Sanfrecce Hiroshima Menantang Kyoto Sanga dalam Laga Pekan Ke-16

Kompetisi Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League pekan ke-16 bakal mempertemukan tim tamu Sanfrecce Hiroshima melawan tuan rumah Kyoto Sanga di Stadion Sanga by KYOCERA pada Minggu, 17 Mei 2026, pukul 14.00 waktu setempat.

Pertandingan ini menghadapkan tim peringkat kelima dengan peringkat kesembilan, di mana Sanfrecce Hiroshima mengantongi 24 poin sedangkan Kyoto Sanga mengoleksi 20 poin dari 16 pertandingan. Laga ini menjadi krusial bagi kedua tim untuk memperbaiki posisi di klasemen sementara.

Sebelum duel ini, Sanfrecce Hiroshima memetik kemenangan tipis 1-0 atas Gamba Osaka di Stadion Panasonic Suita berkat gol Shunki Higashi pada menit ke-68. Di pihak lain, Kyoto Sanga menderita kekalahan 1-0 dari Vissel Kobe akibat gol bunuh diri Trevisan pada menit ke-78.

Kekuatan Sanfrecce Hiroshima sempat mendapat sorotan dari Pelatih Gamba Osaka, Jens Wissing sebelum timnya dikalahkan oleh skuad arahan 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.

Gelandang Gamba Osaka, Takato Yamamoto turut memberikan pernyataan mengenai kesiapannya menghadapi Sanfrecce Hiroshima demi memperebutkan tempat di skuad utama sebelum bertolak menuju Arab Saudi.

"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.

Pemain tengah Gamba Osaka lainnya, Jiro Nakamura juga ikut mengomentari kekuatan tim lawan dan menantikan duel individu melawan Suzuki, mantan rekannya di tim junior.

"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.

Berdasarkan catatan rekor pertemuan, Kyoto Sanga mengemas keunggulan atas Sanfrecce Hiroshima dalam beberapa pertandingan terakhir. Pertemuan pamungkas di pekan keempat J1 League pada 27 Februari 2026 berakhir dengan kemenangan Kyoto Sanga 2-1 di markas Sanfrecce Hiroshima lewat gol Elias dan Trevisan.

Untuk laga kali ini, Kyoto Sanga dipastikan tidak diperkuat Shimpei Fukuoka yang menderita cedera meniskus serta Marco Tulio yang mengalami cedera adduktor. Tim asuhan Kwi-jea Cho tersebut juga tercatat selalu kebobolan dengan total 11 gol dalam enam pertandingan terakhir mereka di kompetisi liga.