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FC Gifu this week announced the appointment of Takeshi Oki as the club’s new manager for 2017. The 55-year-old has previously been in charge of Ventforet Kofu, Shimizu S-Pulse and Kyoto Sanga, in addition to serving as Japan assistant coach from 2007 to 2010. “My goal is to create a style that fans can enjoy every weekend, and I hope we wi…

Nagoya Grampus on Wednesday announced the signing of three new foreign players in preparation for next year’s MEIJI YASUDA J2 League campaign. The new arrivals are defender, Charles Luis Reiter from Ceara as well as midfielders Cezar Washington Alves Portela and Felipe Garcia Goncalves, both of whom hail from Brasil de Pelotas. All three Brazili…

J.League Chairman Mitsuru Murai on Wednesday issued the following statement in regard to the disaster which struck Brazilian club Chapecoense on Monday night in Colombia: “My heart aches at the number of victims who have lost their lives as a result of Monday’s plane crash in Colombia, Many of our dear friends, including former J.League coach…

Jubilo Iwata on Tuesday announced the signing of striker Kengo Kawamata on a full transfer from Nagoya Grampus. The 27-year-old Japan international scored five goals in 17 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances this season. “It’s an honour to play at a club with as great a history as Jubilo Iwata,” Kawamata said.  “I hope t…

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on Tuesday announced that they will not renew their contract with midfielder Irfan Bachdim. The Indonesia international joined from Ventforet Kofu in 2015, making six J2 League appearances in the last two seasons. He was instrumental this season as he was part of the Consadole team that topped the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League and …

Urawa Reds secured a potentially-decisive 1-0 win away at Kashima Antlers in the first leg of the 2016 J.League Championship final on Tuesday. Yuki Abe fired home the winner from the penalty spot after Shinzo Koroki had gone down in the box under Daigo Nishi’s challenge at Kashima Stadium. Clear-cut chances proved few and far between as the Reds…

Vegalta Sendai on Monday announced the acquisition of defender Yasuhiro Hiraoka on a full transfer from Shimizu S-Pulse. The 30-year-old spent the season on loan at the Tohoku outfit, making 28 appearances in this season’s MEIJI YASUDA J1 League. “I want to work hard in order to give us more opportunities to celebrate with our supporters n…

Matsumoto Yamaga have announced the retirement of long-time defender Hiroshi Tetsuto following eight years of service for the club. The 34-year-old made his pro debut with Sagan Tosu in 2006 before joining Matsumoto in 2009 while they were still in the regional Hokushinetsu Football League.  He would remain at the club as they rose through the Ja…

Avispa Fukuoka have renewed their contract with current manager Masami Ihara, the club have announced. Despite the former defender’s record of 23 losses in his second season with the Kyushu side causing them to finish last in this season’s MEIJI YASUDA J1 League, news he will be retained was released on Sunday. Ihara, who spent the majorit…

The J1 League Promotion Playoff semi-finals took place on Sunday with the third through sixth place finishers in this year’s MEIJI YASUDA J2 League campaign all looking to book the third and final spot for new additions to the top flight. At Alwin Stadium, sixth-seeded Fagiano Okayama stunned Matsumoto Yamaga in a 2-1 upset victory.  Yuki O…

The first leg of the 2016 J2-J3 Promotion-Relegation Playoff took place on Sunday with Zweigen Kanazawa winning 1-0 at Tochigi SC. Following 89 minutes of scoreless football at Tochigi Green Stadium, Tatsushi Koyanagi converted off a corner kick to give the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League side a priceless result as they look to stay in the second flight. The r…

South Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors captured the 2016 AFC Champions League on Saturday night following a 3-2 aggregate win over UAE’s Al Ain. Following a 2-1 win in the opening leg at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, the K-League side took the lead in the second match at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium after 30 minutes, allowing an equaliser soon after before hold…

JEF United Chiba have announced a tentative agreement for Juan Esnaider to become the club’s next manager. A former Argentina international, Esnaider belonged to esteemed clubs such as Real Madrid and Juventus during his 15-year career. He was a part in three Copa del Rey victories with the former and won the Argentine Primera Division in 2002 w…

Yokohama FC have renewed the contract of manager Hitoshi Nakata for the 2017 season. The 54-year-old led the team to an eighth-place finish in the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League after taking over in June. Nakata’s appointment followed the health-related resignation of Milos Rus, and the former has now done enough to convince his employers to renew …

Spanish coach Miguel Lotina will become the new manager of Tokyo Verdy, the club has announced. The former striker has helmed a number of Spanish clubs, winning the 2005-06 Copa del Rey with Espanyol in addition to spending time at Real Sociedad and Villareal, amongst others. “I’m excited to be able to work in Japanese football with a club…

FC Gifu on Friday announced that manager Megumu Yoshida’s contract will not be renewed for the 2017 season. The 43-year-old took over in July following the dismissal of Ruy Ramos, successfully steering the side clear of the relegation zone with a 20th-place finish in the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League. “I would like to thank everyone for the …

The Japan Football Association on Thursday announced its squad for the Japan Under-19 national team’s upcoming training camp in Argentina. Amongst the players selected are FC Tokyo U-18 striker Takefusa Kubo as well as Kawasaki Frontale’s Ko Itakura. The defender on Wednesday participated in his team’s MEIJI YASUDA 2016 J.League Cham…

Sanfrecce Hiroshima youth striker Towa Yamane has agreed to join Cerezo Osaka next season, the club announced earlier this week. The 17-year-old, whose father is former Oita Trinita and Kashiwa Reysol midfielder Iwao Yamane, scored nine goals to guide Sanfrecce to a runners-up finish in last weekend’s 2016 J.Youth Cup final against FC Tokyo U-18. …

Kashima Antlers beat Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 in the 2016 J.League Championship semi-final on Wednesday to advance to the final, where they will face Urawa Reds. Despite limping into the title-deciding mini-tournament after a poor MEIJI YASUDA J1 League Second Stage campaign, it was Masatada Ishii’s men who earned a smash-and-grab victory. Antlers …

Shimizu S-Pulse on Tuesday announced that manager Shinji Kobayashi will continue to lead the club in 2017 following a successful promotion campaign. Kobayashi’s side will return to the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League after finishing second in this season’s J2 League. S-Pulse are the fourth team the 56-year-old has led to the J1 League, following Oi…