The 2016 J.League Awards took place on Tuesday at Yokohama Arena, with players, coaches and officials recognized for their accomplishments this season in front of thousands of attending fans.

In the climax of the evening, Kawasaki Frontale captain Kengo Nakamura was named Most Valuable Player, becoming the oldest player to receive the award.

Additionally, Kashima Antlers defender Gen Shoji, Urawa Reds midfielder Yosuke Kashiwagi, Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder Manabu Saito, Kawasaki Frontale striker Yu Kobayashi and Vissel Kobe striker Leandro were named to the J1 League’s Best XI for the first time.

2016 J.League Best XI

GK Shusaku Nishikawa (Urawa Reds)
DF Gen Shoji (Kashima Antlers)
DF Tomoaki Makino (Urawa Reds)
DF Masato Morishige (FC Tokyo)
DF Tsukasa Shiotani (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
MF Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds)
MF Yosuke Kashiwagi (Urawa Reds)
MF Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale) * MVP
MF Manabu Saito (Yokohama F. Marinos)
FW Yu Kobayashi (Kawasaki Frontale)
FW Leandro (Vissel Kobe)

2016 J1 Goal of the Year

Taishi Taguchi (Nagoya Grampus) - First Stage Round 13 vs. Kashima Antlers, 46th minute