<h3 id="h7dadc6e617">Cerezo Osaka advance to the third match of the Levain Cup 1st Round after Lucas Fernandes scores one and assists another in a hard-fought battle in the rain.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/18fb02e30e574891bb55e594055a4a1c/202610011037_08.jpg" alt=""> Cerezo Osaka traveled to face Fujieda MYFC in the second round of the J.League Yamazaki Biscuit Levain Cup 1st Round. There were seven changes to the starting lineup from the most recent league match against V-Varen Nagasaki. Kosuke Nakamura started in goal, with Travis Takahashi, Rikito Inoue, and Javi Hernandez forming the back three from right to left. Takumi Nakamura started as the right wingback, while Reiya Sakata made his first official appearance of the season as the left wingback. Kosei Okazawa, who faced his former club, formed the midfield two with Shinji Kagawa. Lucas Fernandes and Thiago Andrade started as the two attacking midfielders, with Pablo Sabbag up front. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8ee1bfa661ad4733b3a43e54a6f79dee/202610011037_04.jpg" alt=""> The match began in pouring rain, and Cerezo Osaka created chance after chance from the early stages. In the sixth minute, Cerezo broke down the right side and Lucas fired a shot. Two minutes later, Inoue won the ball high up the pitch, and Hernandez capped the move with a long-range effort. The Fujieda goalkeeper made a fine save, but it was a good shot that was on target. In the 13th minute, Sabbag flicked on a kick from Kosuke Nakamura, and Lucas had a go after receiving a pass from Thiago. Cerezo created a clear-cut chance in the 14th minute. The goalkeeper parried Sakata’s long-range shot, and the ball fell in front of Sabbag. He got to the ball, but his shot went wide. Ahead of the match, Okazawa had identified “not waiting for the opponent to take the initiative, but moving the game ourselves” as one of the keys to the match, and Cerezo Osaka showed exactly that from the early stages, pushing Fujieda back. However, as Cerezo failed to capitalize on their chances, Fujieda gradually began to carry the ball forward, and Cerezo found themselves under pressure at times. In the 21st minute, Fujieda created a clear-cut chance when a cross from the left was met by a header in the middle, but it sailed over the crossbar and Cerezo escaped the danger. In the 32nd minute, Fujieda got in behind on the left side of Cerezo’s half to create another chance, but Cerezo held firm. Then, in the 34th minute, Cerezo Osaka opened the scoring. Inoue made an excellent covering play to snuff out the danger, and the ball was worked through Okazawa and Kagawa before Takumi Nakamura played a through ball to Lucas. Lucas delivered an exquisite cross toward the far post, where Sabbag had found space through a clever piece of movement and headed the ball into the net. It was the No. 19’s first goal since joining Cerezo. He also showed his strengths throughout the match, including several occasions when he held up the ball and used his teammates intelligently. In the 41st minute, Takahashi had a clear chance following a corner, but his header narrowly missed the target. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1f0d8cb4f3af46c1a816ff7dccec2f89/202610011037_01.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/83d73a02323f4f65ad3cdd7c640bd5b5/202610011037_03.jpg" alt=""> Cerezo Osaka went into the second half with a one-goal lead. The first chance after the break also fell to Cerezo Osaka. In the 50th minute, the ball was worked through Kagawa, Lucas, and Thiago before Sabbag broke clear onto Thiago's pass and fired a shot. It was a move started by Kagawa, with the front three combining to work the ball into a shot. However, just a minute later, as Cerezo Osaka’s pressing from the front became less effective, Fujieda easily found space on the left side of Cerezo’s half and scored from the resulting cross. Cerezo Osaka had allowed Fujieda to exploit space on the flanks several times from the first half onward, and this time it finally resulted in a goal. Had the game continued at 1-1, it would have become a difficult game. Lucas immediately put an end to that danger. Takumi Nakamura quickly took a throw-in, and Lucas received the ball and drove forward. He drew a foul inside the opposition penalty area to win a penalty, then converted it himself to restore Cerezo Osaka’s lead just four minutes after the equalizer. In the 65th minute, Sakata cut inside from one of his trademark dribbles and fired a shot. It was a good chance, but the effort was blocked by a Fujieda defender. In the 69th minute, manager Pablo Machin made his first substitutions, replacing Kagawa and Sabbag with Shunta Tanaka and Yota Komi. The system remained unchanged, with the personnel simply being rotated. In the closing stages, Cerezo Osaka came under heavy pressure from Fujieda. They faced consecutive chances in the 76th and 78th minutes, but escaped the danger with clearances including one by Takahashi. In the 83rd minute, Ayumu Ohata, who had just come on as a substitute, injured his right knee after an opponent fell on him, forcing him to leave the pitch. Hayato Okuda came on in his place and played calmly. Fujieda continued to attack in stoppage time, but Inoue and Takahashi cleared crosses from the flanks to prevent an equalizer. Cerezo Osaka held on for a 2-1 victory and advanced to the third match of the 1st Round. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/729f7f6e55f14b2188deefb80f99cf07/202610011037_02.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/72691857d7ba43db819272f21ff27727/202610011037_05.jpg" alt=""> “It was a difficult one-off match, but I’m satisfied that we were able to win it,” said manager Pablo Machin. The challenge toward the summit began on the road. Cerezo Osaka took a strong first step forward together as a team in their pursuit of the Levain Cup title. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/028e5df14fea483a9ebdae18ec51e83e/202610011037_07.jpg" alt="">

Review: Fujieda MYFC vs Cerezo Osaka (Levain Cup 1st Round 2nd Match)

<h3 id="hab31d90454">A half-step forward after the heavy defeat last time out: Cerezo Osaka come from behind to draw with V-Varen Nagasaki through a Lucas Fernandes goal and earn their first away point of the season.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1925f2014a904b2f80e9f47863faea7b/0921MR%20(12).jpg" alt=""> Six days after their heavy 1-6 defeat to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Cerezo Osaka traveled to face V-Varen Nagasaki in Matchweek 8 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. Coming off that lopsided loss, the question was how Cerezo would make adjustments and show that they had bounced back. There were two changes to the starting lineup from the previous match. Ayumu Ohata returned at left wingback, while Kosei Okazawa made his first start in six games, since Matchweek 2 against Avispa Fukuoka. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/3d95a4a3382d431398a9d563b9c60877/0921MR%20(8).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo had faced danger from the opening minutes in the previous match. “We lacked concentration at the start of the last game. I asked the team to make that our first priority,” manager Pablo Machin said after the match. This time, Cerezo maintained possession, transitioned quickly from attack to defense, and pushed into the opposition half. In the 5th minute, Hayato Okuda got in behind on the right after receiving a pass from Lucas Fernandes, creating a clear chance, but after cutting back onto his left foot, his shot went just wide. In the 13th minute, Lucas fired a shot after a defender cleared Dion Cools’ cross, threatening the Nagasaki goal. In the 16th minute, Cerezo suffered an injury setback when Shinnosuke Hatanaka hurt the back of his thigh. Javi Hernandez came on in his place, with Rikito Inoue moving into the center of the back three. Even so, Cerezo’s momentum did not change. In the 22nd minute, Solomon Sakuragawa brought down a pass from Hernandez, who took up a position on the left side of the back three, and Cerezo advanced from there. After building a layered attack, Inoue won the ball high up the pitch and sent it straight forward to the front line, where Okazawa shot after Okuda laid it off. Okazawa, starting as one of the attacking midfielders in this match, continued to look for chances aggressively. Along with improving how they started the game, another area of focus was “risk management,” according to manager Pablo Machin. In this match, Jackson Irvine held his position firmly in the center of the pitch, closing down space and preventing Nagasaki’s second line from establishing a foothold. Cerezo did not allow Nagasaki to create any effective attacks. However, while controlling the match in their own rhythm in both attack and defense, Cerezo conceded in the 34th minute. Matheus Jesus received the ball in a deep position, laid it off to Thiago Santana up front, and then ran forward. Cerezo could not stop Santana completely and allowed a one-two, then failed to track Jesus as he broke into the space behind the defense. He went one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finished with a looping shot. “We defended while understanding their strengths, but one of those strengths led to the goal,” the manager said. It was precisely the strength Cerezo had been aware of, but they were unable to stop it. In the 43rd minute, Jesus struck the post with a shot from distance. Cerezo created a chance immediately afterward. Building a powerful attack from the right, Okazawa shot after receiving Jackson’s layoff. In first-half stoppage time, Cerezo won the ball high up the field and launched a quick counterattack, with Shunta Tanaka turning and shooting. Both were big chances, but Cerezo could not finish them and went into halftime one goal down. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/86e4e4aa7ba443bcb1a146458c4147a0/0921MR%20(14).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/64e8263501fa4fb68ff0ef193fcc52f8/0921MR.jpg" alt=""> Cerezo continued to attack from the start of the second half. In the 47th minute, they broke down the right side, with Okazawa shooting after receiving a pass from Lucas. Shortly afterward, Cerezo won a penalty when an opposing defender’s tackle caught Okazawa on the ankle. In the 51st minute, Lucas calmly converted into the bottom-right corner to equalize. For Lucas, it was a welcome first league goal since returning from injury. This was also the first time since his return from injury that he had started two consecutive matches. “I’m feeling better and better,” he said, as he led Cerezo’s attacks down the right alongside Cools and Okuda. As the match progressed, more space began to open up on the pitch, and both teams created chances from counterattacks and set pieces. In the 63rd minute, Jackson met Lucas’ corner with a header that looked destined to score, but it went over the crossbar. In the 81st minute, a shot from substitute Thiago Andrade deflected off a defender and bounced forward, creating a chance for Ohata, who had followed up. However, his right-footed effort was denied by an excellent save from the Nagasaki goalkeeper. Cerezo could not find a go-ahead goal, while they continued to put their bodies on the line defensively, blocking Nagasaki’s shots until the end. In second-half stoppage time, Kosuke Nakamura made a superb save to deny a clear chance, and the match ended 1-1. Cerezo desperately wanted a win to erase the memory of the previous match’s heavy defeat. Still, after falling behind away from home and fighting back to earn a point, they will look to take the positives from the result. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/869783409dc84bc18f5f676886186931/0921MR%20(10).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/84f96974248d4f36bc32f6e18f417c66/0921MR%20(11).jpg" alt=""> After the match, captain Shunta Tanaka said, “If we want to move up the table, we have to win games. I’m more frustrated that we couldn’t take all three points.” Regarding Cerezo’s difficulty in increasing their goal tally, he remained positive: “I don’t think we’ll score more goals from open play unless the whole team can work on things in more detail. With this break in league action, I want the entire team to get on the same page.” The league will now enter a three-week break for the international window. Jackson and Cools will leave the team to join their respective national teams, but Cerezo will look to sharpen their attacking patterns ahead of their next official match, the September 29 J.League YBC Levain Cup second-round fixture against Fujieda MYFC. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a0a2dc80c1b34c90bfa8f710d46a1bb6/0921MR%20(13).jpg" alt="">

Review: V-Varen Nagasaki vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD8)

<h3 id="h6c34227d42">Cerezo Osaka overwhelmed by Sanfrecce Hiroshima in attack and defense, suffering a 1-6 away defeat.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1e1562e12bc04d28ac59811f854a1eb7/202609141030_02.jpg" alt=""> Five days after their first draw of the season against Tokyo Verdy, Cerezo Osaka traveled away to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Matchweek 7 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. There were four changes to the starting lineup from the previous match. Solomon Sakuragawa and Hayato Okuda returned to the starting lineup after two games, Lucas Fernandes made his first league start of the season, and Javi Hernandez made his first start since joining the club, playing at left wingback. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f9e2ecb017734a0e8cf4e7e84161b991/202609141030_05.jpg" alt=""> Cerezo faced a series of dangerous situations from the opening minutes. After losing the ball in their own half and allowing Hiroshima to create clear chances in the 3rd and 6th minutes, Cerezo conceded three straight corners in the 7th, 8th and 9th minutes. During the third corner sequence, Jackson Irvine was penalized for handball inside the penalty area, and Akito Suzuki converted the resulting penalty to give Hiroshima the lead. Cerezo continued to struggle to move the ball forward under Hiroshima’s high press, and in the 18th minute, they conceded a second goal on a counterattack. In a matter of minutes, Cerezo found themselves two goals down away from home. Around the 30-minute mark, Cerezo pushed forward, with Shunta Tanaka winning the ball high up the field before Jackson fired a shot from distance, but those attacks were isolated. Hiroshima then resumed their relentless pressure toward the end of the half. In stoppage time, Hiroshima broke through down Cerezo’s left side and scored a third goal from a cross. It was truly a storm of a first half for Cerezo, who were repeatedly exposed to Hiroshima’s high press, quick transitions and sharp counterattacks. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8003ccf133b449b788a590b9e7a4816f/202609141030_04.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f06a1ba5cbda4e30bb3d0c5cd9e102a9/202609141030_03.jpg" alt=""> Manager Pablo Machin switched to a back four at the start of the second half. The surprise change paid off initially, with Cerezo playing in Hiroshima’s half early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Jackson started a move that continued through Sakuragawa and Lucas, creating a chance and threatening the Hiroshima goal. However, just as the momentum began to shift toward Cerezo, Sakuragawa lost the ball in the attacking third in the 55th minute, allowing Hiroshima to launch a long counterattack. Shuto Nakano, who had surged forward from the right side of their three-man center-back line, finished the move to make it 4-0. Cerezo were stunned, and two minutes later they conceded a fifth goal. Kosuke Nakamura appeared to have cleared the ball away right on the goal line, but after a VAR review, the goal was awarded. With Cerezo trailing 0-5 after 57 minutes, manager Pablo Machin made four substitutions in the 62nd minute, bringing on Ayumu Ohata, Shinji Kagawa, Yumeki Yokoyama and Pablo Sabbag. With a fresh lineup looking to pull a goal back, Yokoyama drove forward with the ball in the 66th and 67th minutes, showing his ability to tear through the defense on his own. However, Cerezo continued to struggle with their finishing and could not find the goal that would have sparked a comeback. In the 78th minute, Dion Cools brought down an opponent inside Cerezo’s penalty area and conceded a penalty. Hiroshima converted their second penalty of the match to extend the lead to six goals. After being shown the full extent of Hiroshima’s strength, Cerezo finally pulled one back in stoppage time. Cools won the ball high up the field, and Uejo received Kagawa’s pass before striking with his right foot. He fired his trademark powerful shot from distance into the top-left corner to pull one back for Cerezo at the very end. Cerezo continued to attack in search of a second goal, but the final whistle brought the match to an end. They suffered a heavy 1-6 defeat. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/90cca556babc45f599d913fc659dd864/202609141030_06.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/fdc9fe14b10945dd988c343fc2fb1535/202609141030_08.jpg" alt=""> For 90 minutes, Cerezo were continually overwhelmed by Hiroshima’s highly polished and intense style of soccer. As Jackson reflected, “I think the way we lost the ball in areas where we shouldn’t have lost it, and in areas where we weren’t organized, was reflected harshly in the result.” It was a match that left Cerezo with clear issues to address in how they gave the ball away and how they transitioned from attack to defense. Jackson also vowed to make improvements ahead of the next match: “There are things we need to correct on the field, so I want us to take a hard look at ourselves and get back on track.” Uejo, who scored a defiant golazo, also made his determination clear: “I just have to turn the page and use this goal to build momentum for the next game.” Cerezo will regroup as a team and prepare for their next away game against V-Varen Nagasaki. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/4afa24bc824c4fdcbfdb9e0ebfa0fc65/202609141030_01.jpg" alt="">

Review: Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD7)

<h3 id="hed898de0d0">In search of back-to-back wins, Cerezo Osaka dominate possession but cannot break through Tokyo Verdy’s defense, settling for a scoreless draw.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/771f7a6a7b9c46769befecbb5ca64b70/0908MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> Three days after their 2-0 victory over Kashiwa Reysol, Cerezo Osaka welcomed Tokyo Verdy to their home stadium for Matchweek 6 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, the fifth and final game of a five-match run in all competitions. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d9c29a8a93d647e1b5971f2f5dc60054/0908MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo came into the match looking for their first back-to-back wins of the season. There were three changes to the starting lineup from the Kashiwa game, with Yumeki Yokoyama and Yota Komi playing as the two attacking midfielders and Takumi Nakamura at right wingback. Thiago Andrade started up front, while Solomon Sakuragawa was left out of the starting lineup for the first time this season. The match began in strong winds. Tokyo Verdy won the coin toss and switched ends to play with the wind at their backs in the first half, but Cerezo made the better start. They pushed forward with accurate passing and by winning second balls. However, Tokyo Verdy gradually began to put pressure on Cerezo, creating danger through attacks down the sides. In the 12th minute, Yuzuki Someno got on the end of a cross and headed toward goal from a dangerous position, but the ball went over the crossbar. Another series of chances followed in the 14th minute, but Kosuke Nakamura made good saves to keep Cerezo from conceding. After the match, manager Pablo Machin and Shinnosuke Hatanaka both emphasized that not conceding during this spell was a major turning point in the game. After the water break, Cerezo began playing in Tokyo Verdy’s half. Komi got in behind and moved toward goal, while in the 30th minute, Yokoyama beat his defender and drove forward before unleashing a powerful shot from the corner of the penalty area, only to see it saved by the goalkeeper. In stoppage time, Cerezo attacked through the middle after a vertical pass from Hatanaka, with Thiago finishing the move with a shot. It was hit with power but went just wide. Cerezo had struggled against Tokyo Verdy’s attacks down the sides early on, but they fought their way back into the game and went into halftime with plenty to be encouraged by for the second half. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f797d7a8702a4c8783e7e47a9ef34f2e/0908MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/5e9f14228ccb4a81bed56f33fbfa0217/0908MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> With the wind now at their backs, Cerezo attacked from the start of the second half. In the 46th minute, Thiago received the ball after Yokoyama’s run and took a shot. Komi also dribbled forward and shot in the 47th minute. With Shunta Tanaka and Jackson Irvine controlling the midfield as the double pivot, Cerezo dominated the game and won a series of set pieces, but the strong wind made it difficult to deliver the kicks accurately. Cerezo made their first substitutions in the 61st minute, with Hayato Okuda and Solomon Sakuragawa coming on for Takumi Nakamura and Komi. Okuda had assisted the opening goal against Kashiwa, while Sakuragawa had scored it, and Cerezo looked to recreate that combination. In the 64th minute, Sakuragawa met Ayumu Ohata’s cross with a header, while in the 68th minute, Tanaka had a great chance after running onto Okuda’s diagonal pass. However, he could not get a clean connection on his shot, which went wide. With the two substitutions further energizing Cerezo’s attack, Lucas Fernandes came on for Thiago in the 73rd minute. As the quality of Cerezo’s set pieces and crosses improved, Sakuragawa attacked Lucas’s cross in the 77th minute. However, just before he could make the pinpoint connection, a defender cleared the ball away. Jackson also attacked Lucas’s corner in the 79th minute. Cerezo dominated possession and continued to attack throughout the second half, but the opening goal remained elusive. In the 85th minute, manager Pablo Machin made another major tactical change, bringing on Shinji Kagawa and Pablo Sabbag for Ohata and Yokoyama. Lucas moved to right wingback, Okuda to left wingback, Kagawa to attacking midfield, and Sakuragawa and Sabbag formed a two-man front line as Cerezo looked to break through Tokyo Verdy’s defense. As hoped, Kagawa began to dictate play when he received the ball, while Sabbag made runs in behind and created a foothold. In stoppage time, Sabbag was brought down just outside the penalty area, winning a free kick in an excellent position. However, Lucas’s kick went over the crossbar. Cerezo continued to use Sakuragawa’s height to attack, including another header from a Lucas cross, but they could not break through Tokyo Verdy’s defense. The match ended 0-0. After the early stages of the first half, Cerezo managed the defensive risks well and kept a clean sheet, making it all the more frustrating that they could not find a goal to win the game. However, they also exposed a weakness, as manager Pablo Machin noted: “We didn’t create any clear chances while we had them pinned back in the second half.” The match ultimately ended in a scoreless draw. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f390da926a104810a66fadad8ce48780/0908MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/68f7654d8fa741dbb06db42c7300dfee/0908MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> “It was a game we had to win,” Hatanaka said frankly at the start of his post-match comments. He continued, addressing the challenge they faced: “When I think about how many chances we created to win the game, we didn’t create any big chances.” Yokoyama, who repeatedly threatened Tokyo Verdy with his dribbling, also expressed his frustration and vowed to score: “I want to be more aggressive myself so that we don’t finish the next game without scoring.” Cerezo’s home winning streak ended at three, but they came through their recent five-match run in all competitions with three wins, one draw and one loss. With many players getting on the field, the team has been able to improve their condition while also giving a clearer picture of the style of play they are aiming for this season. Next up is an away game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Cerezo will take stock of what they gained and what they need to improve from these last five games and look for a big three points to move up the standings. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a2236d6425a94bd38b6dabe0e9af1604/0908MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Tokyo Verdy (J1 MD6)

<h3 id="ha6cb3ca0ae">Cerezo Osaka beat league leaders Kashiwa Reysol 2-0, with Solomon Sakuragawa scoring twice and goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura leading a strong defensive effort.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/3816928c6bcf4442bc45b8f3f2b27f62/0904MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> Three days after their 0-1 loss to Vissel Kobe, Cerezo Osaka returned home to face Kashiwa Reysol in Matchweek 5 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. There were three changes to the starting XI from the Kobe game, with Shinji Kagawa returning after two matches and Thiago Andrade and Hayato Okuda making their first league starts of the season. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f51a39d71f9040afb6ce9f10a5479e79/0904MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Kashiwa attacked down Cerezo’s left side early in the first half, but Cerezo began to take control of possession around the 10-minute mark. They created their first chance in the 15th minute. After a throw-in, Rikito Inoue won the ball high up the field and drove forward before shooting from Thiago’s cross after Thiago broke through down the left. They had worked the defense open, but the shot was blocked by a Kashiwa defender. Cerezo then took the lead from a free kick in the 20th minute. Hayato Okuda took the kick. “I was given the responsibility of taking the free kicks today, so I wanted to make a difference there,” he said. His perfectly delivered ball found the far side, where Solomon Sakuragawa won his duel with the opposing center back and met it with a powerful header. “If the ball comes there, I can make the most of my strength. Hayato (Okuda) really delivered a great ball,” Sakuragawa said as he calmly sent his header into the bottom-left corner to give Cerezo the long-awaited opening goal. Cerezo continued to pin Kashiwa back with their possession, and in the 25th minute, four Cerezo players surged into the box to meet Thiago’s cross after he received a pass from Ayumu Ohata and got in behind. It was a big chance, but they could not finish it, despite showing plenty of attacking threat. Kashiwa regained possession after the water break, but in the 32nd minute, Kosuke Nakamura made a good save with his left hand to keep out Daiki Sugioka’s powerful shot from distance. He kept the ball out of the net. Cerezo then began to regain control toward the end of the half and created another clear chance in stoppage time. They combined quickly down the left before Thiago finished the move with a shot, but Taiyo Koga blocked the effort. Cerezo could not add a second goal, but they had an excellent first half, outperforming Kashiwa at both ends of the field to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/91ad820c164746e2bbc3d1336fcc68d6/0904MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1b658d92d829440a9d8d76a52268745d/0904MR%20(8).jpg" alt=""> Kashiwa made three substitutions at once at halftime. With their opponents turning up the pressure and launching wave after wave of attacks, Cerezo faced a series of dangerous situations early in the second half as Kashiwa repeatedly broke down the sides. Cerezo held firm with desperate defensive efforts, including a determined recovery run from Dion Cools. In the 57th minute, manager Pablo Machin made his first substitutions, bringing on Kosei Okazawa and Yumeki Yokoyama for Kagawa and Thiago. Looking to push back through their attack, Cerezo showed their intent in the 61st minute when Yokoyama received a pass from Okazawa, drove forward and delivered a cross. The game had the feel of a battle over the next goal: would Kashiwa finally break through, or would Cerezo catch them on the counter and add another? In the 62nd minute, Kashiwa created a clear chance. A misplaced pass in Cerezo’s own half allowed Kashiwa to break down the side, and Mao Hosoya had a great opportunity from Tojiro Kubo’s cross. But Nakamura blocked the close-range shot with his face, making a huge save to keep Cerezo from conceding. Then, in the 66th minute, Jackson Irvine intercepted a pass and launched a counterattack. Yokoyama drove forward and played a through ball, and Sakuragawa sprinted in from behind before being brought down by the Kashiwa goalkeeper to win a penalty. Sakuragawa converted it himself in the 68th minute to give Cerezo a two-goal lead. That sequence gave Cerezo a major boost, and they remained focused defensively to shut down Kashiwa’s attack for the remainder of the game. Cerezo held on for a 2-0 victory, defeating Kashiwa, who had been sitting atop the standings after winning their first four games. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f365f2f47a1c4de6b60a5c588ba04295/0904MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/76da78d208054de5a9bdec84608edae6/0904MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> It was a hard-fought victory that saw several players collapse to the field as soon as the final whistle sounded. “In a word, it was a battle, a fierce struggle,” manager Pablo Machin said immediately after the match. “We came into the game focused on whether we could win the duels and the one-on-one battles, and I think we were able to show that today. Winning those duels was a big part of it,” he said in his assessment of the match. Goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura, who made a series of excellent saves against his former club, also reflected on the game: “Reysol had won four straight coming into this match, and it wasn’t easy to deal with a team like that, but I think we were able to handle them well today.” Carrying the frustration of the loss to Kobe in the previous match, Cerezo came together as a team to defeat the league leaders. They will look to build even greater team strength from here and aim for a place near the top of the standings. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9b384ca07506439a82d09460290006dd/0904MR%20(7).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Kashiwa Reysol (J1 MD5)

<h3 id="h6eb8d8a08b">Cerezo Osaka lose 0-1 away to Vissel Kobe, unable to finish their chances as a penalty proves decisive.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b7700e58d9d842a1ad107f88f59d677e/0831MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Six days after their 1-0 victory over Shimizu S-Pulse in the previous match and two days after their 3-1 win over FC Gifu in the second round of the Emperor’s Cup, Cerezo Osaka faced the third game of a five-match run in all competitions, traveling to face Vissel Kobe in Matchweek 4 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. There were nine changes to the starting XI from the Emperor’s Cup game. Dion Cools retained his place in the starting lineup, while Yota Komi, who scored twice against Gifu, started as the right attacking midfielder for his first league start since joining Cerezo. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/05efa8516e0749c48f39be2cf653f726/0831MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo came under pressure from Kobe early on, but began to push back in the 5th minute when Solomon Sakuragawa got in behind after receiving a long ball from Takumi Nakamura. Cerezo created a clear chance in the 12th minute. Cools switched play to the left, where Ayumu Ohata received the ball before Komi combined with Yumeki Yokoyama on a one-two to enter the penalty area. Komi worked his way into a good position and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his shot toward the near post was saved. Cerezo continued to threaten using the width of the field, but could not turn their attacks into shots. In the 20th minute, a misplaced pass in their own half allowed Kobe to launch a counterattack, giving Cerezo a scare. Kobe created another clear chance from a corner in the 23rd minute, but Nanasei Iino’s shot hit the post, and Cools cleared the rebound to prevent a goal. In the 33rd minute, Yokoyama received a pass from Jackson Irvine and found space on the side before crossing, while in the 42nd minute, Takumi Nakamura did the same after receiving a pass from Shinnosuke Hatanaka. Neither cross, however, found a Cerezo player in the middle. Cerezo could not break the deadlock, but they held their own in the duels that the manager had identified as a key point before the match, and the teams went into halftime level. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d9e7370cbd6346f3a71611b15d58b0e6/0831MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e50ae06a57ad431ebed9cf622221550b/0831MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> As in the first half, Cerezo came under pressure from Kobe at the start of the second half. In the 47th minute, goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura made a good save to deny Yosuke Ideguchi from a tight angle. Nakamura also dealt with the final shot from a Kobe counterattack in the 51st minute. Cerezo gradually began to push into Kobe’s half, and in the 53rd minute, Komi met Takumi Nakamura’s cross with a header after receiving a pass from Rikito Inoue. Cerezo then created a clear chance in the 60th minute. Inoue again started the move, with the ball moving quickly through Yokoyama and Sakuragawa before Komi received Sakuragawa’s lay-off and sent a cross into the middle. Sakuragawa finished the move with a header, but Kobe goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa made a good save. In the 61st minute, Sakuragawa had another chance from a corner won after Yokoyama drove forward, but his header went over the crossbar. In the 65th minute, manager Pablo Machin brought on Thiago Andrade, looking to make the most of what he saw as a crucial moment and take the lead. However, in the 67th minute, VAR intervened after Thiago was judged to have stopped Gotoku Sakai’s shot with his hand inside Cerezo’s penalty area. Following an on-field review by the referee, a penalty was awarded, and Ren Komatsu converted in the 71st minute to put Kobe ahead. Cerezo then chased the game, bringing on Lucas Fernandes in the 73rd minute, followed by Shinji Kagawa and Pablo Sabbag in the 81st. In the 82nd minute, Sabbag got in behind after receiving Jackson’s pass and played the ball to Thiago in the middle. Thiago found the bottom-right corner, but the goal was ruled out because Sabbag was just offside. In the 86th minute, Thiago met Lucas’ cross after Lucas received a pass from Kagawa, but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Cerezo limited Kobe to one goal thanks in part to several more good saves from Kosuke Nakamura, but could not find an equalizer and narrowly lost 0-1. They were unable to make it back-to-back league wins and dropped to 10th in the standings. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d783eb8a07644a8188c48752087e797d/0831MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9a4f924c9f76475b8f260068d988160b/0831MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> After the match, Tanaka said, “We won’t be able to move up the table unless we win games like this.” He nevertheless turned his attention to the next game against Kashiwa Reysol, which comes just three days later. “We need to be tougher as a team, and another game is coming up soon. We have a run of home games, so we don’t want to dwell on this result. We need to come together, get the win, and aim higher.” Kashiwa, who sit at the top of the table after winning their first four games, will be a tough opponent. But at home, where Cerezo have won three straight games in all competitions this season, they will look to bounce back from this defeat by taking down the league leaders. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b9c0342c2b6b440b84472df8c183b74e/0831MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Vissel Kobe vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD4)

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Javi Hernandez has joined the club from CD Leganes (Spain) on loan. The loan deal runs until June 30, 2027. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/346207a6c3554d53b1ad90380bf0d1be/0828HEEC.jpg" alt=""> <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>“I’m very happy to wear the pink Cerezo Osaka jersey. It’s an honor to be part of a great club in a great city. I’m really looking forward to meeting all the fans and experiencing the incredible atmosphere at the stadium. Vamos Cerezo!” <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth May 2, 1998 Place of Birth Spain Height / Weight 183cm / 72kg Position Defender Number 15 Shirt Name JAVI HDEZ Career Real Madrid Castilla (Spain) CD El Ejido (Spain) *Loan Real Oviedo (Spain) *Loan CD Leganes (Spain) Girona FC (Spain) *Loan Cadiz CF (Spain) *Loan Al-Arabi SC (Qatar) *Loan Panathinaikos FC (Greece) *Loan CD Leganes (Spain)

Javi Hernandez joins Cerezo Osaka from CD Leganes on loan

<h3 id="h9c56b48384">Cerezo Osaka beat FC Gifu 3-1 in the Emperor’s Cup second round, with Yota Komi scoring twice to advance to the third round.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e7bde04ad785425b98e3f1f20c938dac/0827MR.jpg" alt=""> Three days after their 1-0 victory over Shimizu S-Pulse in Matchweek 3 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, Cerezo Osaka turned their attention to the Emperor’s Cup, taking on FC Gifu, representing Gifu Prefecture, in the second round. There were nine changes to the starting XI from the Shimizu game. Koto Abe and Travis Takahashi made their first competitive appearances since joining Cerezo. Cerezo used a back four for the first time this season, lining up in a 4-2-3-1. “I considered the strengths of the players who were playing today,” manager Pablo Machin explained. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/41379e6e5fbd4ec79e457b4b0116857a/0827MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo created a clear chance after just 20 seconds. Yota Komi, playing as the attacking midfielder, got in behind after receiving a pass from right winger Lucas Fernandes and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his chipped effort was saved. Lucas followed up on the loose ball, but his shot hit the post. In the 5th minute, Gifu broke through down the side and threatened, but goalkeeper Koto Abe made a superb save to keep them out. Cerezo continued to attack from the start and created another big chance in the 8th minute. After receiving a pass from Shinji Kagawa, Lucas sent the ball back across, and Pablo Sabbag took one touch before shooting to catch the goalkeeper off guard. His effort was on target but saved by the goalkeeper. Cerezo continued to control possession, and in the 20th minute, starting right-back Hayato Okuda battled to keep the ball at the corner of the penalty area before being brought down to win a penalty. Lucas converted in the 21st minute to put Cerezo ahead. Cerezo had made a good start, but after the water break, Gifu began to control possession. In the 26th minute, following a Gifu free-kick, Kyohei Noborizato conceded a penalty inside Cerezo’s penalty area, allowing Gifu to equalize at 1-1. Gifu continued to move the ball forward and create shooting opportunities, with Cerezo occasionally finding themselves on the back foot defensively. Cerezo also created chances down the right through Okuda and Lucas, but neither side could find another goal before half-time. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/2cf6210713764b2e862fee632aaf1e09/0827MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9ce509bb4657408db7a5c1ad8a171a67/0827MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Yumeki Yokoyama replaced Sabbag at the start of the second half. Yumeki Yokoyama came on at left wing, while Thiago Andrade took over up front for Sabbag. In the 47th minute, Yokoyama received Kagawa’s long ball, drove forward and created any chances. Cerezo again began the half by playing in the opposition half. With Kagawa, who started in defensive midfield, at the center of their passing moves, Cerezo regained the lead in the 54th minute. After receiving a pass from Lucas, Thiago created a foothold deep on the right before laying the ball back. Lucas delivered a first-time cross, and Komi, waiting in the middle, headed the ball into the net. It was Komi’s first goal since joining Cerezo. “Crosses are something we work on as a team. The players in the middle are always prepared for them. I think that led to the goal. Personally, heading is unusual for me (laugh). I think it was probably my first headed goal since becoming a professional,” he reflected after the match. Cerezo won the ball high up the pitch again in the 56th minute, with Yokoyama eventually cutting inside and shooting. Wave after wave of attacks kept Gifu pinned back. Cerezo continued the second half without allowing Gifu to create a chance, and created clear opportunities in the 80th and 82nd minutes. In the first, Sakuragawa met Yokoyama’s cross with a header. In the second, Yokoyama received Kagawa’s long pass, drove forward and shot. Both efforts narrowly missed the target, however, and Cerezo could not extend their lead. Then, in the 87th minute, Gifu appeared to score following a corner, with a player meeting a cross from the side and sending the ball into the net. However, the goal was ruled out for offside. Cerezo breathed a sigh of relief, and in stoppage time, Kagawa received the ball inside the penalty area after Yokoyama’s run and took a shot. Komi reacted to the goalkeeper’s parried effort and finished from a tight angle to score Cerezo’s third goal and put the result beyond doubt. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/024fe63534614334bdf408466402b035/0827MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/3907e08fc8c342519cb76184863f15b0/0827MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> The match ended 3-1. Cerezo had some difficulty dealing with Gifu’s passing game, but in a knockout tournament where every match must be won, “the result is everything,” Abe said. Lucas contributed a goal and an assist, while Komi scored twice. Hayato Okuda also impressed on his first start of the season, providing a boost to the squad that can carry over into the league campaign. Cerezo now face Vissel Kobe in Matchweek 4 of the league in just two days. The team will focus on recovery and head into the away game united as one. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/eea8a4dd9af9489394522f1898f8b0d8/0827MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs FC Gifu (Emperor's Cup 2nd Round)

Cerezo Osaka announce that Eiji Kubo has joined Reilac Shiga FC on a developmental loan. The loan deal runs until June 30, 2027. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"Dear Cerezo Osaka fans and supporters, I am joining Reilac Shiga FC on a development loan. I will do my best to grow as a player." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth September 2, 2007 Place of Birth Kanagawa Height / Weight 180cm / 73kg Position Midfielder Career Yokohama F. Marinos Primary Yokohama F. Marinos U-15 Junior Youth Real Sociedad Youth (Spain) Real Sociedad Juvenil B (Spain) Cerezo Osaka

Eiji Kubo joins Reilac Shiga FC on a developmental loan

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Seinosuke Kimura will join the club from Ritsumeikan University for the 2026/27 season (from January 2027). We can also confirm that he has been approved by the Japan Football Association as a "2026/27 Season JFA/J.League Special Designated Player." <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"My name is Seinosuke Kimura from Ritsumeikan University, and I will be joining Cerezo Osaka in 2027. I am truly honored to once again wear the Sakura emblem of the club I love, the club that saw my potential when I was in elementary school and helped me grow over seven years, and to have the opportunity to play for Cerezo again. I have not walked this journey alone. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family, who have always supported me from the closest distance; all the coaches who have given me countless opportunities to learn; my teammates, with whom I have always pushed and challenged each other; and everyone who has been a part of my journey. I know that the road ahead will not be an easy one. That is precisely why I will turn everything I have built up over the years into strength, believe in myself, and continue to take on new challenges. I still have much to learn, but I will work hard every day with humility to become a player worthy of being one of the Sakura warriors. I look forward to your continued support and encouragement. Finally, to everyone at Hanasaka Club and everyone who has supported me since my academy days, I will show you how much I have grown. I'm home!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/73f2ef4fa4884dbd80c24f6dd066f968/0827KS.jpg" alt=""> Date of Birth June 15, 2004 Place of Birth Hyogo Height / Weight 186cm / 76kg Position Defender Number 33 Shirt Name KIMURA Career Fiore Hyogo Amagasaki FC Cerezo Osaka Elite Class Osaka West Course Cerezo Osaka West U-15 Cerezo Osaka U-18 Ritsumeikan University Playing Style He excels at heading using his 186cm height and accurate distribution with his left foot. He is also a versatile player who can organize the defensive line, contribute tirelessly, and play as a full-back.

Ritsumeikan University's Seinosuke Kimura to join Cerezo Osaka in January 2027

Cerezo Osaka announce that Hinata Kida has joined JEF United Ichihara Chiba on a permanent basis. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"It makes me sad to leave the club where I started attending Cerezo Osaka Soccer School when I was in my final year of kindergarten, but I am truly grateful for everything. It was not an easy decision. Thank you so much for everything. I look forward to seeing as many players from the Cerezo Osaka Academy as possible make it to the first team!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth July 4, 2000 Place of Birth Osaka Position Midfielder Height / Weight 171cm / 65kg Career Cerezo Osaka Soccer School Izumiotsu Branch Cerezo Osaka U-12 Cerezo Osaka U-15 Cerezo Osaka U-18 Cerezo Osaka *Registered as a Class-2 player Cerezo Osaka Avispa Fukuoka *Developmental loan Cerezo Osaka National Team U-15 Japan U-16 Japan U-17 Japan U-18 Japan U-19 Japan U-20 Japan Player Data (Total) J1: 64 games / 1 goal J2: 10 games / 0 goal J3: 69 games / 0 goal League Cup: 12 games / 0 goal J1 100 Year Vision League: 6 games / 0 goal Emperor's Cup: 12 games / 0 goal ACL: 3 games / 0 goal

Hinata Kida joins JEF United Ichihara Chiba

<h3 id="hc8bea63ed6">Thiago Andrade scores the winner after running onto a through ball from Jackson Irvine. Cerezo battle hard in the duels to make it back-to-back home wins.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/505ae6732bce41118cefa6019ec34b03/0824MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> Six days after their 0-3 defeat to Avispa Fukuoka in the previous match, Cerezo Osaka returned home to face Shimizu S-Pulse in Matchweek 3 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. There was one change to the starting XI from the Fukuoka game, with Jackson Irvine replacing Kosei Okazawa in defensive midfield to make his first J1 start. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/750af93051564ed09cc68ef377a4097b/0824MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo were initially attacked in behind on both sides, but quickly regained control of the game. In the 3rd minute, Shinji Kagawa switched play to the left after Solomon Sakuragawa held up the ball. Kagawa then made a run to the far side to meet Shunta Tanaka's cross. In the 8th minute, Yumeki Yokoyama picked up another lay-off from Sakuragawa, drove forward and delivered a cross. Six minutes later, Yokoyama carried the ball forward from just outside the penalty area before shooting. His sharp bursts forward got the stadium going. Cerezo dominated the opening 15 minutes, recording 57% possession, and in the 26th minute, the ball fell to Rikito Inoue as he moved in from the left towards the centre, but his shot narrowly missed the target. Their share of possession increased even further to 73% between the 15th and 30th minutes, but as manager Pablo Machin reflected, "In the first half, we lacked the ability to move forward after getting the ball to Solo (Sakuragawa), as well as the movement to get into deeper positions." Cerezo made few entries into the attacking third in the first half, with Inoue's effort the only shot they managed. Looking ahead to the second half, manager Pablo Machin made proactive substitutions, saying, "We wanted to increase the number of times we picked up the ball after playing it forward, made runs in behind, and broke through using combinations." Before the interval, however, Cerezo faced their biggest scare of the match in the 38th minute, when goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura made a superb save to deny Oh Se-hun from a clear chance. Given the flow of the game, it proved to be a hugely important moment. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/042f4387599f4bdd9276a0bd0c3fd5c5/0824MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b0f28e292c2e4b7b9f0b38f72927f737/0824MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> At the start of the second half, manager Pablo Machin brought on Yota Komi for Kagawa. "Their line was getting higher, so I brought on a fast player who could exploit the space in behind," he explained. The game began to open up, with Komi finding space in the right-side pocket and creating a chance early in the half. Then, in the 58th minute, Machin made another attacking change, replacing Yokoyama with Thiago Andrade. The move paid off immediately. In the 63rd minute, Cerezo took the lead. Sakuragawa challenged for Kosuke Nakamura's kick, and when the opposing defender cleared the resulting second ball, Tanaka reacted and used his body to win possession, before Jackson played a left-footed through ball into the space ahead. Thiago ran onto it, rounded the goalkeeper who had come off his line and, twisting his body, slotted the ball into the net with his left foot. With Shimizu pushing forward at this point, Cerezo caught them out brilliantly and scored. The goal also gave Cerezo a mental advantage, and they went on to dominate Shimizu at both ends of the pitch. In the 67th minute, Ohata unleashed a powerful long-range shot from a set-piece routine, while in the 82nd minute, Jackson finished off a move involving several players with a well-placed shot. Both efforts were denied by good saves from the Shimizu goalkeeper, but Cerezo continued to push eagerly for a second goal. Shimizu created more opportunities from set pieces late on, but Cerezo dealt with them firmly to close out the game. They kept their first clean sheet of the season and secured a 1-0 victory. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9a122e98d1fc4865826808cda8be6b82/0824MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1d66650c0b854dfc9743973df4ff27ae/0824MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> A week after their heavy defeat to Fukuoka, Inoue said, "The result last time was really disappointing, so we came into this game with a strong desire to get three points at home." Cerezo as a team won the battles for the ball, including their one-on-one duels. Jackson, meanwhile, made an outstanding home debut. He grew more impressive as the game went on, taking control of the game late in the match by winning the ball himself and playing it forward. "There were a lot of second balls and duels in my area today. I wanted to give the whole team momentum by winning those battles," Jackson said, bringing "energy" to the team. Early in the season, Cerezo secured an important victory to avoid back-to-back defeats and recorded their 350th J1 win. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/acf67bf2b3c946459f93e0b1f55ee34a/0824MR.jpg" alt="">

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