<h3 id="hb65e2b8ecb">Lucas Fernandes delivered two brilliant assists as Cerezo opened the second half of the league at home with a win. Second-half substitutes Motohiko Nakajima and Shunta Tanaka also contributed to the victory.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/88cdb1e64e9c496998d21f9b6d10b462/0623MR.jpg" alt=""> After a six-day break following the previous match against FC Tokyo, Cerezo Osaka hosted Tokyo Verdy at home for Matchweek 21 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. This fixture marked a fresh start following the end of a grueling nine-match stretch, and served as the team's first home game of the second half of the season — an important clash in their push to stay among the league's top contenders. The starting lineup remained unchanged from the previous match, while new signing Dion Cools was included in the squad for the first time. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/25e4febcf2d34e559311744f402bd23f/0623MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo came out on the front foot from the start, pushing high up the pitch with their defensive line and applying early pressure. In the 11th minute, after receiving a pass from Shinji Kagawa, Ryuya Nishio fired a powerful shot from distance, forcing a save from the goalkeeper. Dominating possession and pressing high to quickly win back the ball, Cerezo made a strong start. However, after the 10-minute mark, Tokyo Verdy began to gain more of the ball. Yuta Arai, who played as the lone striker and scored the winner in the previous meeting, broke into the penalty area, but Nishio made a crucial recovery to snuff out the danger. Just as it seemed Tokyo Verdy might take control, Cerezo broke the deadlock. Following a free-kick situation, Hinata Kida picked up the second ball and combined with Hayato Okuda before Lucas Fernandes whipped in a low, driven cross that Rafael Ratao met with a sharp header. Reflecting on the goal, Ratao noted, “I knew I wouldn’t get to the ball if I stayed static because they mark man-to-man. I focused on adjusting my positioning and changing direction.” His movement was excellent, but it was also Lucas’s pinpoint delivery that made the goal possible. Although Tokyo Verdy enjoyed more possession from the middle of the first half onwards, Cerezo stayed compact in a 4-4-2 mid-block and prevented any shots. However, in stoppage time, a clearance from Nishio inside the box deflected off a teammate and fell to Shuhei Kawasaki, who finished to level the score. It was an unfortunate goal to concede, and the first half ended 1–1. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/3db760b5780a4b79927d6ac212a0f90d/0623MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d1b2aba074c04c37aa74b92c07cdd141/0623MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> At halftime, manager Arthur Papas made two changes, bringing on Motohiko Nakajima and Shunta Tanaka in place of Vitor Bueno and Kida. Nakajima immediately stepped up the press, raising the intensity of Cerezo’s defense. With more success in winning the ball higher up the pitch compared to the first half, Tanaka also played an active role by feeding incisive vertical passes to push the team forward. “In the second half, it was important which side took control first. Motohiko and I wanted to make our presence felt, and I’m glad we were able to set the tone early,” Tanaka reflected after the match. As he noted, Papas’s proactive substitutions paid off. Cerezo gained the upper hand in the second half, and in the 48th minute, Nakajima met a cross from Lucas Fernandes with a header that was brilliantly saved by Tokyo Verdy goalkeeper Matheus. But the next opportunity would not go to waste. In the 62nd minute, after clearing a long ball, Shinnosuke Hatanaka, Nakajima, and Fernandes linked up to drive into the final third. Nakajima then played a sublime through ball that put Ratao one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Although it looked like Ratao had been brought down, no whistle was blown. Play continued, and Fernandes, who didn’t stop running, collected the loose ball and whipped in a cross to the far post, where Thiago Andrade headed home to restore Cerezo’s lead. Thiago, who also put in a strong shift defensively, said, “As I play more games, I’ve started to read the flow better. Getting more minutes has helped me blend in and become more effective in the team.” His strong all-around performance reflected that growing confidence. In the closing stages, Tokyo Verdy ramped up their attack with fresh legs off the bench, but Cerezo held firm. Goalkeeper Koki Fukui dealt calmly with a series of set pieces, keeping the visitors from creating any clear chances. Other substitutes also contributed—Shion Homma made driving runs in attack, Masaya Shibayama helped manage the tempo, and Kyohei Yoshino, brought on in midfield, effectively closed out the match. Demonstrating the team’s depth and composure, Cerezo secured a 2–1 win, making it four straight home victories in the league. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/ad357d2958b243d3886ec3097b287b77/0623MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/6c4625cb102048c18382ab2ac25b6d07/0623MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Looking ahead to the second half of the league, manager Papas had expressed his desire to “increase the number of matches that lead to wins, rather than draws,” while he commented after the match, “Tonight’s victory was very important. I believe it showed the growth we have made since the match against Tokyo Verdy two months ago.” Cerezo Osaka, riding a wave of four consecutive home wins, now prepare for their next challenge: the Osaka Derby. Hosting Gamba Osaka at their fortress, Yodoko Sakura Stadium, they are focused on thorough preparations for this must-win encounter. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/57bd81364da6443fbccea9c8a267865e/0623MR%20(1).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka 2-1 Tokyo Verdy (J1 MD21)

<h3 id="h96eafcf3c9">Cerezo bounced back from an early setback and briefly took the lead through returning Shunta Tanaka, but were pegged back late and had to settle for a draw. Frustration remained, but the team pushed on through the nine-game stretch.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/65929d56b58b44c3b681ddd268144787/0615MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> Just two days after the Emperor's Cup Second Round, Cerezo Osaka traveled away to face FC Tokyo in the 20th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. This match marked the ninth game of their nine consecutive official matches. Starting with six changes from the Emperor's Cup Second Round, Cerezo had two reliable teammates back on the bench. Shunta Tanaka was included for the first time since the 12th round against Tokyo Verdy, and Shion Homma was included for the first time since the 10th round against Kashima Antlers. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/bf155045ef4d419fa83a3e196bb044b9/0615MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> The match started under heavy rain, and just three minutes in, Lucas Fernandes lost possession under pressure from multiple opponents in a low position. FC Tokyo quickly launched a short counterattack, and Marcelo Ryan scored the opening goal. FC Tokyo had two weeks of preparation ahead of this match, and Cerezo wanted to gauge their approach—including lineup and system—right from the start, but they found themselves behind early on. FC Tokyo played a solid defensive, quick counter style centered around their lone striker Ryan, and Cerezo continued to face danger on counters. However, at the 26th minute, Kyohei Noborizato made a desperate block to prevent a second goal. Offensively, Cerezo struggled to create clear chances but maintained composure despite conceding, keeping control of the game. At the heart of this effort was Shinji Kagawa, who said, “If we had conceded a second goal, the game would have been over, so I tried to control the game carefully. We felt that if we circulated the ball well, chances would eventually come.” Their patience paid off in the 42nd minute when they capitalized on a single opportunity to equalize. After Shinnosuke Hatanaka blocked an attack from the side, the ball found its way to Kagawa, who received it freely and delivered a precise long pass into the space ahead. Rafael Ratao, battling with the opposing center back, timed his run perfectly to receive the ball. Ratao’s exquisite trap allowed him to face forward, and he dribbled past the goalkeeper to score. It was a beautiful goal, perfectly timed and executed between passer and finisher. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/6711d13de721400ea6f370f710c0778b/0615MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/fed6066535634ee4894751f064ed6021/0615MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Arthur Papas, dissatisfied with the first half, said, “We wanted to develop the game while playing our style, but in the first half, even when we got the ball, we couldn’t face forward and often lost possession, leading to counters against us.” He instructed the team to increase the tempo for the second half. As a result, Cerezo spent more time pushing forward in the opponent’s half. At the 65th minute, Tanaka and Homma both came on simultaneously. Then, in the 71st minute, Cerezo took the lead. The goal was scored by Tanaka, who had just entered the game. He intercepted a pass in the opponent’s half and quickly fed it forward to Ratao. Receiving a layoff from Ratao, Lucas played a perfect through ball to Tanaka making a run into the penalty area. Moving while controlling the pass, Tanaka turned and calmly finished with a low shot. The captain described the goal as “completely as I imagined,” celebrating his return with this crucial strike. However, in the final 15 minutes, FC Tokyo increased pressure from the flanks, including substitutions, putting Cerezo on the defensive. A cross-shot from Kota Tawaratsumida in the 77th minute hit the post, and in a dangerous moment at the 79th minute, Shinnosuke Hatanaka made a determined block to keep the score intact. But at the 81st minute, Cerezo’s defense was breached down their left side, and FC Tokyo equalized. FC Tokyo continued their fierce attack, riding the home momentum. Yet, goalkeeper Koki Fukui made a fine save on a shot on target at the 88th minute. In added time, when the defense was fully broken down, Ryuya Nishio made a heroic block right in front of goal to prevent a comeback. The match ended 2-2. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/972b47a0992240eeb6d5d480cb83e384/0615MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/178c017437884537b276978b7aff5c9a/0615MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> As manager Papas summarized, "We created chances ourselves, but FC Tokyo also had big opportunities. I think it was a match worthy of a draw." Both teams attacked each other fiercely, and although Cerezo once took the lead and wanted to secure the win, after the ninth match of the nine-game stretch, they showed signs of fatigue. Still, they managed to bring back one point. "We have played 17 matches in two months. Throughout that period, the players have worked hard without sparing effort, and I want to commend them for that," said manager Papas. From the J1 League 10th round match against Kashima to the eight-match run, and then from the 17th round against Kawasaki Frontale through the nine-match stretch, the team has fought through a total of 17 games. During this period, both the players and the team have shown significant growth. Injured players have also returned one after another, increasing the competition within the squad. With higher goals in sight, they aim to take each match as a must-win and continue fighting through the second half of the league. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d51ed75d816942cba08eddfadc65bb6b/0615MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: FC Tokyo 2-2 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD20)

<h3 id="hc98a03d834">Cerezo Osaka won comfortably with five goals in the 2nd round of the Emperor’s Cup against Arterivo Wakayama, advancing to the 3rd round thanks to the whole team effort.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/70d6e596797c4484809e69b837a89f61/250611_01.JPG" alt=""> Two days after the second leg of the J.League YBC Levain Cup Playoff Round, Cerezo Osaka faced Arterivo Wakayama in the 2nd round of the Emperor’s Cup. The starting lineup saw eight changes, with Hayato Okuda stepping in at left-back as the team lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/5f00263428914e2bb31df7518cf5ea9b/250611_02.JPG" alt=""> Against Wakayama, who defended with six at the back in a 6-4 formation, Cerezo took control of the ball from the early stages. Although breaking down an opponent that tightly packed the width and closed the center was not easy, Cerezo gradually created chances as time went on. The first clear chance came in the 14th minute, when Kengo Furuyama met Takumi Nakamura’s cross with a header, only to be denied by a strong save from the goalkeeper. At the 17th minute, another opportunity arose: Masaya Shibayama received the ball on the right flank and combined with Shinji Kagawa in a one-two, advancing into the penalty area before curling a left-footed shot just wide of the target. In the 28th minute, Cerezo created their third big chance. Furuyama, after winning the ball high up the pitch, fired a shot inside the box, but once again the goalkeeper came to the rescue. Despite the elusive first goal, Cerezo struck in the 31st minute when Furuyama won the ball again in an advanced position and was fouled by a defender, earning a penalty. Vítor Bueno calmly slotted the ball into the right corner to open the scoring. Cerezo maintained control and in the 41st minute, Furuyama broke through on a through ball from Kagawa and had a golden chance, but was once again denied by the goalkeeper. Reflecting on the missed chances after the match, Furuyama admitted, “If I had scored more in the first half, we could have decided the game early on. I’m left with a sense of frustration at not finishing better.” <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0e11f09b70354cb6a05bab286a005a5f/250611_03.JPG" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/414422d962a546a896c16f5004e409e2/250611_04.JPG" alt=""> Defensively, Cerezo were caught on the counterattack a few times after having passes intercepted, but they did not allow Wakayama to register any shots on target and finished the first half without conceding. The first chance of the second half also came from Cerezo. In the 47th minute, Furuyama received a pass from Shibayama and took up a position at the edge of the penalty area, but the angle was tight, and he couldn’t get a proper shot off. Wakayama, who started the first half focusing on defense, raised their pressing line and showed a more aggressive stance in the second half. However, in the 50th minute, Cerezo exploited the space behind them to score the second goal. Receiving a pass from Bueno, Thiago Andrade broke down the left side, drove toward goal on the dribble, and blasted the ball into the top near corner. From there, Cerezo launched a series of relentless attacks. Bueno had a chance in the 52nd minute, Nakamura in the 55th, and Ryosuke Shindo got a good opportunity from a corner in the 58th minute. At that point, manager Arthur Papas made three substitutions to push for the win. Amid chances in the 60th and 62nd minutes, Cerezo finally secured the decisive third goal in the 64th minute. Furuyama’s fierce long-range shot hit the post twice and rebounded to Rafael Ratao, who had just come on as a substitute, and he calmly finished. After that, Cerezo eased their offensive pressure and started to control the game. Wakayama began to hold more possession, but Cerezo did not allow any clear-cut chances. Then, in the 87th minute, toward the end of the match, Kakeru Funaki joined the attack from his holding midfield position, broke down the left side, and passed inside. Kyohei Noborizato ran onto the ball, and his shot deflected off a defender before looping into the net. In injury time, Furuyama capped off the goal rush by scoring the fifth goal after receiving a pass from Bueno, securing Cerezo’s progression to the third round. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/2727d56ef2ce4276aa0517601904fe3e/250611_06.JPG" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/354c71af892a49f0a667118a65781792/250611_07.JPG" alt=""> Just two days after the painful 120-minute battle that ended with Cerezo Osaka’s elimination from the Levain Cup Playoff Round, the team secured a convincing 5-goal victory without showing any signs of weakness, both physically and mentally. After the match, manager Arthur Papas praised the squad for their rebound mentality, saying, “The players fought hard to bounce back after playing 120 minutes on Sunday. I want to commend their mental strength.” The next official match comes again just two days later, an away game against FC Tokyo in the 20th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. “It’s a tough schedule, but as the last of our nine consecutive matches, we want to aim for victory as a team,” said Kyohei Noborizato. With this match marking the start of the league’s second half, Cerezo will once again focus on physical and mental recovery to face the ninth game of their intense nine-match run together as one team. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/fdc7d26723a645d1b09238880d93d438/0612MR.jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka 5-0 Arterivo Wakayama (Emperor's Cup 2nd Round)

<h3 id="h293e414097">Cerezo suffered a 0–4 away defeat in the second leg, which overturned the aggregate score and resulted in their elimination from this season's Levain Cup at the Playoff Round.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e7d2396f7f4e4aa7b911e4b276e0fbd8/0609MR.jpg" alt=""> The J.League YBC Levain Cup Playoff Round against Yokohama FC continued with the second leg taking place three days after the first match at Yodoko Sakura Stadium. With a spot in the Prime Round on the line, Cerezo Osaka headed into the away fixture having made eight changes to the starting lineup. Kyohei Yoshino made his debut for the club, earning his first start and appearance since joining. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/09b595d3cc6642918257e81600bb09e7/0609MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Following the first leg, manager Arthur Papas had stated, “We don’t want to sit back and defend. We want to express the kind of football we’ve been playing all season.” True to his words, Cerezo Osaka pushed their defensive line high from the start, pressing into Yokohama FC’s half and taking control of the game. They built attacks with quick passing sequences and combinations, earning four corners and two free kicks in dangerous positions within the first 15 minutes. Despite it being his first appearance, Yoshino blended in smoothly. “I felt more in sync with Motohiko (Nakajima), Hatanaka, and Ryuya (Nishio) than I expected,” he later reflected, showing no signs of hesitation as he slotted into the team. Looking back, converting one of those early chances might have made the overall tie all but settled in Cerezo’s favor. After the 15-minute mark, Yokohama FC began threatening from the left flank through Kaili Shimbo’s crosses and dribbles, but Cerezo’s defense held firm, preventing any shots on goal. In the 28th minute, Cerezo created their best chance of the half: after sustained pressure, Thiago Andrade cut inside and delivered a cross to the far post, which Rafael Ratao headed back across goal for Lucas Fernandes to strike—only for the effort to be blocked by a defender and the goalkeeper. As the half progressed, Cerezo continued to dominate possession, pinning Yokohama FC back in their own half. While clear-cut chances were few, Cerezo were firmly in control of the game and looked set to head into halftime on top. But just before the break, disaster struck. A long ball over the top from Shimbo caught out the Cerezo defense, and goalkeeper Koki Fukui misjudged his clearance, colliding with Kaito Mori in the box. The referee showed Fukui a straight red card and awarded a penalty. Substitute Kim Jin Hyeon, brought on in a hurry, guessed the right direction and got a hand to the spot kick, but couldn’t keep it out. Cerezo ended the half a man down and a goal behind. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/5aa0cfbabb714f448d61e6442a51e276/0609MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b0bea9e270ad4442908f654fe29833d5/0609MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> At the start of the second half, manager Papas brought on Ryosuke Shindo in place of Thiago, shifting to a 5-3-1 formation to strengthen the back line and clearly signal an intent to deal with Yokohama FC’s aerial threat. With fewer players up front, Cerezo’s pressing intensity naturally dropped, allowing Yokohama FC more opportunities to push the ball forward. Even so, Cerezo’s defense, anchored by Kim Jin Hyeon, held firm with tenacious play. Apart from a headed effort that struck the post in the 68th minute, they limited Yokohama FC’s clear chances and managed the clock effectively. In the 71st minute, Cerezo introduced Kengo Furuyama and Hinata Kida to help retain possession up front and in midfield. Furuyama, in particular, drew fouls with his physical play, helping to run down the clock. Despite being under pressure, Cerezo appeared to be weathering the storm—until the 84th minute. A second-phase attack from a corner resulted in another goal for Yokohama FC. A precise cross from Akito Fukumori was met by Yuri Lara, who headed home to make it 2–0 on the night. Just two minutes later, Papas responded by replacing Yoshino with Kakeru Funaki, switching to a six-man back line in an attempt to see out the tie. However, in the 89th minute, disaster struck again. Fukumori delivered another cross from the left, and though the far side was manned, the clearance failed to come. Musashi Suzuki latched on to it at the back post and bundled it in—3–0. In a gut-wrenching twist, Cerezo had conceded the decisive blow just minutes away from advancing. “We need to become a team that can see out a match even with one man down. In the end, our weakness showed,” said Shinnosuke Hatanaka, who battled valiantly throughout the match, reflecting on the painful late collapse. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b61272378e8a4deb8d5b1b7ac5b24b4f/0609MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/407d7f1ec375409ca4e4241e002b6473/0609MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> With the aggregate score tied at 4-4 after two legs, the match went into extra time. From the start, Cerezo replaced Kyohei Noborizato with Shinji Kagawa, shifting the defense back from six to five players while adding more presence in midfield. In the first half of extra time, Nakajima made a strong defensive play to win the ball and passed it forward to Furuyama, who battled a defender inside the penalty area but couldn’t get a shot off. Then, just before the end of the first half of extra time, Yokohama FC scored from a corner kick. Solomon Sakuragawa, a tall striker who had come on in the second half, headed the ball into the net. In the second half of extra time, Cerezo increased ball possession and pressed forward against a more defensive Yokohama FC, earning three more corner kicks. A header by Funaki from a Lucas cross narrowly missed, going over the crossbar. Cerezo continued to push forward with Lucas at the center of the attack, but despite their efforts, they failed to create any clear-cut chances before the full 120 minutes elapsed. The playoff round ended with a 4-5 aggregate loss for Cerezo. Kagawa described the defeat as “a loss that pains everyone,” and with just two days until the Emperor’s Cup second round, each player must raise their head and prepare to move forward. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/5e9f27f7fb1947fbbd9c6db68f7b6cab/0609MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

Review: Yokohama FC 4-0 Cerezo Osaka (Levain Cup Playoff Round 2nd Leg)

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Sota Kitano has joined FC Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) on a permanent deal. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I’ve decided to join Red Bull Salzburg. Everything I wanted to say, I shared with you at our home game. I’m grateful to everyone I met at Cerezo Osaka. I’ll do my best to repay all the support! Thank you for the past 10 years!!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth August 13, 2004 Position Forward Height / Weight 172cm / 60kg Place of Birth Wakayama Career Cerezo Osaka Elite Class Kishiwada Arterivo Yuasa Cerezo Osaka U-15 Cerezo Osaka U-18 Cerezo Osaka *Registered as a Class-2 player Cerezo Osaka Player Data J1: 68 games / 8 goals J3: 8 games / 0 goal League Cup: 19 games / 3 goals Emperor's Cup: 4 games / 2 goals <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0c253182b5e246859b0533c2c6683f7d/1920%C3%971080.jpg" alt="">

Sota Kitano joins FC Red Bull Salzburg

<h3 id="h570444b8cb">The Playoff Round first leg saw Cerezo secure a comfortable win, with Shinji Kagawa’s opener leading to a total of four second-half goals, moving them closer to the Prime Round.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/257a5664ff5d43c89e5bbf3593029126/0605MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> Two days after their Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchweek 19 fixture against Shimizu S-Pulse, Cerezo Osaka faced Yokohama FC in the first leg of the J.League YBC Levain Cup Playoff Round. Compared to the Shimizu match, Cerezo made ten changes to their starting lineup, with only Thiago Andrade retaining his place. Takumi Nakamura, who joined Cerezo on a permanent deal from Yokohama FC this season, also started. On the bench was Wigi Kanemoto, currently enrolled at Hannan University and set to join Cerezo. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/e1b56f2efd494043b80fac75f7efe5e5/0605MR.jpg" alt=""> Cerezo Osaka lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Yokohama FC deployed a 3-4-2-1 system, creating a tactical mismatch between the two sides. In the 4th minute, Yokohama FC launched an attack down their left flank, putting pressure on Cerezo’s defense. Cerezo responded quickly; in the 6th minute, Vítor Bueno, positioned on the right wing, delivered a sharp cross. Both teams focused their attacks from the wings, attempting to break through the opposition’s defense. In the 16th minute, Cerezo had a clear chance. Takumi Nakamura’s cross was initially bypassed by Masaya Shibayama and Kengo Furuyama, allowing Thiago Andrade on the left side to take a shot, but the effort was blocked by goalkeeper Phelipe Megiolaro. Three minutes later, in the 19th minute, another good opportunity arose for Cerezo. Nakamura penetrated deep on the right side and crossed the ball to Bueno, who attempted a shot, but it flew directly into the goalkeeper’s hands. In the 28th minute, Cerezo had a big chance again. Shinji Kagawa, surrounded by three defenders, managed to deliver a pass to Bueno, who then crossed to Furuyama. Furuyama headed the ball, but his shot missed the target, denying Cerezo the opening goal. While Cerezo created several chances, Yokohama FC also threatened the goal repeatedly. Thanks to some excellent saves by goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon, Cerezo managed to keep a clean sheet. Then, in the 40th minute, the biggest chance of the first half came for Cerezo. Furuyama took a pass from Nakamura, dribbled past the defense, and faced the goalkeeper one-on-one. However, the angle was tight, and his shot narrowly missed the goal. Furuyama’s frustration was evident as he was denied his first home goal. Immediately after, Yokohama FC had a chance of their own, but their shot just missed the target. Despite both teams creating chances, the first half ended goalless at 0-0. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/51d4b896d3574cd18b5270f16e2902ec/0605MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/8f0f43c1656a4db8ab9df804baca0200/0605MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> At halftime, manager Arthur Papas expressed his dissatisfaction with the first half, saying, “We didn’t talk about tactics at all. I only told them to focus on intensity and to give their best effort.” Motivated by Papas’ "emotional" (as described by Kagawa) encouragement, Cerezo Osaka players stepped up their game in the second half. They pressed higher up the pitch and showed increased determination to score. In the 55th minute, Cerezo took the lead. After intercepting a long clearance from the opposing goalkeeper, Nakamura launched a quick counterattack. The ball was passed through Bueno and Shibayama before Shinji Kagawa, making a run from deep, finished with an outside right-footed shot. The technical strike from the No. 8 ignited the crowd at Yodoko Sakura Stadium. Sensing the momentum shift, Papas made two substitutions in the 61st minute to push for more aggression, bringing on Lucas Fernandes and Rafael Ratao for Thiago Andrade and Kengo Furuyama. The changes paid off: in the 68th minute, Lucas and Ratao combined with a quick one-two to penetrate the box, where Lucas earned a free kick. Bueno stepped up and scored directly from the set piece, extending Cerezo’s lead with a brilliant kick he described as one of his strengths. Cerezo added another goal in stoppage time of the second half, with Ratao scoring. Although Yokohama FC pulled one back in the 90+6 minute from a corner, Motohiko Nakajima headed in a cross from Lucas just before the final whistle to restore a three-goal advantage. With this commanding win on enemy turf, Cerezo Osaka gained a significant advantage heading into the crucial second leg for a spot in the Prime Round. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/23cb5bc970884486b606800082851086/0605MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/7e21b0a7282549c3a1f9c102e887971d/0605MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> However, there was no smile on the manager’s face after the match. “The most important thing, simply put, is to never forget aggressiveness. I still see this as halftime. We must reset our mindset firmly, and the key will be how much we can perform in the second leg,” he said, tightening his resolve despite the victory. Kagawa, who led the team from the front and scored the opening goal, expressed a similar sentiment: “I expect another tough away match next. We want to correct the issues from today’s first half and build on that,” he said with a focused expression, sharing his determination for the second leg. While it is certain that they have made significant progress toward advancing past the Playoff Round, nothing has yet been decided. The team aims to face the second leg on enemy ground without letting their guard down. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/48b8c791cf674267a063bb6e95bb629f/0605MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka 4-1 Yokohama FC (Levain Cup Playoff Round 1st Leg)

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Dion Cools has joined the club from Buriram United FC (Thailand) on a permanent deal. He&nbsp;has been selected for the Malaysia national team for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. He will be on international duty starting June 5 and is scheduled to join the club upon the conclusion of his national team commitments. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I’m truly happy to have the opportunity to come to Japan and Osaka, and I’m very grateful for this chance. I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the staff, and all the fans and supporters as soon as possible. I will give my all to help the team win as many games as possible and achieve our goals. Thank you for your support.” <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth June 4, 1996 Position Defender Number 27 Height / Weight 185cm / 77kg Place of Birth Malaysia Nationality Malaysia Career OH Leuven (Belgium) Club Brugge (Belgium) FC Midtjylland (Denmark) SV Zulte Waregem (Belgium) *Loan FK Baumit Jablonec (Czech Republic) Buriram United FC (Thailand) National Team U-18 Belgium U-19 Belgium U-21 Belgium Malaysia

Dion Cools joins Cerezo Osaka from Buriram United FC

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Kyohei Yoshino has joined the club from Daegu FC (South Korea) on a permanent deal. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"Hello, everyone. I am Kyohei Yoshino and I have joined from Daegu FC in South Korea. I will give my all every day to contribute to Cerezo Osaka. Thank you for your support.” <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth November 8, 1994 Position Midfielder Number 35 Height / Weight 182cm / 75kg Place of Birth Miyagi Career FC. ASK A. C. Azzurri Tokyo Verdy Youth Tokyo Verdy Sanfrecce Hiroshima Tokyo Verdy *Loan Sanfrecce Hiroshima Kyoto Sanga F.C. *Loan Sanfrecce Hiroshima Kyoto Sanga F.C. *Loan Sanfrecce Hiroshima Vegalta Sendai Yokohama FC Daegu FC (South Korea) National Team U-16 Japan U-17 Japan U-18 Japan U-19 Japan U-21 Japan Player Data (Domestic) J1: 105 games / 3 goals J2: 93 games / 4 goals J3: 5 games / 0 goal League Cup: 14 games / 0 goal Emperor's Cup: 12 games / 0 goal ACL: 7 games / 0 goal J1 Promotion Playoff: 1 game / 0 goal

Kyohei Yoshino joins Cerezo Osaka from Daegu FC

<h3 id="h01f72c3b51">Cerezo capped off the first half of the season with a convincing 4–2 win! Sota Kitano, playing his final match, was sent off with smiles all around.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b7e8d868389e486fb894dbd95c547453/0601TD.jpg" alt=""> Three days after their rearranged Matchweek 22 fixture against Urawa Reds, Cerezo Osaka returned home to face Shimizu S-Pulse in Matchweek 18 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. This match marked the final fixture of the first half of the season. With an even record thus far, Cerezo were determined to finish the first half with a winning edge. There were three changes to the starting lineup from the Urawa match: Kyohei Noborizato, Shinji Kagawa, and Masaya Shibayama made way for Niko Takahashi, Motohiko Nakajima, and Sota Kitano. The formation remained a 4-2-3-1, as in the previous match. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/175520db15594352a6f7467030991ac1/0603MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> In a clash between two attack-minded sides, the match got off to a dramatic start. Just four minutes in, Shimizu's Reon Yamahara struck a thunderous direct free kick to give the visitors the lead. However, Cerezo — having come from behind to win three times in May — remained composed. Only six minutes later, Lucas Fernandes stepped in to intercept a pass in midfield and surged forward. He played the ball to the overlapping Sota Kitano, who was brought down in the box to win a penalty. Though Kitano's spot-kick was saved, Cerezo equalized moments later from the resulting corner. Lucas’s delivery was met at the near post by Niko Takahashi, who nodded in his first-ever J1 goal — a rare set-piece header, as he later joked. Cerezo continued to press and struck again in the 18th minute from another corner. This time it was Nakajima who rose to meet Lucas’s ball, heading it past the goalkeeper. “The delivery was so good, I just needed to jump,” Nakajima recalled. With momentum on their side, Cerezo dominated the remainder of the first half. Their attacking quartet frequently broke into the final third, creating a series of chances. In the 41st and 43rd minutes, consecutive corners nearly extended the lead. The highlight came in the 44th minute. Nakajima intercepted a clearance high up the pitch and quickly moved it forward. Ratao then produced a moment of brilliance, skillfully maneuvering past defenders with his head and feet before rifling a shot inside the near post. It would’ve been a goal-of-the-season contender, but VAR ruled it out for a narrow offside. “If it had counted, it would’ve been the best goal of my career,” Ratao said afterward. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/2f6caba9bd2d430687202f9f10134b99/0603MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/c5a69728a9f64b26b46d58504a335f90/0603MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> Shimizu made two substitutions at halftime and came out aggressively in the second half, pushing Cerezo onto the back foot in the opening minutes. In the 52nd minute, Takashi Inui slipped a clever through ball to Capixaba, who came close but sent his shot just wide of the post. Then, almost immediately, Cerezo struck again. In the 54th minute, Sota Kitano received a vertical pass from Shinnosuke Hatanaka, turned smoothly past a center-back with a deft touch, and threaded a perfect through ball. Ratao latched onto it, powered forward, and confidently finished past the keeper to make it 3–1. Now with a psychological edge, Cerezo added a fourth in the 70th minute to all but seal the win. Again it started with Hatanaka, followed by quick vertical passes from Hinata Kida and Kitano. Kitano turned to face forward in a tight space, dribbled upfield, and picked out Lucas. Surrounded by defenders, Lucas still managed to carve out a shooting chance and buried a brilliant strike into the top-right corner. This match marked the final appearance for Kitano before departing the team to prepare for a move abroad, as officially announced. Despite missing a first-half penalty, he bounced back with two key assists—demonstrating the technical sharpness and agility he's honed in tight spaces. Cerezo conceded one late in the 89th minute, but the final whistle confirmed a 4–2 victory. It was a perfect way to close out the first half of the league season—and a fitting farewell to a promising young talent. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/06df87888a5f4b16bb75f1ecf3bafd15/0603MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/9614843eb04f40639fe9cd699ac6dbff/0603MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> After the match, a farewell ceremony was held for Kitano. His heartfelt speech was met with a loud and warm round of applause from the stadium. He was presented with bouquets by Shinji Kagawa, Satoki Uejo, and Reiya Sakata, and was later tossed into the air by his teammates in the traditional celebratory gesture. During the moment, Sakata—Kitano’s close friend and the same age—was overcome with emotion and broke into tears, offering a glimpse into the deep bond they shared. As Kitano made a final lap around the stadium, a chant echoed from behind the goal. Tears welled in his own eyes, too. “I’ve come to love Cerezo even more. This is a club I want to come back to someday,” he said, before adding, “But not too soon—I want to succeed in Europe, become a national team player, and come back even stronger.” Having grown through the club’s youth system, nurtured by dedicated coaches, teammates, and supporters, Kitano has earned his chance abroad. Everyone connected with Cerezo Osaka wishes him success on his new journey. Carry the spirit of Cerezo with you, Sota—and make us proud in Europe! <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/cfe9dabd44024587bd5169e640ee4026/0603MR%20(4).jpg" alt="">

Review: Cerezo Osaka 4-2 Shimizu S-Pulse (J1 MD19)

Sota Kitano will be leaving the team as of June 2 (Mon) to prepare for a potential transfer to an overseas club. He is scheduled to undergo a medical check at the destination and sign an official contract, which will be announced once finalized. After the Meiji Yasuda J1 League 2025 Matchday 19 fixture against Shimizu S-Pulse on June 1 (Sun), he will greet fans at the stadium.

Sota Kitano to leave the team

<h3 id="hb1b7cca220">The rescheduled away match against Urawa ended in a scoreless draw despite a strong second-half push. Even so, Cerezo will look to build on the hard-earned point secured by a series of fine saves from goalkeeper Koki Fukui.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/773d7df43c564313909067c6e949779e/0530MR.jpg" alt=""> Three days after their Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchweek 18 clash against Avispa Fukuoka, Cerezo traveled for an away fixture against Urawa Reds in Matchweek 22. Although Matchweek 22 was originally scheduled for late June, the fixture was brought forward due to Urawa’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which will be held from June to July. Cerezo made three changes to the starting lineup from the Fukuoka match. Kyohei Noborizato returned after six games, Thiago Andrade made his first start in five games, and Masaya Shibayama—who scored the opening goal in the previous match—was back in the league starting XI for the first time since Matchweek 3 against Kashiwa Reysol. The team also switched to a four-man backline, their first time doing so in the league in six matches. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/01615000e7394ca3b63c91e6fdf81b7b/0530MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Right from kickoff, Cerezo quickly looked to attack down the right side, with Lucas Fernandes delivering three crosses to create chances. In the 12th minute, they came close to opening the scoring. After receiving a pass from Ryuya Nishio, Lucas swung in a pinpoint cross that found Rafael Ratao, who rose to head it toward goal. Though he met the ball cleanly, directing it down between Urawa’s two center-backs, the effort narrowly missed the post. Just three minutes later, Urawa responded with a chance of their own. Starting from Takuro Kaneko on the right flank, they created an opportunity that saw Kaito Yasui unleash a powerful shot off a second ball from Ryoma Watanabe’s cross. However, goalkeeper Koki Fukui parried the attempt, and Nishio cleared the danger. Having survived that scare, Cerezo regained control of the match. They repeatedly threatened from the right side, earning several corners. In the 27th minute, Kida’s pass was laid off by Ratao to Masaya Shibayama, who had made a run behind the defense, but his shot was denied by goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa. Despite enjoying the majority of possession, Cerezo couldn’t break the deadlock, and from around the 35th minute, the momentum shifted toward Urawa. Cerezo began to lose the ball quickly after regaining it and were pinned deep in their own half. Then in the 45th minute, Urawa carved out a golden opportunity. Samuel Gustafson’s pass found Matheus Savio, who turned and struck a world-class volley on the spin. But once again, Fukui produced a brilliant save to deny the goal. The first half, full of fierce battles and momentum swings, ended 0-0, with both sides having created chances during their respective dominant spells. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/1d3142a1f7d1460ca826c3341468d722/0530MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/929a5d3a11b3432aba6215241be906c1/0530MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> In contrast to the first half, the second began with Urawa taking the initiative. With the home side dominating possession, Cerezo were pushed onto the back foot. Even when they won the ball, the team’s shape was stretched, making it difficult to connect passes and maintain possession. Pinned back and disjointed, Cerezo conceded a major chance in the 52nd minute. Once again, Takuro Kaneko was the catalyst, and his play set up Matheus Savio for a cross that found Hirokazu Ishihara, who headed toward goal. It looked like a certain goal, but Fukui stretched out his right hand to make a stunning save, stopping the ball just before it crossed the line. Manager Arthur Papas, noticing the poor spacing within Cerezo's defensive block, responded decisively in the 58th minute with a double substitution. Masaya Shibayama and Tiago Andrade made way for Sota Kitano and Reiya Sakata. Kitano slotted into the attacking midfield role while Sakata took up the left wing. The change immediately shifted the momentum. Kitano began receiving the ball effectively between Urawa's lines, allowing Cerezo to regain control and push the opposition back. Cerezo once again dominated possession with a proactive approach. As in the first half, the right flank combination of Lucas Fernandes and Hayato Okuda remained a key attacking channel, and in the second half, the left side also came alive. Sakata mixed direct dribbles with combinations involving Noborizato, providing a variety of attacking options. In the 76th minute, Cerezo created a golden opportunity from the left. Noborizato's pass found Kida, whose powerful shot was parried by Nishikawa. Ratao pounced on the rebound and fired into the open goal, only for the ball to strike the post. Two minutes later, Noborizato received a pass from Kitano and unleashed a signature left-footed shot that flew with pace—but once again, it hit the post. Despite generating promising attacks, Cerezo couldn’t convert their chances. As is often the case in such situations, one missed opportunity can lead to danger at the other end. In the 84th minute, Cerezo’s right side was breached by Takahiro Sekine, whose cross found Tomoaki Okubo inside the box. His shot rattled the crossbar, giving Cerezo a scare. Surviving that threat, Cerezo held onto the ball and pressed for a winner in the closing stages. In the 84th and 87th minutes, the trio of Sakata, Kitano, and Noborizato combined to create chances down the left. In stoppage time, Kida latched onto a second ball from a corner and fired a well-placed shot on target, but Nishikawa made the save. Ultimately, Cerezo couldn’t find a breakthrough, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw—their first goalless game of the season. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/baaa5054234d46e2b6bd612bb8d0bd9d/0530MR%20(8).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/6aa927826f6944c9a8b1606948fcaa55/0530MR%20(6).jpg" alt=""> “I think we deserved to win based on the content of the game. Honestly, I wanted to win,” said Shinji Kagawa. "We wanted to get all three points. I personally wanted to score, and as a team, we had to finish off the chances during the periods we pressed forward,” said Kida. As the two defensive midfielders who touched the ball frequently and kept the attacking rhythm throughout the match reflected, Cerezo pushed hard toward the end and the match unfolded in a way where they really wanted to break through Urawa’s defense and take all three points. Still, since there were also dangerous moments late in the first half and early in the second half where Urawa could have taken the lead, it was also true that it was “a positive 0-0,” as Fukui put it. As the manager said at the beginning of the post-match press conference, “It was a 0-0 result, but I think it was an exciting game,” with a fast pace and clean, high-quality football on display. “Today, both the team and I personally performed well, but what comes next is our challenge. We are being tested whether we can win next time. We want to be hungry for victory,” said Kagawa. In the next match at home against Shimizu S-Pulse, securing a solid win there would increase the value of the one point earned this time. This is the fifth match of a nine-game stretch, again with just three days between games, so the team will first focus on proper recovery and tackle the next game as one united squad. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/06f92517d28c44169d86ba46ac89e869/0530MR%20(7).jpg" alt="">

Review: Urawa Reds 0-0 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD22)

<h3 id="h3dbb809e78">Masaya Shibayama scored his first home goal to give the lead, Rafael Ratao added another as Cerezo Osaka defeated Fukuoka. Goalkeeper Koki Fukui’s impressive saves also shone.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/0e8e180e85de483a9b6614929106f8ad/0525MR.jpg" alt=""> Two days after the third leg of the J.League YBC Levain Cup first round against Kyoto Sanga F.C., Cerezo Osaka welcomed Avispa Fukuoka at home for the 18th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. Only one change was made to the starting lineup from the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale: Sota Kitano replaced Satoki Uejo, making his first league start in five matches. Masaya Shibayama and Ryuya Nishio continued as starters from the Kyoto match. The team changed nine players in total and started with a 3-4-2-1 formation. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/f49582db88e7483a94007194927c8f92/0525MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Although Cerezo Osaka were pressed early by Fukuoka, they soon gained control of the ball and pushed forward into the opponent’s territory. The first chance came in the 16th minute. Hayato Okuda broke past a defender and drove forward vertically, crossing the ball to the far post where Rafael Ratao met with a header, but the shot narrowly missed the target. At the 25th minute, another good opportunity arose for Cerezo. Masaya Shibayama won the ball high up after the opponent’s clearance, passed through Sota Kitano, and finally Okuda, who had entered the penalty area, took a left-footed shot that was saved by Fukuoka’s goalkeeper Masaaki Murakami. Then, at the 26th and 30th minutes, Cerezo faced counterattacks due to passing errors and were in danger, but Shinnosuke Hatanaka covered the first, and goalkeeper Koki Fukui made a great save to prevent any goals from the second. From there, Cerezo launched a fierce attack toward the end of the first half. In the 36th minute, Lucas Fernandes passed to Ratao, who broke behind the defense for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper but could not get past the keeper and failed to take a shot. One minute later, Shinji Kagawa received a pass after Lucas’ breakthrough, presenting an excellent chance, but his shot just went over the crossbar, and Kagawa loudly expressed his frustration. Then, in the 39th minute, the biggest chance of the first half arrived. From Okuda’s pass, Shibayama took the ball directly in the right-side pocket and laid it off to the onrushing Kitano, who was blocked by a defender and couldn’t shoot. The rebound was taken by Lucas, whose decisive shot was saved with one hand by goalkeeper Murakami, denying the opener. Despite pressing throughout the first half, Cerezo were unable to score, and the half ended goalless. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/d72904b91c364ef08736978270ea2e3e/0525MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/63434d46e4be4755a9cfa0ff7621df66/0525MR%20(5).jpg" alt=""> From the start of the second half, manager Arthur Papas made a substitution, bringing in Reiya Sakata for Ryuya Nishio. The system was also changed to a back-four formation, switching to a 4-2-3-1. After the match, the manager explained the reason: “The opponent had the same formation, creating one-on-one situations all over the pitch. We couldn’t find a way to break through those, so we changed the shape and clarified how to advance including in build-up play. We also thought about how to make better use of the sides, which we couldn’t fully exploit in the first half.” Sakata embodied that intention. Right after the second half started, he aggressively challenged the opponent, earning a corner kick. In the 51st minute, he persisted on the right side and connected to a chance for Lucas. In the 53rd minute, Lucas received the ball in a good position and cut inside from the left side to shoot, with both wings playing lively. They pushed Fukuoka back. However, unable to score in this period, the match became a back-and-forth battle. Just before the 70th minute, both managers made two substitutions each, trying to make a decisive move. Fukuoka grabbed the first big chance at the 72nd minute. Cerezo Osaka conceded a dangerous counterattack, but goalkeeper Koki Fukui made a big save against Kazuya Konno’s left-footed shot. As Fukui later reflected, “It was good that I didn’t react too early and was able to respond calmly.” He stood his ground and carefully read the opponent’s motion until the last moment, successfully blocking the shot and maintaining control without letting the momentum slip away. At the 79th minute, Fukuoka’s direct free kick hit the crossbar, creating tense moments, but Cerezo held firm. Then, at the 84th minute, they succeeded in taking the lead. Spotting a mismatch in Fukuoka’s build-up deep in their own half, Motohiko Nakajima intercepted and delivered a gentle direct pass to Masaya Shibayama upfront. Shibayama controlled the ball perfectly and placed a shot with his left foot across to the far post, sending the ball into the net. Yodoko Sakura Stadium erupted for Shibayama’s first home goal in his third season with the club. Reflecting on the moment, the number 48 said, “Seeing everyone’s happy faces made me extremely glad. It’s something you can’t replace with anything else (laughs).” It was a strike long-awaited by teammates and supporters alike. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/17acdc0306404d6ea079c1a116a32b25/0525MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/6c8676eb9aef4deab902f6f955646bed/0525MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b6fbda586faa444fba97339b4220dd4d/0525MR%20(1).jpg" alt=""> Although Cerezo Osaka quickly moved closer to victory given the timing, in the 90th minute Wellington, who came on as a substitute for Fukuoka, scored a header from a cross on the side. However, after a VAR review, the goal was ruled offside. The goal was not allowed, and Cerezo breathed a sigh of relief. Then, in the 90+8th minute, Sakata broke down the side on a counterattack and crossed the ball back, which Ratao finished, sealing the match with an additional goal. The final whistle blew immediately afterward. “It was a difficult match,” said manager Arthur Papas, but not only the starters but also the substitutes showed their impact to decide the game, truly claiming all three points as a united team. After a three-game winning streak was stopped in the previous league match, the team followed up with consecutive multi-goal wins in both the cup and league matches. Team morale is now high. The next game comes after three days, an away match against Urawa Reds. Facing another busy schedule, they want to work together again as a team like this match and snatch a victory that pushes them even higher up the table. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/79b7b4c7999241f3839c71c109c4944b/0525MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

NEWS

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Review: Cerezo Osaka 5-0 Arterivo Wakayama (Emperor's Cup 2nd Round)

Review: Yokohama FC 4-0 Cerezo Osaka (Levain Cup Playoff Round 2nd Leg)

Sota Kitano joins FC Red Bull Salzburg

Review: Cerezo Osaka 4-1 Yokohama FC (Levain Cup Playoff Round 1st Leg)

Dion Cools joins Cerezo Osaka from Buriram United FC

Kyohei Yoshino joins Cerezo Osaka from Daegu FC

Review: Cerezo Osaka 4-2 Shimizu S-Pulse (J1 MD19)

Sota Kitano to leave the team

Review: Urawa Reds 0-0 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD22)

Review: Cerezo Osaka 2-0 Avispa Fukuoka (J1 MD18)

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Review: Cerezo Osaka 2-1 Tokyo Verdy (J1 MD21)

Review: FC Tokyo 2-2 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD20)

Review: Cerezo Osaka 5-0 Arterivo Wakayama (Emperor's Cup 2nd Round)

Review: Yokohama FC 4-0 Cerezo Osaka (Levain Cup Playoff Round 2nd Leg)

Sota Kitano joins FC Red Bull Salzburg

Review: Cerezo Osaka 4-1 Yokohama FC (Levain Cup Playoff Round 1st Leg)

Dion Cools joins Cerezo Osaka from Buriram United FC

Kyohei Yoshino joins Cerezo Osaka from Daegu FC

Review: Cerezo Osaka 4-2 Shimizu S-Pulse (J1 MD19)

Sota Kitano to leave the team

Review: Urawa Reds 0-0 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD22)

Review: Cerezo Osaka 2-0 Avispa Fukuoka (J1 MD18)

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