<h3 id="h9acef807b3">The “Brazilian Quartet” all started and helped the team win 5-1 against Kamatamare Sanuki in the first round of the J.League YBC Levain Cup.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/41b3da13cf4d44ab800f713e54ce3df9/0321MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> The J.League YBC Levain Cup has finally begun. Cerezo Osaka traveled to the home stadium of Kamatamare Sanuki, who play in the J3 League, for the first round match. There were five changes in the starting lineup from the last match against Yokohama FC in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. Up front, four Brazilian players all started in an attacking 4-3-3 formation, with Shunta Tanaka at anchor and Motohiko Nakajima and Vitor Bueno at inside half. Kyohei Noborizato made his first start in an official match this season, returning to Kagawa Prefecture where he spent his high school years. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/be8762eacc2c4009b5ff516cd321a843/0321MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> From the start, Cerezo controlled the game by pressuring their opponents and forcing them to make mistakes. In the 10th minute, Lucas Fernandes fired in a shot from a short counterattack, and in the 14th minute, Rafael Ratao met Thiago Andrade's cross after a pass from Bueno. The “Brazilian Quartet” was aggressive in their pursuit of the goal, and in the 21st minute, Cerezo took the lead. After winning the second ball of a corner kick, Ratao made a cross into the middle of the pitch. Hayato Okuda picked up a ball cleared by a defender, advanced vertically, feinted off an opponent, cut back, and sent in a left-footed cross that was met by Andrade's head in the far corner. Another chance came in the 24th minute from a short corner. Ratao met Fernandes' cross, but missed the target. Cerezo continued to switch quickly between attack and defense, using their press to induce mistakes from their opponents and counterattack. Andrade, who used his natural speed to get behind the opponents many times in this match, also came close to scoring from the flanks. The first half ended as a one-sided game for Cerezo, with Sanuki having only one shot on goal, a header from a corner kick. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f01ce74f28c049abab2f843e143d8e61/0321MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0775667cc74547ba82587a0ef946d1c6/0321MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo made a good start in the second half as well, with Ratao pouncing on Andrade's cross from Nakajima's pass down the flank. As in the first half, they took advantage of their vertical drive to score a goal, but soon after, a momentary lapse in possession resulted in conceding a goal. A throw-in on the left flank was intercepted by the opponents and a quick change of sides resulted in Fernandes being unable to get back and Okuda, who was dealing with the opponent's left wing-back, being unable to prevent him from dribbling. Goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon reacted quickly to play a crossed shot from there, but it hit the foot of Shinnosuke Hatanaka, who was forced to react while going back, and went in for the goal. In the 48th minute, an own goal equalized the score. Sanuki, cheered on by the home crowd, attacked hard for about five minutes, but Cerezo held firm in front of the goal to prevent a goal from being scored, and in the 59th minute, they succeeded in scoring the winner. After a corner kick, Cerezo picked up the second ball and attacked aggressively, and finally Ratao scored the winner after getting behind a defender from a pass by Hatanaka. Thereafter, Cerezo dominated the game, creating a number of chances on the counterattacks against Sanuki, who had to attack forward. In the 74th minute, Fernandes scored the third goal with a penalty kick he won himself, and in the 77th minute, Bueno scored the fourth goal with a gentle pass from Ratao, who cut off an opponent's back pass. In the 84th minute, after carefully passing the ball from their own half, Uejo scored the fifth and decisive goal when he met Sota Kitano's cross from Tanaka's through ball on the left side with a direct finish. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/884b0284b309471e8e7299c9c817b2f1/0321MR.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cbd864e4faba460b82f8e0fce747306c/0321MR%20(8).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9718119d9bd74b2ca834e8e3777bbf51/0321MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Jaroensak Wonggorn, making his official debut for Cerezo, also had a good chance, and Cerezo kept pushing until the very end to win 5-1. “The win was a testament to the team's (attacking) mentality,” said the manager, who had a look of satisfaction after the victory. The team now advances to the second match of the first round, where they will face the winner of Tokushima Vortis vs FC Imabari. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/56ad1f0ceda046ff9c24ec280bea0b11/0321MR%20(7).jpg" alt="">

Review: Kamatamare Sanuki 1-5 Cerezo Osaka (Levain Cup 1st Rd)

<h3 id="h2d9ae0b63e">Unable to break down Yokohama FC's defense, the match ended scoreless for Cerezo for the first time this season. Both offense and defense had their problems, including two goals conceded and intensity.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ad71482a4ae44d35a82d3641bed6cb1e/0316MR.jpg" alt=""> Six days after the previous game against Nagoya Grampus, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Cerezo Osaka went into the sixth round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Yokohama FC looking for their first win since the season opener. There was one change in the starting lineup from the Nagoya game. Rafael Ratao replaced Reiya Sakata on the left wing. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/83438cb1b9134f8992be1081d9bf9e82/0316MR%20(9).jpg" alt=""> Despite losing the ball on the flank and being caught out early in the game, Cerezo were able to keep possession and the game going after that. However, Cerezo could not deliver effective passes against Yokohama FC's well-organized defense, while Yokohama FC created chances in the 15th and 17th minutes when they counterattacked from a misplaced pass and sent in a cross following a side-change pass, respectively. Both shots went wide, but it was a shaky start for Cerezo. In the 21st minute, Cerezo also won the ball and had a chance. Motohiko Nakajima, again starting in the striker position in the match, got the ball and sent a pass to Ratao, who went inside from the left flank, but his trap was not accurate and he could not make a shot. After falling behind due to Yokohama FC's aggressiveness in attack and defense, Cerezo conceded a goal in the 27th minute. After a throw-in, Solomon Sakuragawa kept the ball deep on our left flank, and Niko Takahashi and Hinata Kida were unable to stop him, allowing him to turn and send a cross into the box for Kota Yamada to score. Even after conceding a goal, Cerezo were still unable to mount a fightback, but in the 34th minute, they had their first real chance of the match. Lucas Fernandes' free kick was flicked by Nakajima at the near post, and Shunta Tanaka hit it with his foot at the far post, but the ball just went wide. The first half ended with Cerezo a goal behind. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/931a5e68506245a2b3a4c39420f562a1/0316MR%20(8).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/533a65cd8bfb482eb993e4df9fd6faf4/0316MR%20(10).jpg" alt=""> At the start of the second half, manager Arthur Papas made two changes. Sakata and Vitor Bueno replaced Fernandes and Kida. This substitution changed the formation of the midfield to a 4-3-3 with Tanaka as the anchor and Kitano and Bueno lined up as the inside halves. With more players to receive the ball, the overall distance between players improved, and Cerezo succeeded in pushing their opponents higher up the field. Even when they lost the ball, they immediately counter-pressed to win the ball back and continued to play in the opponents' half. The team was looking to tie the game, but in the 53rd minute, a second goal was scored for the opponents. After losing the ball in the opposition half, a quick change of sides resulted in a sharp cross by Akito Fukumori that goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon was unable to keep out, and the ball spilled out to Towa Yamane who scored a goal. It was a disappointing goal for Cerezo as they were just beginning to find their rhythm on the counterattack. From this point on, Cerezo held the ball more and tried to make inroads into Yokohama FC's defensive block. In the 56th minute, following a pass from Tanaka, Sota Kitano turned and swung his left foot just over the crossbar. In the 63rd minute, Kitano received a pass from Shinnosuke Hatanaka, and passed further forward to Nakajima. As in the previous match, they broke up the opposition with two vertical passes, but Nakajima's shot was stopped by the goalkeeper. After that, manager Papas brought on Kyohei Noborizato, Hayato Okuda, and Thiago Andrade, and tried to use both flanks more effectively, but the situation remained the same. As Yokohama FC dropped their blocking position with a two-goal lead, Cerezo continued to have the ball, but they were unable to break down their opponents' defense. In the 90th minute, Yokohama FC's Sho Ito, who came on midway through the game, found the net, but was ruled offside. Cerezo, however, could not create any good chances until the very end, and ended without scoring for the first time this season. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/5578f4874e8949f7863c641ddd70719c/0316MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/59453cd636694e81a25ee1a9d9cf607e/0316MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> After the game, Nakajima reflected on his team's performance: “We needed to show more fighting spirit, as well as intensity on the ball. When we didn't have that, we lost the game we were supposed to lose today." Tanaka, on the other hand, said, “Against an opponent who was trying to press forward, all we did was pass the ball to our feet. We needed to do more simple things that they didn't like, such as running behind them." The game presented Cerezo with a number of challenges in terms of attack, defense, and intensity, but manager Arthur Papas said emphatically, “We will definitely make corrections and improve." After a J.League YBC Levain Cup match, Cerezo will host Urawa Reds in their next league game. Until then, the team as a whole must share a sense of crisis and rebuild. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/94267d612434499b90a1439d9016f121/0316MR%20(7).jpg" alt="">

Review: Yokohama FC 2-0 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD6)

<h3 id="h4f68731828">Sota Kitano's fourth goal of the season gave the team the lead, but in the second half they were unable to convert good chances and conceded a goal in the last minutes, resulting in a frustrating draw.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/22ec95364d304d709152dbd324b5e1ee/0308HP%20(11).jpg" alt=""> Five days after the previous game against Albirex Niigata, which halted a two-game losing streak, Cerezo Osaka returned home to face Nagoya Grampus in the fifth round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, looking for their first home win of the season. There were three changes in the starting lineup from the previous match. Niko Takahashi made his first J1 start, while Reiya Sakata and Hinata Kida returned to the starting lineup for the first time in two games. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/02b67c92da4b4395a9c2f409746cbdd9/0309MR%20(10).jpg" alt=""> From the beginning of the first half, Cerezo controlled the ball and made passes to get into the opponents' half. However, with Nagoya attacking out wide and simply trying to penetrate in behind our defenders, Nagoya got their first real chance in the 12th minute when a long kick from the final line was collected by Kensuke Nagai, who dribbled and fired a shot that was saved by goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon. In the 26th minute, Cerezo had a good chance. Sota Kitano beat an opponent and passed to Sakata on the left flank. Sakata cut in and fired a shot that was blocked by a defender. In the 31st minute, Nagoya attacked on our own left flank and had a decisive moment, but Mateus Castro's shot sailed over the crossbar. Another strong shot came from Sho Inagaki of Nagoya in the 37th minute from a cleared ball off a corner kick, but goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon again made a great save to prevent the goal from scoring. Then, Cerezo took the lead in first-half added time. Shinnosuke Hatanaka had the ball free and passed it to the center of the pitch. Kida then ran onto the ball and passed it forward with one touch. Nakajima ran in and sent in a cross, which Kitano fired into the net. This goal, which was scored with two vertical passes, was a wonderful reflection of manager Arthur Papas' philosophy of “always moving forward." <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a2f84a81867e4ac8882f7ee25acb3880/0309MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/78db79c4baf04642ba48c14a91229a1c/0309MR%20(11).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo had an excellent start to the second half, playing aggressively on both offense and defense, but in the 49th and 50th minutes, Lucas Fernandes failed to get a shot off the target. In the 61st minute, Cerezo seemed to be outmatched by Nagoya, who made three changes to their starting lineup, but manager Papas quickly brought on Shinji Kagawa and Masaya Shibayama to get the ball rolling again. In the 66th minute, Nakajima met a corner kick by Takahashi, but his header was stopped by Yohei Takeda, a former Cerezo goalkeeper. Takahashi is likely to continue to play a good role in corner kicks, as he did in the 67th minute, taking a kick with a trajectory that seemed to go directly into the goal. In the 74th minute, Fernandes got behind the opponent from a pass by Hatanaka and sent a cross to Kagawa, who ran to meet it, but his shot was stopped by a defender. In the 84th minute, Hatanaka met Fernandes' corner kick at the near post, but his header hit the crossbar. In the second half, Cerezo controlled the game for the most part, but after failing to convert a series of chances, they conceded in the 85th minute. Nagoya played the ball from the center to our left flank, broke through, and crossed for Mateus Castro to score. In the second half, Cerezo had not given their opponents any real chances up to that point, but they were done in by one shot. In the 87th minute, Kitano took a pass from Kagawa and fired in a shot, and in added time, Nakajima took a vertical pass from Takahashi, turned and shot. It was a good shot, but was blocked by goalkeeper Takeda. Shortly after, Fernandes met Shibayama's cross at the far post, but his shot was deflected off the post. The game ended 1-1. The two teams shared a point. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0efbf0de374d4c59bdf6246a60d94072/0309MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d10689fb8a554973ba08ae9ef1c6e255/0309MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> The first half was evenly contested, with each side playing to their strengths, but in the second half Cerezo were able to push forward for much of the half, so the 1-1 draw was a disappointing result. Reflecting on the match, captain Shunta Tanaka said, “We were able to perform in today's game what we have been doing in practice. We believe in what the boss (manager Arthur Papas) is offering us, and I think today was a game in which we were able to express that on the pitch." Looking ahead, he added, "We're not getting good results at the moment, but what we are doing is not wrong, so we just keep believing in it and keep working on it." The fact that they were able to keep up their speedy attack of turning the arrow of the pass forward for 90 minutes plus second-half added time was a positive outcome of this match. In the next match, they will look to improve their accuracy and score more than one goal to get their second win of the season. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/bf379c57c5c1472ea6253ec3747ad90f/0309MR%20(12).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka 1-1 Nagoya Grampus (J1 MD5)

<h3 id="hf7c6d205a0">Despite being ahead twice, goals by Motohiko Nakajima and Rafael Ratao against their former team secured a dramatic draw.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0918a713646a49fc87e37056739a3567/0303MH.jpg" alt=""> Three days after the last match against Kashiwa Reysol, Cerezo Osaka went on the road to face Albirex Niigata in the fourth round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, looking for their first win in three matches. There were four changes in the starting lineup from the Kashiwa game. Thiago Andrade and Vitor Bueno made their first starts of the season, while Lucas Fernandes and Shinosuke Hatanaka returned to the starting lineup after two games. The team played a 4-3-3 with Shunta Tanaka at anchor and Sota Kitano and Bueno at inside-half. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/40f397c5115f47a893dcbc5cefb89b40/0303MH%20(6).jpg" alt=""> The game started with Cerezo holding the possession right from the start, and in the 7th minute, they got a good chance when Tanaka met Fernandes' cross after a corner kick with his head, but the goalkeeper made a good save. Another chance followed in the 7th minute. Bueno dove to meet Fernandes' cross, but the defender's clearance hit the crossbar. It looked as if it would be an own goal for the visitors. Cerezo started well, but their defense up front was not working this time, and after 10 minutes, they began to lose their press, were pushed to the side and carried forward, and conceded a goal in the 17th minute. After a pass down the right flank between Ryuya Nishio, Okuda, and Fernandes was intercepted, the opponents tried to sneak in behind the defenders, and Nishio, who came in to cover, was unable to stop the ball. Ken Yamura scored from the rebound of Hayato Inamura's shot, which was deflected by goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon. This pattern of conceding goals when a player is caught in the middle of a build-up and loses the space behind the fullbacks has been repeated this season. This is the flip side of one of their strengths, but they need to do something about it from now on. After Cerezo started well but lost the flow of the game through their own fault, Niigata's momentum accelerated. However, Niigata had good chances in the 18th and 24th minutes, but Cerezo were able to deny them, and in the 28th minute Cerezo equalized. Fernandes received a pass from Okuda and delivered a fast cross from the right flank, which was headed home by Motohiko Nakajima. The number 13, who had been frustrated by his inability to convert chances during a recent losing streak, scored the equalizer. He played for Niigata in the 2020 season, but at that time, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the game was played with no cheering and limited admission, so after this game he expressed his emotion sincerely: “I was deeply moved to be able to play on the J1 stage with such a big cheer.” After that, Niigata threatened a goal in the final minutes of the first half, but the first half ended in a tie without a second goal. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/55a13de5f55d4d0f86cabf4f189a591b/0303MH%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ef3102a723d042d1b3fe01ccb8061207/0303MH%20(5).jpg" alt=""> The first chance of the second half came in the 51st minute when Cerezo's defense won the ball up front and Kitano finished quickly. In the 54th minute, the team made two changes on the left flank. Funaki was replaced by Niko Takahashi, who had just returned from the AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2025, and Andrade was replaced by Reiya Sakata in a bid to gain some momentum. Cerezo were hoping to step up their game, but as the ball became more and more unsettled and they were unable to move it forward, Niigatabegan to press and exploit the space behind the defenders, resulting in scoring a goal in the 62nd minute. After Cerezo lost the ball on their left flank, Niigata played the ball to the opposite flank and sent in a cross that was met at the near post. As with the first goal, the problem in their pressing was evident. With Niigata pushing forward and Cerezo failing to create any chances, coach Arthur Papas made a final substitution in the 75th minute, bringing on Rafael Ratao and Masaya Shibayama. Niigata also made a final change in the 84th minute, switching to a back five, and Cerezo took control of the ball and drove deep into the opponents' half as Niigata pulled back. In the midst of this development, Cerezo finally scored a crucial equalizer in second-half added time. Tanaka's through ball found Takahashi, who ran from the center to the right and crossed to the near post, where the goalkeeper spilled the ball and Ratao was on hand to push it home. The number 9, who, like Nakajima, has previous experience with Niigata, scored his first goal of the season to level the scores. Two minutes later, Ratao had another chance to score from Nishio's cross, but he was unable to get a shot off. The game ended 2-2. Although the match seemed to be going down to defeat, Cerezo were able to pull out a draw at the last minute. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e8763374d3f84355a8508c0ae3c0f1aa/0303MH%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f65cc32bc0954d9aad032c578379408d/0303MH%20(2).jpg" alt=""> As captain Tanaka recalled, “We were slow to switch over today, and were repeatedly hit by counterattacks,” Cerezo had a difficult time with Niigata outplaying them from the middle of the first half until the end of the game, taking advantage of the space behind the defense repeatedly. Even so, the players, including the substitutes, showed the determination not to give up until the very end to get a point, and "it was great to see them continue what they had been working on for the last 10 or 15 minutes and get the goal,” said manager Papas. Ratao's first J.League goal and Takahashi's J.League debut were also positive factors for the future.&nbsp;The next match is at home against Nagoya Grampus. This time Cerezo would like to get their first win since the opening game and finish the match with a smile on their faces. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/098c4c54037c4bbdbedf6dba077686e5/0303MH%20(1).jpg" alt="">

Review: Albirex Niigata 2-2 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD4)

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Rui Osako has joined SC Sagamihara on developmental loan. The loan will run until January 31, 2026. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I have decided to join SC Sagamihara on developmental loan. I will do my best to show how I will grow as a player by giving it my all." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth October 13, 2004 Place of Birth Kagoshima Height / Weight 177cm / 69kg Position Midfielder Career Taniyama SSS FC Sousarle Kamimura Gakuen Junior High School Kamimura Gakuen High School Cerezo Osaka Iwaki FC *Developmental loan Cerezo Osaka National Team U-15 Japan U-16 Japan Player Data J2: 14 games / 1 goal League Cup: 3 games / 0 goal Emperor's Cup: 3 games / 0 goal

Rui Osako joins SC Sagamihara on loan

<h3 id="h7db53015eb">Despite taking the lead with Sota Kitano's third goal of the season, the team was unable to hold on defensively in the second half and suffered a disappointing comeback loss.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d58fbdf831e0476abe0891a78c27d5e2/0227MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Three days after their 1-2 loss to Shonan Bellmare in the previous match, Cerezo Osaka traveled to Kashiwa Reysol for the third round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. There were four changes in the starting lineup from the Shonan match. Ryuya Nishio, Hinata Kida, Masaya Shibayama, and Motohiko Nakajima started for the first time this season, with Shibayama starting on the right wing and Nakajima up top. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b5337f07a4ab44f48c45e6a0b2c53c45/0227MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> As manager Arthur Papas said before the match, “In the previous game, we played backward a lot. For this week's match, we want to understand where the free, open spaces are, and we want to increase the number of options going forward," Cerezo entered the game with an aggressive attitude from the start, both offensively and defensively. Against Kashiwa, who played the ball from the back, including the goalkeeper, Cerezo limited them by pressing up front and moved forward, using the option of connecting the ball with their feet or simply playing long balls into the spaces flanking the back three, depending on the situation. While Cerezo showed improvement from the previous match, Kashiwa had the first chance to score. Wataru Harada cut inside and fired a low shot in the 12th minute, but goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon reacted quickly to make the save. Shortly after, in the 13th minute, Cerezo successfully took the lead. Shibayama received a vertical pass from Kida, cut in from the right side, and passed to Reiya Sakata on the opposite flank. Sakata's cross was cleared by a defender, but Kida and Nishio made a dash for it and reacted to the second ball. Nishio's play resulted in the ball being passed to Sota Kitano, who swung his right foot out and found the back of the net. As he himself said, “I hit it on the spur of the moment,” it was a brilliant strike that came as a natural reaction of his body. Cerezo continued to aggressively take the ball from the front, sliding up and down, left and right, and leaving no holes in the defense. In the 27th minute, Kitano received a vertical pass from Shunta Tanaka and shot. From the resulting corner kick, Nishio met Shibayama's kick with a header that flew just in front of the goalkeeper. Although Kashiwa had a chance to break down the flanks towards the end of the first half, they lacked precision in their play and Cerezo were able to capitalize. In first-half added time, Nakajima broke down the right flank and finished, but his shot went wide. Cerezo were unable to add to their tally, but they kept their focus on both offense and defense, and continued to play compactly throughout the first 45 minutes. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b3299e990e1744108d983956ec984091/0227MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/c2536bdb1aff4ab58d8d1854cb36e097/0227MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> Early in the second half, Cerezo had a big chance. Sakata took advantage of an opponent's trapping mistake and played a one-two with Kitano into the penalty area. He shot off an opponent's marker and hit the hand of a defender and went out of the goal. VAR intervened and an on-field review (OFR) was carried out, but the referee ruled “no penalty kick”. It was a decision that Cerezo did not seem to agree with, but their failure to capitalize on this good opportunity would have consequences for them later. Cerezo had another chance in the 56th minute. Ryosuke Shindo played a long pass to Shibayama on the right flank, and Kitano collected the pass from Shibayama and fired a shot but it was stopped by the goalkeeper. After a frustrating game in which it seemed as if a second goal would be scored but it was not, Kashiwa equalized in the 66th minute. After right back Hayato Okuda carried the ball and was intercepted, Kashiwa quickly switched sides and broke down Cerezo's left flank, leading to a goal from Yuki Kakita inside the box. From that point on, the tension in the home stadium increased dramatically, and Kashiwa came out firing. In the 72nd minute, Papas made three substitutions in an attempt to regain control of the game, but the changes did not work, and Cerezo were unable to stem the tide. In the 74th minute, Okuda again dribbled and lost the ball, which led to a shot that put Kashiwa back in front. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/87ae66b527e8421190d263c4aebca640/0227MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0e58640146ab443696584a78614aa3c5/0227MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo could not find a way to fight back against Kashiwa, who continued to come at them with energy and vigor. In the 81st minute, Vitor Bueno replaced Tanaka and the team tried to equalize with a more aggressive lineup, but they could not create a decisive chance, and the game ended. Cerezo came into the game with a strong aim in attack and defense, but were unable to stop Kashiwa's wide-open side attacks, and lost the game in the end. It was a frustrating away game. But there is no time to look down. The next away game is in three days. First, the team needs to get into good shape, and then the whole team will work together to get the three points. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d2da2366053c4ceba82c71f2b38e2d17/0227MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD3)

<h3 id="h11ee4a008e">The home opener of the 2025 season ended in defeat. Despite improvements in the second half, Cerezo were unable to overcome Shonan's coordinated offense and defense.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/05dd5cd3cc06481a9d565c99fad1502c/0223MR.jpg" alt=""> Seven days after a 5-2 win in the season-opening Osaka Derby, Cerezo Osaka welcomed Shonan Bellmare to Yodoko Sakura Stadium for their home opener of the season, looking for back-to-back wins. The starting lineup was the same as in the season opener. There was one change on the bench, with Hiroaki Okuno replacing Takumi Nakamura. In the 6th minute, Shonan's Akito Suzuki threatened with a header from a corner kick, but goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon made a good save. Shonan got the better of Cerezo at the start, but from then on Cerezo gradually began to have more possession. However, Shonan's coordinated defense prevented Cerezo from moving the ball forward. They were unable to use the same fluid passing that they had in the season opener, as Shonan kept the middle of the pitch tightly closed, allowing them to take the ball on the flanks. Sota Kitano, who was able to play freely in the season opener, was frustrated at times by the tight marking of Shonan’s Kohei Okuno, as he recalled, “In the first half, the opponents often played man-to-man and I had few chances to touch the ball." The team's system created mismatches on the flanks, and the creativity of Kakeru Funaki and Hayato Okuda was not fully exploited. In the midst of these developments, a goal was conceded in the 32nd minute. A pass from Funaki to Reiya Sakata on the left flank was intercepted, and the opponents passed behind our defenders. Sho Fukuda collected the ball and passed it to Shonan's No. 10, Akito Suzuki, who scored. From that point until the end of the first half, Cerezo's defense was in disarray, as Shonan had a series of decisive chances, but they were saved by Kim Jin Hyeon and the crossbar, and a second goal was avoided. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/590cd1b1730742b8bd76526568068c43/0223MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/39a271250fba4f30a86ff2ff092b3b5d/0223MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> In the second half, looking for an improvement, manager Arthur Papas made a substitution. Masaya Shibayama replaced Sakata, with Shibayama placed on the right wing and Lucas Fernandes on the left wing. However, just as they were about to fight back, they conceded a second goal in the 51st minute. Rafael Ratao lost the ball up front, and as the Cerezo players paused for a moment, thinking it was a foul, Akito Suzuki got behind the defense from a pass and dribbled in to score at the near post. Soon after, Shinji Kagawa and Ratao were replaced by Vitor Bueno and Motohiko Nakajima for Cerezo. In the 63rd minute, Fernandes pressed the ball high and Kitano got a chance to score. He had a good shot on target, but it was denied by Shonan goalkeeper Naoto Kamifukumoto. Cerezo, while wary of Shonan's counterattacks, pushed forward as a whole in search of an equalizer, and in the 89th minute, they had another chance. Nakajima headed in Shibayama's cross at the far post, but “the goalkeeper was in my sight” (Nakajima), and he was unable to hit the ball properly and it went just wide. In the added time of the second half, chances came for Bueno, who received a vertical pass from Tanaka, and for Nakajima from Bueno's corner kick, but they could not score. Cerezo rallied in the second half, but in the first half, the team's strengths were nullified, and manager Papas admitted that “Shonan was better." <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/95b8a7508f7f4081b1b3523ec894b8cf/0223MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9664345e77be4473a3dec3816385aa66/0223MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d6f4d466259d4247a62cba0b596bbf0f/0223MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> After the match, many players regretted the way they played in the first half, and the fact that they could not overcome Shonan's countermeasures was also highlighted. However, the value of this match was not small, as it showed the need to be flexible in dealing with opponents, as well as the need to keep pushing forward with their own style. "We learned that what was not good was not good. I think it was rather a good thing that we couldn't ride the wave instead of just casually getting into a good flow," said Shinnosuke Hatanaka. The new team is just getting started. They will continue to move forward, taking advantage of both successes and mistakes.

Review: Cerezo Osaka 1-2 Shonan Bellmare (J1 MD2)

<h3 id="h6b65d21a02">A five-goal win in the away Osaka derby! Arthur Papas got off to a great start in his first game with Cerezo.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b29600616cc5469f8d3784f252dd45f1/0215MR%20(9).jpg" alt=""> The 2025 season has finally started. Cerezo Osaka kicked off the season with an away game in the Osaka Derby, which was also the opening game of the J.League. Cerezo's starting lineup included goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon, defenders Kakeru Funaki, Shinnosuke Hatanaka, Ryosuke Shindo, and Hayato Okuda (from left to right), Shinji Kagawa and Shunta Tanaka in central midfield, and Reiya Sakata, Sota Kitano, and Lucas Fernandes behind Rafael Ratao in a 4-2-3-1 formation. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/be64924b79a047b991ab60056abaf5d9/0215MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> From the beginning of the game, Cerezo took control of the ball and went on the offensive. Sakata, in his third year as a professional, made his first start in the season opener, and from the start of the game, he created a chance with a vertical move. In the 7th minute, Cerezo took the lead. It came through an ideal move, connecting from the back line without hesitation, and finishing the ball off. Hatanaka passed vertically to Kitano, who drew his opponent to pass the ball, and Funaki received the ball in the middle of the field and played it to Okuda on the opposite flank. Okuda's diagonal pass found Ratao, Kagawa, and finally Kitano, who eventually scored. It was not only the first goal of the season in this season's J.League, but also a memorable goal for Cerezo as it brought their total to 1200 goals in J1. This was a great start for the number 38, who was determined to “get results this year." Sakata also had a chance in the 12th minute after receiving a pass from Kitano, but was denied by the goalkeeper and failed to add to the tally. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/81955e330ce246998609ee7c20b61486/0215MR%20(8).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo started well, but after 15 minutes the tempo of the game began to shift in Gamba's favor. They broke Cerezo's pressure from the front and played the ball down the flanks, and even had a chance to score when Cerezo misplaced a pass. Kim Jin Hyeon saved a shot from Takashi Usami in the 22nd minute, but Neta Lavi scored in the 31st minute after a breakaway on the left flank. The home crowd's excitement grew, but Cerezo had another golden opportunity in the 35th minute. As in the first goal, Cerezo's players combined passes from the back to move forward and break down the right flank, and finally, after a cross from Fernandes was put through by Ratao, Sakata was free to shoot. However, the ball did not find the back of the net and a great opportunity was wasted. In the last few minutes of the first half, Gamba again went on the attack, but were unable to turn the game around and went into the break all square. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/4a7980f7d41a4d08a101e57b3beee9b8/0215MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Just 40 seconds into the second half, Cerezo scored the winning goal. Fernandes crossed the ball on the right side, and Kitano, who had no hesitation in taking the ball out of the defender's path, fired home. His shot hit the opposing defender and was sucked into the goal. Cerezo again outshot Gamba, and scored a third goal in the 53rd minute. The ball was passed to Sakata in good position on the left flank, who dribbled vertically, cut inside, and shot. Kagawa picked up the ball and calmly slotted it into the net past the goalkeeper. The first derby goal for the number 8, the symbol of the Sakura, increased Cerezo's lead to two goals. Although Gamba pulled one back shortly thereafter, it was captain Tanaka who got the momentum going again. He met Kitano's free kick with a high header for his team's fourth goal, which was also his second consecutive season-opening goal. From then on, both teams made changes to their lineups as the game progressed. In the 73rd minute, Takumi Nakamura replaced Okuda at right back and Thiago Andrade replaced Sakata on the left wing for Cerezo. In the 76th minute, Andrade received a pass from Kagawa and crossed into the middle. Kitano tried to meet it and almost had the decisive chance, but could not make a shot. Cerezo, who had been keeping Gamba out without conceding a goal, sent this man on to the pitch in the 82nd minute: Motohiko Nakajima who returned to Cerezo this season after spending three seasons on loan with Vegalta Sendai. Nakajima is uniquely strong in derbies, scoring goals not only in the Osaka derby but also in the “Michinoku derby” against Montedio Yamagata when he was at Sendai. In his first game back with Cerezo, he immediately lived up to the expectations of the supporters. In the added time of the second half, Nakajima picked up a ball after the opposing centerback failed to clear the ball, and the number 13 started to dribble toward the goal with a strong determination to score. He dribbled past two opposing defenders and fired a shot into the net. Cerezo supporters, who had turned one corner of the stadium pink, were elated by the fifth goal. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/039e54d8620f492c8671c017d9e9fe64/0215MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/2fa1f4c3388b4481a42261de24234a19/0215MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a506f892f60c4281b5a439c3c79d45bb/0215MR.jpg" alt=""> The game ended in a 5-2 victory for Cerezo. Arthur Papas' first match as manager finished with an excellent result. After the match, Kitano, the key player of the match, said with a big smile, “It's simply a great feeling. A derby victory is something else,” and Kagawa, who scored the third goal, also expressed his relief: “This year, I feel it is important how much I can get into the penalty area, so it was good to see the result of that." At the same time, however, Kagawa added, “This is just the beginning. I want to work towards the next game without being satisfied. The team will get better and better.” The manager himself expressed his delight, saying, “I know there were difficulties as we started working on a new style of football, but I am glad we were able to win in this way as a result of the players adapting to the new style,” while he also added “We've only just finished the first game.&nbsp;We want to grow even more from here." Cerezo started the season in the best possible way, with a great win in the Osaka derby at the opponents' home. Next up, they welcome Shonan Bellmare to Yodoko Sakura Stadium for their home opener, and will be looking to make it two wins in a row. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/13c60ef6570248a1bc115e1f39487610/0215MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

Review: Gamba Osaka 2-5 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD1)

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Kazuma Makiguchi has agreed to join the club from Ehime FC on a loan deal. The loan period is until January 31, 2026. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"My name is Kazuma Makiguchi and I joined the club from Ehime FC. It is unusual to transfer just before the start of the season, but I received an offer from Cerezo Osaka and decided to take on this new challenge with strong motivation. I am very excited to play as a member of Cerezo Osaka. I will do my best to fight and share the joy with all the supporters. Thank you for your support!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth September 8, 2004 Place of Birth Hyogo Height / Weight 188cm / 75kg Position Goalkeeper Number 47 Career Koshienhama SC Vissel Kobe U-15 Ehime FC U-15 Ehime FC *Registered as a Class-2 player Ehime FC

Kazuma Makiguchi joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Keisuke Shimizu leaves the club to join FC BASARA HYOGO on a permanent deal. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support during the 2024 season, all of our fans and supporters for always fighting alongside us players, all of the volunteers at the stadium for their constant support, and everyone in the Cerezo family. I have worked hard every day for the last three years with the goal of winning the title with this team. Although I did not achieve my goal and had to leave the team, my three years with Cerezo have been a very precious time for me. I feel how much responsibility and hard work it is to defend the goal of Cerezo. I am grateful to Cerezo Osaka for giving me this valuable experience for the rest of my life! I hope that Cerezo Osaka will win the title. Thank you very much." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth November 25, 1988 Place of Birth Hyogo Height / Weight 183cm / 75kg Position Goalkeeper Career Takigawa Daini High School Oita Trinita New Wave Kitakyushu / Giravanz Kitakyushu *Loan Oita Trinita Avispa Fukuoka *Loan Kyoto Sanga F.C. Cerezo Osaka Player Data J1: 15 games / 0 goal J2: 204 games / 0 goal League Cup: 9 games / 0 goal Emperor's Cup: 22 games / 0 goal

Keisuke Shimizu joins FC BASARA HYOGO

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Rafael Ratao has agreed to join the club from EC Bahia (Brazil) on a loan deal. The contract will be officially signed after the medical check. The loan period is until the end of the 2025 season. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"To everyone involved with Cerezo Osaka, it is a pleasure to greet you. My name is Rafael Ratao. Please call me Ratao. I used to belong to a Japanese team for a year and it has been my dream to come back to Japan and play there again. I am very happy to make that dream come true and I hope to score many goals and have a great season with you all. Thank you for your support!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth November 30, 1995 Place of Birth Brazil Height / Weight 177cm / 82kg Position Forward Number 9 Career AA Ponte Preta (Brazil) CA Penapolense (Brazil) *Loan Boa EC (Brazil) *Loan Santos FC B (Brazil) *Loan CA Penapolense (Brazil) *Loan Guaratingueta (Brazil) *Loan Albirex Niigata *Loan Nautico (Brazil) *Loan Chungju Hummel FC (South Korea) CA Tubarao (Brazil) Luverdense EC (Brazil) *Loan Novorizontino (Brazil) Oeste FC (Brazil) FC Zorya Luhansk (Ukraine) SK Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) *Loan SK Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) Toulouse FC (France) EC Bahia (Brazil) Player Data (in Japan) Emperor's Cup: 1 game / 0 goal

Rafael Ratao joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

[Apology] *Updated on January 14 There was an incorrect description of the country of Thiago's previous team. We will work to ensure that this does not happen again, and we would like to apologize to anyone who may have felt uncomfortable by this error. ***** Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Thiago Andrade has agreed to join the club from Toronto FC (Canada) on a permanent deal. The contract will be officially signed after the medical check. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"To everyone involved with Cerezo Osaka, it is a pleasure to greet you. My name is Thiago Andrade. Please call me Thiago. I am very happy to be a member of your team, and I would like to thank everyone involved with Cerezo for believing in my abilities. Let's fight together until the end of this season!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth October 31, 2000 Place of Birth Brazil Height / Weight 180cm / 68kg Position Forward Number 11 Career EC Bahia (Brazil) New York City FC (USA) Atletico Paranaense (Brazil) *Loan Shenzhen Peng City (China) *Loan San Diego FC (USA) Toronto FC (Canada)

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