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This year's Emperor's Cup final is set after Ventforet Kofu and Sanfrecce Hiroshima triumphed in two thrilling semi-final ties on Wednesday.J2 club Ventforet will continue their magical run in the competition after they toppled Kashima Antlers, 1-0. A 37th minute goal from Jimma Miyazaki sent the second division side on their way, with Niki Urakam…

Yokohama F·Marinos won again, but the biggest result in their title chase came up north, where Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo put the Tricolor on the brink of becoming champions. Let’s check in on that and the rest of the action from Matchweek 31.Nagoya Grampus 0, Yokohama F·Marinos 4Nagoya entered in good form, but Marinos were too much as they rolled to victo…

Match schedule and Venue updatedMatch details for the 2022 J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE in Thailand have been updated as follows. Further details on broadcasting and ticketing information to be announced when determined.■ Competition Name: 2022 J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE in THAILAND■ Organizer: Japan Professional Football League (J.LEAGUE), Thai League■ Partners: T…

It's been a trying campaign for both Vissel Kobe and Avispa Fukuoka, as both sides come face-to-face in Matchweek 31, desperate to avoid a pull further toward relegation danger.Vissel and Avispa have both spent time in the drop zone this season, but wins last time out ensured they would sit outside of the bottom three for this clash. They are not yet s…

Frontale try to chase down MarinosKawasaki Frontale’s quest to win a third straight Meiji Yasuda J1 League title and their fifth in the last six years comes down to the last five matches. They are five points back of Yokohama F·Marinos, which means they will require nothing short of excellence down the stretch to lift the trophy once again.Frontale’s final …

Taichi Fukui will be the next Japanese starlet to join a European powerhouse, with Sagan Tosu agreeing to transfer the 18-year-old to Bayern Munich in January.The Kanagawa-born Fukui came through the Sagan academy, where he has primarily played with the U-18 team, but his talents earned him call-ups to the senior side in both the league and the J.League YBC…

Japan picked up a win and a draw in the final international window before the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Meiji Yasuda J.League stars current and past led the way for the Samurai Blue.Japan opened the window with a 2-0 win over the United States. Hajime Moriyasu, a Sanfrecce Hiroshima legend as player and manager, picked a starting lineup that consisted of two …

Cerezo Osaka and Sanfrecce Hiroshima are the last teams standing in the J.League YBC Levain Cup and will play for the coveted crown in the final on October 22nd.Cerezo put on a second-leg masterclass to win their semi-final, crushing Urawa Reds, 4-0, to book their place at the Japan National Stadium in a month's time, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima outlaste…

The 2022 J.League YBC Levain Cup semi-finals are underway, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Urawa Reds taking slight advantages into what will surely be intense second-leg battles for a spot in the final.Sanfrecce dominated home side Avispa Fukuoka from the start in their last-four encounter, but the Wasps fought back to salvage hope for the return fixture. Vio…

With the 2022 FIFA World Cup only two months away, Japan are set to take on the USA and Ecuador in a pair of final tune-up matches on September 23rd and 27th in Düsseldorf, Germany.Both upcoming friendlies will present Japan with some unique challenges and manager Hajime Moriyasu has chosen a squad for the games with a strong J.League flavor.Eight of the 30…

This is a tale of two teams who never thought they would be battling against relegation this season, much less against each other.But this weekend sees star-studded Vissel Kobe and historic J.League giants Gamba Osaka go toe-to-toe in a scrap for survival.Vissel have found a good run of form, taking results in three of their last four matches to go from bot…

Marinos aim to maintain their lead at the topYokohama F·Marinos got a little breathing room on Wednesday, beating Kyoto Sanga while Kawasaki Frontale slumped to a draw against Nagoya Grampus. Now the Tricolor’s lead atop the Meiji Yasuda J1 League table stands at five points with only six matches to play.While Marinos can afford to drop a game between now a…

This matchweek in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League had it all — great goals, surprise results, and history made at the Japan National Stadium. Let’s catch up on all the action!Yokohama F·Marinos 0, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 0The Consadole defense rose to the occasion with a great showing against the league’s highest scoring team to split the points and ensure Ma…

Mateus’s spectacular long-distance strike to win Nagoya Grampus’ Matchweek 26 contest has been named KONAMI Goal of the Month for August. The Brazilian picked up the ball from 30 yards, turned and hit a rocket into the top corner for a majestic goal and a 1-0 win over Júbilo Iwata. Goal of the Month in J2 went to Renofa Yamaguchi’s Wataru Tanaka for h…

Sanfrecce Hiroshima's perfect August earned Michael Skibbe Manager of the Month honors.The Viola were flawless in August, taking wins in all four matches they played, including against top teams Kashima Antlers, Kashiwa Reysol and Cerezo Osaka. Sanfrecce scored 13 goals in those four contests, showing off a deadly attack, while Skibbe also constructed …

Akihiro Ienaga has been awarded KONAMI Monthly MVP for August after a terrific month that saw him help propel Kawasaki Frontale right into the heart of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League title chase.Ienaga scored two goals and added three assists in Frontale’s four August matches. His exploits pushed his team to a perfect four wins in the month, including a victory…

Yokohama F·Marinos retained their place atop the Meiji Yasuda J1 League table, but who is their top challenger for the crown? And what happened in the relegation fight? Find out everything from Matchweek 29 right here:Yokohama F·Marinos 1, Avispa Fukuoka 0Anderson Lopes finished a great bit of passing to give Marinos a lead after 14 minutes and that was all…

Who will be Marinos’ top challenger for the crown?Yokohama F·Marinos are the top team in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, riding a midweek win back to the top of the table, but the Tricolor do not have much breathing room. Sanfrecce Hiroshima are only two points back and Kawasaki Frontale a point behind the Viola.So, who will be the top challenger to Marinos? We…

Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium has seen plenty of big games in recent years and this weekend's clash is right up there with the best of them.Visiting Sanfrecce Hiroshima sit second in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, having made a rapid ascent in recent months to battle for a championship.Frontale, the hosts, are the two-time defending J1 champions and sit third…

Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Kyoto Sanga, Kashima Antlers and Ventforet Kofu are the final four teams in the 2022 Emperor’s Cup. The quartet prevailed in their respective quarter-finals, keeping their dreams alive to win the tournament’s 102nd edition.The Viola’s quarter-final win was the most dramatic of the round, with a pair of late goals bringing them from behi…