Cerezo Osaka were shocked by fourth division side FC Osaka as the 95th Emperor’s Cup kicked off over the weekend.

The MEIJI YASUDA J2 League outfit, one of the top candidates to secure promotion to the top flight next term, succumbed 2-1 to their Japan Football League (JFL) counterparts.

Thespa Kusatsu Gunma also surrendered 2-1 to FC Gifu II, the reserve side of FC Gifu, to join Cerezo as the high-profile casualties amongst the teams taking part.

Meanwhile, Tochigi SC lost to Ibaraki Prefecture representatives Ryutsu Keizai University on penalties, while J3 side Fujieda MYFC narrowly avoided going to a shoot-out against JFL upstarts Nara Club.

It was plain sailing for J2 League leaders Omiya Ardija, however, who comfortably beat Tochigi Uva 4-0, while Jubilo Iwata eked out a 1-0 victory over Hokuriku University.

Promoted J1 clubs Matsumoto Yamaga and Montedio Yamagata also won both their opening matches and will be joined by 12 more top-flight clubs in the second round.

ACL quarter-finalists Kashiwa Reysol and Gamba Osaka, along with seeded sides Urawa Reds and FC Tokyo, will feature in the competition during the latter stages.

The Emperor’s Cup final will be played on January 1, 2016 at Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium.