Vissel Kobe opened the 100 Year Vision League with a commanding 5-0 victory over Kashima Antlers, as Yuya Osako completed a hat-trick that left the home crowd roaring.
A night of milestones at Noevir Stadium
The match, staged at Kobe's Noevir Stadium, also saw Brazilian forward Diego and midfielder Ren Komatsu add their names to the scoresheet, while manager Michael Skibbe cautioned his squad against complacency.
The one‑off tournament, held before the domestic season, pits the recent J1 champions against each other in a showcase of early‑season form.
While Cerezo Osaka and FC Tokyo settled for a 2‑2 draw, and Nagoya Grampus met Machida Zelvia in another evenly contested stalemate, the focus remained on Kobe's dominant display.
Skibbe’s warning echoed through the locker room, reminding his players that any lapse could shift the momentum as the playoffs unfold.