That tale of woe continued and they lost 4-1 after leading and still being level with 20 minutes remaining . That match was played in this stadium and it is hard to see how they will return with anything apart from negative memories . Cerezo drew here 2-2 in the last 8 of this competition to qualify for the semi finals, so should see things very differently. Frontale are the better team I guess, they are six points ahead in the league and that feels about right, but this is a one off game, Cerezo will have been delighted with how this season has played out and they have been really good in both domestic cup competitions (also in the final four of the Emperor's Cup. Their odds seem too big today even without factoring in the Kawasaki inability to get the job done at the final hurdle.
 

That was exactly 14 weeks ago, seems longer as a lot has happened, but Cerezo not only won 2-0, but followed up and also took the Emperor's Cup last month in the very same arena, so very positive and recent memories as they enter the stadium for the team from Osaka, who had a glorious return to the top flight following promotion in 2016. Winning two of the three major titles and also finishing 3rd in J-League and all the time playing very attractive , open, offensive minded football, with their league games averaging 3.18 goals per game (0.59 above the JL1 mean). Short off season for them, with this fixture coming just 39 days after their second cup success, that might actually be an advantage now, but will probably take a toll somewhere down the line. Frontale had an extra 30 days off and will have spent the first few celebrating wildly as they broke that duck and actually won JL1 on the final day of the regular season, or perhaps it is more correct to say that Kashima Antlers wrapped it up and presented it to them. But the deed is done and such is the way with these things that once the floodgates are open, other titles should flow and the next, should certainly be easier.

Frontale deserved the title,or at least to win something, they could have won the Champions League too ( see above) and it must have pained them to see Urawa Reds do so, after blowing that advantage and that happened here in Saitama and, although they did record a late season league win here, that would surely not extinquish, only dampen those negative vibes. Kawasaki are also free scoring and notched a JL1 high 2.09 goals per game en route to the Championship. Both teams look to have kept all their star names, but we can look at squads in more detail once we get down to the real business of league football.

 

 

Last two Super Cups have been high scoring (both 4+ goals) and everyone involved in football would like to start the campaign with a bang, both teams start their AFC Champions League campaign in midweek, Cerezo will be in Korea for a game on Wednesday and they will each play with that in mind , which should further add to the friendly open game nature of today's encounter I feel.
 

If choosing between the two I would prefer to stick with Cerezo at the odds offered , as at 2.33 off level ball they are similar to those League Cup odds , but it is the "over" which appeals slightly more on this occasion.