J1 League Regular Season - 6
Kyoto Sanga 1 - 2 FT Cerezo Osaka
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
13' ↓ Rafael Elias ↑F. Honda
Ayumu Ohata 28'
HT
48' Marco Tulio
↓ N. Ishiwatari ↑M. Shibayama 62'
↓ Y. Yokoyama ↑R. Sakata 70'
↓ Thiago Andrade ↑S. Homma 70'
R. Sakata 71'
74' ↓ Y. Ishida ↑Henrique Trevisan
74' ↓ Kyoto Sanga ↑M. Okugawa
74' ↓ H. Sugai ↑K. Sato
75' Temma Matsuda
↓ S. Hatanaka ↑H. Tanaka 77'
↓ A. Ohata ↑K. Noborizato 77'
79' ↓ T. Hirato ↑R. Nakano
S. Tanaka (M. Nakajima) 90'
Shion Homma 90'+1
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Kyoto Sanga
Goalkeepers
G. Ota
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Midfielders
Joao Pedro
MAGNET
61
Activity
61
Activity
50
Passes
11
Duels
S. Yoon
MAGNET
62
Activity
62
Activity
55
Passes
7
Duels
T. Hirato
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
Marco Tulio
MAGNET
49
Activity
49
Activity
38
Passes
11
Duels
Rafael Elias
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
13
Entry
T. Matsuda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
K. Kakoi
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Henrique Trevisan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Okugawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Hiraoka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Sato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Nakano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Arai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gustavo Barreto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Honda
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
3%
Pass Acc
Cerezo Osaka
Goalkeepers
K. Nakamura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
D. Cools
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
55%
Duel Win %
R. Inoue
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Hatanaka
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
A. Ohata
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
N. Ishiwatari
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
S. Tanaka
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
8
Rating
Y. Yokoyama
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
M. Nakajima
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7
Rating
Thiago Andrade
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Forwards
S. Sakuragawa
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
22%
Pass Acc
BENCH
K. Fukui
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
H. Tanaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Noborizato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
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
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Sakata
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
20
Minutes
7.7
Rating
S. Homma
DRIBBLER
5
Dribbles
5
Dribbles
5
Attempts
100%
Success %
M. Shibayama
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
W. Kanemoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/14/2026 | Kyoto Sanga | 1 - 2 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 09/28/2025 | Cerezo Osaka | 1 - 2 | Kyoto Sanga | J1 League | Yodoko Sakura Stadium |
| 05/21/2025 | Kyoto Sanga | 1 - 4 | Cerezo Osaka | J-League Cup | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 05/03/2025 | Kyoto Sanga | 2 - 3 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
| 08/17/2024 | Cerezo Osaka | 3 - 5 | Kyoto Sanga | J1 League | Yodoko Sakura Stadium |
| 06/01/2024 | Kyoto Sanga | 1 - 1 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | Sanga Stadium by Kyocera |
03/14/2026
09/28/2025
05/21/2025
05/03/2025
08/17/2024
06/01/2024
Kyoto Sanga Win
Cerezo Osaka Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Tanaka's Late Strike Seals Cerezo's Stunning Comeback
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 65/100. A spectacular 90th-minute winner capped off an away masterclass, completely upending the table dynamics in Kyoto.
Opening Act
Sanga Stadium by Kyocera set the stage for a gritty battle where Kyoto Sanga edged possession and relentlessly probed the visitors' defense. The Balance of the match was tilted slightly toward the hosts early on, as defensive anchor Shinnosuke Fukuda put in a monumental shift to shut down any counter-attacks. Despite Kyoto dictating the tempo and firing off 15 total shots, their final touch was woefully blunt with only two finding the target. Cerezo Osaka had to absorb massive pressure, relying on disciplined defending to survive the initial onslaught and keep the game scoreless heading into the break.
The Pivot
The second half erupted instantly. Marco Tulio broke the deadlock in the 48th minute, sending the home crowd into delirium. Yet, the Upset Factor began creeping up almost immediately. Cerezo's tactical tweaks shifted the momentum completely. Substitute R. Sakata entered the fray in the 70th minute and leveled the scoring just 60 seconds later with a predatory finish. Alongside him, Shion Homma made a massive impact off the bench, accelerating the visitors' transition play and stretching Kyoto's backline as the match opened up into a frantic end-to-end sprint.
Resolution
The Intensity hit a fever pitch in the dying moments. With 16 combined corners setting up relentless set-piece drama, Cerezo finally found their golden opportunity. In the 90th minute, M. Nakajima delivered a precise ball for S. Tanaka, who smashed home the decisive blow to break Kyoto hearts. Cerezo's eight shots on target proved far superior to Kyoto's wasteful volume. Given the high Stakes near the top of the table, this 2-1 heist is a massive statement victory for Cerezo Osaka, halting the hosts' momentum in its tracks.
Key Questions
How dramatic was the late winner by Shinnosuke Fukuda?
It was actually S. Tanaka who scored the 90th-minute winner for Cerezo Osaka, snatching all three points in dramatic fashion.
How did Kyoto Sanga complete the comeback from behind?
Cerezo Osaka, not Kyoto Sanga, completed the comeback. They erased Marco Tulio's opener with strikes from R. Sakata and S. Tanaka.
How did substitute Shinnosuke Fukuda change the game?
Fukuda was actually a starter for Kyoto. The true game-changer was Cerezo's substitute R. Sakata, scoring instantly in the 71st minute.
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.
Early Title Race Marker Set in Kyoto
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 77/100. Sanga Stadium by Kyocera hosts a pivotal top-half clash that could define the early trajectory of the J1 League title race.
The Setup
As the J1 League campaign enters its critical early phase, Kyoto Sanga find themselves flying high. Sitting second in the standings with 17 points, the home side has a golden opportunity to cement their championship credentials. Standing in their way is a Cerezo Osaka outfit currently lurking in sixth place with 14 points. A win for the visitors would entirely close the gap, blowing the top half of the table wide open in a genuine six-pointer scenario. Our metrics flag a high Balance rating, reflecting just how evenly matched these two sides truly are. Despite the Stakes being somewhat modest mathematically due to this being just the tenth game of the season, the local pressure is immense. Both teams boast a formidable Form profile, though Osaka's ability to grind out away wins adds a fascinating layer of unpredictability. The sheer abundance of attacking talent on the pitch is captured by an off-the-charts Stars rating, promising a deeply entertaining spectacle.
Key Battle
The match will likely be decided by the explosive duel between Kyoto Sanga's attacking talisman Rafael Elias and Cerezo Osaka's combative presence, Shunta Tanaka. Elias has been virtually unplayable in the final third, demanding constant attention from defenders. Tanaka must marshal the midfield spaces effectively to cut off his supply lines; if he fails, the home side will confidently dictate the tempo.
Our Prediction
We expect Kyoto Sanga to secure a fiercely contested 2-1 victory. Cerezo Osaka will undoubtedly pose a persistent threat on the counter-attack, and Kosuke Nakamura's heroics between the sticks might frustrate the hosts initially. However, Kyoto's relentless offensive pressure, fueled by their title ambitions, and superior momentum will eventually overwhelm the visitors' defensive structure as the game stretches into the second half.