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

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.

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.



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.





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.





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.