Matchweek 16 brought big changes at both ends of the table in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. Vissel Kobe’s match was postponed, allowing Yokohama F·Marinos to move level on points at the top of the table, while Gamba Osaka won their second in a row to leap out from last place.Let’s check in on that and the rest of the action from the top flight:Vissel Kobe, Ka…

For years, Kawasaki Frontale ran the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. They won four of six titles and added two more cups, setting several records and establishing themselves as the dominant team of the era. But it is Vissel Kobe who are top of the league right now, and they will want to beat Frontale as a statement of intent when the two meet on Saturday at 2 pm JS…

Kashiwa Reysol have spent much of the season near the bottom of the table, setting them up to potentially be in the relegation fight to the end. That makes every point precious and on Saturday at 7 pm JST they will be trying to get a much-needed result against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in a match that will be streamed live on the J.League International You…

Gamba Osaka have some momentum! The Nerazzurri snapped their five-match losing streak by dispatching Albirex Niigata, 3-1, and now they have their sights set on getting out from the bottom of the table when they visit Avispa Fukuoka on Saturday at 6 pm JST in a match that will be streamed live on the J.League International YouTube channel.Avispa are in a bi…

Yokohama F·Marinos are just three points back of Vissel Kobe for first place in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League and their quest to become the new team on top takes them to the capital this week, where they will play F.C.Tokyo on Saturday at 3 pm JST in a match that will be streamed live on the J.League International YouTube channel.The Tricolor are starting to p…

The J.League’s J30 celebration, which highlights the amazing first 30 years of Japan’s domestic league, has named the top three moments in league history.Leading the way is Kaoru Mitoma’s amazing run to set up a goal for Kawasaki Frontale.Mitoma is now lighting up the English Premier League, but before that, he was a university graduate who joined Frontale …

The top of the table remained unchanged as the top five teams all picked up victories, but the big win was at the bottom, where Gamba Osaka earned a much-needed three points. Let’s check in on all the action from Matchweek 15:Vissel Kobe 3, F.C.Tokyo 2With their lead atop the league down to just three points, Vissel rose to the occasion as Yuya Osako scored…

Japan’s run at the 2023 U-20 FIFA World Cup has come to an end after a 2-1 loss to Israel in their final group stage game.Fagiano Okayama’s Isa Sakamoto, on loan from Gamba Osaka, gave the Young Samurai Blue a lead in first half stoppage time when he rushed in to knock home a loose ball in the Israel box.A draw would have been enough to put Japan in second …

Nagoya Grampus are just four points back of Vissel Kobe for the top spot in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, but their pursuit of first will be tested by high-powered Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo when the two sides meet on Saturday at 1 pm JST in a match that will be streamed live on the J.League International YouTube channel.It’s been 13 years since Nagoya captur…

Andrés Iniesta has announced that he will be leaving Vissel Kobe after spending five years at the club.“It’s a very emotional day after so many years,” Iniesta said in the press conference, where he repeatedly thanked Vissel for his time in Japan. “I tried to give my best on and off the pitch. I am very proud of that.”Iniesta, who became an icon in the spor…

Japan built upon their win in the opening match of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a strong showing against Colombia, but fortune was not on their side as they lost, 2-1. Still, the Young Samurai Blue are in excellent position to advance to the knockout stages.Japan went in front on the half-hour mark through Yokohama F·Marinos youngster Riku Yamane. Taic…

Vissel Kobe are still atop the table, as they have been for nearly the entire season, but their perch is under threat as F.C.Tokyo take to Noevir Stadium Kobe on Saturday at 2 pm JST in a match that will be streamed live on the J.League International YouTube channel. The Ushi are unbeaten in five straight, but two of those came via draw and that inclu…

Yokohama F·Marinos are within three points of first place and have their eyes on taking over the top spot in the table as they welcome Avispa Fukuoka to Nissan Stadium.The Tricolor have been chasing the top for months, having stumbled out of the gate as they integrated new players into the team, but they’ve found their footing in their pursuit of a second s…

Gamba Osaka and Albirex Niigata have both had a rough go of it lately, but they have a prime opportunity to start a climb up the table when the two clubs meet on Sunday at 2 pm JST in a match that will be streamed live on the J.League International YouTube channel. Gamba have lost five in a row and sit bottom of the table, so they are in desperate nee…

Kashiwa Reysol are up off the mat! Their first match under new boss Masami Ihara was mighty impressive, as they drew table topping Vissel Kobe, and now they’re aiming for more as they take on Kawasaki Frontale on Sunday at 5 pm JST in a match that will be streamed live on the J.League International YouTube channel. Reysol were struggling for much of t…

Matchday 5 of the J.League YBC Levain Cup brought some tantalizing action. Two teams, Yokohama F·Marinos and Nagoya Grampus are assured of places in the knockouts stages, while six spots are still to be decided. What happened on Matchday 5 to bring us here? Let’s go through it all:Group AYokohama F·Marinos had won every match of the competition, but Hokkaid…

Celtic FC rolled to the Scottish Premiership title this season and several of their Meiji Yasuda J.League alums have been lavished with deserved awards for their outstanding play at the Glasgow club this season.Leading the way is Kyogo Furuhashi, who was named Premiership Player of the Season after scoring 25 goals in 34 league matches, to go along with six…

Japan’s best and brightest young players took to Argentina for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and they walked out of their first match with three points thanks to F.C.Tokyo’s Kuryu Matsuki.Matsuki’s 15th minute strike from more than 20 yards found the bottom corner of the net to deliver Japan a 1-0 win over African champions Senegal to start off the tournamen…

A week after Vissel Kobe put some space between themselves and those chasing them for the top spot in the table, the challengers narrowed the gap once again. Now the title race is as hot as ever, while some important movement at the bottom of the table also made for a big Matchweek 14. Let’s check in on all the action:Kashiwa Reysol 1, Vissel Kobe 1Yuya Osa…

Kawasaki Frontale and Yokohama FC could hardly be more different, but when they meet on Saturday at 4 pm JST, they will do so in pretty similar places; both clubs will be in need of three points to continue their needed climbs up the table, and you can watch them clash live on the J.League International YouTube channel.Frontale have defined this era of the …