Cerezo Osaka

History

The team, originally called Yanmar Diesel, started in 1957 as the company team of Yanmar and was an original founder of the now-disbanded Japan Soccer League. With four Japanese league titles to its credit, it was a mainstay of the JSL First Division until 1990 when it was first relegated, and thus joined the former Japan Football League in 1992.

In 1993, the club incorporated as Osaka Football Club Ltd., and adopted the name Cerezo after a public contest. In 1994, it won the JFL championship and was promoted to the J1 League in 1995. This also coincided with a run to the finals of the Emperor's Cup, which they lost to long-time league rivals Bellmare Hiratsuka.

In 2001, it finished in the last spot and was relegated to the J2 league. It managed to finish second in the 2002 season and returned to J1 in 2003.

In 2005 they came close to becoming J-League champions, and topped the league into the last match day. In their final match, they led F.C. Tokyo with minutes to go and were on course to win the title. However, Tokyo equalized in the 90th minute, and a number of other late goals around Japan meant they finished 5th. Arch-rivals Gamba Osaka, ended up winning the title. Cerezo returned to J2 for the 2007 season after finishing second to last in 2006. In 2009 they were promoted and returned to the top division. In 2014 they ended their season in 17th place. As a result, the team will be playing in Division 2 this 2015 season.

Colors

Cerezo's team color is pink, like the cherry blossom flowers the name is based on. Combination colors have been navy blue and black. This year, their uniform color is pink with navy (home) and white with navy stripes (away) for the field players, black (home) and pink with navy (away) for the goal keepers.

During the Yanmar Diesel days in the late 1970s to mid-1980s, the uniform was all-red reminiscent of Liverpool F.C.

Grounds

The home towns for the team are Osaka, and Sakai, Japan. The team plays at Kincho Stadium, with some bigger games played at Yanmar Stadium Nagai.

The team practices at Minamitsumori Sakura Sports Park, Maishima Sports Island, and Amagasaki Yanmar Diesel Ground.

Team mascots

The main team mascot is a wolf, nicknamed Lobby.

His full name is Noble Valiente Hache Lobito de Cerezo, which roughly translates to "a noble and brave son of a wolf from the Cerezo family, of good lineage".

The other team mascot is Madame Lobina, Lobby’s mother, who supports her son and Cerezo Osaka enthusiastically at many of the matches. Her full name is Elegante Esplendida Madame Lobina de Cerezo, which roughly translates to "elegant and splendid Madam wolf from the Cerezo family, of good lineage".

Rivalries

Cerezo's biggest rival is fellow local team Gamba Osaka. The matches played against Gamba are referred to as the Osaka derby.

Record as J. League member

League history

2017 Season Team Members

As of 25 January 2017. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

World Cup Players

The following players have represented their country at the World Cup whilst playing for Cerezo Osaka:

World Cup 1998

World Cup 2002

World Cup 2014

Yanmar Osaka Soccer Club

Cerezo Osaka

In popular culture

In the popular Captain Tsubasa manga, a character named Teppei Kisugi becomes a professional football player and joins Cerezo Osaka.