<h3 id="hd67aae11a5">Motohiko Nakajima contributed to two goals, and Rafael Ratao scored the winner as Cerezo ended their three-game losing streak to claim their first victory in five matches.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8462f7397ad54d7aae5c8d5729486229/1020MR.jpg" alt=""> Two weeks after suffering their first three-game losing streak of the season against Nagoya Grampus, Cerezo Osaka traveled to face Fagiano Okayama in the 34th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League following the international break. Manager Papas made four changes to the starting lineup from the Nagoya match. Motohiko Nakajima, Hinata Kida, and Hayato Okuda returned to the starting eleven for the first time in three matches, while Ryosuke Shindo made his first start in four. This time, Thiago Andrade started on the right wing, with Shion Homma positioned on the left. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a24efb0d5f2549208d9a49fc9fda7bb9/1020MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> Building on the lessons from the previous match—where they struggled against high pressing—Cerezo Osaka made adjustments in possession, using not only short passes but also exploiting space behind the defense to stretch Okayama. Their transitions from attack to defense were also sharp; in the 10th and 11th minutes, Okuda twice won the ball high up the pitch to create chances. The first came through Shunta Tanaka and Nakajima, and the second from Nakajima to Homma, whose curling effort from the left side narrowly missed the target. In the 18th minute, Cerezo were caught under pressure while building from the back and conceded a goal, but it was ruled out for offside. Then, in the 19th minute, a well-placed pass from Okuda to Tanaka broke the press, and Tanaka immediately sent a long ball in behind the left side. Homma burst down the flank to win a corner, and from that set piece in the 20th minute, Cerezo took the lead. Nakajima’s low, fast delivery caused confusion, forcing a failed clearance from Lucao that ended up in Okayama’s net for an own goal. Cerezo continued to use long balls effectively, combining through both wings with Thiago and Homma, while Nakajima and Rafael Ratao linked up well in the central channel to create more opportunities. However, after the 30-minute mark, Okayama’s man-oriented pressing began to take effect, and in the 32nd minute, they equalized. A misplaced touch from Ratao after receiving a pass from Koki Fukui led to a quick counterattack, and Ryunosuke Sato—who had also scored in the reverse fixture—cut inside and fired a precise mid-range shot to level the match. Despite being put under pressure afterward, Cerezo held firm and finished the first half at 1–1. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ff27ccb481014524b0674bb180a6488b/1020MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d250fe469967427e87c50e2eff31cec3/1020MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> In the second half, Cerezo faced early pressure from Okayama, but Ayumu Ohata made a crucial block to keep the game level. Then, in the 52nd minute, the match took a decisive turn. Okuda sent a long ball forward for Ratao, who broke through the line and was brought down by Okayama goalkeeper Svend Brodersen as he came off his line. After an on-field review following VAR’s advice, the referee judged it as Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity and showed a red card to the goalkeeper. With a man advantage, Cerezo took the lead in the 63rd minute. As Okuda received the ball in the middle, Nakajima made a diagonal run behind the defense. Okuda found him with a pinpoint pass, and although Nakajima’s first-time shot was parried by the keeper, Ratao was there to tap in the rebound. It was a goal born from perfect understanding between Okuda’s vision and Nakajima’s movement. Though Cerezo allowed Okayama—now a man down—a few half-chances, they stayed composed at the back and kept control, creating several opportunities to seal the game. Substitutes Kyohei Yoshino and Nakajima both came close, and in stoppage time, Masaya Shibayama, who had come on as a right winger, cut inside and curled a shot that struck the post. Cerezo couldn’t find the third goal to close the game, but they held firm through ten minutes of added time to secure a 2–1 victory, earning their first three points in five matches since Matchweek 29 against Avispa Fukuoka. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/02c375fa8ea84623965ff874886bc7e8/1020MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/25beafdb57ee40119da33aa90d4c0e77/1020MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> Reflecting on the match, Okuda said, “We had two weeks to prepare for this game, analyzed the opponent thoroughly, and trained intensively, so there were moments where we could move the ball effectively.” His performance stood out not only in the moment that drew the red card but also in the build-up to the decisive goal, delivering key passes behind the defense. Nakajima, playing as the attacking midfielder, set up both goals. While he admitted some regret for not finishing himself, he smiled and added, “From a team perspective, it’s our first win in a while, so I want to see that positively.” Though the precision of build-up—including the goalkeeper’s involvement—still needs improvement, Cerezo will take the momentum from this first victory in five matches into their next home game against Kawasaki Frontale. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8eb20e2395d74f4282cda77865ab31cb/1020MR%20(1).jpg" alt="">

Review: Fagiano Okayama 1-2 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD34)

<h3 id="h0d33dffd42">Cerezo pulled one back late via Vitor Bueno’s free kick, but couldn’t overturn a two-goal deficit from the first half, falling to their first three-game losing streak of the season.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/6c2ad4d27d4243b29ae6b727397bd353/1006MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Five days after their 2–1 loss to Kyoto Sanga F.C., Cerezo Osaka traveled to face 15th-placed Nagoya Grampus in the 33rd round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. There was one change from the previous starting lineup: with Lucas Fernandes sidelined due to the injury that forced his substitution last match, Shion Homma started on the right wing in his place. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b0fde6e2ca9a4b198e99c49c1583296e/1006MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> In the early stages, Cerezo were pinned back as Nagoya stretched the play wide and attacked through a series of crosses. Once they weathered the initial pressure, however, Cerezo began to see more of the ball. Still, in the first half they struggled to progress forward, forced into deep build-up play by Nagoya’s high pressing. Unable to penetrate the box as they wanted, Cerezo finally showed signs of danger in the 31st minute when Homma turned upfield and combined with Rafael Ratao in a quick one-two on the counter. Moments later, in the 32nd minute, they created their best chance of the half: starting from Masaya Shibayama in the No. 10 role, Cerezo moved the ball smoothly through Shinji Kagawa and Homma, whose driven near-post cross found Ratao perfectly—but his shot was denied by goalkeeper Yohei Takeda. That would be Cerezo’s only shot of the first half, though it came from a brilliantly constructed move that deserved a goal. Just minutes later, in the 36th, Nagoya nearly struck at the other end. Mateus Castro initiated the move from the center before the ball was spread wide, and a cross found Yudai Kimura unmarked in front of goal—but goalkeeper Koki Fukui produced a superb save with his right foot. However, from the ensuing corner, Cerezo conceded. The ball was flicked on at the near post and finished by Yuki Nogami at the far. Having conceded twice from corners in the previous match against Kyoto, Cerezo had specifically trained to defend set pieces better this week, but the issue resurfaced. Nagoya capitalized on the momentum and doubled their lead in the 45th minute—exploiting space down Cerezo’s left flank, Sho Inagaki delivered a cross that Kimura met with a decisive header to make it 2–0. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d14e15c77b134b9c952eb92c0ecf166a/1006MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b99c936efc4241cd8780624aab30e716/1006MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> In the first half, Cerezo struggled in every aspect — in attack and defense, in duels, and on set pieces — and were forced onto the back foot. Manager Arthur Papas responded by making two changes at halftime: Masaya Shibayama and Thiago Andrade came off, replaced by Motohiko Nakajima and Reiya Sakata. Nakajima took over in the No.10 role vacated by Shibayama, while Sakata came on as the right winger, allowing Homma to move to his natural position on the left. Chasing two goals, Cerezo began the second half with greater defensive intensity and a faster attacking rhythm. In the 58th minute, Nagoya found the net from a counterattack, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside—avoiding what would have been a fatal third. That reprieve sparked a strong Cerezo response. In the 61st minute, Sakata initiated an attack down the right, Homma cut inside from the left and laid the ball off for Kagawa, whose cleanly struck shot missed the target by inches. Four minutes later, Kagawa combined with Dion Cools before Ratao unleashed a powerful drive that went straight at the goalkeeper. In the 75th minute, Homma cut inside on the dribble to create his trademark shooting opportunity, but failed to connect cleanly and sent it wide. Aside from the disallowed goal, Nagoya barely created any chances in the second half as Cerezo pushed hard for a comeback. Their persistence paid off in the 85th minute when Homma earned a free kick with a driving run, and Vitor Bueno curled it directly into the net — his second goal of the season following the one against Kashima Antlers two rounds earlier. Riding that momentum, Cerezo nearly equalized just two minutes later. Homma’s long pass released Sakata, who broke free and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his shot went straight at the goalkeeper. It was the team’s best chance to draw level. Despite seven minutes of added time, Cerezo couldn’t find the equalizer, falling 1–2. A sluggish first half proved costly, as the team suffered their first three-game losing streak of the season. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/3578a4bae7114dc4a0aa05f8df54cf18/1006MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0d4e824ad6dd4156b3c67e113b0ac0fb/1006MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Following defeats to Kashima and Kyoto—both in the thick of the title race—Cerezo also fell short this week against Nagoya, a team fighting desperately to secure their J1 status. The mental gap between the two sides was undeniable. In attack, Cerezo struggled to progress the ball, particularly in the first half, and conceded again from a set piece at almost the same time as in the previous match against Kyoto. Rather than overcoming their issues, they repeated them in this defeat. With a two-week break before the next match against Fagiano Okayama, the team will look to use the interval to address these problems. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/af792bbd7f964836b4e5ae52c39cd7b8/1006MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Nagoya Grampus 2-1 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD33)

<h3 id="h8cca308ba0">Cerezo drew level in the second half and kept pressing hard, but couldn’t turn the game around. Brought down by two set-piece goals, they succumbed to the determination of title-chasing Kyoto Sanga F.C.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cb3b8ce0e8c04fb3a777ec7cd3dfc045/0930MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Four days after suffering a 1–3 comeback defeat to Kashima Antlers in the previous match, Cerezo Osaka hosted third-place Kyoto Sanga F.C. at home in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 32. Manager Papas made ten changes to the starting lineup, retaining only Shinnosuke Hatanaka from the last match, as the team faced the Kansai derby in full force. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ba9fe0b2aec14bf3be7d7894aa40f9a9/0930MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Just three minutes into the match, Cerezo faced an early scare when Kyoto broke through the center, but Rikito Inoue—playing against his former club—stepped in to block the shot. In the 10th minute, another dangerous moment arose from a Kyoto cross, but Inoue once again reacted quickly to clear the second ball, his No. 31 shirt symbolizing sharp defensive awareness. Eager to launch a counterattack, Cerezo instead saw the game take an unexpected turn. In the 12th minute Kyoto’s Rafael Elias went down after contact, followed by Lucas Fernandes in the 19th, forcing both key players to be substituted as early as the 25th minute. Responding to the emergency, Shion Homma came on at right wing. “Unlike Lucas, I tried to play closer to players like Shiba (Shibayama) and Shinji-san, getting touches inside and keeping good spacing,” he said after the match, aiming to bring a new dimension to the attack. As time went on, he settled in, repeatedly creating chances in the second half and delivering a performance above passing grade. The first half, however, proved difficult for Cerezo to find rhythm, as they spent long stretches under pressure. Still, they held firm—Shinji Kagawa tracked back to block a shot in the 31st minute, and Hatanaka threw his body in the way in the 36th. But in the 44th minute, they finally conceded from a corner kick. Taiki Hirato drove a low ball to the near side, a clever dummy followed, and Temma Matsuda finished the move. Having allowed a similar goal against Avispa Fukuoka in Round 29, Cerezo could only rue their lack of vigilance. During the eight minutes of first-half stoppage time, Cerezo finally pushed into the attacking third, but they couldn’t find an equalizer and went into the break trailing by a single goal. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/4c0a65ba906d43e8aed169317f298ba8/0930MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/525363e5effe4ef692c332c0659da82f/0930MR.jpg" alt=""> Kyoto opened the second half on the front foot, earning a string of set pieces, but Cerezo held firm and soon created a chance of their own. In the 54th minute, a corner from Masaya Shibayama found Dion Cools making a clever run to the near post, but his header shaved past the outside of the frame. Just three minutes later, the same combination struck again—Shibayama’s near-post delivery, Cools’ sharp connection—and this time the ball nestled inside the goal for the equalizer. It was a memorable first goal for Cools since joining the club, a technically executed finish that left him proudly noting afterward, “Set pieces are one of our strengths.” The defender also shone in duels, matching or outmuscling opponents all evening, a performance worthy of Man of the Match had Cerezo gone on to win. As Kyoto’s pressing intensity waned, Cerezo began to enjoy more freedom, breaking lines and pushing numbers forward. In the 67th minute, Homma sent in a cross that found Kagawa, but the veteran couldn’t get clean contact on his shot. In the 73rd, a clever layoff from Rafael Ratao off a pass from Shunta Tanaka set up another big chance for Homma, only for a defender’s block to deny him. “In the first half we were feeling things out, but by the end we started to find the spaces and push them back. In the second half I was able to become more of a focal point and play while reading the opponent,” Shibayama reflected afterward. Despite creating opportunities and carrying the momentum, Cerezo failed to land the decisive second goal. Then, in the 87th minute, substitute striker Shun Nagasawa rose at the near post to head home a corner, putting Kyoto back in front. Forced once again to chase the game, Cerezo threw everything forward—bringing on Motohiko Nakajima and Vitor Bueno and earning four consecutive corners deep into stoppage time—but they couldn’t break through. The match ended 1–2, a defeat that saw Cerezo succumb to the sheer determination of a Kyoto side fighting to keep their title hopes alive. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cd7c360485ef48c995ffa7e513a275bc/0930MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9eb23c9ff25a4957b1365b264d1e8b55/0930MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> After the match, Rikito Inoue, who had battled hard against his former club, reflected on the defensive lapses: “Honestly, it didn’t feel like we were going to concede from open play, but both goals came from set pieces where they exploited brief moments of space. We’ve been conceding from set pieces quite a bit, so we need to come up with better ways to defend them and make adjustments,” he said, pointing to an area for improvement. Shibayama and Homma, who were central to Cerezo’s attacking chances, both highlighted a lack of “killer instinct” as the key shortcoming. Manager Arthur Papas commented: “There are no shortcuts to making the team stronger—we have to build step by step. But I have no intention of waiting four or five years to challenge for a title. We need to accelerate the process and create a team that can fight for the championship as soon as possible.” For Cerezo, the six-match stretch against top-ranked opponents in August and September ended winless at three draws and three losses. Closing the gap they have felt firsthand against title-contending sides will require a collective effort throughout the club—an urgent lesson to carry forward. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ca1e58baca44401994b2d6ebef205df2/0930MR%20(3).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka 1-2 Kyoto Sanga F.C. (J1 MD32)

<h3 id="h0d116e7e5a">Cerezo made a full lineup change from the previous match and took the lead away to league-leaders Kashima Antlers, but conceded three goals and fell to a comeback defeat.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/801b1ce2a2914600bd9cb557b524b891/0923HP%20(17).jpg" alt=""> After a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Kashiwa Reysol just two days earlier, Cerezo Osaka travelled to the home of league leaders Kashima Antlers for the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 31 match. Manager Arthur Papas changed the entire starting lineup from the previous game, largely due to the tight schedule, but after the match he explained, “Thinking about the future of this club and how we will compete for titles going forward, and with the season now in its final stage, I felt this was a time when we needed to see how far the players can go.” <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/6e49e3420e394ec5862476fd40ade5d9/0923HP%20(15).jpg" alt=""> Goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon started behind a back line of Niko Takahashi, Shinnosuke Hatanaka, Ryuya Nishio, and Hayato Okuda. In midfield, Kyohei Yoshino and Hinata Kida formed the double pivot, with Shion Homma on the left wing, Vítor Bueno in the No. 10 role, Reiya Sakata on the right, and Motohiko Nakajima as the lone striker. From the outset Cerezo struggled to build out from the back, giving Kashima a few early chances, but as they gradually adjusted to the pitch conditions they began to move the ball forward more smoothly and even win possession high up the field. In the 15th minute, Cerezo created the first clear chance of the match. Homma won the ball high on the left and broke forward before sending a pass inside. Bueno let it run, and Nakajima took one touch before unleashing a powerful shot, but it lacked angle and was tipped away by goalkeeper Tomoki Hayakawa’s outstretched right hand. Homma cut inside for another effort in the 19th minute, and in the 23rd, a short counter brought another opportunity when Sakata’s pressing forced a turnover. Nakajima drove forward and slipped a pass to Bueno, whose delicate chip was again denied by Hayakawa. Cerezo finally converted their next chance in the 26th minute. When Gaku Shibasaki received the ball, Homma and Kida combined to dispossess him, leading to a swift move through Homma, Nakajima, and Sakata into the box. As Sakata cut the ball back, Homma was brought down by Kei Chinen, earning a penalty that Bueno calmly slotted into the right corner to put Cerezo ahead. Despite the full squad rotation, Cerezo’s cohesive defending and sharp attacking play suggested they might take control. However, just three minutes later Kashima drew level when center-back Naomichi Ueda surged down the right and delivered a cross that Chinen headed home at the far post. Moments later Shibasaki tested Kim with a long-range strike, but the keeper made a fine save. In the 43rd minute, Cerezo broke with a numerical advantage, only for Nakajima’s shot to fly over the crossbar. The first half ended 1–1. Having overcome a shaky start to seize the lead, Cerezo would have preferred to go into the break in front. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a0de433400f3467d859f1a88756bf351/0923HP%20(13).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/776bba73c8c54ccdb1f3f4348421ca5c/0923HP%20(14).jpg" alt=""> Both sides made changes at the break. Cerezo replaced Niko Takahashi with Ayumu Ohata, while Kashima brought on their ace Yuma Suzuki and midfielder Yu Funabashi. Right after the restart, Suzuki fired two shots, but even as Cerezo looked to settle and keep the ball, they were undone by a single long pass. Naomichi Ueda sent a ball in behind to Leo Ceara; Ryuya Nishio lunged to intercept but failed to cut it out and the ball skipped past him, allowing Ceara to race clear and finish the one-on-one. Having scored freely for Cerezo over the past two seasons, Ceara showed his trademark composure, but for Cerezo it was a careless way to concede. The moment Kashima went ahead, the atmosphere and momentum shifted dramatically. With Kashima now pouring forward in waves, Cerezo struggled to turn the tide. In the 62nd minute, manager Arthur Papas made a triple substitution—Lucas Fernandes, Shinji Kagawa, and Shunta Tanaka—but in the 68th they suffered a third blow. After losing the ball on the right side of their own half, Cerezo were hit on the counter, the flank was broken, and substitute Yuta Matsumura struck to make it 3–1. That effectively settled the contest. Cerezo did create a chance in the 84th minute when Lucas drove forward and set up Motohiko Nakajima for a shot, but they also faced several scares of a possible fourth goal. Led by Shinnosuke Hatanaka, the defense held firm late on, yet after a competitive first half Cerezo were overpowered in the second, falling 1–3. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8ac1eab9f08b4d6d8f6cd8f74a5af86b/0923MR.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/82aa9dbdacbe4713af60ed744b89a95a/0923HP%20(12).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo Osaka faced a tough away match against league leaders Kashima Antlers, with manager Papas declaring before the game, “Kashima are a club that will give everything in their push for the title, but rather than focusing on the opponent, we want to concentrate on what we can do. We want to play a game that we can win.” However, after the match, the players acknowledged Kashima’s strength. Hinata Kida said, “The way they finish their chances—that’s probably why they’re at the top right now,” while Shion Homma added, “There’s a lot we can learn from the way a team fighting for the title manages the game and maintains their mentality.” Next up, Cerezo return home to face Kyoto Sanga F.C., aiming to bounce back from this defeat with a victory against an opponent currently in third place, five points behind Kashima as of the previous round. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/28c2f31b44344d8aaa8224ae3a3c9519/0923HP%20(16).jpg" alt="">

Review: Kashima Antlers 3-1 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD31)

<h3 id="h43ec58950c">Cerezo displayed clear growth from the last matchup, battling Kashiwa to a hard-fought draw and earning a valuable point despite missed chances.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/c6a681a894664b09ad763333cef470c4/0921MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Six days after their come-from-behind win away to Avispa Fukuoka, Cerezo Osaka returned home to face third-place Kashiwa Reysol in the 30th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. Manager Arthur Papas made three changes from the Fukuoka match, bringing Shinnosuke Hatanaka, Kyohei Yoshino, and Motohiko Nakajima out of the lineup and starting Ryosuke Shindo, Shunta Tanaka, and Rafael Ratao in their places, each slotting into the same positions. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/74599ef5387b48fb9022a5d8c4424d04/0921MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Before the match, the “Meiji Yasuda Super Legends Match 2025” was held, featuring Cerezo Osaka Legends vs Meiji Yasuda Super Legends. With goals from Yoichiro Kakitani and Yasuhito Morishima, Cerezo Osaka Legends earned a 2–0 victory. In front of a large crowd of supporters, both teams’ players put on a spirited performance, creating a vibrant and exciting pre-game atmosphere. Following this star-studded opening event, the J1 fixture kicked off, and the first clear chance fell to Cerezo. In the 2nd minute, starting from Shinji Kagawa, the ball was moved quickly with one-touch passes through Lucas Fernandes and Rafael Ratao, breaking through the center. The move ended with Masaya Shibayama striking with his left foot, but the shot missed the target by a narrow margin. In the 9th minute, Yuto Yamada of Kashiwa fired a shot from the middle, but Rikito Inoue made the block—his second successive game with such defensive heroics. Although Cerezo were pushed back for a spell, in the 15th minute Ayumu Ohata played a pass in behind on the left side. Thiago Andrade burst forward and sent in a cross, where Lucas came flying in from the far side for a shot that went straight to goalkeeper Kojima. With pressing high up the pitch and maintaining strong defensive intensity, Cerezo’s start was promising. However, in the 25th minute they conceded. After receiving the ball from goalkeeper Koki Fukui, Shindo attempted a pass toward midfield, but it was intercepted. Kashiwa quickly launched a short counterattack, and Mao Hosoya applied the finishing touch. Even so, as manager Arthur Papas later noted, “I thought our reaction after conceding was good.” Cerezo did not drop their heads and struck back in the 41st minute. Starting with Fukui, the ball moved through Inoue, Thiago, and Ohata, who combined down the left. Ohata then carried the ball inside and fed Shibayama in the center. Drawing two defenders, Shibayama released a final pass to the right, where Lucas fired home from a tight angle to level the score. Moments later, Cerezo almost took the lead again. Intercepting a Kashiwa pass, Kagawa initiated a central breakthrough. From Shibayama’s pass, Thiago unleashed a shot, but it went wide, leaving the first half to end in a 1–1 stalemate. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/adaf28658e4c4ab9aa2afebcb4283532/0921MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/dafcc456748749debc4e2a59ffd0603d/0921MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> In the second half, Cerezo were forced to endure from the start as Kashiwa dominated possession. Their pressing failed to bite, and they were pinned deep in their own half, stretched from side to side in a tough spell, but Shindo said afterward, “We held firm.” On the flanks, Dion Cools and Ohata battled fiercely, while in front of goal Shindo and Inoue repeatedly cleared danger. In the 62nd minute, Yoshio Koizumi carried the ball forward and found the net, but after an on-field review supported by VAR, the referee ruled that a Kashiwa player in an offside position had interfered with play, and the goal was disallowed. In the 66th minute, Cerezo made a triple substitution, bringing on Nakajima, Shion Homma, and Yoshino to increase their work rate and press from the front, pushing back the momentum that had tilted toward Kashiwa. In the 73rd minute, Kagawa delivered a fine forward pass to spark a counterattack. Cools laid the ball off for Lucas, who drove forward and struck a shot. The goalkeeper saved, and Nakajima went for the rebound but failed to make clean contact. In the closing stages, Cerezo again spent long stretches defending as Kashiwa controlled possession, but not only the back line—Kagawa also tracked back to clear danger as the entire team defended stubbornly to deny any clear chances. Then, in the second minute of stoppage time, Cerezo created a golden opportunity. Nakajima held the ball expertly before switching play to Lucas on the right. Spotting the forward runs of Yoshino and Homma, Lucas slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the space behind. “I saw Yoshino as well, but he was offside, so I chose to play it to Homma on the far side,” Lucas explained. Homma went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his former teammate at Albirex Niigata, goalkeeper Kojima, made the save. “There was a bit of a mind game, but it was a chance I absolutely had to finish. I can only say it was a bitter miss,” Homma said ruefully. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ebd33abd370645809564d673cb22257b/0921MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d1ec2abb8b7d4f45b80b876e56ed0111/0921MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> The match ended in a 1–1 draw. Although Cerezo were forced to endure long spells of Kashiwa possession in the second half, their defense held firm to keep a clean sheet after the break—a key positive to take away. “We created the better-quality chances and the clearer finishing situations,” manager Papas noted, pointing out that Cerezo outnumbered Kashiwa in decisive opportunities over the full 90 minutes. Goal-scorer Lucas Fernandes reflected, “There were stretches where they controlled the game, but we stayed focused defensively until the end. From that solid base we also created big chances, so we definitely had a shot at winning. It’s frustrating not to take all three points, but we have to see this as a positive draw.” Next up is a quick turnaround with an away clash against Kashima Antlers in just two days. “If I get the chance, I’ll play with the mindset to deliver results,” said Homma, determined to channel the frustration from this match into the upcoming fixture despite the short preparation time. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1a772f8a0dea4cb9a0c5fd8331423457/0921MR%20(7).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka 1-1 Kashiwa Reysol (J1 MD30)

<h3 id="hfb4b951ca9">After a lightning delay, Cerezo erupted in the 2nd half with 4 goals to complete a comeback and finally claimed 3 points away from home.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/4aae1ff2b28e4ee8a216d16c8cf49ab3/0915MR.jpg" alt=""> After 12 days since their previous match—a 1-1 draw against Sanfrecce Hiroshima where they held the upper hand—Cerezo Osaka returned to action in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League following the international break. Traveling away, they faced Avispa Fukuoka in Matchweek 29. The starting XI was unchanged from the Hiroshima game. Ryosuke Shindo returned to the squad for the first time in eight league matches, while Shion Homma, who missed the previous match, and Shunta Tanaka, who had been left out just before kickoff, were both named to the bench. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e7f748896d594211a7d0555def95e23b/0915MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> In the 8th minute, Cerezo were broken through on the left and conceded a cross that led to a clear chance, but Rikito Inoue twice cleared the ball in front of goal. With superb covering play from No. 31, Cerezo prevented the opener. From there, Cerezo began creating chances in succession. In the 9th minute, Masaya Shibayama sparked a counter, releasing Thiago Andrade who surged forward at speed and cut inside before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot that flew just wide. Against Fukuoka’s flexible build-up, Cerezo struck back with counters in the 12th and 15th minutes, winning the ball well and moving quickly into finishing positions, though Shinji Kagawa could not convert either attempt. In the 20th minute, after a sharp vertical sequence from goalkeeper Koki Fukui through Kyohei Yoshino and Shibayama, Thiago broke down the left to deliver a cross, but no teammate could meet it. As the rain intensified midway through the half, Fukuoka seized the initiative after the hydration break. “We could no longer press aggressively in defense,” manager Arthur Papas noted, as Fukuoka pushed forward and created threats from the flanks. Still, in the 37th minute, Inoue again came to the rescue with a clearance to deny Itsuki Oda’s header, and in the 40th, Fukui produced a big save to stop Kazuki Fujimoto’s shot. Yet in the 41st minute, Tomoya Miki struck a powerful effort from a short corner to put Fukuoka ahead. In first-half stoppage time, Lucas Fernandes tried his luck with a direct free kick, only to be denied by goalkeeper Yuma Obata’s fine save. Moments later, thunder rolled across the night sky, and with the risk of lightning, referee Yoshimi Yamashita suspended play. After about 35 minutes, the match resumed, and the remainder of stoppage time was played out before the halftime whistle. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/830b527f345f45789148557edfa921a7/0915MR%20(8).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/2c226d5ca1eb4ec7b6e0196991cb768b/0915MR%20(10).jpg" alt=""> After a first half in which Cerezo went from creating numerous chances to losing the initiative and conceding the opener, manager Papas said at halftime, “I clearly told the players what we need to do and what we need to correct.” Reaffirming their aggressive approach from the front in both attack and defense, Cerezo equalized in the 54th minute. Shinnosuke Hatanaka and Ayumu Ohata combined on the left side to pull the opposition out of position, and Motohiko Nakajima received Ohata’s pass and immediately sent the ball into space on the left. Thiago made a run, outpacing the defenders with his exceptional speed, and delivered a left-footed cross to the center, where Shibayama finished. Using his non-dominant right foot, he positioned himself to strike “like an inside pass” and guided the ball into the net. Ten minutes later, Shibayama scored again to complete the turnaround. Lucas’s cross was headed by Thiago, but after the goalkeeper parried it, Shibayama followed up and finished with the outside of his left foot. It was his first multi-goal match since joining Cerezo. He revealed, “In the pre-match meeting, the boss (manager Papas) told us, ‘If you get into the box, you can score two today.’ I focused on sprinting into the box,” perfectly fulfilling his manager’s prediction. Cerezo didn’t stop there. In the 77th minute, a similar build-up saw Shunta Tanaka send a precise pass into space behind the defense to utilize Thiago’s speed, and Rafael Ratao, making a late run, finished from Thiago’s cross. In the 80th minute, Takaaki Shichi delivered a cross to Shintaro Nago for a volleyed goal, but the ball had already crossed the goal line before the cross, so the goal was disallowed. Manager Papas made three substitutions in the 83rd minute. Shindo, making his return, also stepped onto the pitch. In the 89th minute, Cerezo scored their fourth goal. Hinata Kida sent a long ball forward, the opposition defender miscontrolled it, and Ratao picked it up, dribbling before firing a powerful shot into the near post. In stoppage time, Wellington scored a header from a corner, but Cerezo held on to secure a 4-2 comeback victory. Papas’s insistence on winning away was realized in a thrilling goal rush. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/12fb1ef1d7ac44ecaf92ecbe4ad23271/0915MR%20(9).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e578fe922d224aa5b13b6e1ed94d2740/0915MR%20(12).jpg" alt=""> Manager Papas said, “In the second half, the team played the kind of football I wanted to see. The pressing was aggressive, and we saw many plays that led to goals, so I want to give credit for that.” While the two goals conceded from set pieces remain an issue, the comeback victory demonstrated the attacking football the team has been working on this season. Shinji Kagawa also reflected with a bright expression, “It was amazing as a team to score four goals. This victory came as a result of everyone working hard and fighting until the end.” From the next match, Cerezo will face three top-tier opponents in a row—Kashiwa Reysol, Kashima Antlers, and Kyoto Sanga F.C.—and they aim to fully showcase the strength they have built this season and continue racking up victories. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/6db0441c53ee4184b2bdb0d5ac7976ac/0915MR%20(1).jpg" alt="">

Review: Avispa Fukuoka 2-4 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD29)

<h3 id="hca21682476">Cerezo showed solid play in attack and defense, with Lucas Fernandes scoring from the spot, but couldn’t find a second goal and had to settle for a draw.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/5750bfaf5c0e4a7483c471f32b3b4943/0902MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> Seven days after their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Vissel Kobe, Cerezo Osaka once again returned home to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the 28th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. There were two changes to the starting lineup from the Kobe match: Shion Homma was absent due to illness, with Thiago Andrade returning to the lineup for the first time in two matches, while Shunta Tanaka, who had initially been announced as a starter, was left out just before kickoff due to “knee discomfort” (according to manager Arthur Papas), and Masaya Shibayama was included in the starting eleven. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/97a9381a81804528b86246bce5a55717/0902MR.jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1079" alt=""> Just one minute into the match, Hiroshima picked up a second ball from a long pass, and Ryo Germain fired the first shot of the game. In the 4th and 8th minutes, Cerezo lost passes in their own half and faced danger, but the defenders responded calmly without giving away any clear chances. In the 8th minute, Cerezo created a chance on the counterattack when Shibayama carried the ball forward and combined with Lucas Fernandes to threaten the goal. After a slightly pressured start, Cerezo gradually took control of possession and began to dictate the game. In the 32nd minute, they broke the deadlock. Shinji Kagawa intercepted a pass in midfield and linked with Kyohei Yoshino and Thiago to launch a short counter. Yoshino slipped through a pass to Thiago, who coolly assessed the situation inside before sending the ball across, where Lucas was brought down by a defender as he cut in from the far side. Cerezo won a penalty, and Lucas himself converted to give the team the lead in the 35th minute. Riding the momentum, Cerezo created another big chance in the 38th minute. Shibayama floated a pass forward, Thiago outmuscled a defender to break free with his pace, and carried the ball into the box, but his shot aiming for the near post in a one-on-one with the keeper was denied by a brilliant save from Keisuke Osako. Cerezo endured Hiroshima’s pressure toward the end of the first half by defending bravely, and went into the break with a one-goal lead. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/75bdd9e1444746c3a4805b95d41636a8/0902MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ea3fb7bfeb72403c9a01a5e9d7d56ff2/0902MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> At halftime, Hiroshima made two substitutions to add energy to their attack and adjust their back three, but the first chance of the second half still fell to Cerezo. In the 49th minute, Thiago latched onto a through ball from Yoshino, broke down the left, and cut the ball back inside, but it didn’t lead to a shot. In the 59th minute, Cerezo created another opportunity on the counter, as Motohiko Nakajima—starting again as the lone striker following the previous match—turned and fired, but his effort was saved by Osako. From around this point, Hiroshima began to dominate possession, pushing Cerezo deeper into their own half and forcing them to endure a spell of pressure. In the 64th minute, a cross from Hiroshima’s left was parried away by goalkeeper Koki Fukui, only for the rebound to be collected and fired home from distance by Hayao Kawabe. However, the goal was disallowed for offside, as Kosuke Kinoshita had been flagged when reacting to the initial cross. Looking to regain momentum, Cerezo made a double substitution in the 66th minute, bringing on Rafael Ratao and Reiya Sakata to refresh the front line. Even so, Hiroshima equalized in the 72nd minute. Naoto Arai’s free kick was headed back across goal at the far post, and Kinoshita bundled the ball in. Moments later, Cerezo nearly conceded again from a corner when Sho Sasaki met it with a header, but they survived. Cerezo responded strongly in the 77th minute, creating a clear chance. Lucas won the ball high up the pitch, carried it forward on the dribble, and laid it off, setting up a move that broke Hiroshima’s defense wide open. But Ratao’s shot was once again denied by a brilliant save from Osako, preventing a go-ahead goal. In the closing stages, the match opened up with both teams chasing a second goal. In stoppage time, approaching the announced eight additional minutes, Cerezo nearly snatched the winner. A flowing move saw Lucas, Ratao, Nakajima, and Hinata Kida combine before Sakata received Kida’s pass inside the box. From his favored angle, he curled a shot on target, only to see it cleared away by Japan international center-back Hayato Araki. Unable to convert any of their three major chances, Cerezo had to settle for a frustrating 1–1 draw. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8ddbf2525eb347a4af05eadcc3333efb/0902MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d149473acd4f44dcb44e1ed49c32e8dd/0902MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo Osaka entered this match with a strong determination. “In recent years, we as a club have experienced many frustrating moments against Hiroshima. It’s not about personal feelings, but as a club, we want to deliver victories to our fans and supporters,” said Kagawa. Despite being faced with a pre-match accident, the team pushed Hiroshima to the brink, but victory eluded them. Reflecting on the match, manager Papas said, “Both teams fought to win. Our performance was good, but I think what decided this match was the quality of the opposing goalkeeper.” Thiago, whose clear chances were denied, said, “There are parts where we can only praise the opponent’s goalkeeper, but I also want to improve my own finishing.” Ratao also vowed, “We will win the next match.” In the three consecutive top-table matches in August, Cerezo drew twice and lost once, unable to secure a win. Still, the team aims to accept everything — what they achieved and the challenges that remain — and carry it forward into the matches from September onward. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8d88b9bd7c914379a7505021b92006f6/0902MR%20(5).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka 1-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J1 MD28)

<h3 id="h80a992990b">Cerezo Osaka regained their style and showed a positive mentality in attack and defense. Though victory was just out of reach, they stood toe-to-toe with champions Vissel Kobe and earned a valuable point.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/6ab5a90389f8459da01e102de32951a4/0826MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> Six days after suffering a 0–3 defeat to FC Machida Zelvia in the previous round, Cerezo Osaka returned home to face Vissel Kobe in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 27. There were four changes from the starting lineup against Machida: Ayumu Ohata and Kyohei Yoshino both made their first league starts since joining the club, Shion Homma returned to the lineup for the first time in two matches since Round 25 against Niigata, and Shinji Kagawa started for the first time in three matches since Round 24 against Shonan. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d1355ecabbb34db0b251580d947c4684/0826MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Right from the start, Cerezo lost the ball on the back line and were hit on a short counter, giving Kobe a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper, but Jean Patric’s shot was denied by Koki Fukui. Thanks to a big save from their keeper, Cerezo avoided conceding early. In the 2nd minute, Kobe again threatened through a long ball that created danger on the flank, but Cerezo held firm, and in the 9th minute they created a big chance of their own. Yoshino won the ball in midfield, Kagawa and Homma combined to break down the left side, and Ohata delivered a cross that Lucas Fernandes attacked at the far post. He could not get a shot away, but it was a brilliant sequence of play. In the 12th minute, another high press led to a short counter: Kagawa slipped through a final pass to Lucas, who fired on goal, but his effort was blocked by a defender. In the middle stages, Kobe threatened with long balls and set pieces, but Cerezo held out until the drinks break. Controlling more of the possession, Cerezo went close again in the 32nd minute when the lively Homma cut in from the left and unleashed a shot that flew just over the bar. They finally broke through in the 35th minute. Starting from Fukui, the team patiently built from the back, evading Kobe’s press and progressing to the right side. Lucas carried the ball inside from the flank and switched play to the far side, where Homma received in the box and calmly squared for Kagawa to finish with his left foot. Remarkably, ten players were involved and 20 passes were strung together in the move that led to the goal. Reflecting on the sequence, Fukui said proudly: “This kind of football cannot be played alone. It only works when everyone is connected. The goal came as a result of our training and our belief in the style.” <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/96d906f1777242abadbb398bab0fd4f2/0826MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ff1a6fade4d649328e9041da18883ead/0826MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> At halftime, Kobe made a double substitution, bringing on star striker Yuya Osako and Erik to add variety and depth to their attack. However, the first clear chance of the second half fell to Cerezo. In the 47th minute, they broke down the right side, and Lucas delivered a cross from Kagawa’s pass that Shunta Tanaka met with a header, only for it to sail agonizingly over the crossbar. Immediately afterward, though, Kobe struck from a goal kick. Daiya Maekawa’s long ball was contested by Erik, and when Osako picked up the second ball, he slipped a through pass to Erik, who finished the one-on-one with the keeper. It was precisely the kind of second-ball threat from long balls that Cerezo had most wanted to avoid, but on this occasion, they were undone by Kobe’s individual quality. That was the only real chance Kobe created in the second half. Captain Tanaka admitted afterward, “We had to prevent that,” showing his frustration. Still, Cerezo did not let the equalizer affect them and kept pushing forward, repeatedly creating danger from the left side on the counter. In the 59th minute, Homma combined with Kagawa and Yoshino before Motohiko Nakajima fired a shot. The No. 13, who started as the lone striker in place of the suspended Rafael Ratao, had another big chance seven minutes later, meeting Ohata’s cross with a perfectly timed header that was brilliantly saved by Maekawa. In the 82nd minute, Cerezo broke through again on the left, and substitute Yo Kida struck from inside the box, but his effort was blocked by a defender. Holding firm against Kobe’s threats while continuing to press for a winner, Cerezo could not find a decisive goal, and the match ended 1-1. A heated Kansai derby concluded with the two sides sharing the points. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/db48588b366644f2879b4277b12139bb/0826MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/44894bfccecb41c28fa1e34b36004735/0826MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> “Both teams fought until the very end, each aiming for the win. It was a match where two different styles of football clashed. Throughout the game, I thought our players did very well in showing what they wanted to do,” reflected manager Papas. Cerezo held their ground even in duels, which are a strong point for Kobe, and new signings such as Yoshino and Ohata were active on the pitch. Showing a rebound mentality after the heavy defeat in the previous match was a positive takeaway. On the other hand, given that Kobe had played two consecutive away matches with just two days’ rest, it was certainly a match that Cerezo wanted to win at home, both in terms of result and overall performance. Looking ahead to the next game, when they will host Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Kagawa said, “We want the result, and winning is what matters most.” The team will spend the week preparing together to capture all three points from Hiroshima, a recent nemesis. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cf1669a567ed4b238fe474a57113c826/0826MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka 1-1 Vissel Kobe (J1 MD27)

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Eiji Kubo has joined the club. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"Hello! I am Eiji Kubo, wearing number 26. I am very happy to be joining Cerezo Osaka. I will do my best every day to contribute as a member of Cerezo Osaka and help the team achieve victories as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth September 2, 2007 Position Midfielder Number 26 Height / Weight 180cm / 73kg Place of Birth Kanagawa Career Yokohama F. Marinos Primary Yokohama F. Marinos U-15 Junior Youth Real Sociedad Youth (Spain) Real Sociedad Juvenil B (Spain)

Eiji Kubo joins Cerezo Osaka

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Ken Isibor will be joining the club as a new signing for the 2026 season. He has been registered as a Class-2 player this season, making him eligible to participate in official J.League matches. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>“I am Ken Isibor, and I will be promoted from Cerezo Osaka U-18 to the first team starting from the 2026 season. To the teammates and coaching staff of my former team who taught me the joy of football when I was still inexperienced, to the manager and coaches who guided me to Cerezo Osaka and trained me from the ground up even though I had no experience as a goalkeeper, and to the club staff who gave me a new chance even though I am still far from complete, and also to the members of Hanasaka Club and my family who have supported and cheered for me — I will do my best every day so that I can show myself on the pitch and contributing as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3><h4 id="ha9c29754cc">Date of Birth</h4>August 29, 2007 <h4 id="h8b5fa66284">Place of Birth</h4>Osaka <h4 id="h11b1e8350c">Height / Weight</h4>195cm / 82kg<h4 id="h6ca73d845a"> Position</h4>Goalkeeper <h4 id="hbb49721568">Career</h4>Osaka Football Club Nakaizuo JSC Cerezo Osaka U-15 Cerezo Osaka U-18 Cerezo Osaka *Registered as a Class-2 player

Ken Isibor joins Cerezo Osaka for the 2026 season

<h3 id="hbfd07bb42f">Cerezo, aiming for revenge and a climb up the table, fell 0-3 to FC Machida Zelvia after conceding twice in the first half and failing to hit back.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1f20e90ad496460081ec65d37a452fa1/0818MR.jpg" alt=""> Coming off their first league victory in three matches against Albirex Niigata four days earlier, Cerezo Osaka traveled away to face FC Machida Zelvia in the 26th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. There were two changes to the starting lineup from the Niigata match: Masaya Shibayama and Shion Homma made way, with Rafael Ratao and Thiago Andrade starting. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/7890548466d44fa4b1c9a659b440b4a1/0818MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> As a countermeasure against Machida’s right wing-back Henry Heroki Mochizuki, who often pushed high and wide and was targeted with long balls, Cerezo set up in a [5-4-1] shape out of possession with Shunta Tanaka dropping into the back line to form a back three when defending. “(The opponents) leave a player wide on the outside, so we wanted to line up with five (at the back) to immediately match up against their wing-backs when the ball was switched,” explained manager Arthur Papas after the match. Cerezo had been punished by wing-backs several times before when facing teams that play with a back three. Mochizuki, in particular, stands at 192cm, making it an unfavorable matchup for Hayato Okuda to slide over and deal with him. The tactical adjustment was understandable, but from the outset the back line sank too deep, leaving Cerezo sitting in an overly defensive block. That meant the front line could not press, allowing Machida to advance the ball easily and forcing Cerezo onto the back foot. They were spared in the 8th minute when a goal was disallowed for offside, but conceded in the 22nd: Yuki Soma broke through and delivered a cross, Thiago’s attempted clearance was incomplete, and Na Sang Ho pounced with a fierce strike from distance. Again, the defensive line had dropped too deep, closing down far too late. Goalkeeper Koki Fukui, facing his former club, kept out Yuta Nakayama’s long-range effort in the 35th minute, but in the 42nd, a single vertical pass from Gen Shoji split the defense and Kotaro Hayashi finished for Machida’s second. Against such a resolute defensive side, trailing by two goals at halftime was a heavy blow. On the attacking side, Cerezo also struggled. “As soon as we won the ball, our transition was too heavy at the back and we couldn’t generate the forward thrust we needed,” admitted Shinnosuke Hatanaka. In possession, Cerezo returned to their usual [4-2-3-1], with Motohiko Nakajima starting as the attacking midfielder. He managed two efforts on goal, but overall the team failed to display the attacking identity of “Papas Cerezo” in the first 45 minutes. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9e52797d3cfd4e65b70ce7088127cf39/0818MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/421d0d8845c74ad38fa3da6752d41eec/0818MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Chasing two goals in the second half, manager Papas substituted Nakajima and Hinata Kida for Shinji Kagawa and Kyohei Yoshino, returning to Cerezo’s usual style of play. With Cerezo now on the offensive and Machida sitting back with a two-goal lead, the early stages of the second half saw Cerezo mounting a relentless attack. In the 53rd minute, Yoshino won the ball high up the pitch, quickly feeding it forward to Tanaka, who combined with Ratao in a one-two with Thiago Andrade to create a clear chance, but the shot was saved by goalkeeper Kosei Tani. Another opportunity came from a short-corner variation on the following set piece, connecting Thiago, Kagawa, and Tanaka before Ratao once again had a chance, only for the shot to be blocked by a defender. In the 60th minute, Ratao received a through ball from Lucas Fernandes and had another chance, but was denied once more by Tani. “Cerezo showed good reactions in the second half. There were three big chances, and if we had managed to score, the game could have been very different,” manager Papas reflected. Despite the opportunity to change the match’s outcome, Machida held firm, and in the 64th minute, the tall Oh Se Hun and Keiya Sento were brought on. In the 79th minute, a cross from Soma found Oh Se Hun, who scored Machida’s third goal, effectively deciding the match. Cerezo continued to fight until the final whistle. Before conceding the third goal, Homma and Ayumu Ohata, playing on the left side, attempted to break through the defense with coordinated runs. Making his debut for Cerezo, Ohata said, “I’m good at linking up in tight spaces to create openings, and I want to continue showing that.” In the 87th minute, Reiya Sakata replaced Fernandes. Cerezo repeatedly reached Machida’s goal in the second half, but could not find the crucial goal. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/5b7c6c8e2cfd48e2bd63e178047b5eef/0818MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f258552e9d49438f91571e5479904a76/0818MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> About four months had passed since the previous meeting. Although Cerezo wanted to show the growth achieved during that period—earning 24 points in 12 league matches—the team suffered a complete defeat, feeling the full force of Machida’s momentum, which had won ten consecutive official matches, as manager Papas pointed out that there were “many scenes where we lost” in duels, a point he highlighted before the match. However, there is no time to hang heads. “Next is Vissel (Kobe), and after that Sanfrecce (Hiroshima). Teams similar (to Machida) will continue, so it is important as a team to make use of this loss. We must not repeat the same mistakes and have no choice but to accept today’s defeat and move forward,” Kagawa said. In August, with a series of high-intensity opponents, the lessons from this match need to be carried into the next games. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/dd87d9224ebd4dadb6ec85dd261a546a/0818MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

Review: FC Machida Zelvia 3-0 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD26)

<h3 id="hd8a7e37b15">Conceding first in the 2nd minute, the team kept pressing and scored three goals, securing a comeback victory that showcased their style and marked the league restart with a win.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/dbedbde3b9374292a062fc4be0bb11a9/0813MR.jpg" alt=""> Cerezo Osaka hosted Albirex Niigata in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 25. Four days after the Emperor’s Cup Round of 16 match against FC Tokyo, manager Papas explained, “We considered the summer heat and fatigue, and also wanted to maintain intensity,” making six changes to the starting lineup. Koki Fukui started in goal, Dion Cools took the right-back position, and Rikito Inoue made his first appearance and first start since joining, partnering at centre-back. Up front, Shion Homma, facing his former club, made his first league start for Cerezo, while fellow former Niigata player Motohiko Nakajima led the line as the lone striker. Masaya Shibayama was deployed in the attacking midfield role, completing a refreshed lineup. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e6cd4c68feb247a186a8aa1c553a1b55/0813MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> In the 2nd minute, Niigata created a chance from a long ball down the flank and scored through Yuto Horigome on the follow-up after a cross. However, Cerezo launched a fierce counterattack from there. In the 10th minute, Nakajima fired a shot following a trick play from a corner kick, and in the 12th minute, Shibayama cut inside to shoot on target. After threatening Niigata’s goal in quick succession, Cerezo equalized in the 13th minute. After clearing a corner, Niigata tried to counterattack, but Homma quickly switched play, won back possession, and triggered a short counterattack. Receiving a pass from Lucas Fernandes, Nakajima controlled the ball, spun around, and fired a shot that Niigata goalkeeper Kazuki Fujita failed to catch, allowing the ball to go into the net. Having equalized early, Cerezo continued to press. In the 16th minute, a middle-distance shot from Hinata Kida deflected off a defender and flew dangerously toward goal, leading to a corner kick. Although Shibayama’s kick was saved by the goalkeeper, Hayato Okuda reacted quickly to the second ball and unleashed a left-footed shot from distance. The ball took a magnificent trajectory toward goal but struck the post, denying a turnaround. After the hydration break, in the 32nd minute, Homma—making his first J1 league start against his former club—cut inside from the left flank and shot, threatening the goal with his trademark move. Defensively, the team pressed well from the front and recovered many second balls. Despite conceding early, Cerezo hardly allowed Niigata any attacks for the rest of the first half, but toward the end, Niigata gained more possession. In the 39th minute, Kakeru Funaki—who played for Cerezo until last month—made a pinpoint switch of play, delivering a cross from the right side that created a chance inside. The final shot, however, missed the target, and Cerezo escaped danger. Though Cerezo dominated much of the first half, the score remained level at halftime. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8d5ef57052d541c489fc223d0e253218/0813MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/105214bec0b740f8b32c8e6a44e06a0d/0813MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Continuing the momentum from the first half, Cerezo created the first clear chance of the second half as well. Repeatedly winning the ball high up the pitch, they launched sustained attacks, culminating in Shibayama firing a well-placed shot in front of goal. Although the goalkeeper made the save, Cerezo took the lead in the 54th minute. After Shinnosuke Hatanaka cleared a long ball from Niigata’s center-back, the ball was passed along to Okuda and Shunta Tanaka, who played a through ball behind the left side. Homma, making a run, delivered a cross that Lucas Fernandes met from the opposite side. This was Homma’s first assist since joining the club. After the match, he expressed relief: “This was a move we’ve practiced consistently. In this world, you have to produce results to survive. Although it was just an assist, I’m glad to have contributed something.” Three minutes later, Cerezo had another big chance. Breaking down the right side, Cools delivered a cross that Shibayama tried to finish, but the shot was blocked by a defender. In the middle of the second half, Niigata had some attacking spells, but Inoue showed strong cover, and Hatanaka blocked shots with his body, preventing an equalizer. Then, in the 81st minute, Cerezo sealed the win with a third goal. After a quick transition from defense to attack, they won the ball high up the field. Lucas carried the ball forward and played a short pass behind the left side. Although Thiago Andrade did not reach it, the Niigata defender who tried to clear the ball failed to do so, resulting in an own goal. While somewhat fortunate, the goal was a direct result of continuous pressure high up the pitch. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/679f533225094c7cb2d6c983814ea28c/0813MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/527b8b80484346feba162ec5a705c042/0813MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> In added time of the second half, Shinji Kagawa, who came on in the 84th minute, created two clear chances. Although they couldn’t convert, Cerezo continued to press relentlessly until the final whistle, taking 21 shots in a 3-1 comeback victory. “We were able to express the football we aim to play and have been building, and still come out on top,” manager Papas praised the players after the match. Cerezo extended their points tally to 37 with their first league win in three matches. Next up is an away game against FC Machida Zelvia, a team currently riding a six-game winning streak in the league and nine consecutive wins in all competitions. Kagawa commented, “This will be a true test, and I believe the team’s true nature will show in the results. We want to prepare thoroughly.” United as one, the team aims to seize this crucial victory to remain in the title race. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/7bee89f8123b435c9587853902141c59/0813MR%20(4).jpg" alt="">

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Review: Fagiano Okayama 1-2 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD34)

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