<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="">

Review: Kyoto Sanga F.C. vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 100 Year Vision League MD6)

<h3 id="h21af1bdd4d">In a penalty shootout reached after a 0-0 draw where chances went unconverted, Kosuke Nakamura makes a string of big saves, stopping two shots to bring the team two points.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/21d827fa9d44469a8780a3e64f2a7f22/0309MR.jpg" alt=""> Six days have passed since the away game against V-Varen Nagasaki. Cerezo Osaka returned home to face Shimizu S-Pulse for Matchday 5 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100-Year Vision League Regional League Round. There were three changes to the starting lineup from the Nagasaki match, with Masaya Shibayama, Reiya Sakata, and Shinji Kagawa making way for Motohiko Nakajima, Yumeki Yokoyama, and Nelson Ishiwatari. Nakajima returned to the XI for the first time in four matches since the season opener, while Yokoyama and Ishiwatari made their first starts in the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d26199e5efbd48939669f80b408995a6/0309MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> In the 1st minute, Shimizu’s Oh Se Hun created a focal point, leading to a cross from Capixaba on the left flank, but goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura punched it away firmly. In the 2nd minute, Cerezo responded as Shinnosuke Hatanaka and Ishiwatari linked up to bypass the opposition, with Nakajima receiving the ball centrally and playing a through ball forward. Each team’s characteristics were clearly on display from the start. Nakajima continued to lead the attack thereafter; in the 8th minute, his powerful dribbling drew a yellow card from the opponent, and in the 21st minute, he carried the ball on a counter-attack to deliver a cross, creating a chance. While the match remained balanced for the first 30 minutes, Cerezo defended set-pieces with focus before intensifying their offensive after the half-hour mark. In the 31st minute, Thiago Andrade drew close to the goal after latching onto a Nakajima through ball, followed immediately by Yokoyama cutting in from the right to shoot. In the 38th minute, Solomon Sakuragawa met a cross from Thiago, who had broken into space on the left. A decisive chance arrived in the 42nd minute: Nakajima spread the play wide to the left, Thiago received it and cut the ball back, and Ayumu Ohata, having made an underlapping run, laid it off for Nakajima to fire a left-footed mid-range shot. Despite the well-worked move, the shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Although the deadlock remained, Cerezo gradually took control after the initial back-and-forth battle as the first half drew to a close. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cbce3f89b06a4ff19be8133b128322d5/0309MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/c8a12a93e1464516ac0c9d367e1cc502/0309MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo started the second half by continuing their momentum from the end of the first, pushing forward. In the 46th minute, Yokoyama drove vertically to deliver a cross that narrowly missed Sakuragawa. In the 47th minute, Thiago received a pass from Shunta Tanaka and dribbled forward to shoot. As each player showed aggression toward the goal, another big chance arrived in the 57th minute: Ishiwatari cleverly drew a pass from Dion Cools to find space and played a through ball to Nakajima running behind. Thiago met Nakajima’s cross from the opposite side with a header but failed to make solid contact. Defensively, every player put their body on the line in potentially dangerous situations, preventing Shimizu from registering a single shot on target. Desperate to find a goal at home, Cerezo made a double substitution in the 67th minute, bringing on Shion Homma and Sakata for Yokoyama and Thiago. By introducing fresh legs on both wings, they attempted to break through from the flanks. Shortly after in the 69th minute, Homma cut inside toward the center and spread the play to the right. A pinpoint cross to the near post from a high-positioned Dion Cools went untouched, but Nakajima picked up the loose ball on the far side and crossed again. After shifting the play from side to side, Sakata met it at the far post, only to see his header saved by the goalkeeper. In the 77th minute, Sakata broke through via a one-two with Tanaka to deliver a cross. With Nakajima at the near post and Homma at the far, he chose the near side, but the effort was blocked by a defender. It was a game where the opening goal remained elusive. Intensifying the attack by introducing Hinata Kida in the 82nd minute and Shibayama in the 87th, a decisive chance finally came in the 90th minute. Capitalizing on an opponent’s error, Sakata won the ball high up the pitch, and Sakuragawa carried it forward to play a final pass into the center. Shibayama, running in, faced a golden opportunity, but his shot from point-blank range went wide of the target. A last-gasp winner was not to be. Defensively, led by Rikito Inoue and Hatanaka, the team kept Oh Se Hun quiet and successfully limited Shimizu to zero shots on target until the final whistle. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9381cfe01bac40d8bb4d91d1217ab82d/0309MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/65a01e5b2bbf43d0b0db9c93b2d41d32/0309MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Nakamura stopped the first attempt from Shimizu’s Capixaba with his foot. As Yodoko Sakura Stadium erupted over the goalkeeper’s big play, Cerezo’s first kicker, Tanaka, converted clinically. After Cools and Hatanaka also succeeded, the fourth kicker arrived. Nakamura produced another big save against Shimizu’s Kengo Kitazume. Shibayama then stepped up for the chance to win it, calmly slotting the ball into the opposite side of the goalkeeper to settle the contest. In terms of performance, while Hatanaka noted it was "a match we had to win in 90 minutes," the team secured its first home victory of the season. The hero, Nakamura, spoke modestly of his joy, saying, "I’m happy I could contribute to the team," while expressing his hunger for three points, adding, "I want to work toward delivering an even better result next time." The next match is away against Kyoto Sanga F.C. in six days. The team looks to defeat an opponent sitting three points above them and break into the upper tier of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League West. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/584ea62be37a4cf9ba099d2e5ea11fd0/0309MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Shimizu S-Pulse (J1 100 Year Vision League MD5)

<h3 id="h7bd0f7e106">Kosuke Nakamura makes a string of big saves but Cerezo suffer away defeat to V-Varen Nagasaki with issues remaining in both attack and defense.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/98a17a7f7a314d89b68e21011c3dcde3/0302MR.jpg" alt=""> Five days have passed since Matchday 3 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Cerezo Osaka traveled away to face V-Varen Nagasaki for Matchday 4 of the Regional League Round. There was one change to the starting lineup from the Hiroshima match, with Shinnosuke Hatanaka returning to the starting XI for the first time in three matches since the season opener. Rikito Inoue, who was substituted after the first half in the previous match, also started, while Shunta Tanaka moved back into the defensive midfield role to partner with Shinji Kagawa. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9a792d2ec2d84629add9e5502854e8f8/0302MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo started the match well by dominating possession and pushing forward, but around the 10th minute, misplaced passes in their own half began to increase, handing the initiative to Nagasaki. In the 11th minute, Nagasaki was gifted the first major chance of the match, but Kosuke Nakamura made a big save to deny Matheus Jesus. A minute later, Nakamura produced another fine save from a first-time volley from the flank. The game continued with Cerezo being dispossessed by Nagasaki's aggressive pressing and subjected to consistent pressure. In the 20th minute, a pass from a center-back was intercepted, leading to a mid-range shot against them. Despite being forced into a purely defensive role for the first 30 minutes, Cerezo held firm without conceding, thanks to their goalkeeper's heroics. From the 30th minute onwards, Cerezo began to find opportunities to enter the opponent's half. In the 31st minute, Thiago Andrade had a chance from a Kagawa pass, and in the 33rd minute, a wave of attacks ended with a shot from Masaya Shibayama. Both were thwarted by fine saves from the opposing goalkeeper, yet there was a sense that Cerezo was regaining momentum. However, they conceded in the 38th minute. An imprecise exchange between the two defensive midfielders, Kagawa and Tanaka, was intercepted by Thiago Santana, who had pressed back. The ball was carried forward, and Jesus ultimately fired a powerful, non-spinning mid-range shot into the net. Although Nagasaki threatened again in first-half stoppage time, Cerezo avoided a second goal and ended the half 0-1. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ffe634f8e6574a5ea7ad254168b3cfb6/0302MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1dd58626829542179063cce7d39f43bb/0302MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo went on the offensive from a high position right at the start of the second half. In the 47th minute, Shibayama broke through from a Reiya Sakata pass and nearly found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Another big chance followed in the 50th minute: after a sequence involving Ayumu Ohata and Thiago, Shibayama struck a shot that took a deflection and nearly went in, only to be stopped by the goalkeeper. While Cerezo managed to control possession in the second half, they were also subjected to sharp counter-attacks from Nagasaki, led by their trio of foreign players. Nevertheless, Nakamura continued to make a string of big saves just as he did in the first half, and Rikito Inoue even blocked a shot with his face. Hoping to reward the defensive effort, Manager Arthur Papas made his first substitutions in the 57th minute, bringing on Motohiko Nakajima and Yumeki Yokoyama for Shibayama and Sakata. Yokoyama, playing on the right wing, immediately created a chance with a vertical breakthrough. In the 58th minute, Solomon Sakuragawa met Nakajima's cross for a decisive chance, but it was once again denied by a fine save. When Yokoyama later shifted to the left wing, that side became more active, with Ohata joining the attack and the team penetrating the opponent's penalty area. Cerezo launched a fierce onslaught during this period, but Nagasaki's counters remained a threat; in the 69th minute, Dion Cools put his body on the line to stop a breakthrough on the right side. On the resulting corner for Nagasaki, Nakamura showed incredible reflexes to save a header from Jesus. Although Cerezo fought back in the second half and prevented further goals, an equalizer proved elusive on the day. In the 85th minute, Hatanaka connected well with Nakajima's corner at the near post, but his effort narrowly cleared the crossbar. Ultimately, the single goal conceded in the first half weighed heavily, resulting in a 0-1 defeat. The result handed Nagasaki their first home victory since their promotion to J1. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/41a008c0eb944e728714b2d8cc1f16e8/0302MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f551151956704134a5c94049e2ae6aec/0302MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> Following the previous match against Hiroshima, Cerezo once again saw the initiative taken from them early on. While the defense fought hard to keep the deficit to a minimum, the attack struggled to generate the desired number of shots and clear-cut chances, leading to consecutive defeats. Numerous issues remained from this match, including build-up play, the battle for second balls in midfield, and the overall intensity and frequency of attacking moves. The team aims to show an improved performance in the next match against Shimizu S-Pulse upon returning home, hoping to secure their first home victory of the season together with the supporters at Yodoko Sakura Stadium. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d1f4a9e6f3434518a9f7948f5da94d6a/0302MR%20(4).jpg" alt="">

Review: V-Varen Nagasaki vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 100 Year Vision League MD4)

<h3 id="h73b95ee03d">Cerezo fall to a frustrating defeat in Yodoko Sakura Stadium opener as Solomon Sakuragawa's stoppage-time bicycle kick is cancelled out by a late Hiroshima winner.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/02db14c02a0f4027903b337055f5469c/0224MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Six days have passed since Matchday 2 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League Regional League Round against Avispa Fukuoka, where the team secured its first victory of the season. Cerezo Osaka returned home to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima for Matchday 3 of the Regional League Round. Tickets were sold out for this season's first match at Yodoko Sakura Stadium, and the game kicked off amidst a heated atmosphere. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a145fa9bacee4ea6992d2a1eb5ec47a9/0224MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Manager Arthur Papas, who missed the previous match due to illness, returned to the touchline. The starting eleven remained unchanged from the last game. Just two minutes in, Solomon Sakuragawa held the ball deep on the right flank to win a corner. Despite a positive start, Cerezo spent much of the first half struggling to advance under the pressure of Hiroshima's press. Hiroshima utilized the full width of the pitch, creating threats through crosses. In the 22nd minute, a major chance was created, but Ayumu Ohata tracked back to make a superb clearance on the opponent's shot. He desperately stretched his leg to block the ball while in an acrobatic position. On the ensuing corner, Ohata cleared another decisive Hiroshima shot right in front of the goal. "Since the far side was open given the goalkeeper's position, I was thinking about covering it, and my body just moved instinctively," Ohata reflected on his two big plays. In the 25th minute, Thiago Andrade met Ohata's cross with a header at the near post, but this was Cerezo's only shot of the first half. Although they led in possession, they were unable to enter the opponent's half effectively. Nevertheless, by defending resolutely at the edge and keeping a clean sheet, they were able to stay in the game heading into the second half. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e40565e28aa44342a9a780f5592e270e/0224MR%20(3).jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1079" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/97baf870a4cf48d1bc54745fa09d46cf/0224MR%20(2).jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1079" alt=""> At the start of the second half, Shinnosuke Hatanaka replaced Rikito Inoue at center-back. Unlike the first half, Cerezo began to find more ball possession in the open spaces of midfield, increasing their frequency of entering Hiroshima's half. In the 52nd minute, Sakuragawa flicked on Ohata's long ball with his head, and Thiago, who had broken into the space behind, carried it forward to deliver a cross. This move to exploit space—something not seen in the first half—created a chance. However, just as Cerezo began to rally, Hiroshima took the lead. Hatanaka, dealing with Hayato Araki’s long kick, lost the duel to Akito Suzuki, and Ryo Germain picked up the loose ball to score a mid-range shot with his left foot. Chasing the game, Cerezo introduced attacking players in quick succession. Yumeki Yokoyama came on as a left winger in the 64th minute, followed by Motohiko Nakajima and Kusini Yengi in the 76th minute, shifting the system to a 4-4-2. Regarding the formation with two forwards—a rarity last season—Manager Papas explained his intent: "Normally, I would bring on Yengi for Solomon, but Solomon was putting in a fantastic performance. I felt that by adding another forward, we could force errors from their center-backs, so I went with a front two." Sakuragawa himself reflected that this tactic was "effective," and Cerezo created a flurry of chances late in the half. In the 90th minute, Sakuragawa laid off Masaya Shibayama's through ball, putting Shinji Kagawa in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. It was a decisive moment, but his left-footed shot narrowly missed the target. The number 8 struck the pitch in frustration. Perhaps spurred by that intensity, Kyohei Noborizato broke into the penalty area in the 95th minute to create another chance. While he couldn't finish it, the equalizer arrived moments later. Following a long throw by Dion Cools, a defender's clearance flicked backward, allowing Sakuragawa to control the ball with his chest and launch a bicycle kick. "I had the option to lay it off, but I wanted to score myself and lead the team. With that feeling, I struck it to find the goal," he recalled of the brilliant goal that brought Cerezo level at the death. However, just when it seemed the match would go to a penalty shootout, Cerezo conceded a go-ahead goal in the 97th minute amidst Hiroshima's final onslaught. Whether to go for a second goal or settle for the draw—a moment of hesitation proved costly, and they were unable to close out the match. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d12bcc206faf483f968c279a3023810d/0224MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cdcaa827976b4fb7b791a3690d489580/0224MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> "I don't think any player thought a draw was okay. But looking at the result, it was a regrettable way to end the match. Everyone feels that, so I hope we can share and process this as a team," Hatanaka reflected. How to unify the team's approach in the final minutes is a lesson to be carried forward. While the match ended in a disappointing result after Manager Papas had characterized it as one to "see where we currently stand," there were clear positives: the first-half defense that held firm despite being under pressure, and the second-half attack that grew more aggressive with new options. It is certain that there were gains for the future. In order to win the next match against V-Varen Nagasaki in five days, the entire team aims to elevate both their offense and defense. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/90c7caece1c54c9a949a7b46e302744e/0224MR.jpg" alt="">

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