Review: Cerezo Osaka 3-1 Albirex Niigata (J1 MD25)

Conceding first in the 2nd minute, the team kept pressing and scored three goals, securing a comeback victory that showcased their style and marked the league restart with a win.

Cerezo Osaka hosted Albirex Niigata in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 25. Four days after the Emperor’s Cup Round of 16 match against FC Tokyo, manager Papas explained, “We considered the summer heat and fatigue, and also wanted to maintain intensity,” making six changes to the starting lineup. Koki Fukui started in goal, Dion Cools took the right-back position, and Rikito Inoue made his first appearance and first start since joining, partnering at centre-back. Up front, Shion Homma, facing his former club, made his first league start for Cerezo, while fellow former Niigata player Motohiko Nakajima led the line as the lone striker. Masaya Shibayama was deployed in the attacking midfield role, completing a refreshed lineup.



In the 2nd minute, Niigata created a chance from a long ball down the flank and scored through Yuto Horigome on the follow-up after a cross. However, Cerezo launched a fierce counterattack from there. In the 10th minute, Nakajima fired a shot following a trick play from a corner kick, and in the 12th minute, Shibayama cut inside to shoot on target. After threatening Niigata’s goal in quick succession, Cerezo equalized in the 13th minute. After clearing a corner, Niigata tried to counterattack, but Homma quickly switched play, won back possession, and triggered a short counterattack. Receiving a pass from Lucas Fernandes, Nakajima controlled the ball, spun around, and fired a shot that Niigata goalkeeper Kazuki Fujita failed to catch, allowing the ball to go into the net. Having equalized early, Cerezo continued to press. In the 16th minute, a middle-distance shot from Hinata Kida deflected off a defender and flew dangerously toward goal, leading to a corner kick. Although Shibayama’s kick was saved by the goalkeeper, Hayato Okuda reacted quickly to the second ball and unleashed a left-footed shot from distance. The ball took a magnificent trajectory toward goal but struck the post, denying a turnaround. After the hydration break, in the 32nd minute, Homma—making his first J1 league start against his former club—cut inside from the left flank and shot, threatening the goal with his trademark move. Defensively, the team pressed well from the front and recovered many second balls. Despite conceding early, Cerezo hardly allowed Niigata any attacks for the rest of the first half, but toward the end, Niigata gained more possession. In the 39th minute, Kakeru Funaki—who played for Cerezo until last month—made a pinpoint switch of play, delivering a cross from the right side that created a chance inside. The final shot, however, missed the target, and Cerezo escaped danger. Though Cerezo dominated much of the first half, the score remained level at halftime.





Continuing the momentum from the first half, Cerezo created the first clear chance of the second half as well. Repeatedly winning the ball high up the pitch, they launched sustained attacks, culminating in Shibayama firing a well-placed shot in front of goal. Although the goalkeeper made the save, Cerezo took the lead in the 54th minute. After Shinnosuke Hatanaka cleared a long ball from Niigata’s center-back, the ball was passed along to Okuda and Shunta Tanaka, who played a through ball behind the left side. Homma, making a run, delivered a cross that Lucas Fernandes met from the opposite side. This was Homma’s first assist since joining the club. After the match, he expressed relief: “This was a move we’ve practiced consistently. In this world, you have to produce results to survive. Although it was just an assist, I’m glad to have contributed something.” Three minutes later, Cerezo had another big chance. Breaking down the right side, Cools delivered a cross that Shibayama tried to finish, but the shot was blocked by a defender. In the middle of the second half, Niigata had some attacking spells, but Inoue showed strong cover, and Hatanaka blocked shots with his body, preventing an equalizer. Then, in the 81st minute, Cerezo sealed the win with a third goal. After a quick transition from defense to attack, they won the ball high up the field. Lucas carried the ball forward and played a short pass behind the left side. Although Thiago Andrade did not reach it, the Niigata defender who tried to clear the ball failed to do so, resulting in an own goal. While somewhat fortunate, the goal was a direct result of continuous pressure high up the pitch.





In added time of the second half, Shinji Kagawa, who came on in the 84th minute, created two clear chances. Although they couldn’t convert, Cerezo continued to press relentlessly until the final whistle, taking 21 shots in a 3-1 comeback victory. “We were able to express the football we aim to play and have been building, and still come out on top,” manager Papas praised the players after the match. Cerezo extended their points tally to 37 with their first league win in three matches. Next up is an away game against FC Machida Zelvia, a team currently riding a six-game winning streak in the league and nine consecutive wins in all competitions. Kagawa commented, “This will be a true test, and I believe the team’s true nature will show in the results. We want to prepare thoroughly.” United as one, the team aims to seize this crucial victory to remain in the title race.