2025 J1 Season Kicks Off! Cerezo Osaka Thrash Gamba Osaka in Five-Goal Derby Triumph

The 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE season got underway on Friday, with the highly anticipated Osaka Derby between Gamba Osaka and Cerezo Osaka taking centre stage in the opening week.

It took just seven minutes for C-Osaka to break the deadlock, as Sota Kitano found the net early on. Though G-Osaka managed to equalise, Kitano struck again just after the restart in the 46th minute, restoring C-Osaka’s lead. Shinji Kagawa extended their advantage in the 52nd minute, only for G-Osaka to pull one back moments later. However, Shunta Tanaka made it 4-2 in the 63rd minute before Motohiko Nakajima, returning to the club this season, wrapped up the scoring deep into stoppage time (90+4'). A 5-2 demolition saw C-Osaka claim city bragging rights in emphatic fashion.

Okayama Secure Historic First J1 Win Over Kyoto! Champions Kobe Held to a Draw

The J1 League’s opening weekend continued with seven matches on Saturday.

Defending champions Vissel Kobe hosted Urawa Reds but struggled to carve out clear-cut chances, ultimately settling for a goalless draw.

Meanwhile, newly promoted Okayama enjoyed a dream start to life in the top flight, claiming their first-ever J1 victory with a commanding 2-0 win over Kyoto Sanga F.C. Daichi Tagami opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Takaya Kimura doubled their lead in the 36th. A solid defensive display ensured they kept Kyoto at bay, sealing a landmark win.

Elsewhere, FC TOKYO edged past Yokohama FC with Kosuke Shirai’s 61st-minute goal proving the difference in a 1-0 away win. Kashiwa Reysol also secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Avispa Fukuoka, thanks to a decisive strike from substitute Diego in the 75th minute.

At Kawasaki Frontale, the second half saw a scoring frenzy, as the hosts dismantled Nagoya Grampus 4-0. Kota Takai broke the deadlock in the 58th minute before Shin Yamada (67’), Hinata Yamauchi (79’), and Ten Miyagi (88’) rounded off a dominant performance.

Meanwhile, Shonan Bellmare edged Kashima Antlers 1-0, with Sho Fukuda’s 64th-minute strike proving enough to claim the three points. Over in Niigata, Yokohama F･Marinos fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Albirex Niigata, as Anderson Lopes salvaged a point in the 77th minute.

Rookie Nakamura Inspires Hiroshima to Comeback Win! Shimizu Mark J1 Return with Victory

The opening round concluded on Sunday with two fixtures.

At the Japan National Stadium, Shimizu S-Pulse celebrated their return to J1 after three years with a 1-0 victory over Tokyo Verdy. Koya Kitagawa struck in the 40th minute, and his effort proved decisive as Shimizu held firm to claim a winning start.

Meanwhile, Sanfrecce Hiroshima faced an uphill battle away to FC Machida Zelvia after conceding in the 26th minute. However, Tolgay Arslan levelled in the 59th minute before Sota Nakamura, a rookie fresh out of university, struck in the 77th minute to complete the comeback and seal a 2-1 win. A memorable debut goal for Nakamura ensured Hiroshima kicked off their campaign on a high.