Eight matches were played on the 18th of the first round of the J1 soccer J-League, which started on the 17th. Kashima Antlers, who are aiming for the championship for the first time in seven seasons, won comfortably against Kyoto Sanga.



For Cerezo Osaka, KAGAWA Shinji, who returned after 12 and a half years, came on in the middle of the second half and scored the starting goal with a brilliant through ball.

It is the result of J1・8 games.



▽ Antlers won 2-0 with the goal of Kei Chinen, a new force.



▽ FC Tokyo beat Urawa Red Diamonds 2-0.

In the second half, they took the lead with an own goal, and WATANABE Ryoma, who came off the bench, scored the second goal.



▽Albirex Niigata, who returned to J1 for the first time in six seasons, drew 2-2 with Cerezo Osaka.

KAGAWA Shinji, who has been active in European powerhouse clubs such as Manchester United in the English Premier League and returned to his old club Cerezo after 12 and a half years, came on in the middle of the second half and made a pass that was the start of the second goal.



▽ Nagoya Grampus defeated Yokohama FC, who returned to J1 for the first time in two seasons, 1-0 with Casper Junker, who transferred from the Reds, scoring a goal.



▽ Sagan Tosu vs Shonan Bellmare, Bellmare won comfortably 5-1.

Yuki Ohashi scored three goals and scored a hat-trick.



▽ Vissel won 1-0 in Vissel Kobe vs. Avispa Fukuoka.



▽ Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who won the J League Cup last year, drew 0-0 with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.



▽ Kashiwa Reysol vs. Gamba Osaka drew 2-2.

Shinji Kagawa "I was happy" Returned for the first time in 12 and a half years and participated in the middle

KAGAWA Shinji, who returned to Cerezo Osaka for the first time in 12 and a half years, came on in the middle of the second half and scored a goal with a brilliant through ball that temporarily led to the winning goal.

Kagawa said, "Hearing the cheers of the supporters, I was happy to realize once again that I had returned to Cerezo. The draw was a bit disappointing, but the play involved in scoring the goal was what I was able to achieve. I think so, and I want to play better football by having a common awareness among players and understanding the characteristics of my teammates for the next match."



In 2019, Kagawa played for Besiktas in the first division of Turkey for half a year.



Regarding the fund-raising activities and silent prayers held before the game for Turkey, which was damaged by the big earthquake, "It was only half a year, but I felt the warmth of the Turkish people while playing. I hope we can continue our activities throughout the J-League so that we can be of help."

Coach Moriyasu of Japan national team observes J1 match for the first time this season

Coach Moriyasu visited the match between FC Tokyo and Urawa Red Diamonds at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, Tokyo.

At the first J1 match of the season, Yuto Nagatomo of FC Tokyo and Hiroki Sakai of the Reds, two members of last year's World Cup, and a young player who is expected to enter the national team in the future, want to check the play. I chose a card.



Sakai, who will be the captain of the Reds from this season, started as a right-back and demonstrated his characteristic 1-on-1 strength to steal the ball from the opponent and actively participate in attack.



On the other hand, Nagatomo was left out of the starting line-up, but he encouraged the team with a loud voice from the bench, and in the 24th minute of the second half, he came on as a left-back and showed his presence by running deep into the opponent's territory and scoring a shot. showed.



Coach Moriyasu, who responded to the interview after the inspection, commented on his impressions of the two, saying, "I think Sakai wasn't in 100% condition because of his injury, but he showed his strength while supporting the team. Nagatomo said. I thought it was wonderful to see him fight as a member of the team even off the bench, and his passion for playing football was pouring out. I felt that I was trying to make football interesting," he said.



He also praised FC Tokyo's 19-year-old midfielder Kusei Matsuki, saying, "He had a strong presence and was very good at playing aggressively while encouraging the team."