Locale Osaka Prefecture | First meeting 4 March 1995 | |
Teams Gamba Osaka,
Cerezo Osaka | ||
The Osaka derby is a commonly occurring football fixture in Japan, which takes place between teams from Osaka Prefecture. Currently the derby is contested by Gamba Osaka !Gamba Osaka (based in Suita) and Cerezo Osaka !Cerezo Osaka (based in Osaka).
Contents
History
In the 1970s, Yanmar Diesel, co-founder of the old Japan Soccer League in 1965, had its reserve squad, Yanmar Club, play in the JSL's Second Division. At the end of 1979, the reserve club was closed by the parent company. Most of its players and staff found refuge when Matsushita Electric Industrial took them in with the aim of forming a new club to compete in the JSL. The new Matsushita SC was formed initially playing in Nara and over the years began moving into Osaka for games.
The first meeting between the two clubs took place during the 1986–87 season. At the time, newcomers Matsushita struggled and ended up being relegated; they did not return until 1988–89. At the end of 1990–91, Yanmar Diesel lost top division status for the first time. Matsushita, who had already applied with the Japan Football Association to take part in the new J. League implemented in 1992, was chosen instead to be the representative of Osaka in the new league, taking the name Gamba Osaka.
After competing for three seasons in the old Japan Football League, Yanmar Diesel, which had taken the name Cerezo Osaka in 1994, was promoted to the J. League.
Stadiums
Gamba, as Matsushita, initially played at Konoike Stadium in Nara and also played at Nagai Stadium in the J. League's early years. During the Yanmar Diesel years, Cerezo also played matches at Utsubo Park (football stadium is now demolished) and at Kobe Central Stadium in Kobe.
Past results
Statistics as of 20 September 2014