On February 8, 2025, Sanfrecce Hiroshima clinched the Fujifilm Super Cup with a decisive 2-0 victory against Vissel Kobe at the National Stadium in Tokyo. This match marked the launch of the new season, featuring last year’s J1 champions, Vissel Kobe, and the league’s second-place finishers, Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
The match started to take shape early on, with Hiroshima’s Toru Aluslan breaking the deadlock just 11 minutes in. Following precise buildup play, Kansuke Shirahama delivered a curling cross to Aluslan, whose powerful header struck the crossbar before nestling inside the net. The goal sent shockwaves through the 53,343-strong crowd, giving the Hiroshima team the perfect start.
An exciting showdown unfolded as Hiroshima maintained possession and aggressively pushed toward Kobe's goal, showcasing their trademark side attacks. Meanwhile, Kobe, albeit bolstered by the return of Miharu Saito after 539 days out with injury, struggled significantly, especially with key players like Yuki Osa and Yoshinori Muto starting from the bench.
Despite Kobe’s valiant efforts, including their first clear chance of the match at the 55-minute mark when Sho Yamauchi’s strike was saved by goalkeeper Keisuke Oda, they were consistently kept at bay by Hiroshima’s organized defense.
Seeking greater attacking power, Kobe made three strategic substitutions just past the hour mark, bringing on Daichi Sakai, Muto, and Osa—yet it was Hiroshima who effectively seized the momentum. Shortly after the substitutions, Hiroshima delivered another blow when Hayato Araki scored the second goal from a corner kick taken by newcomer Daiki Suga. Araki’s well-timed header extended Hiroshima's lead, and the team now seemed well on their way to victory.
Intrepidly leading the match, Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s head coach Michael Skibbe expressed his pride post-match, stating, “I am pleased to win the title against such strong Kobe. It was good to play actively and offensively.” His words reflected the spirited performance of his squad, who adeptly navigated through the established stronghold of Kobe, eager to expand their glory early on this season.
Even with Kobe pushing hard, including close shaves like Osa’s near miss late on, they registered minimal shots on target, leaving fans disappointed with their team’s performance. With several injuries and absences complicing their roster, Vissel Kobe had to regroup quickly, as they look forward to upcoming fixtures, including the Asian Champions League and the J1 League.
On the other hand, Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s victory serves as both vindication and momentum booster, marking their first trophy of the season. With promising new signings showing potential and the tenacity displayed during their campaign, the squad looks well-equipped to tackle the challenges lying ahead in the 2025 season.
This unforgettable encounter underscored the growth of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, as they polished off defending champions Vissel Kobe without hesitation and established themselves as serious contenders for the title.
Hiroshima's prospects appear bright as they continue their campaign, motivated by the success against their rivals, paving the way for what they hope will be a triumphant season.