News

Manager Yasuhiro Higuchi will continue to manage YSCC Yokohama in 2017, the club has announced. The 55-year-old, who has previously managed at several J1 clubs, led the team to a 16th-place finish in his debut J3 League season. “I’m grateful for the offer to continue my work despite finishing in last place,” Higuchi said.  &l…

Shimizu S-Pulse striker Chong Tese has been awarded the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League Monthly MVP for November, becoming the first player to win the award three times in a given season. The veteran recorded three goals and three assists in four matches last month, with his contributions key to S-Pulse’s second place finish and subsequent promotion to the …

Cerezo Osaka on Monday announced that former midfielder Yoon Jong-hwan will become the club’s next manager, replacing Kiyoshi Okuma. The 43-year-old, who played for Cerezo between 2000 and 2002, managed Sagan Tosu between 2011 and August 2014.  The former South Korea international has spent the last two years in charge of Ulsan Hyundai in t…

Manager Yasuharu Sorimachi will continue to coach Matsumoto Yamaga in 2017, the club announced on Monday. The 52-year-old, who has been in charge of the Nagano Prefecture outfit since 2012, led the team to a third place finish in the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League season. “I would like to thank everyone for their support this season,” Sorimac…

The J1 Promotion Playoff Final took place on Sunday afternoon with hosts Cerezo Osaka defeating Fagiano Okayama 1-0 at a sold-out Kincho Stadium. The lone goal of the match was scored by midfielder Shohei Kiyohara in the 52nd minute following a corner kick. Fagiano fought back in the closing minutes, but it was not enough to prevent Cerezo from return…

J.League Chairman Mitsuru Murai has revealed how impressed he was with Kashima Antlers following their J1 League win on Saturday. Mastada Ishii’s men performed the feat of coming back from a 1-0 loss in the first leg to winning the second leg 2-1 and thus being crowned champions 2-2 on aggregate based on away goals. And Murai hailed the inner st…

The second leg of the J2-J3 Promotion-Relegation Playoff took place on Sunday at Toyama Athletic Stadium. Zweigen Kanazawa retained their spot in the second division following a 2-0 win over Tochigi SC. The J2 representatives came into the match with a 1-0 advantage following last weekend’s first leg, extending their aggregate lead to 3-0 follow…

Kashima Antlers were crowned the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League champions in astounding fashion on Saturday as they roared back to win 2-1 in the second leg of the Championship final against Urawa Reds. Masatada Ishii’s men secured the club’s eighth title with a 2-2 scoreline on aggregate, clinching the title on away goals following the Reds 1-0…

Vissel Kobe on Thursday announced their contract renewal with manager Nelsinho Baptista. In his second year at Noevir Stadium, the Brazilian guided Vissel to a club-best finish of seventh place overall in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League with a record of 16 wins in all competitions. Vissel were particularly impressive over the course of the Second Stage in …

All matches played this weekend will observe a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of the Chapecoense air disaster, the J.League announced on Friday. The crash in Colombia on Monday night claimed the lives of several former J.League members, including 2013 J2 League top scorer Kempes and 2009 Vissel Kobe manager Caio Junior. The moment of sil…

Tokushima Vortis this week announced that Spaniard Ricardo Rodriguez will manage the club in 2017. The 42-year-old previously led Girona and has most recently been in charge of Ratchaburi, Bangkok Glass and Suphanburi in the Thai Premier League. “I’ve hoped for a long time to manage in Japan and I’m incredibly glad to have the opport…

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…