J1 League Regular Season - 5
Cerezo Osaka 0 - 0 PEN 4-2 Shimizu S-pulse
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Matheus Bueno 43'
45'+2 Shunta Tanaka
HT
↓ Y. Honda ↑K. Kitazume 62'
↓ K. Kitagawa ↑K. Matsuzaki 62'
↓ K. Chiba ↑T. Takahashi 62'
67' ↓ Thiago Andrade ↑R. Sakata
67' ↓ Y. Yokoyama ↑S. Homma
↓ K. Kozuka ↑Z. Uno 71'
79' Shion Homma
82' ↓ N. Ishiwatari ↑H. Kida
87' ↓ M. Nakajima ↑M. Shibayama
Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi 90'+3
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Cerezo Osaka
Goalkeepers
K. Nakamura 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
90
Minutes
Defenders
D. Cools 
MAGNET
95
Activity
95
Activity
78
Passes
17
Duels
R. Inoue
MAGNET
88
Activity
88
Activity
79
Passes
9
Duels
S. Hatanaka 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Ohata
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
N. Ishiwatari
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
50
Passes
22
Duels
S. Tanaka
MAGNET
68
Activity
68
Activity
56
Passes
12
Duels
Y. Yokoyama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
M. Nakajima 
ARCHITECT
6
Key Passes
6
Key Passes
0
Assists
17%
Pass Acc
Thiago Andrade
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
Forwards
S. Sakuragawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
K. Fukui
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
H. Tanaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Noborizato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Okuda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Kida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Sakata
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Homma 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
M. Shibayama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Yengi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shimizu S-pulse
Goalkeepers
T. Umeda 
OCTOPUS
8
Saves
8
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Park Seung-Wook 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
J. Sumiyoshi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Honda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
Y. Yoshida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
K. Kozuka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
Matheus Bueno
MAGNET
74
Activity
74
Activity
67
Passes
7
Duels
K. Kitagawa 
GHOST
11
Actions
11
Actions
62
Minutes
6.7
Rating
Capixaba 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Y. Oki
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
K. Kitazume
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Z. Uno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Yumiba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Matsuzaki
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Y. Shimamoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Ohata
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Takahashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Stephens
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/07/2026 | Cerezo Osaka | 0 - 0 (PEN 4-2) | Shimizu S-pulse | J1 League | Yodoko Sakura Stadium |
| 11/09/2025 | Shimizu S-pulse | 1 - 4 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 06/01/2025 | Cerezo Osaka | 4 - 2 | Shimizu S-pulse | J1 League | Yodoko Sakura Stadium |
| 06/26/2022 | Cerezo Osaka | 1 - 1 | Shimizu S-pulse | J1 League | Yodoko Sakura Stadium |
| 03/12/2022 | Shimizu S-pulse | 1 - 3 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 12/04/2021 | Shimizu S-pulse | 2 - 1 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 03/10/2021 | Cerezo Osaka | 2 - 1 | Shimizu S-pulse | J1 League | Yanmar Stadium Nagai |
| 11/14/2020 | Shimizu S-pulse | 3 - 1 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | IAI Stadium Nihondaira |
| 07/08/2020 | Cerezo Osaka | 2 - 0 | Shimizu S-pulse | J1 League | Yanmar Stadium Nagai |
| 11/30/2019 | Cerezo Osaka | 2 - 1 | Shimizu S-pulse | J1 League | Osaka Nagai Stadium |
03/07/2026
11/09/2025
06/01/2025
06/26/2022
03/12/2022
12/04/2021
03/10/2021
11/14/2020
07/08/2020
11/30/2019
Cerezo Osaka Win
Shimizu S-pulse Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Umeda's Wall Falls Just Short in Penalty Drama
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 22/100. A relentless attacking barrage met an immovable object in goal, culminating in a tense penalty shootout that finally rewarded the hosts' overwhelming persistence.
The Opening Salvo
The fixture at Yodoko Sakura Stadium immediately tipped into a one-sided siege. Cerezo Osaka stepped onto the pitch with clear attacking intent, establishing controlled possession at 59 percent. From the first exchanges, the hosts dictated the tempo, utilizing the defensive stability and sharp distribution of Dion Cools to build out from the back. The sheer Intensity of Cerezo's approach was staggering. They registered a massive 19 total shots, launching waves of attacks that forced the visitors into a deep, desperate defensive block. Shimizu S-pulse, struggling to find any rhythm, were reduced to speculative counter-attacks. Despite registering 11 attempts of their own, the visitors failed to test the target even once, leaving their forwards completely isolated as the game settled into a relentless rhythm of attack versus defense.
The Unbreakable Wall
The pivot of this incredible contest entirely revolved around the superhuman efforts of Togo Umeda. Cerezo accumulated an expected goals tally of 1.96, applying crushing pressure with a bulk of the match's 11 corners. Yet, Umeda simply refused to be beaten. The Shimizu goalkeeper produced an astonishing eight saves, repeatedly denying point-blank efforts and long-range drives alike. The Balance of play was utterly skewed toward the hosts, but Umeda single-handedly transformed the visitors' penalty area into an impenetrable fortress. Every time Cerezo looked certain to break the deadlock, a flying glove or an outstretched boot kept the scoreline blank. It was a masterclass in modern goalkeeping that utterly frustrated the home crowd and ensured that regular time ended in a miraculous, breathless stalemate.
Spot-Kick Resolution
With nothing separating the sides after a grueling ninety minutes of open play, this gripping league encounter was forced into a decisive penalty shootout. The psychological Stakes were immense for a Cerezo side that had dominated every metric except the scoreboard. Stepping up when it mattered most, veteran goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura anchored the hosts' confidence in the shootout. Cerezo held their nerve remarkably well, converting their spot-kicks with clinical precision to seal a 4-2 shootout victory. While Shimizu will look back on Umeda's heroics with immense pride, their absolute lack of offensive bite ultimately cost them. The result tightens the gap at the upper end of the table, rewarding Cerezo for their proactive approach while raising serious questions about Shimizu's attacking blueprint.
Key Questions
What made Togo Umeda the Man of the Match?
He produced an extraordinary eight saves, completely shutting down a 1.96 xG onslaught from Cerezo Osaka to single-handedly drag his team into a penalty shootout.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Top-Four Ambitions on the Line in Osaka
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. With only three points separating them in the table, this clash is a critical litmus test for both clubs' AFC Champions League qualification hopes.
The Setup
March 07, 2026, marks a pivotal juncture in the J1 League campaign as sixth-placed Cerezo Osaka welcome fourth-placed Shimizu S-pulse to Yodoko Sakura Stadium. The top-four race is beginning to take definitive shape, and the Stakes are incredibly high for the hosts, who can wipe out the points gap with a victory. What makes this fixture truly fascinating is the complete absence of compromise from either camp—incredibly, neither side has recorded a single draw all season. This chaotic, all-or-nothing Form means viewers are virtually guaranteed a decisive result. However, a heavily skewed Balance rating reflects pre-match expectations that the hosts will easily dominate proceedings.
Key Battle
This match will be defined by a broader tactical conflict rather than individual duels. Cerezo's high-pressing midfield engine will directly challenge Shimizu's fragile defensive transitions. The visitors have already leaked 14 goals this season, and if their backline cannot plug the gaps quickly, the home side's fluid attacking unit will carve them open relentlessly.
Our Prediction
We fully expect Cerezo Osaka to dictate the tempo and punish the visitors' defensive frailties. Armed with absolute home advantage and boasting Jin Hyeon Kim—who has been an absolute wall between the sticks—the hosts will suffocate Shimizu's transition game. The visitors' inability to grind out draws when under pressure will be their undoing. We foresee a comfortable 2-0 victory for Cerezo, propelling them firmly into the top-four conversation.