Cerezo Osaka lifted the YBC Levain Cup with a 3-1 victory over Mito Hollyhock at the Japan National Stadium on 28 October 2026, ending the J2 side’s remarkable cup run and securing the club’s first Levain Cup title since 2017.

A final that delivered on its underdog billing

Mito Hollyhock arrived in Tokyo carrying the hopes of every lower-division club in Japan, having already removed several J1 opponents on their way to the final. For long stretches of the first half, the fairytale looked as though it might have another chapter. Mito defended with discipline, broke forward with purpose and took a shock lead through Kazuma Nagai in the 18th minute, silencing the Cerezo-heavy sections of a near-capacity National Stadium.

Cerezo Osaka, however, never abandoned their possession-based plan. The J1 side kept circulating the ball, probing both flanks and waiting for Mito’s compact block to stretch. The equaliser arrived four minutes before half-time through Sota Kitano, and from that moment the contest tilted decisively toward Cerezo.

Match overview

Cerezo controlled the ball for long spells, finishing with roughly 64 percent possession and 18 shots to Mito’s seven. Mito’s early goal came from a well-worked set piece, but their lead lasted only 23 minutes. Kitano’s first goal was a composed finish from the edge of the area after a recycled corner, and his second — a close-range effort in the 67th minute — gave Cerezo the cushion their pressure deserved.

Mito pushed bodies forward in the final 15 minutes in search of an equaliser, but that ambition opened space behind them. Cerezo substitute Kaito Matsumoto sealed the win in the 84th minute, converting a low cross after a rapid transition. Mito’s goalkeeper made several important saves to keep the score respectable, but Cerezo’s clinical second-half display proved the difference.

• 18' — Kazuma Nagai gives Mito Hollyhock a surprise 1-0 lead.
• 41' — Sota Kitano equalises for Cerezo Osaka with a low finish.
• 67' — Kitano scores his second to put Cerezo ahead.
• 84' — Kaito Matsumoto finishes a counter-attack to make it 3-1.

Tactical story: patience against a low block

Mito set up in a disciplined 5-4-1 shape, conceding possession but limiting central access. Their wing-backs stayed deep, the midfield line stayed compact and Cerezo were forced wide for much of the opening half. The early goal gave Mito something to protect, but it also invited sustained pressure.

Cerezo’s response was measured rather than frantic. Their full-backs pushed higher, the midfield rotated to create passing angles and Kitano drifted between the lines to occupy Mito’s centre-backs. Once the equaliser went in, Mito’s block had to step out slightly, and Cerezo’s superior individual quality in the final third took over. The third goal was a perfect summary of the tactical shift: Mito committed numbers forward, lost the ball in midfield and were punished by a direct, fast break.

Standout players

Sota Kitano was the final’s decisive figure, scoring twice and constantly finding space between Mito’s defensive lines. His movement dragged defenders out of position and created room for Cerezo’s midfield runners. Kaito Matsumoto made an impact from the bench, adding energy and the finishing touch for the third goal.

For Mito, Kazuma Nagai will be remembered for a fearless performance and a goal that briefly raised hopes of an extraordinary upset. Their goalkeeper also deserved credit for a string of saves that kept the underdogs within touching distance until the closing stages.

What the win means

For Cerezo Osaka, the Levain Cup represents both silverware and continental momentum. The victory adds a second Levain Cup crown to the club’s cabinet and confirms their ability to manage knockout football against opponents with very different styles. It also gives the squad a tangible reward for a season in which their attacking play has often been praised.

For Mito Hollyhock, the defeat will sting, but their run to the final remains a major achievement. Beating higher-ranked opposition on the way to a national final has raised the club’s profile and underlined the depth of Japanese football beyond the top flight. The result may read 3-1, but the final was a far more competitive affair than the scoreline alone suggests — a night when Cerezo’s quality eventually trumped Mito’s romance.