Kyoto Sanga Kehilangan Shimpei Fukuoka dan Marco Tulio Akibat Cedera

Badai cedera menimpa Kyoto Sanga setelah dua pemain pilar mereka, Shimpei Fukuoka dan Marco Tulio, dipastikan absen menjelang laga krusial pekan ke-16 kompetisi Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League melawan Sanfrecce Hiroshima di Stadion Sanga by KYOCERA pada Minggu, 17 Mei 2026.

Dilansir dari pojokpapua.id, tim asuhan Kwi-jea Cho tersebut kehilangan Fukuoka yang menderita cedera meniskus, sementara Tulio mengalami masalah pada otot adduktornya. Absennya kedua pemain ini memperberat situasi lini belakang tuan rumah yang sudah kebobolan 11 gol dalam enam pertandingan terakhir di liga.

Meskipun demikian, Kyoto Sanga memiliki modal positif berupa kemenangan 2-1 atas Sanfrecce Hiroshima pada pertemuan terakhir kedua tim di pekan keempat J1 League tanggal 27 Februari 2026. Berdasarkan laporan asatunews.co.id, laga ini mempertemukan Sanfrecce Hiroshima di peringkat kelima dengan 24 poin dan Kyoto Sanga di posisi kesembilan dengan 20 poin.

Kekuatan Sanfrecce Hiroshima sebelumnya sempat dievaluasi oleh Pelatih Gamba Osaka, Jens Wissing, sebelum timnya dikalahkan oleh skuad asuhan Bartosch Gaul tersebut.

"I think the players are naturally thinking about the upcoming ACL2 final, but we need to focus on the match in front of us. Even though we're tired from the packed schedule, it's about how well we can prepare for the match against Hiroshima. This will be the end of our 11-game stretch, but I've made it clear to the players that nothing is over yet. Hiroshima hasn't been getting the results they want, but they're one of the opponents we can't let our guard down against. They have their strengths and I think they create a lot of chances. It's a matter of whether those chances are converted or not, but they have dangerous players and they make plays that threaten our goal, so we need to stay focused and not waver when we face them." ujar Jens Wissing, Head Coach Gamba Osaka.

Kondisi Sanfrecce Hiroshima sebagai tim lawan juga mendapat perhatian dari gelandang Gamba Osaka, Takato Yamamoto, yang menyatakan kesiapannya untuk bersaing memperebutkan posisi utama di dalam tim.

"My playing time is gradually increasing, and as a result, I've been able to identify new areas for improvement, which I personally think is a good thing. Now that I have a chance to play in the matches, I think it's up to me whether I can seize it or not, so i want to enjoy this situation without feeling any unnecessary pressure or overthinking things. Hiroshima has some great talent, and I think they will be fighting as a team, but first and foremost, it's not about what Hiroshima is doing, but about how well I can do against a big club. That's what I think it comes down to, so i have high expectations for myself. I think this will be an important match for me, and I want to play in my usual style without getting too worked up. I definitely want to win here and then head to Saudi Arabia." kata Takato Yamamoto, Pemain Tengah Gamba Osaka.

Kekuatan lini permainan Sanfrecce Hiroshima yang dinilai solid turut diakui oleh gelandang Gamba Osaka lainnya, Jiro Nakamura, yang menegaskan fokusnya untuk membawa tim meraih kemenangan.

"In the previous match against Nagoya, I was able to reaffirm that I can contribute to the team in areas where I excel. In this match against Hiroshima, if I play, I want to prioritize the team's victory, just like in the Nagoya match, and make my decisions accordingly. Hiroshima is a very well-rounded and strong team, but I believe that if we play our own style of football with confidence and everyone works hard for the team, the results will naturally follow. Personally, I'm looking forward to playing against Suzuki, who was my teammate (at GAMBA OSAKA Osaka Junior Youth). For myself, first and foremost, I want to fight for the team, and if there's an opportunity to showcase my strengths, I want to go for it and contribute with goals or assists." ucap Jiro Nakamura, Pemain Tengah Gamba Osaka.

Berikut adalah data posisi kedua tim dalam klasemen sementara menjelang pertandingan pekan ke-16: