- J3 LEAGUE
Vathanaka amongst nine released from Fujieda
Fujieda MYFC on Tuesday announced a list of nine players whose contracts will not be renewed next season. Amongst them are striker Chan Vathanaka, who became the first Cambodian to play in the J.League earlier this season. “I want to thank everyone who cheered for me and provided support over the last 10 months,” Vathanaka said. &…Wed, 29 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J1 LEAGUE
Antlers made to wait as Reysol survive siege
Kashima Antlers missed the chance to be crowned MEIJI YASUDA J1 League winners on the penultimate weekend of the season with a 0-0 draw against Kashiwa Reysol. The reigning Japanese champions could have sewn up their title defence with a victory, but were unable to break down Reysol’s wall despite thoroughly dominating proceedings. Go Oiwa&rsquo…Mon, 27 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - Play-Offs
Grampus & Avispa reach Promotion Playoff final
The semifinals of the 2017 J1 Promotion Playoff took place on Sunday, with top-seeded Nagoya Grampus and Avispa Fukuoka advancing to next weekend’s final. Facing JEF United Chiba at home, Grampus surrendered the opening goal to Argentine striker Larrivey shortly before halftime. But Taishi Taguchi was there to equalise in the 61st minute, …Mon, 27 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Urawa Reds claim AFC Champions League title
Urawa Reds defeated Al Hilal on Saturday night to win the 2017 AFC Champions League Final 2-1, becoming Asian champions for the first time in 10 years. After drawing 1-1 in the away leg, the Reds needed just a 0-0 draw at the sold-out Saitama stadium in order to capture the continental title. Al Hilal dominated possession in the first half, but were u…Mon, 27 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J1 LEAGUE
V-Varen sign veteran Tokunaga
V-Varen Nagasaki on Thursday announced the signing of Tokyo fullback Yuhei Tokunaga on a full transfer ahead of their debut J1 season in 2018. The 34-year-old has over 500 total appearances for Tokyo since 2003, having also represented Japan as part of two Summer Olympic squads as well as on the senior international level. “I’m excited to …Fri, 24 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J2 LEAGUE
Verdy & JEF clinch playoff spots on last day of J2
The conclusion of the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League saw plenty of drama as the final two participants in the J1 Promotion Playoff were determined. In the key match between fifth place Tokyo Verdy and sixth place Tokushima Vortis, goals by Tomohiro Taira and Daiki Watari saw the two sides heading to a 1-1 draw before Verdy’s Tatsuya Uchida scored a dr…Tue, 21 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J1 LEAGUE
Frontale keep title hopes alive
The race for the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League is not done and dusted yet, as Kawasaki Frontale saw off Gamba Osaka 1-0 to stay within reach of leaders Kashima Antlers. Elsinho’s 82nd-minute winner finally broke down stubborn Gamba defending and kept Toru Oniki’s men ahead of their visitors’ city rivals Cerezo Osaka, who downed Yokohama F. Mar…Sun, 19 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - Samurai Blue
Japan fall to Belgium on Lukaku goal
Japan’s national team lost 1-0 to Belgium on Tuesday night, local time in their second and final friendly of the international break. Urawa Reds midfielder Kazuki Nagasawa made his international debut, playing alongside team-mate Tomoaki Makino as well as Gamba Osaka’s Yosuke Ideguchi and Cerezo Osaka’s Hotaru Yamaguchi. The Sa…Wed, 15 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J1 LEAGUE
Veteran Mikic to depart Sanfrecce
Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Monday announced that midfielder Mihael Mikic will not renew his contract with the club following the conclusion of the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League season. The 37-year-old joined in 2009, contributing to Sanfrecce’s three league titles in 2012, 2013, and 2015. As of the announcement, he had scored eight goals in 221 J1 appear…Tue, 14 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J2 LEAGUE
Nagasaki promoted as Yokohama FC eliminated from playoff race
The penultimate round of the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League took place over the weekend, promising an exciting climax as four teams vie for a spot in the J1 Promotion Playoff. The story of Saturday was V-Varen Nagasaki, who clinched second place and automatic promotion to next year’s J1 after a dramatic 3-1 win over Kamatamare Sanuki in front of a bey…Mon, 13 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J2 LEAGUE
Nagasaki clinch J1 promotion
V-Varen Nagasaki earned their first-ever promotion to the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League on Saturday night with a 3-1 win over Kamatamare Sanuki. Goals from Daichi Inui, Yusuke Maeda, and Hijiri Onaga pushed the Transcosmos Stadium residents to 77 points on the season, clinching second place behind J2 champions Shonan Bellmare. V-Varen’s path to the J1 …Sun, 12 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - Samurai Blue
Makino scores in Japan’s 3-1 loss to Brazil
Japan fell 3-1 to Brazil on Friday in their first international friendly of the October break. Just 10 minutes into the match, Brazil were handed an opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty kick following a video replay. Neymar stutter-stepped at the spot to put the South American titans up 1-0. After a second penalty kick was awa…Sat, 11 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J1 LEAGUE
Ardija appoint Ishii as new manager
Omiya Ardija on Sunday announced the dismissal of manager Akira Ito, as well as the appointment of former Kashima Antlers manager Masatada Ishii as his replacement. Ito, who took over from Hiroki Shibuya in May, earned a record of only three wins from 18 games in the ongoing MEIJI YASUDA J1 League campaign. “I’m sorry that after five month…Tue, 07 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J2 LEAGUE
Race for automatic promotion down to three J2 clubs
The 40th round of the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League took place on Sunday, with three clubs still alive in the battle for second place and automatic promotion to next season’s MEIJI YASUDA J1 League. V-Varen Nagasaki notched a 2-0 win at Mito Hollyhock, remaining in second place with 74 points thanks to goals at the end of each half by Ryutaro Iio and Keit…Mon, 06 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J1 LEAGUE
Leandro winner against Reds moves Antlers closer to title
Kashima Antlers opened their lead at the top of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League table to seven points with a 1-0 win over Urawa Reds. Go Oiwa’s men endured a scare last month when they succumbed at Yokohama F. Marinos, prompting the coach to urge his man to wrap up their title charge quickly. The Japanese champions took a step closer to defending the…Mon, 06 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - League Cup
Cerezo Osaka win Levain Cup with Sugimoto & Souza goals
Cerezo Osaka won their first-ever J.League YBC Levain Cup on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale. Yoon Jong-hwan’s side needed less than one minute to take the lead after Kenyu Sugimoto slipped past the Frontale back line to score what would be a key goal. Frontale pushed for an equalizer with their clever pass-work, but Cerezo&…Sun, 05 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J1 LEAGUE
Mombaerts to step down from F. Marinos
Yokohama F. Marinos manager Erick Mombaerts will leave the club at the end of the season, it was announced Thursday. The Frenchman, who took over the side in 2015, has led Marinos to a record of 16 wins and seven draws after 31 rounds of the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League. “It has been an incredible experience to work in Japan and discover the coun…Sat, 04 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - Samurai Blue
Five Reds players feature in Japan squad for Brazil, Belgium friendlies
The Japan Football Association on Tuesday announced its squad of 25 players for the national team’s upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium Amongst the 13 players called up from J.League clubs are Gamba Osaka defender Genta Miura, Kawasaki Frontale defender Shintaro Kurumaya and Urawa Reds striker Shinzo Koroki. Reds midfielder Kazu…Thu, 02 Nov 2017 · 09:04 JST - J2 LEAGUE
Shonan Bellmare clinch J2 title
Shonan Bellmare clinched the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League title after their 1-1 draw with Fagiano Okayama on Sunday in the league’s 39th round. Dinei’s goal put the BMW Stadium residents ahead 1-0 in the 44th minute, but former midfielder Yohei Otaka equalised for Fagiano in the 86th. The result still gave Bellmare their 81st point, e…Tue, 31 Oct 2017 · 09:04 JST - J2 LEAGUE
Yokohama FC appoint Edson to revive play-off push
Yokohama FC have appointed Brazilian manager Edson Araujo Tavares to take over the first team following the dismissal of head coach Hitoshi Nakata earlier this month for poor results. The 61-year-old has managed a number of international and club sides, including Jordan, Vietnam, and Haiti as well as Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, Iran’s Sepahan an…Fri, 27 Oct 2017 · 09:04 JST