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Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo have spent the majority of their MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE time in the second division, but a terrific run from the club has made them a top flight regular. The 2022 season will mark their sixth straight in first division, more years than they spent in J1 in the rest of their history combined.Last seasonConsa had a fast start to the 2…

Japan toppled China, 2-0, in Thursday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier to hold onto their crucial second-place spot in Group B. Junya Ito was the standout figure for the Samurai Blue, drawing a penalty for the first goal and scoring the second as Japan got a much-needed result in their march to Qatar 2022.Ito, who began his career at Ventforet Kofu and played at …

Sanfrecce Hiroshima will play their 14th consecutive season in the top flight this season, a stretch that has included three league titles, three cup finals and five trips to the AFC Champions League. But can they rise back to those great heights in 2022 after a tough season of mediocrity?Last seasonSanfrecce spent most of the 2021 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE se…

Five years ago, Cerezo Osaka had their best season in club history - a third-place finish in the top flight and a domestic cup double. Last season was a far cry from those heights, as they slipped into mid-table mediocrity a year after a 4th-place finish in the pandemic-interrupted 2020 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE campaign.Last seasonCerezo fell last season to 1…

Gamba Osaka’s history is well known, with two top-flight titles and even more runner-up finishes, a dozen domestic cup finals and even an AFC Champions League crown. The Nerazzurri had a difficult 2021, however, and face a long road back to the summit. Can they fight their way up the table in 2022 under new leadership?Last seasonGamba were dealt a terrible …

Japan’s AFC third-round qualifying campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is down to its final four matches, and half of those are set to be played in the upcoming week as they welcome China and Saudi Arabia for a pair of crucial contests.For the two matches, manager Hajime Moriyasu has named a 23-man roster with seven current MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE stars and …

Shimizu S-Pulse are a club unlike any other in Japan. Not only were they one of the J.League’s Original 10, but they debuted as a team made up exclusively of players from Shizuoka Prefecture. 10 cup finals later, S-Pulse are known as an iconic J.League club but one that narrowly avoided relegation last season and are in search of their first trophy in over …

Kashiwa Reysol have a long and successful history, which includes a J1 League title in 2011, three Emperor’s Cup crowns, and three J.League Cup titles. After narrowly surviving the drop in 2021, what do they have in store for 2022?Last seasonReysol had a difficult start to their campaign, losing five of their first six, and were always in danger of being re…

Shonan Bellmare are currently in their longest spell in the first division of this millennium as they get ready to embark on their fifth season in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE. It’s a stretch that includes a J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP title in 2018 and another successful relegation battle last season. Can they keep the run going?Last seasonShonan knew they were …

There are few teams who have had as much success in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE as Júbilo Iwata. They have a glorious past, and their run of six top-two finishes in seven years between 1997 and 2003 also saw them claim three first division titles, the Emperor’s Cup, the J.LEAGUE CUP, and even the AFC Champions League.Recent times have not held up that brilli…

Kyoto Sanga F.C. are the oldest club in the MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE and will celebrate their 100th year with their return to the top flight. This historic side haven’t been in J1 since 2010, but they are ready to make their mark at the highest level yet again.Last seasonSanga were almost promoted back into the first division in 2012 and 2013, finishing in thi…

Saying goodbye to any season comes with another bid farewell - to retiring players who have been a joy to watch for years.Yoshito Okubo is stepping away after 21 magical seasons. The forward began his professional journey at Cerezo Osaka, making it perfect for him to have finished his career with the Sakura in 2021. In between, he played in Spain’s LaLiga a…

Every new season brings new teams, as clubs are promoted from J2 up to the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE. This season, Júbilo Iwata and Kyoto Sanga F.C. are making the leap, which means the top flight gets a pair of exciting club cultures, fanbases and, of course, stadiums.A stadium isn’t just a concrete set of risers and seats with a pitch in the middle. It is a …

The four MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE clubs to qualify for AFC Champions League 2022 learned their initial path in the competition after Monday’s draw.Kawasaki Frontale were placed in Pot 1, making them the top seeded team in their group. They have been placed in Group I, where they will be joined by China’s Guangzhou FC and Malaysia’s Johor Sarul Ta’zim. The fina…

Kazuyoshi Miura has agreed to a loan deal that will see him join Suzuka Point Getters for the 2022 season. King Kazu will be 55 years old when the season begins, further extending his record as the world’s oldest professional footballer.The legendary King Kazu began his professional career in 1986, when he debuted for Brazilian side Santos at the age of 19.…

Thai superstar Chanathip Songkrasin has joined back-to-back MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE champions Kawasaki Frontale.The 28-year-old attacker comes to Frontale from Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, where he spent five seasons. Chanathip scored 14 goals and added 20 assists in 115 league appearances with Consadole and earned both club Player of the Year and J.LEAGUE Be…

On behalf of the entire J.LEAGUE, I wish everyone a very Happy New Year.Last year, with various parts of Japan affected by the declaration of a state of emergency since the beginning of the year, it remained challenging to hold sporting events, making it necessary for sports organizations to adapt and navigate our way through the ever-changing situation.Des…

A trio of J.League players are leaving their clubs for Scotland, as Yokohama F·Marinos’ Daizen Maeda, Kawasaki Frontale’s Reo Hatate and Gamba Osaka’s Yosuke Ideguchi will all head to Celtic F.C. in the January transfer window, subject to international clearance.After securing former Yokohama F·Marinos manager Ange Postecoglou and former Vissel Kobe forward…

The opening match will be held on Friday night between the reigning champions Kawasaki Frontale and F.C.Tokyo on February 18th, 2022.2022 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUEOpening match (Matchweek 1)FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARYKawasaki Frontale vs. F.C.TokyoSATURDAY, 19 FEBRUARY or SUNDAY, 20 FEBRUARYYokohama F･Marinos vs.Cerezo OsakaShonan Bellmare vs. Kashiwa ReysolShimizu S-…

The J.League has announced that the FUJI FILM SUPER CUP 2022 will be held on 12 February, 2022 (Sat) at the Nissan Stadium.The match will feature the 2021 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE champions Kawasaki Frontale and the 101th Emperor’s Cup winners Urawa Reds.Competition: FUJI FILM SUPER CUP 2022Partner: FUJIFILM Business Innovation CorporationDate and Kick-off ti…