Japan Football(Soccer) Guide Blog

Tag: Osaka Derby

  • What is the National Derby in the J.League?

    — Urawa Reds vs. Gamba Osaka, J.League’s Greatest Rivalry —

    What is the “National Derby”?

    In a previous article, we wrote about the Osaka Derby. The J.League has many regional derby matches. But only one fixture has ever been called the “National Derby” in J.League history — Urawa Reds vs. Gamba Osaka.

    The name came from Ivica Osim, one of the most respected coaches in the world. Osim was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the 1990 FIFA World Cup, he led Yugoslavia to the quarterfinals. In the J.League, he managed JEF United Ichihara·Chiba and guided them to their first-ever Levain Cup title. (The Levain Cup — formerly known as the Nabisco Cup — is a domestic cup competition organized by the J.League. It is similar to the EFA League Cup in England.) Later, in 2006, he became the head coach of the Japan national team and stayed in charge until a sudden illness forced him to step down. It was Osim who gave this fixture its famous name.

    Getting to Know the Two Clubs

    First, let’s look at Urawa Reds. The club is based in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. Saitama has a population of about 7.3 million people — it is one of Japan’s largest urban areas.

    Urawa have won the J1 League (the top division of Japanese football) once (2006), the Emperor’s Cup four times (2005, 2006, 2018, 2021), and the Levain Cup (formerly the Nabisco Cup) twice (2003, 2016). (The Emperor’s Cup is Japan’s oldest domestic cup competition, organized by the Japan Football Association. It is similar to the FA Cup in England.) They have also won the AFC Champions League three times (2007, 2017, 2022). (The AFC Champions League is Asia’s top club competition, similar to the UEFA Champions League in Europe.) With three titles, Urawa hold the record for the most AFC Champions League wins by any Asian club.

    Next, let’s look at Gamba Osaka. The club is based in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture. Osaka has a population of about 8.8 million people — it is Japan’s second-largest economic area.

    Gamba have won the J1 League twice (2005, 2014), the Emperor’s Cup four times (2008, 2009, 2014, 2015), the Levain Cup twice (2007, 2015), and the AFC Champions League once (2008).

    Both clubs are based in large cities and have huge, passionate supporter bases. In terms of fan numbers, these two clubs are at the very top of the J.League.

    From Struggling Clubs to Fierce Rivals

    When the J.League launched in 1993, neither club was considered a powerhouse. In fact, both struggled in the early years and were sometimes looked down on by rival supporters.

    Then, in 2005, Gamba won the J1 League title for the first time. The following year, 2006, Urawa won their first J1 League title — and the final match of that season was a direct clash between Urawa and Gamba. The championship was not decided until the very last game.

    In 2007, Urawa won the AFC Champions League. The following year, 2008, Gamba also won the AFC Champions League — and in the semifinals of that tournament, the two clubs faced each other directly. For two years in a row, a Japanese club had become the champion of Asia.

    During this period, the two clubs competed not only in the J.League but also on the Asian stage. This was the era when Osim named their matches the “National Derby.”

    The J.League Has Other Great Rivalries Too

    Of course, Urawa and Gamba are not the only great rivalry in J.League history.

    In the mid-1990s, Verdy Kawasaki (now Tokyo Verdy) and Yokohama Marinos (now Yokohama F·Marinos) produced some classic battles. From the late 1990s into the 2000s, Kashima Antlers and Júbilo Iwata dominated the league — between 1996 and 2002, only these two clubs won the J1 League title. Then, from the late 2010s into the 2020s, Kawasaki Frontale and Yokohama F·Marinos took over — from 2017 to 2022, those two clubs won every single J1 League title.

    Each era of the J.League has produced a new rivalry. That is one of the things that makes the league so exciting to follow.

    The Intensity of the “National Derby”

    Matches between Urawa and Gamba carry a special tension unlike anything else in the J.League.

    In May 2008, Gamba defeated Urawa 3–2 in the J1 League at Saitama Stadium 2002 (Urawa’s home ground). But this match did not end quietly.

    On the pitch, there were serious problems. Gamba’s second goal came after a disputed throw-in call near the Urawa end. The referee made an error, and Gamba quickly restarted play to score. After the final whistle, Gamba’s players celebrated in a way that Urawa’s players found disrespectful — and a confrontation broke out between the two sides.

    In the stands, the trouble was just as bad. Gamba’s ultras (the most passionate supporters who stand in the end section of the away stand) had been provoking the Urawa fans before the match and at halftime. After the final whistle, fighting broke out between the ultras sections of both clubs.

    Both clubs received sanctions (official punishments) from the J.League. None of this behaviour was acceptable. But it showed just how much this fixture means — the “National Derby” pushes even the calmest people to their limit.

    Later that same year, Gamba beat Urawa again — both in the AFC Champions League semifinals in October and in a J1 League match in November. In the November league match, the Urawa players were so emotionally overwhelmed by the defeat that they had an argument among themselves on the pitch.

    “Zutto Tomodachi” — A Strange Bond Beyond Rivalry

    In recent years, some people on the internet have described Urawa and Gamba as “Zutto Tomodachi” — a Japanese phrase that literally means “friends forever,” similar to the English expression “best friends forever” (BFF).

    This came about partly because the two clubs have had similar results in recent years — for better and for worse. But there is probably more to it than that. They were both named in the “National Derby” by Osim. They both reached the top of Asian football in back-to-back years. They went through those intense, unforgettable battles together.

    Maybe it is that shared history — a history no other clubs in Japan can claim — that has created this strange, quiet sympathy between two rivals. Honestly, that kind of complicated friendship might be the most football thing imaginable.

    Why is Urawa Reds vs. Gamba Osaka called the “National Derby”? The answer is not simply that two big clubs are competing. It is because these two clubs built the most brilliant era in J.League history — together, and against each other.

  • What is an Osaka Derby?

    What is a Derby Match?

    The term “derby match” comes from England. It refers to a game between two clubs from the same city or region. The most famous examples are the North London Derby (Arsenal vs. Tottenham) and the Manchester Derby (City vs. United). Around the world, a “derby” means more than just a regular game. It is a battle for pride.

    Why Does the J.League Have So Many Derbies?

    The J.League — Japan’s top professional football league, founded in 1993 — also uses the concept of the derby match. However, the definition in Japan is a little broader than in Europe.

    Here are some well-known city and prefecture-level derbies:

    • Tokyo Derby: FC Tokyo vs. Tokyo Verdy
    • Yokohama Derby: Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Yokohama FC
    • Chiba Derby (Chiba-gin Cup): JEF United Chiba vs. Kashiwa Reysol — a traditional pre-season fixture. “Chiba-gin” refers to Chiba Bank, the title sponsor of the match.
    • Shinshu Derby: AC Nagano Parceiro vs. Matsumoto Yamaga FC — two clubs from different cities within Nagano Prefecture.

    There are also “regional derbies” that cross prefecture borders:

    • Shikoku Derby: Matches between clubs from the Shikoku region (Ehime, Tokushima, Kagawa, and Kochi).
    • Kyushu Derby: Matches between clubs from the Kyushu region.

    In the J.League, almost any match with a strong rivalry element can be called a derby, regardless of the distance between the clubs.

    But Japan’s Biggest Derby Is the Osaka Derby

    Without question, the most exciting derby in Japan is the Osaka Derby. This match is between two clubs based in Osaka Prefecture: Gamba Osaka and Cerezo Osaka.

    Osaka Prefecture has a population of around 8.8 million people (as of 2024). It is Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area, after Tokyo. These two clubs divide that great city between them.

    Gamba Osaka: The Blue-and-Black Giants Born from Panasonic

    Gamba Osaka’s home area covers the northern part of Osaka Prefecture. The club represents several cities, including Suita, Toyonaka, Ibaraki, and Takatsuki. Their stadium is Panasonic Stadium Suita, a football-specific ground completed in 2016.

    The club grew out of the Matsushita Electric Works football team, founded in 1980 — the company that later became Panasonic. When the J.League launched in 1993, Gamba Osaka was one of the ten founding clubs, known as the “Original 10.”

    Major Titles in the J.League Era:

    CompetitionDetails
    J1 League (Japan’s top division)Champions: 2 times (2005, 2014)
    Levain Cup (formerly the Nabisco Cup — a domestic knockout cup competition similar to the EFL Cup in England)Winners: 2 times (2007, 2014)
    Emperor’s Cup (Japan’s oldest football cup, open to all clubs from professional to amateur level — similar to the FA Cup)Winners: 5 times (1990, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015)
    AFC Champions League (Asia’s top club competition, equivalent to the UEFA Champions League)Winners: 1 time (2008)

    In 2014, Gamba Osaka won the domestic treble — the J1 League, the Levain Cup, and the Emperor’s Cup all in the same season. In terms of total domestic titles, they rank third among all J.League clubs, behind Kashima Antlers and Urawa Red Diamonds.

    Their team colors are blue and black. The name “Gamba” comes from the Italian word for “leg,” and it also connects to the Japanese word ganbaru — meaning to give your absolute best. Honestly, the name suits them perfectly.

    Cerezo Osaka: The Pink Tradition Built by Yanmar

    Cerezo Osaka’s home area covers Osaka City and Sakai City. The club plays home matches at two venues: Yodoko Sakura Stadium and Yanmar Stadium Nagai.

    “Cerezo” is the Spanish word for cherry blossom. The team color is pink — one of the most distinctive and recognizable colors in world football.

    The club’s origins go back to 1957, when Yanmar Diesel F.C. was formed as the works team of Yanmar, a major manufacturer of agricultural machinery and engines. In the Japan Soccer League (JSL) — the top league before the J.League era — the club won the title four times and the Emperor’s Cup three times. They were one of the most successful clubs in the country.

    However, when the J.League was formed, Cerezo did not join at the start due to issues related to their home city. They restructured in 1994 and joined the J.League in 1995 — two years after Gamba Osaka.

    Now, here is where the story gets really interesting — and you genuinely cannot make this stuff up. Yanmar once had a reserve team called “Yanmar Club.” When that team disbanded in 1979, many of its players and staff went on to form the Matsushita Electric Works football team in 1980 — the very club that became Gamba Osaka. In other words, part of Gamba Osaka’s roots can be traced directly back to Yanmar. That historical connection makes the Osaka Derby even more layered and fascinating.

    Title Comparison: Gamba Leads in the Professional Era

    CategoryGamba OsakaCerezo Osaka
    J1 League titles20
    Levain Cup titles21
    Emperor’s Cup titles (J.League era)41
    AFC Champions League titles10

    In the J.League era, Gamba Osaka clearly has the stronger record. However, before the professional era — in the JSL days — Yanmar (the predecessor of Cerezo) was the dominant force.

    This uneven history creates a special kind of rivalry. Both sets of supporters carry their own distinct sense of pride.

    Head-to-Head Record: Gamba Once Led, Cerezo Is Fighting Back

    The first-ever Osaka Derby was played on 3 May 1995. It was a home game for Cerezo, and Cerezo won 1–0.

    In all J1 League meetings combined, Cerezo’s record stands at 18 wins, 7 draws, and 24 losses (as of mid-2026 season). For a long time, Gamba held the upper hand. But in the last 10 meetings, Cerezo has dominated with 7 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss. Since 2019 — the year Japan entered its new imperial era, called Reiwa — Cerezo have won 9, drawn 2, and lost only 2.

    Recent Notable Matches:

    • 2025 Season Opener (14 February 2025): Played at Gamba’s home ground. Cerezo won 5–2, with Sōta Kitano (who later signed for Red Bull Salzburg) scoring twice.
    • 2026 Season Opener (7 February 2026): Played at Cerezo’s home. The match ended 0–0. Gamba won 5–4 on penalties. Two players were sent off in what became a heated and chaotic contest.
    • 11 April 2026 (J1 League): Played at Gamba’s home. Cerezo won 1–0, returning the favor from the penalty shootout defeat earlier in the season.

    Supporter Culture and Incidents: The Reality of a Japanese Derby

    Overall, the J.League is one of the safest football leagues in the world. Violence and major disorder at matches are extremely rare. This reflects both Japanese culture and the strict policies of each club.

    However, when emotions run high — as they always do in the Osaka Derby — incidents do occasionally happen.

    In 2021, a group of Gamba supporters threw objects at Cerezo supporters outside the stadium. Then, in May 2022, after a match, a section of Gamba supporters verbally abused players and staff, made threats, and threw objects that caused injuries. Gamba Osaka responded immediately by issuing permanent bans to all members of that group — the most severe punishment available to the club.

    Since then, Gamba has maintained a strict zero-tolerance approach to antisocial behavior at all matches, working hard to keep stadiums safe and supporter culture healthy.

    It is important to put this in perspective. These incidents are nothing like the deadly riots or large-scale violence seen at derbies in some other parts of the world. The J.League as a whole remains one of the safest football environments on the planet.

    The Osaka Derby Shows Another Side of Japan

    Visitors from overseas often picture Japanese people as quiet, polite, and reserved. In everyday life, that image is largely accurate.

    But watch one Osaka Derby in person, and that image will shatter completely.

    Gamba supporters fill the stands in blue and black. Cerezo supporters pack their sections in pink and cherry blossom. For 90 minutes — and deep into added time — both sets of fans sing at full volume, pound their drums, and give everything they have to their club. Players themselves often say it feels completely different from any other match.

    The Osaka Derby is not just another league game. It is one of those occasions where Japanese football truly comes alive — passion, pride, and history all packed into a single 90-minute fixture.

    All data is based on information available as of May 2026.