Urawa Reds and Cerezo Osaka played out a 0-0 draw in the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE on Wednesday night, and although neither side were able to find the net it wasn’t for the want of trying, with both going close on several occasions.
Urawa midfielder Kaito Yasui was the first to threaten in the 15th minute, stinging the palms of C-Osaka goalkeeper Koki Fukui with a fizzing effort from 25 yards, before Samuel Gustafson stabbed an effort over from just outside the area 25 minutes later.
Gustafson then teed up Matheus Savio with a wonderful chipped ball into the area in the last minute of the first half, but the Brazilian’s left-footed volley on the turn was straight at Fukui.
C-Osaka’s custodian came to his side’s rescue again six minutes into the second half, getting down very quickly to deny Hirokazu Ishihara after the Urawa right-back headed goalwards.
In the 64th minute it was the turn of C-Osaka’s right-back to almost open the scoring, as Hayato Okuda unleashed a fierce drive after a loose ball fell to him at a corner. Shusaku Nishikawa got down well to make the save though, before the ball was scrambled away to safety.
Nishikawa was called into action again 12 minutes later, saving from Hinata Kida, and although C-Osaka striker Rafael Ratao was first to the rebound his shot cannoned off the far post.
That was to become a theme as both sides pushed for a goal as the clock ticked down, and in the 78th minute Kyohei Noborizato slammed a fierce left-footed drive against the same post.
Two substitutes then almost combined to give Urawa the lead four minutes later, but after Takahiro Sekine sent a low ball into the area Tomoaki Okubo’s stab from inside the six-yard box hit the crossbar.
Nishikawa was tested twice more at the other end in injury time, but neither Rafael Ratao or Kida could find a way past Urawa’s veteran No.1 and the game ended goalless.
Urawa Reds vs. Cerezo Osaka - Game Highlights | 2025 J1 LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | MW 22
