The match between Vegalta Sendai and Gamba Osaka has been moved to October 25, the J.League confirmed on Wednesday. The MEIJI YASUDA J1 League second stage matchday 15 clash is now set to kick off at 14:00 local time at Yurtec Stadium. The original fixture list had been disrupted by Gamba’s victory against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the AFC Champ…

Juntendo University defender Ikki Arai revealed he wants to make an instant impact for Yokohama F.Marinos, after his new club registered him as a JFA Type II-designated player. The 21-year-old had already been tentatively signed for next season, and will now be able to take part in club activities given his new player status. “I hope this will a…

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Football Association (JFA) and J.League will work together to build stability in Asia. The trio announced a joint agreement on Thursday to use football in order to contribute to regional development in emerging nations and contribute to efforts to build peace. This agreement will see all three o…

Koki Yonekura was Gamba Osaka’s hero as he struck a stoppage-time winner to help his team defeat Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-2 in the AFC Champions League quarter-final second-leg. The Japanese domestic Treble winners were in charge of their own fates following their 0-0 first-leg draw in Jeonju, though things had threatened to go wrong for them early…

The J.League on Wednesday confirmed the new scheduling of Kashiwa Reysol’s MEIJI YASUDA J1 League second stage matches. The new arrangements follow on Tatsuma Yoshida’s AFC Champions League elimination at the quarter-final hurdle with a 4-2 aggregate loss to Guangzhou Evergrande. Reysol will play their matchday 13 to 17 fixtures on Saturda…

Shimizu S-Pulse on Tuesday announced that defender Calvin Jong-a-pin is expected to miss four weeks after tearing his right hamstring. The 29-year-old faces another lengthy spell out after sustaining the injury in his team’s 1-1 draw against FC Tokyo on August 29, when he had to be substituted in the 89th minute. That game had been just Jong-a-p…

Despite Cristiano’s opener forcing a 1-1 draw, Kashiwa Reysol never looked likely to overturn their deficit in the second leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday. The 2013 semi-finalists therefore bow out of this edition of Asia’s premier club competition having lost 4-2 on aggregate, following the 3-1 defeat they suffered a…

Kenta Hasegawa revealed he only believes in victory ahead of Gamba Osaka’s 2015 AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The manager and captain Yasuhito Endo spoke to reporters ahead of the Wednesday night’s showdown at Banpaku Stadium, with the winner set to face 2013 winners Guangzhou Evergrande in the …

Kawasaki Frontale on Monday announced a limited sale of merchandise to commemorate captain Kengo Nakamura’s 500th appearance for the club last month. In recognition of the feat, the club will release a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle available only through advance order. Fans can order the puzzle between September 22 and October 4 via Frontale’s o…

J.League chairman Mitsuru Murai has acknowledged the difficulties in getting fans to embrace this season’s MEIJI YASUDA J1 League format, but is convinced they are building something great. The official held a press conference on Monday to announce details of the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J.League Championship, which will be held following the conclusion o…

Gamba Osaka have announced they will be selling special-edition tickets for their AFC Champions League quarter-final match against Jeonbuk Motors. Fans yet to buy their tickets for the second-leg clash can purchase originally-designed tickets at the sales booth outside of Banpaku Stadium, the club stated on Monday. Additionally, fans who arrive after …

Kashiwa Reysol manager Tatsuma Yoshida remained bullish about his side’s chances ahead of his team’s AFC Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash with Guangzhou Evergrande. Having lost the first-leg at home 3-1, Reysol will now need to win by at least three goals to advance past the 2013 champions, who they also lost to in the semi-fin…

Yokohama F. Marinos have announced a twitter giveaway of items autographed by Shunsuke Nakamura.  The giveaway is intended to thank fans for the club managing to surpass the 100,000-followers mark on its official Twitter account. Prizes – including an autograph board, clear files, an official J.League ball and a captain’s armband &nda…

Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuyuki Konno became the 42nd player to record 350 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances on Saturday. The 32-year-old, who featured in his team’s 2-1 win at Kashima Antlers at the weekend, has also played for Consadole Sapporo and FC Tokyo. Konno has recorded a total of 39 goals in the Japanese top flight, being vital as he …

The J.League on Thursday announced Yokohama F.Marinos forward Manabu Saito has been crowned the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League Coca Cola MVP for August. The winger received the recognition for his three goals and two assists in August, in particular his brace in the 4-0 win against Urawa Reds as F.Marinos went on a run of four straight victories.  Saito …

The Respect Fair Play Campaign, a joint-venture between the J.League and Japan Football Association focused on the objective of “creating a world without discrimination or violence”, released a public relations video promoting public awareness of human rights on September 10. The following are comments from players and football officials who …

J.League Female Manager Miki Sato attended Mito Hollyhock’s Sunday fixture against MEIJI YASUDA J2 League leaders Omiya Ardija. As part of her efforts to promote the J.League, Sato distributed gifts to attending fans as well as participated in player autograph sessions. Hollyhock have hovered around the drop zone all season, while Ardija have en…

Takashi Usami returned to his inspirational best at a crucial time for Gamba Osaka, lifting his team to a 2-1 victory at Kashima Antlers with a brace in their encounter on Saturday. The MEIJI YASUDA J1 League top scorer had gone on a dry spell, failing to find the back of the net since July, but became instrumental once again against former second stage …

Urawa Reds needed an 88th minute winner from Toshiyuki Takagi to end Kashiwa Reysol’s resistance and secure a 1-0 win in their MEIJI YASUDA J1 League clash on Friday. The 24-year-old winger had just been on the pitch for four minutes after coming on for Takahiro Sekine when he collected Tomoaki Makino’s ball before firing it past Takanori Sug…

Shimizu S-Pulse and Nagoya Grampus saw their Emperor’s Cup campaigns come to an end on Wednesday in the second round of the Emperor’s Cup. Grampus fell 1-0 to third-tier Machida Zelvia thanks to Koji Suzuki’s goal in stoppage-time goal at Nagoya City Minato Stadium. Meanwhile, S-Pulse took a 2-0 lead in the first 15 minutes of play o…