Kashima Antlers moved four points clear at the top of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League with a 2-0 win over Shimizu S-Pulse, as Cerezo Osaka could only draw 1-1 at Jubilo Iwata. Go Oiwa’s men bounced back from their setback against Kawasaki Frontale in front of their home support, with Leandro opening the scoring in the first half before Mu Kanazaki added…

Matsumoto Yamaga FC on Thursday announced the arrival of striker Musashi Suzuki on a half-season loan from Albirex Niigata. The 23-year-old has one goal in 17 appearances for Albirex this season after returning from last year’s loan to Mito Hollyhock.  “I want to give all of my strength to help Matsumoto Yamaga earn promotion to the J…

Vissel Kobe on Wednesday announced the club’s decision to part ways with manager Nelsinho, citing poor results. The Brazilian, who first arrived at Vissel in 2015, had earned a record of nine wins, two losses, and 11 defeats thus far in his third campaign with the club. “I’m deeply thankful for all of the support everyone has given m…

Leaders Shonan Bellmare and third-place Nagoya Grampus extended their respective winning streaks to four matches on Wednesday night in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League’s 28th round. Facing JEF United Chiba on the road, Bellmare earned a 1-0 win through Dragan Mrdja, who scored his first goal since joining the club from Omiya Ardija.  The Kanagawa…

The Suruga Bank Championship 2017 SAITAMA took place on Tuesday night at Saitama Stadium, with 2016 J.League YBC Levain Cup champions Urawa Reds earning a 1-0 win over Copa Sudamericana holders Chapecoense. The match was a defensive battle from start to finish, with neither side yielding many big chances.  As the clash headed into stoppage-time 0…

Shimizu S-Pulse on Monday announced the arrival of midfielder Kohei Shimizu on a half-season loan from Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The 28-year-old joined Sanfrecce in 2008 after graduating from high school and had made over 100 appearances for the club, including 12 in the current MEIJI YASUDA J1 League campaign. “I want to add to the team’s stre…

Kashima Antlers saw their unbeaten streak under Go Oiwa end with a 3-1 loss at Kawasaki Frontale on Sunday, with the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League leaders disintegrating in the second half. Oiwa has enjoyed unparalleled success since taking over Masatada Ishii in May, but saw his run brought to a grinding halt when Daigo Nishi put the ball past Hitoshi Sogahata…

The final match of the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League Round 27 took place on Saturday, with Nagoya Grampus earning a big 5-2 win against Matsumoto Yamaga. The visitors pressed early on with several first-half chances, but a 33rd-minute own goal as well as Hisato Sato’s follow up just two minutes later allowed Grampus to go into the half-time break with a 2…

JEF United Chiba were amongst several teams who inched closer to promotion playoff contention in Friday’s MEIJI YASUDA J2 League Round 27 action. Juan Esnaider’s men took the lead in their home match against Renofa Yamaguchi through Yamata Machida’s 57th-minute opener, but required stoppage-time heroics by Koki Kiyotake after Kazuhito K…

Sagan Tosu on Wednesday announced the arrival of midfielder Hiroki Kawano on a full transfer from FC Tokyo. The 27-year-old began his career with Tokyo Verdy in 2007, joining FC Tokyo in 2012.  “I want to contribute to the team with my dribbling and pressing abilities,” Kawano said. “I look forward to playing as a member of Saga…

Mu Kanazaki’s brace fired Kashima Antlers to a 2-1 win at Vissel Kobe to send them top of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League, as Lukas Podolski was unable to stave off defeat on Wednesday. It was the Noevir Stadium hosts who took the lead through Hirofumi Watanabe but Kanazaki responded 20 minutes later. Mike Havenaar entered the pitch in place of Podol…

Vegalta Sendai on Monday announced the arrival of midfielder Gakuto Notsuda on a half-year loan from Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The 23-year-old spent the first half of the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League campaign on loan at Shimizu S-Pulse, where he made 11 league appearances. “It’s the middle of the season but I want to integrate myself into the sq…

Urawa Reds on Sunday announced the transfer of midfielder Takahiro Sekine to 2.Bundesliga side FC Ingolstadt. The 23-year-old, who was promoted to the top team from the Reds youth academy in 2014, has three goals in 21 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances this season. “The club tried to convince me to stay, and it was a difficult decision to make …

The draw for the remainder of the 97th Emperor’s Cup took place on Monday afternoon at JFA House in downtown Tokyo. Defending champions Kashima Antlers were drawn with rivals Urawa Reds, while last year’s runners-up Kawasaki Frontale will meet Shimizu S-Pulse. The Round of 16 will take place on Wednesday, September 20th, with quarterfinals…

The 26th round of the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League ended with a bang on Sunday as Nagoya Grampus and Ehime FC combined to score 11 goals in a 7-4 epic. After falling behind 4-0 in the first 48 minutes, Ehime fought back to even the score up at 4-4 with 18 minutes to play before Ryota Aoki scored a brace and Taishi Taguchi completed his hat-trick to make Grampu…

Yusuke Segawa’s 88th-minute equaliser helped Omiya Ardija secure a 2-2 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League draw at Urawa Reds, denying Takafumi Hori a win in his first match in charge. Mateus had cancelled out Shinzo Koroki’s first-half opener in the 66th minute on Saturday but the Reds retook the lead just three minutes later through Yosuke Kashiwagi. …

Jubilo Iwata on Wednesday announced the full transfer of midfielder Daisuke Matsui to Polish second division side Odra Opole. The move will mark the former Japan international’s second voyage abroad after spending a decade from 2004 playing in France, Russia, Bulgaria and Poland. “I’m sorry to make this announcement in the middle of …

The participants in the fourth round of the Emperor’s Cup have been finalised after the match between Vanraure Hachinohe and Nagoya Grampus. The clash was suspended in the 65th minute in July due to heavy rain and was completed on Wednesday night at Paloma MIzuho Stadium. The JFL side proved troublesome after play resumed, with Seiya Murakami kn…

FC Tokyo on Wednesday announced the decision of midfielder Naohiro Ishikawa to retire following the conclusion of the 2017 campaign. The 36-year-old was promoted from Yokohama F. Marinos’ youth system in 2000, joining Tokyo two years later and contributing to all of their titles, including the 2004 and 2009 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup championshi…

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on Sunday announced the arrival of veteran defender Naoki Ishikawa on a full transfer from Vegalta Sendai. The 31-year-old previously played for Consadole in 2009 and 2010, also calling Kashiwa Reysol and Albirex Niigata home in a career that began in 2004. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to Sapporo a…