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MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE 34th Sec.
2025.10.18(Sat) 14:00 KICK OFF

vs.Kashiwa Reysol

Panasonic Stadium Suita

DAZN to watch the match

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2025.10.18［TEAM］

PICKUP PLAYER MF44 Kanji OKUNUKI"If we can play our own style of football, we can win"

After two consecutive away matches against Ratchaburi FC in the AFC Champions League 2 and Kashima Antlers in the 33rd Sec. of the J1 League, we are back at our home ground, Panasonic Stadium Suita. It's encouraging to know that we'll be able to play with such support from the stands again this time. Conversely, I think that away teams always find it very difficult. I hope that the entire stadium can create that same atmosphere this time as well.

Looking back on the two away games, I started in the Ratchaburi match for the first time in a while, and it was a very inspiring match. It really made me realize that I was getting back into shape. It was our first away game in the ACL2, and I was surprised by how hot it was, even hotter than Japan. However, even under the tough conditions, including the travel, I think we were able to play with a strong sense of unity as a team. In the first half, the opponents had more players up front than we expected, and we were forced to hold back with individual effort, which forced us to endure for a long time. However, in the second half, with the score at 0-0, the opponents slowed down and we started to create space, which we were able to take advantage of and score. I think the biggest gain was getting three points in an away game.

I also think that the team started off well in the match against Kashima. I was given a chance to play towards the end of the match, and I was tasked with "chasing up from the front and putting pressure on the opponent," so I went onto the pitch hoping to somehow score a goal. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to convert that into a goal, but I'm positive that we didn't lose an away game, and I want to carry our unbeaten run of eight official matches into this match against Kashiwa Reysol.

Kashiwa is a team where everyone plays aggressively, and even watching recent game footage, I get the impression that they press hard from the front. DIEGO Jara Rodrigues, the left winger in particular, has the drive to make a difference, and if he's let go there, it could lead to dangerous situations, so I feel he's a player we need to be careful of. However, because Kashiwa plays so forward, there will be space in their backs. For Gamba, if we can exploit that space, our attack should accelerate. And more than anything, I believe we can win if we can play the kind of football we've been playing in the last few games, so we'll all be fully prepared going into the match.

The cheers of our supporters when we step up our attacking game give us the strength to take another step forward. Let's aim for the goal together this time too. Thank you for your support.

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