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

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.

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.



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.





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.





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.