-on-one situation for Yokoyama while facing forward; Yokoyama beat his marker with a feint and delivered a swift cross. Sakuragawa surged toward the lofted ball and scored with a high-point header. From this point, Cerezo increased their possession and spent more time playing in the opponent's half. However, in the 45th minute, as the midfield and defensive line dropped momentarily against an Okayama attack, Dion Cools initially blocked a header from Werik Popo following a cross, but the loose ball was picked up by Yamane on the opposite side. After allowing a cross from a high position, Werik Popo headed the ball in at the far post. Considering the flow of the game, it was a first half that Cerezo would have wanted to conclude with at least a one-goal lead. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/783e023597e44deeb5774feea16d5f7d/0320MR.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8e844e3e6b3746d5b713fe6113743f13/0320MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> Okayama went on the offensive from the start of the second half. In the 55th minute, Werik Popo broke through the defense into a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Nakamura spread his body to prevent a shot. In attack, as in the first half, chances arose from Sakuragawa holding up the ball early in the second half. Thiago Andrade in the 54th minute and Dion Cools in the 60th minute managed to get shots away. However, as the attacks ended in isolation, Cerezo conceded the go-ahead goal to Okayama in the 69th minute. Against Yamane, who had frequently found himself free since the first half, the pressure became slack, and his curling right-footed cross sailed directly into the far side of the net. While it was an unlucky goal, it was also an "accident" resulting from being pinned back. As in the previous match, the second-line players were completely replaced during the second half. Masaya Shibayama, Reiya Sakata, and Shion Homma were introduced in quick succession, and Shinji Kagawa, returning to the squad for the first time in three matches, also entered as a defensive midfielder to distribute the ball and build play. In the 74th minute, Sakuragawa turned and Shibayama carried the ball on a dribble to provide a final pass; Homma cut inside and shot, but it was blocked by a defender. In the 82nd minute, Sakuragawa had another chance from a Homma pass but could not finish the shot. While Sakuragawa had been peerless in the first half, he was marked more tightly in the second half and faced Okayama's proactive defending. In the 84th minute, Wigi Kanemoto was introduced as the fifth substitute. With the aim of "picking up the balls contested by Solo-kun (Sakuragawa), distributing them to the surroundings, and getting into the box for crosses" (Kanemoto), Cerezo launched a final counter-attack but could not create a decisive opening as time expired. It was a bittersweet professional debut for Kanemoto, and for the entire team, a comeback defeat that left a sense of regret. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b8a0769aed5a48b69b46ab9d3dd662ef/0320MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d732a903beee4b6bb1af62f3d69ccd34/0320MR%20(9).jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1079" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/dd57679063f94781acc7d8cf289a8973/0320MR%20(10).jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1079" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Fagiano Okayama (J1 100 Year Vision League MD7)

<h3 id="hfb5a20624a">Conceding early in the 2nd half, Cerezo level through Reiya Sakata’s first-ever J1 goal before Shunta Tanaka strikes a winner in the last minutes to seal a dramatic comeback win.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/7aa464f0bc6645eeb5615bbd3c4a92db/0316MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> Six days after Matchday 5 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100-Year Vision League Regional League Round against Shimizu S-Pulse, Cerezo Osaka traveled away to take on Kyoto Sanga F.C. for Matchday 6. The starting eleven remained unchanged from the previous match, while Wigi Kanemoto was named among the substitutes for the first time this season. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ca1b81a0531a46e5b356a9910871d991/0316MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> In the 6th minute, Solomon Sakuragawa held the ball up front and broke through vertically, creating a chance with a cross. Immediately after, Cerezo were dispossessed during their build-up, leading to a dangerous counter-attack. While the match began in a thrilling end-to-end fashion, the first half proceeded at Kyoto’s pace. Dominating possession and winning second balls, the home side pushed Cerezo back. In the 17th minute, Marco Tulio broke through Cerezo’s left flank, creating a major threat, but Shinnosuke Hatanaka tracked back with desperate coverage to ensure the shot went wide. Two minutes later, Tulio broke through again, but this time Ayumu Ohata’s tenacious defending prevented a shot. Cerezo responded immediately with a big chance of their own; Nelson Ishiwatari received a layoff from Sakuragawa and played a final pass to Yumeki Yokoyama, who cut in from the right to shoot, though his effort was blocked by a defender. Kyoto intensified their pressure in the final ten minutes of the half. They created back-to-back decisive chances in the 41st and 44th minutes; the former was denied by a fingertips save from Kosuke Nakamura, while the latter missed the target. Cerezo had their own moment in the 37th minute when Ohata penetrated deep into the opponent's territory from a high throw-in and fired a left-footed shot from a tight angle, only to be stopped by the goalkeeper. While Sakuragawa’s hard work was a highlight, Cerezo’s attacks remained isolated. Nevertheless, with Rikito Inoue, Hatanaka, and Ishiwatari putting their bodies on the line, the match went into the break at 0-0. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ead099ae51fa4363a6aeaca2852eef4a/0316MR%20(1).jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1079" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/357e83c72cd34bceb304bab8588643aa/0316MR%20(2).jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1079" alt=""> Kyoto continued their momentum at the start of the second half. Following a free kick awarded after a build-up error, Nakamura parried a sharp, curling shot, but the ensuing corner led to a goal. Although Nakamura initially clawed the ball away, it wasn't cleared effectively, allowing Marco Tulio to turn it in. Chasing a goal, Cerezo began their counter-offensive. In the 54th minute, Sakuragawa held the ball tenaciously, and Yokoyama broke down the flank to cross for Thiago Andrade, whose effort went straight to the goalkeeper. Another decisive chance followed in the 57th minute; Thiago broke through on the left via a one-two with Motohiko Nakajima, and Yokoyama received the cutback, turning to shoot. It was a fluid move, but the goalkeeper produced a fine save. Recognizing the pivotal moment, Manager Arthur Papas introduced fresh attacking midfielders. In the 62nd minute, Masaya Shibayama replaced Ishiwatari, with Shibayama moving to the number 10 role and Nakajima dropping into defensive midfield. After Shibayama initiated a chance in the 67th minute, both wingers were substituted in the 70th minute, with Shion Homma and Reiya Sakata coming on for Thiago and Yokoyama. "Since the game had been difficult, Shion and I came on determined to change the flow," Sakata said afterward—and he did exactly that with his first involvement. In the 71st minute, Sakata received a layoff from Sakuragawa following a feed from Ohata and drove through the center. After drawing in the defense, he spread the play to the right for Dion Cools, whose shot was blocked, but Sakata pounced on the rebound and lashed a right-footed strike into the net. It was a joyful first goal on the J1 stage. Celebrating his first such moment in his fourth professional year, he let out a scream of pure emotion. Another chance followed in the 73rd minute; Ohata, Sakata, and Homma combined to tear the side open, and Shibayama met Homma’s cross at the near post, but his side-footed effort cleared the bar. Shibayama had another golden opportunity in the 82nd minute, skillfully rounding the keeper and feinting past a defender, only to see his finish blocked. Despite swinging the momentum, the number 48 expressed both satisfaction and regret after failing to clinical once again. The closing stages turned into another back-and-forth battle, but Shunta Tanaka covered vast ground to snuff out Kyoto’s threats. Then, drama unfolded in stoppage time. In the 90+6th minute, a kick from Nakamura was worked through Sakuragawa and Homma to break the center, putting Sakata through on goal. He fired what he felt was a certain goal, but it was denied by a big save. Nevertheless, the resulting corner led to the winner. Tanaka met Nakajima’s near-post delivery. "I had been targeting the far post until then, but at that moment I felt it was coming to the near side," Tanaka said, having outmuscled his marker to find the net. Cerezo shifted to a back five to see out the match, securing a brilliant comeback victory in Kyoto for the second consecutive season. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/57ffced6dff2453e92e11d97002ef5ce/0316MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e00105afd82146199f7d422b38642e07/0316MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> "The substitutes made a real impact. It doesn't always go this well, but it did today. That said, the players who started and built the game also did a great job," said Manager Papas, praising everyone who took the pitch. Despite enduring a difficult spell from the end of the first half into the start of the second and conceding first, the team overturned the deficit through collective strength, including the bench. This marked consecutive wins following the penalty shootout victory in the previous match, lifting Cerezo to 5th place. The next match is at home in three days against Fagiano Okayama, where the team will aim for a third straight win to climb even higher. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/48519c4593504155ae93b426cc290d20/0316MR%20(5).jpg" alt="">

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