In their Emperors Cup clash, Cerezo Osaka and Ventforet Kofu put on a compelling display of competitive football, with the latter emerging victorious with a 2-1 win in overtime. The match statistics reveal several critical factors that guided the outcome. Both teams displayed an equal amount of corner kicks (5 each), suggesting balanced offensive strategies in terms of set-piece opportunities. However, Ventforet Kofu's ability to capitalize on their efforts in open play made a significant difference.

The match had a considerable number of disciplined infractions, with five yellow cards distributed overall—two to Cerezo Osaka and three to Ventforet Kofu. The early yellow card for Cerezo Osaka, issued within the first five minutes, hinted at a potentially aggressive playing style, which may have affected their approach throughout the game. The away team's three yellow cards, two of which came during overtime, indicated a high-tension period that required robust defending to maintain their slender lead.

Further dissecting the events, Cerezo Osaka's lone goal, scored just after the second half commenced, showcased their efficient start post-interval, but Ventforet Kofu's management of the game clock and reinforcement in overtime secured their triumph. The impactful moment was their goal in the second half of overtime, demonstrating their endurance and capability to convert chances under pressure.

The shots on target and off-target metrics, although not explicitly noted, would further provide insight into each team's finishing efficiency. The offside statistics (2 for Cerezo Osaka versus 1 for Ventforet Kofu) slightly indicated a more ill-disciplined forward line on the part of the home team, potentially hampering their timely goal-scoring opportunities.

Overall, the crucial elements in Ventforet Kofu’s victory were their resilience in overtime, the capability to score crucial goals, particularly under high-stress situations, and a well-managed defensive structure despite accumulating more yellow cards. This strategic defensive rigidity and effective use of limited goal-scoring chances forged their path to success.

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