<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="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Shimizu S-Pulse (J1 MD3)

<h3 id="hda7b5b7fbb">A 0-3 defeat in the first away game under the new manager. Cerezo look to build on the positives from the second half.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/430cba5521e64273bf2eeae23373e395/0817MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Six days after their superb comeback victory over Fagiano Okayama in the season opener, Cerezo Osaka travelled away from home looking to make it back-to-back wins as they faced Avispa Fukuoka in Matchweek 2 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. There was one change to the starting XI from the opening game. Ayumu Ohata came in at left wing-back in place of Niko Takahashi, who had joined Holstein Kiel in Germany on loan. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a2d3836f78344a739f787649200ae04d/0817MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Early on, Cerezo created chances down the right through Dion Cools, Takumi Nakamura and Shinji Kagawa, a combination that had also worked well against Dortmund and Okayama. In the 9th minute, Yumeki Yokoyama carried the ball forward on the left on the counter, cut inside and shot. His effort narrowly missed the target, but it was a promising finish. However, after the 10-minute mark, Cerezo began struggling to move the ball forward against Fukuoka's press. In the 12th minute, they were pinned in on the left side of their own half and allowed Fukuoka to create a clear chance from a cross. Werik Popo's header went wide, allowing Cerezo to escape, but the flow of the game remained unchanged. As Shunta Tanaka reflected after the match, "Our distances weren't good, and we struggled to make the second balls our own. They kept picking them up and taking control of the game. It would have been good if we could have changed something during the first-half water break, but we just carried on like that for the rest of the half." Cerezo continued to sit too deep, with the wing-backs unable to push into advanced positions, and conceded in the 35th minute. Fukuoka stretched the defence from side to side, and eventually Cerezo lost the battle at the far post against a cross from the right side of their own half, before Fukuoka bundled the ball home in the resulting scramble in the middle. Even so, Cerezo would have wanted to get to half-time only one goal down despite the difficult flow of the game, but they conceded a second in the 43rd minute. After Fukuoka recovered a ball that had been cleared from a cross from the side, they fired a long-range shot into the net. The goals exposed issues in dealing with crosses and competing for second balls, but the failure to play out under Fukuoka's press and the resulting inability to escape their own half also contributed to the flow of the first half. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/77a8512f85e64e9e9d295f11d28f6738/0817MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/3f16a7015ef04589b4303211febf383d/0817MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Jackson Irvine came on for Kosei Okazawa at the start of the second half. "It was 0-2, so we had nothing to lose and they dropped back. Given the situation, it became easier for us to move forward in the second half," Irvine said after the match. Cerezo consequently spent more time in possession and entering the opposition half. Irvine, who said that "my focus was on becoming a link man," received the ball, carried it forward and played it vertically, helping to give Cerezo's attacks greater rhythm. Cerezo created a clear chance in the 57th minute. After Tanaka picked up the second ball, Solomon Sakuragawa did well to get a touch on Yokoyama's cross with his head, but it came back off the post. In the 60th minute, Thiago Andrade and Yota Komi came on for Yokoyama and Kagawa. Cerezo were on top during this spell, but in the 74th minute they lost the ball on the right side of their own half and were hit on the counter. Popo broke through and, despite a desperate attempt by Cools to cover, finished the one-on-one with the goalkeeper. In the 78th minute, Pablo Sabbag came on for Takumi Nakamura as Cerezo's fourth substitution. Komi dropped into the right wing-back position, while Thiago, Sakuragawa and Sabbag formed a front three. With a formation designed to put more pressure on the opposition, Cerezo pushed forward. In second-half stoppage time, Tanaka had a clear chance after running onto a through ball from Cools, who had pushed high up the pitch, but his shot narrowly missed the target. The match ended 0-3. For Cerezo under their new manager, it was a defeat that exposed plenty of issues in only their second game of the season. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/86404ceee9f0405087a8a67d53f23e5b/0817MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/14ea555c9de241c8a480a3eb4d43c6bf/0817MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Fukuoka had the upper hand in the tactical battle, the one-on-one contests and various other aspects of the game, but there was nothing wrong with having these issues emerge at this stage. The Cerezo debuts of Irvine, Komi and Sabbag were also positives that can contribute to the team's future. "Physically, the opposition controlled the game in this match. By coming into the team, I want to increase our intensity and presence in midfield" (Irvine). "I want to turn my attacking plays into shots, goals and assists" (Komi). "I hope to get my fitness up quickly and help the team with 100% of what I can give" (Sabbag). Looking ahead to what these three players can bring, Cerezo will identify the issues from this match and prepare for next week's home game against Shimizu S-Pulse, where they will go in search of all three points. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ee95e59e32d94be7a4d8fb9592feed73/0817MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Avispa Fukuoka vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD2)

Cerezo Osaka announce that Niko Takahashi has joined Holstein Kiel on loan. The loan deal runs until June 30, 2027. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I have decided to join Holstein Kiel in Germany. First of all, I would like to thank Cerezo Osaka for respecting and understanding my decision. I also feel sorry for all the fans and supporters who have been cheering me on, as I made this decision after the new season had begun. I will do my best overseas and give it my all to show you how much I have grown!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth August 17, 2005 Place of Birth Spain Nationality Japan Height / Weight 173cm / 65kg Position Defender Career FC Barcelona U-18 (Spain) FC Barcelona U-19 (Spain) Cerezo Osaka Almere City FC (Netherlands) *Loan Cerezo Osaka National Team U-16 Spain U-19 Japan U-20 Japan U-22 Japan Player Data (Domestic) J1: 23 games / 1 goal League Cup: 1 game / 0 goal

Niko Takahashi joins Holstein Kiel on loan

<h3 id="h1207b7d8a2">The 2026/27 season begins, marking the start of a new chapter in history. Under new manager Pablo Machin, Cerezo Osaka open the season with a superb comeback victory.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/501a9af1954c4397be84c1ce1080723f/0810MR.jpg" alt=""> The J.League began a new chapter in its history with the transition to a new season calendar. In the opening match of the 2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League, Cerezo Osaka welcomed Fagiano Okayama to their home ground, YANMAR HANASAKA STADIUM. Tickets had sold out that morning, creating a fantastic atmosphere filled with the passion of both sets of supporters. The starting XI for the historic season opener was the same 11 players who started against Borussia Dortmund on July 29. Kosei Okazawa and Yumeki Yokoyama made their first J1 appearances. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/43d53b494af9453cbb685c4360f3f21b/0810MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo created an early chance in the first minute. Starting with Yokoyama's dribble, the ball moved through Solomon Sakuragawa and Takumi Nakamura before Kagawa Shinji met Nakamura's direct pass in the middle. Cerezo had worked the ball through beautifully, but the final shot was saved by the goalkeeper (It was also offside). After an evenly contested start, Okayama began to put Cerezo under some pressure, and in the 8th minute, the visitors took the lead following a free-kick. Cerezo failed to clear the second ball, allowing Okayama to deliver a cross, and Noah Kenshin Browne finished emphatically in front of goal. "It was a situation we had been wary of. If you look at the second ball, the way we cleared it and the details, it was a goal we could have prevented," Kagawa reflected after the match. It was an avoidable goal, but the Cerezo players showed no signs of being shaken, continuing to move the ball and push into the opposition half. Cerezo created a clear chance in the 16th minute. Shunta Tanaka picked up the ball in midfield and moved forward with a one-two with Sakuragawa. He then played the ball out to Yokoyama on the left, before Niko Takahashi made an overlapping run beyond him and sent in a cross. Tanaka threw himself at the ball, but his header was kept out by a superb save from the goalkeeper. The play lifted the atmosphere inside the stadium, and four minutes later Cerezo drew level. Okazawa received the ball beside Cerezo's three centre-backs and spotted Sakuragawa's run in behind, threading a pass through to him. Sakuragawa went one-on-one with the goalkeeper and calmly finished. The No. 9 scored the team's first goal of the season, following his goal against Dortmund. "It's a move we've been working on in training. I'm glad I was able to finish it just as we practiced," he said with confidence. Okazawa, who provided the excellent assist, also explained the move: "It's something we had been working on as a team. When I dropped slightly to receive the ball, I was looking for the moment Solo made his run in behind." Four minutes later, Cerezo completed the turnaround. Goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura's long kick was brought under control by Sakuragawa up front while holding off the Okayama defender. Kagawa followed closely and immediately played the ball out to the left. Yokoyama received it, carried the ball forward with a dribble and cut inside before shooting with his right foot. He found the narrow gap at the near post and finished brilliantly. The No. 14 produced a goal worthy of being called a golazo, carrying over the momentum he had built toward the end of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League. This season, Yokoyama has been playing as an inside shadow rather than staying wide, and he feels the new role suits him perfectly: "The goal I scored today was also made possible by playing as a shadow, which allowed me to receive the ball inside. I think it was a goal I was able to score because I was playing in that position." Okayama threatened Cerezo's goal again from a set piece just before half-time, but a superb clearance from Rikito Inoue helped Cerezo take a 2-1 lead into the break. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/07bf55775ede451b80cc7861360c5acf/0810MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/3990957e17de4d398f37fb20b7e0fd48/0810MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo came under pressure from Okayama from the start of the second half. The visitors repeatedly found space down Cerezo's left side, but Cerezo dealt with the danger by firmly clearing the ball inside, while Okayama's shots also failed to find the target. At half-time, manager Pablo Machin had told his players, "Rather than dropping back, let's continue playing the same way we did in the first half." Looking to push back against Okayama, he made two substitutions as early as the 58th minute, bringing on Lucas Fernandes and Satoki Uejo. The introduction of fresh legs suggested an intention to create a foothold further forward and turn that into attacking opportunities. The overall flow of the match did not change significantly, however, with Okayama continuing to enjoy possession. Cerezo, led by Shinnosuke Hatanaka, maintained their defensive line well and showed no signs of opening up. After the match, Okayama manager Takayuki Kiyama reflected, "In the second half, with the opposition having tightened up defensively, we had periods when we were able to attack and keep possession, but we struggled to make the next move or the one after it." As Kiyama's comments suggest, Okayama were unable to create a clear chance in the second half, and Cerezo saw the game through. In stoppage time, Lucas, Uejo and Thiago Andrade, who had come on as substitutes, managed the remaining time well before the final whistle. Cerezo could not add to their lead, but they defended their advantage firmly to secure a victory in manager Pablo Machin's first match in charge. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/05e80e4231624cb89c9a8860a61a2ac8/0810MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/c0cc917e185d465895f878bf1f3437ec/0810MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> After the match, Masaya Shibayama, who had suffered an injury during the Miyazaki training camp, joined the players in the celebrations for a commemorative photo. Huge chants repeatedly rang out from behind the goal. For the match, all the players wore No. 48 T-shirts as they entered the pitch, while the supporters displayed a No. 48 choreography. The message, "We will continue to fight together with Shiba," could be felt throughout the stadium. "We wanted to fight hard for Shiba today as well, and the players gave everything. Personally, I'm satisfied that we were able to play in front of our fans and win," said manager Pablo Machin. Cerezo will now look to become an even stronger group and fight through the season together with their sights set on the summit. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/236a36ca87e4412dbcd1dd56f1530228/0810MR%20(1).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Fagiano Okayama (J1 MD1)

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Pablo Sabbag has joined the club. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/fb0fe028e9a44ece9afac78cfffa41ef/IMG_2774-2.jpg" alt=""> <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I'm very happy to be here! I will give everything I have for this club. I hope we can celebrate many goals together. And hopefully, we can sing a few songs together too!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth June 11, 1997 Place of Birth Colombia Nationality Syria, Colombia Height / Weight 190cm / 88kg Position Forward Number 19 Career Deportivo Cali (Colombia) Orsomarso SC (Colombia) *Loan CD Tondela (Portugal) *Loan Internacional de Bogota (Colombia) Estudiantes (Argentina) *Loan Newell's Old Boys (Argentina) *Loan Alianza Lima (Peru) *Loan Suwon FC (South Korea) Al Ahli SC (Libya) National Team Syria

Pablo Sabbag joins Cerezo Osaka

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Jackson Irvine joins the club from FC St. Pauli (Germany) on a permanent basis. The contract will be officially signed once his visa has been obtained. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/5b183dcc166a425c9f2b5296065f116f/IMG_2761-1.jpg" alt=""> <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I'm incredibly excited to be coming to the hottest football nation in the world and joining a new league and a club with huge potential. I hope I can use my experience and quality to help the team become even better. I'm also looking forward to experiencing a new culture and a new way of life. Let's achieve success together!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth March 7, 1993 Place of Birth Australia Nationality Australia, Scotland Height / Weight 189cm / 78kg Position Midfielder Number 36 Career Celtic FC (Scotland) Kilmarnock FC (Scotland) *Loan Ross County FC (Scotland) *Loan Ross County FC (Scotland) Burton Albion (England) Hull City (England) Hibernian FC (Scotland) FC St. Pauli (Germany) National Team U-19 Australia U-19 Scotland U-20 Australia U-23 Australia Australia

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Review: Vissel Kobe vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD4)

Javi Hernandez joins Cerezo Osaka from CD Leganes on loan

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

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

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Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Shimizu S-Pulse (J1 MD3)

Review: Avispa Fukuoka vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD2)

Niko Takahashi joins Holstein Kiel on loan

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Fagiano Okayama (J1 MD1)

Pablo Sabbag joins Cerezo Osaka

Jackson Irvine joins Cerezo Osaka from FC St. Pauli

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Review: Vissel Kobe vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD4)

Javi Hernandez joins Cerezo Osaka from CD Leganes on loan

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

Eiji Kubo joins Reilac Shiga FC on a developmental loan

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

Hinata Kida joins JEF United Ichihara Chiba

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Shimizu S-Pulse (J1 MD3)

Review: Avispa Fukuoka vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD2)

Niko Takahashi joins Holstein Kiel on loan

Review: Cerezo Osaka vs Fagiano Okayama (J1 MD1)

Pablo Sabbag joins Cerezo Osaka

Jackson Irvine joins Cerezo Osaka from FC St. Pauli

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