J1 League Gameweek 4

Vissel Kobe 1 - 0 FT Cerezo Osaka

Noevir Stadium

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
44
FT
Sat, Aug 29
日本語
Vissel Kobe
1-0
Cerezo Osaka
⚡ Intensity 36
⚖️ Balance 20
🏆 Stakes 44
🎲 Upset 0
VAR drama decides tense Kansai Derby

Win Probability

  • Vissel Kobe 46%
  • Draw 28%
  • Cerezo Osaka 26%

Futmetrix AI estimate

Penalty Drama Decides the Kansai Derby

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 44/100. A tense Kansai Derby at Noevir Stadium swung on a single VAR decision, proving that in regional rivalries, defensive grit often outshines territorial control.

Early Tensions

The regional pride on the line in this Kansai Derby at Noevir Stadium set the stage for a gritty, tactical affair. From the outset, Cerezo Osaka settled into a rhythm, controlling possession with a measured fifty-six percent of the ball. They engineered a methodical buildup, pinning the hosts back and stacking up pressure through a barrage of set-pieces. Earning nine corners in total, the visitors constantly probed for a weakness in the defensive block. Yet, despite dictating the tempo, their cutting edge was blunt. A combined twenty-five shots painted a picture of a high Intensity clash, but Cerezo’s inability to turn territorial dominance into clear-cut chances left the door wide open. The raw Stakes of the derby meant that a single lapse in concentration would be fatal, setting up a fascinating battle of attrition.

The Turning Point

With the match locked in a rigid tactical stalemate, the atmosphere at Noevir Stadium grew increasingly tense. The definitive moment arrived in the sixty-eighth minute, entirely shifting the Balance of power. A chaotic sequence in the box drew the attention of the officials, leading to a nail-biting VAR review. As the referee pointed to the spot, confirming a foul involving Gotoku Sakai, the stadium erupted. The psychological weight of the decision was immense, placing the burden squarely on the shoulders of Ren Komatsu. Stepping up in the seventy-first minute, he ignored the immense pressure and dispatched the penalty with clinical precision. This single sequence of high-stakes drama turned the tide, rewarding Vissel Kobe for their patience and entirely unraveling the visitors' earlier control.

Holding the Line

Trailing and desperate to salvage their regional pride, the visitors threw caution to the wind in search of a late equaliser. However, they were met by an absolute defensive wall orchestrated by Matheus Thuler. The standout defender delivered an impeccable performance, anchoring the backline and extinguishing every spark of attacking threat. His flawless positioning ensured that the slender advantage remained intact through the final whistle. This gritty one-nil triumph serves as a massive boost for the hosts, lifting them in the early season standings while simultaneously denting their rivals' momentum. It was a contest where defensive resilience triumphed over possession, proving once again that in derbies of this magnitude, sheer determination and a singular moment of clarity are all that matter.

Key Questions

Did the derby intensity affect the quality of play?

Yes. The high stakes drove a chaotic rhythm, resulting in 25 total shots but only a fraction on target, prioritising physical battles over attacking precision.

What is the Kansai Derby?

The Kansai Derby is the rivalry between Vissel Kobe and Cerezo Osaka, a passionate regional rivalry with deep local significance.

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.

Match Statistics

Possession
44%
56%
Vissel Kobe 44%
Cerezo Osaka 56%
Shots
12
13
Vissel Kobe 12
Cerezo Osaka 13
Shots on Target
6
3
Vissel Kobe 6
Cerezo Osaka 3
Passes
349
433
Vissel Kobe 349
Cerezo Osaka 433
Corners
4
9
Vissel Kobe 4
Cerezo Osaka 9
Fouls
13
11
Vissel Kobe 13
Cerezo Osaka 11
Yellow Cards
2
1
Vissel Kobe 2
Cerezo Osaka 1
Red Cards
0
0
Vissel Kobe 0
Cerezo Osaka 0

Match Events

45' 🔄 Nanasei Iino Hyoei Kawabata
HT
53' 🟨 Ren Komatsu
Yumeki Yokoyama Thiago Andrade 🔄 65'
68' Gotoku Sakai
71' Ren Komatsu
Takumi Nakamura Lucas Fernandes 🔄 73'
73' 🔄 Yuan Iwamoto Yuya Kuwasaki
Lucas Fernandes 🟨 75'
81' 🟨 Yuta Goke
Yota Komi Shinji Kagawa 🔄 81'
Solomon Sakuragawa Pablo Sabbag 🔄 81'
87' 🔄 Ren Komatsu Mitsuki Hidaka
90'+2 🔄 Katsuya Nagato Issei Takahashi
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Vissel Kobe

Goalkeepers
Daiya Maekawa
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Gotoku Sakai
SWEEPER
SWEEPER
5
Cleanups
5
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Tetsushi Yamakawa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matheus Thuler
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Diego
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
23%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Yuta Goke
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuan Iwamoto
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Yosuke Ideguchi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Nanasei Iino
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
46
Total Mins
45
Entry
Ren Komatsu
FINISHER
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.0
Rating
Katsuya Nagato
NPC
NPC
92
Minutes
92
Minutes
11%
Pass Acc
6.4
Rating
BENCH
Shuichi Gonda
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Takuya Iwanami
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Boniface Nduka
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mitsuki Hidaka
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
3
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuya Kuwasaki
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Issei Takahashi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kota Watanabe
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Cerezo Osaka

Goalkeepers
Kosuke Nakamura
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Dion-Johan Cools
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shinnosuke Hatanaka
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Rikito Inoue
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Takumi Nakamura
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
23%
Pass Acc
Jackson Irvine
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shunta Tanaka
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayumu Ohata
SWEEPER
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Yota Komi
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Yumeki Yokoyama
SWEEPER
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Forwards
Solomon Sakuragawa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
BENCH
Koto Abe
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Kyohei Noborizato
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hayato Okuda
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Travis Takahashi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kosei Okazawa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shinji Kagawa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Fernandes
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pablo Sabbag
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Thiago Andrade
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
04/29/2026 Vissel Kobe 0 - 0 (PEN 2-4) Cerezo Osaka J1 League Noevir Stadium
03/22/2026 Cerezo Osaka 1 - 1 (PEN 6-5) Vissel Kobe J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
08/23/2025 Cerezo Osaka 1 - 1 Vissel Kobe J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
05/06/2025 Vissel Kobe 1 - 3 Cerezo Osaka J1 League Noevir Stadium
09/13/2024 Vissel Kobe 2 - 1 Cerezo Osaka J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
05/11/2024 Cerezo Osaka 1 - 4 Vissel Kobe J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
09/23/2023 Vissel Kobe 1 - 0 Cerezo Osaka J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
06/10/2023 Cerezo Osaka 2 - 1 Vissel Kobe J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
08/06/2022 Cerezo Osaka 3 - 0 Vissel Kobe J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
04/10/2022 Vissel Kobe 0 - 1 Cerezo Osaka J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
04/29/2026
0 - 0 (PEN 2-4)
J1 League Noevir Stadium
03/22/2026
1 - 1 (PEN 6-5)
J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
08/23/2025
J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
05/06/2025
J1 League Noevir Stadium
09/13/2024
J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
05/11/2024
J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
09/23/2023
J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
06/10/2023
J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
08/06/2022
J1 League Yodoko Sakura Stadium
04/10/2022
J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
Vissel Kobe Win
Cerezo Osaka Win
Draw

League Standings

Pos Team P Pts GF GA GD Form
1 Machida Zelvia 3 9 12 2 +10 WMachida Zelvia 3 - 1 Urawa (23-08-2026)WJEF United Chiba 0 - 4 Machida Zelvia (15-08-2026)WFC Tokyo 1 - 5 Machida Zelvia (08-08-2026)
2 Kashiwa Reysol 3 9 9 4 +5 WKashiwa Reysol 4 - 2 V-varen Nagasaki (21-08-2026)WTokyo Verdy 1 - 3 Kashiwa Reysol (14-08-2026)WKashiwa Reysol 2 - 1 Mito Hollyhock (08-08-2026)
3 Kashima 3 9 9 6 +3 WKashima 3 - 2 Avispa Fukuoka (22-08-2026)WKashima 2 - 1 Nagoya Grampus (15-08-2026)WYokohama F. Marinos 3 - 4 Kashima (07-08-2026)
4 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4 8 8 2 +6 DGamba Osaka 0 - 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (29-08-2026)DSanfrecce Hiroshima 1 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale (22-08-2026)WUrawa 1 - 4 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (15-08-2026)WSanfrecce Hiroshima 3 - 0 JEF United Chiba (08-08-2026)
5 Yokohama F. Marinos 3 6 5 4 +1 WYokohama F. Marinos 1 - 0 Vissel Kobe (22-08-2026)WShimizu S-pulse 0 - 1 Yokohama F. Marinos (15-08-2026)LYokohama F. Marinos 3 - 4 Kashima (07-08-2026)
6 Cerezo Osaka 3 6 3 4 -1 WCerezo Osaka 1 - 0 Shimizu S-pulse (22-08-2026)LAvispa Fukuoka 3 - 0 Cerezo Osaka (15-08-2026)WCerezo Osaka 2 - 1 Fagiano Okayama (08-08-2026)
7 Gamba Osaka 4 5 6 7 -1 DGamba Osaka 0 - 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (29-08-2026)LNagoya Grampus 3 - 1 Gamba Osaka (22-08-2026)DMito Hollyhock 1 - 1 Gamba Osaka (15-08-2026)WGamba Osaka 4 - 3 Urawa (07-08-2026)
8 Mito Hollyhock 3 4 5 4 +1 WKyoto Sanga 1 - 3 Mito Hollyhock (22-08-2026)DMito Hollyhock 1 - 1 Gamba Osaka (15-08-2026)LKashiwa Reysol 2 - 1 Mito Hollyhock (08-08-2026)
9 Vissel Kobe 3 4 3 3 0 LYokohama F. Marinos 1 - 0 Vissel Kobe (22-08-2026)DVissel Kobe 2 - 2 FC Tokyo (15-08-2026)WAvispa Fukuoka 0 - 1 Vissel Kobe (08-08-2026)
10 Fagiano Okayama 3 4 2 2 0 DFagiano Okayama 0 - 0 Tokyo Verdy (22-08-2026)WFagiano Okayama 1 - 0 V-varen Nagasaki (15-08-2026)LCerezo Osaka 2 - 1 Fagiano Okayama (08-08-2026)
11 FC Tokyo 3 4 5 7 -2 WFC Tokyo 2 - 0 JEF United Chiba (21-08-2026)DVissel Kobe 2 - 2 FC Tokyo (15-08-2026)LFC Tokyo 1 - 5 Machida Zelvia (08-08-2026)
12 Avispa Fukuoka 3 3 5 4 +1 LKashima 3 - 2 Avispa Fukuoka (22-08-2026)WAvispa Fukuoka 3 - 0 Cerezo Osaka (15-08-2026)LAvispa Fukuoka 0 - 1 Vissel Kobe (08-08-2026)
13 Nagoya Grampus 3 3 4 4 0 WNagoya Grampus 3 - 1 Gamba Osaka (22-08-2026)LKashima 2 - 1 Nagoya Grampus (15-08-2026)LNagoya Grampus 0 - 1 Shimizu S-pulse (08-08-2026)
14 Kawasaki Frontale 3 3 4 4 0 DSanfrecce Hiroshima 1 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale (22-08-2026)DKawasaki Frontale 2 - 2 Kyoto Sanga (15-08-2026)DTokyo Verdy 1 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale (09-08-2026)
15 Shimizu S-pulse 3 3 1 2 -1 LCerezo Osaka 1 - 0 Shimizu S-pulse (22-08-2026)LShimizu S-pulse 0 - 1 Yokohama F. Marinos (15-08-2026)WNagoya Grampus 0 - 1 Shimizu S-pulse (08-08-2026)
16 V-varen Nagasaki 3 3 4 6 -2 LKashiwa Reysol 4 - 2 V-varen Nagasaki (21-08-2026)LFagiano Okayama 1 - 0 V-varen Nagasaki (15-08-2026)WV-varen Nagasaki 2 - 1 Kyoto Sanga (09-08-2026)
17 Tokyo Verdy 3 2 2 4 -2 DFagiano Okayama 0 - 0 Tokyo Verdy (22-08-2026)LTokyo Verdy 1 - 3 Kashiwa Reysol (14-08-2026)DTokyo Verdy 1 - 1 Kawasaki Frontale (09-08-2026)
18 Kyoto Sanga 3 1 4 7 -3 LKyoto Sanga 1 - 3 Mito Hollyhock (22-08-2026)DKawasaki Frontale 2 - 2 Kyoto Sanga (15-08-2026)LV-varen Nagasaki 2 - 1 Kyoto Sanga (09-08-2026)
19 Urawa 3 0 5 11 -6 LMachida Zelvia 3 - 1 Urawa (23-08-2026)LUrawa 1 - 4 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (15-08-2026)LGamba Osaka 4 - 3 Urawa (07-08-2026)
20 JEF United Chiba 3 0 0 9 -9 LFC Tokyo 2 - 0 JEF United Chiba (21-08-2026)LJEF United Chiba 0 - 4 Machida Zelvia (15-08-2026)LSanfrecce Hiroshima 3 - 0 JEF United Chiba (08-08-2026)