Ed Odeven 
Sanfrecce Hiroshima players and staff celebrate the team's victory in the 2025 Fujifilm Super Cup on February 8 at Tokyo's National Stadium. (©KYODO)
Read the full story on SportsLook - [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Sanfrecce Hiroshima Triumph in the Fujifilm Super Cup
Sanfrecce Hiroshima scored the opening goal in the 12th minute on a Tolgay Arslan header, and Fujifilm Super Cup opponent Vissel Kobe never equalized on Saturday, February 8.
The J.League's annual lidlifter ended with Sanfrecce winning 2-0 at Tokyo's National Stadium.
Hayato Araki also scored on a header, banging the ball into the net in the 70th minute.
Sanfreece, who finished four points behind Vissel in the 2024 J.League title race, outshot the two-time reigning champions 15-6.
An announced crowd of 53,000-plus fans witnessed Vissel manager Takayuki Yoshida's club begin their 2025 campaign with a 4-1-2-3 lineup, while Sanfrecce boss Michael Skibbe's squad countered with a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Vissel fan favorites Yoshinori Muto and Yuya Osako entered the match as second-half substitutes.
Sanfrecce midfielder Daiki Suga, another substitute after the intermission, made his presence felt on the pitch. He delivered a strong corner kick in the 70th minute, enabling Araki to be in position to smash the ball past Vissel goalkeeper Shota Arai.
A Satisfying Result for Sanfrecce Hiroshima
After the match, Skibbe, who has managed Sanfrecce since 2022, shared his overall impressions of the match.
"I think it was a great, interesting match today," the German manager told reporters, "and I think we were clearly the more active team in it. From the kickoff, we showed the aggressive and offensive soccer we wanted to play."
Added Skibbe, "We had a good response, especially in the first half, but I have the impression that we were doing well overall. I think Kobe also had two or three big chances. However, as far as today's game is concerned, I think we gave a performance that deserved the victory."
Sanfrecce Hiroshima captain Sho Sasaki said the victory on Saturday was significant for his club.
"Making a good start to the season brings momentum to the team," Sasaki was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "We have the J.League starting along with the Asian Champions League, and it's a good springboard to advance together as a team."
Additional Facts about the Fujifilm Super Cup
Kawasaki Frontale defeated Vissel 1-0 in the 2024 Fujifilm Super Cup.
Held annually during the J.League era since 1994, the Kashima Antlers have won the most titles (six), followed by Sanfrecce (five).
That said, in an earlier version of the tournament from 1977-84 during the Japan Soccer League era, the Urawa Reds collected three of their five event titles. They added tournament crowns in 2006 and 2022.
A Look Ahead
The J.League regular season kicks off on Friday, February 14 with Gamba Osaka taking on Cerezo Osaka, followed by a full slate of matches the next day.
What's next for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Vissel Kobe?
In J.League games, the former faces FC Machida Zelvia on February 16 and the latter meets the Urawa Reds on February 15.
Continue reading the full story, which includes news items on baseball, skiing, boxing and more, on SportsLook.
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- [ODDS and EVENS] Vissel Kobe Maintained Hunger for Another Title and Fulfilled Their Goal
- [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Sanfrecce Hiroshima Staying in the Title Hunt
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
