Nagoya Grampus are J.League originals with a historic first-division title in 2010 that lives fondly in the memories of their fans.Can they reach those heights again in the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League? Let's break it all down.2023 reviewFor much of 2023, it looked like Nagoya were taking a major step up for the first time in years. They were in second …

Avispa Fukuoka lived an unforgettable dream in 2023 and will be hoping for even more joy in 2024. Let's step back before we jump forward...2023 reviewAvispa lost their season opener, but then immediately went on a six-match unbeaten streak. They'd go even better during the summer when a six-match winning streak gave them hope of securing their bes…

For years, Kawasaki Frontale were the class of the J.League.Four J1 titles in six years were won in Kawasaki, on top of a mighty domestic cup haul, but that run of dominance quite clearly came to an end last season with an eighth-place finish.Let's reflect on 2023 and look forward to what 2024 might hold for Kawasaki.2023 reviewFrontale were never high…

Cerezo Osaka are an ambitious club loading up to position themselves right alongside the J.League elite in 2024. But before we look forward it's imperative to unpack the season that was in 2023.2023 reviewCerezo spent much of the summer in the fight for the top three spots and the AFC tournament berths that come with them, but things turned late in the…

Football in Japan is officially back this weekend.Vissel Kobe and Kawasaki Frontale will go head-to-head in the Fujifilm Super Cup 2024 this Saturday and you can catch all the action live, no matter where you are on the planet.Vissel earned their place in this showpiece event as the 2023 Meiji Yasuda J1 League champions. They were the most complete team in …

Albirex Niigata’s return to the Meiji Yasuda J1 League was a smashing success in 2023. What will 2024 have in store for them?2023 reviewMost teams spend their first season after promotion just trying to stay afloat, but not these Swans. They went undefeated in their first four matches to start the season strong and did not lose in their last nine contests t…

FC Tokyo have been the capital's lone top-flight club for years, but that changes this season.There’s competition in the big city now and the blue and red side of town is up for the challenge.Let's dig in to what 2024 might hold, but first we'll start with last season.2023 reviewFC Tokyo unveiled their new visual identity during the campaign,…

Kawasaki Frontale are ready to kick off the new Japanese football season at the Fujifilm Super Cup, but how did a team that finished eighth in the 2023 Meiji Yasuda J1 League earn the right to start off 2024 with a crack at a trophy?The answer is that Frontale finished off last year by winning the 103rd edition of the Emperor’s Cup.Frontale entered the comp…

The Fujifilm Super Cup 2024 will mark the official kick-off of the 2024 Japanese football season and, crucially for the two teams involved, the chance to win the year’s first trophy.For Vissel Kobe, it is a chance to build on what was the best year in the history of the club. Vissel were spectacular in 2023. They were the second-highest scoring team i…

Nobody thrilled J.League crowds in 2023 quite like Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. They were open, aggressive, attacking, and anyone who tuned in knew that Consadole were going to take them on a wild ride.But will we see the same Sapporo side in 2024? Let's dig in.2023 reviewNo team in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League conceded more goals than 12th-place Consadol…

J.League has announced that FUJIFILM SUPER CUP 2024 will be available for viewing worldwide on the following overseas broadcasters and platforms.　In addition to Thailand, Australia and China, the match will be also broadcast in Indonesia and Macau this year.Furthermore, the match will be broadcast live on J.League's official international YouTube chann…

It took a decade for Kyoto Sanga F.C. to secure their place back in the top flight, but they are now going on their third straight season in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. What does 2024 have in store for this club looking to become a top-flight mainstay?2023 reviewA three-match winning streak early in the season saw Sanga reach as high as fifth place, but tha…

Japan’s quest for a fifth AFC Asian Cup crown has come to an end. The Samurai Blue were defeated by Iran, 2-1, sending Japan out in the quarter-finals of the continental championship.Hidemasa Morita gave Japan the lead before the half-hour mark with a brilliant solo effort. He picked up the ball at 35 yards, darted between three Iran defenders before making…

Sagan Tosu may not have the financial heft of some of their top-flight rivals, but that makes it all the more remarkable that they are set for their 13th consecutive season in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. This is a club consistently punching above its weight, but will 2024 be the year when they break back into the top half for the first time since a 7th plac…

Shonan Bellmare have had five separate stints in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, but they’ve never made it more than six straight seasons in the top flight. That is until now, as the 2024 campaign marks a club record seventh consecutive year in J1 for the Hiratsuka side. What awaits them in Year 7?2023 reviewIt was a precarious season for Bellmare, who spent 11…

Cerezo Osaka and BG Pathum United gave fans in Thailand all the entertainment they could want in the Thai Life Insurance J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE 2023/24 powered by MEIJI YASUDA as both teams flew forward and showed off their skills in a goal-heavy contest won by BG, 3-2.The Sakura struck first just after the hour mark on a corner kick. Ryosuke Shindo got aw…

It’s been a difficult couple of seasons for Gamba Osaka. They’ve found themselves far from the upper reaches of the table and down in the relegation fight, but 2024 presents a new opportunity to get back to their roots as a team at the top.2023 reviewGamba went winless in their first six matches of the season, immediately dropping them into a relegation fig…

The Thai Life Insurance J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE 2023/24 powered by MEIJI YASUDA is back and it features a tasty clash between Cerezo Osaka and BG Pathum United at BG Stadium in Thailand.Cerezo bring some serious star power to the match. Shinji Kagawa leads the way, with a glittering legacy in the J.League, across Europe, and for the Japan national team. Léo…

Kashiwa Reysol have had a funny alternating pattern emerge ever since being promoted back to the Meiji Yasuda J1 League in 2020.One season they will turn in a strong top-half finish, and follow it up the next year with a relegation battle. After last season’s fight at the foot of the table, they’ll be hoping the pattern sticks for one more season and that a…

Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda were all on the mark as Japan defeated Bahrain, 3-1, in the Round of 16 of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup to book their spot in the final eight.It was a terrific performance by Japan, who were on the front foot right from the start. They were clearly the better side and nearly scored inside 10 minutes when Kashima Antlers pr…