The remaining five matches of the Emperor’s Cup Round of 16 took place on Saturday with five teams advancing to next month’s quarterfinals. Naoki Wako’s 25th-minute goal was not enough for Kashiwa Reysol to get past Shonan Bellmare, who fought back for a 3-1 win with second half goals by Dinei, Kaoru Takayama, and Shuhei Otsuki. At N…

Japan defeated Oman 4-0 on Friday night in a Kirin Challenge Cup 2016 friendly at Kashima Stadium. Kashima Antlers central midfielder Ryota Nagaki started in his senior debut, while FC Tokyo centre-back Yuichi Maruyama earned his first national team start. Yokohama F. Marinos attacker and MEIJI YASUDA J1 League October MVP Manabu Saito also made his r…

Nagoya Grampus on Thursday announced the release of nine players from the club following the conclusion of their contracts. Among those cut are veteran defender Akira Takeuchi, longtime midfielder Yoshizumi Ozawa, former Samurai Blue side back Michihiro Yasuda and 2002 FIFA World Cup participant Tomokazu Myojin. The news came one week after the J.Leag…

Vissel Kobe midfielder Takahito Soma will retire at the end of this season, the club announced on Thursday. The 34-year-old joined Tokyo Verdy in 2003 following his graduation from Kokushikan University and was a key part of their 2004 Emperor’s Cup-winning campaign. He moved on to Urawa Reds in 2006, helping them to win that year’s J.Leag…

Japan head coach Vahid Halilhodzic told media on Thursday that he intends to rorate his squad for the team’s friendly against Oman on Friday. The match at Saitama Stadium will serve as a key test ahead of the Samurai Blue’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, November 15. “I want to give a chance to players…

Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder Manabu Saito was named the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League Monthly MVP for October and November after contributing to a strong finish for his side in the Second Stage. The Japan international was directly involved in seven of his team’s nine goals, tying for first in the J1 with four goals and leading the league with three ass…

Shimizu S-Pulse striker Chong Tese was named the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League Monthly MVP for October 2016 after his tremendous individual performances put his team in contention for an automatic promotion spot. The former North Korea international scored six goals from five appearances, leading S-Pulse to the J2’s top record for the month.  …

Three matches of the Emperor’s Cup Round of 16 took place on Wednesday night, with J1 League representatives coming out on top. FC Tokyo gave up an early goal to Honda FC, only to rebound in the second half with goals by Shoya Nakajima and Sei Muroya in a 2-1 win. Omiya Ardija needed a timely penalty kick by Akihiro Ienaga in the 89th minute to …

Oita Trinita on Tuesday announced that striker Taishi Takamatsu will retire at the end of the season. With the exception of one season on loan at FC Tokyo, the 35-year-old has spent his entire 17-year career at Trinita since joining the club out of high school in 2000.  In addition to his 195 J1 League, 162 J2 League, and seven J3 League appearan…

Nagoya Grampus will not retain defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka for the 2017 season, the club has announced. The former Japan international re-joined the club in September, playing in seven matches for the club who finished 16th in the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League. “I’m truly blest to have made such great friendships with the teammates I’…

Kawasaki Frontale coach Toru Oniki will take over as the club’s new manager in 2017, the club announced on Monday. The 42-year-old, a former Frontale player, joined the club as an academy coach in 2007 before being promoted to the first-team coaching staff in 2009.  “After receiving this ofter from the club I decided that I strongly w…

The J.League on Monday announced its slate of nominated players for the MEIJI YASUDA J1 and J2 League Monthly MVP award for October and November. In the J1, a trio of midfielders earned the nod including Urawa Reds captain Yuki Abe, Gamba Osaka’s Yosuke Ideguchi and Yokohama F. Marinos attacker Manabu Saito. J2 nominations featured Shimizu S-Pul…

With just two rounds remaining in the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League season, anything could happen on both ends of the table as both players and fans prepare for a wild finish. Consadole Sapporo fell 2-1 at Tokushima Vortis, taking the lead through Julinho’s goal in the 33rd minute but allowing an equaliser to Daiki Watari on the cusp of half time.&nb…

Jubilo Iwata will not renew the contracts of striker Jay Bothroyd and defender Avraam Papadopoulos, the club announced on Saturday. Former England international Bothroyd departs having lead the team with 14 goals from 22 appearances this season while Papadopoulos, who arrived at Yamaha Stadium this summer, made 13 appearances in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 Leagu…

Nagoya Grampus manager Bosko Gjurovski’s contract will not be renewed for 2017, the club announced on Sunday. The former assistant coach arrived in September in an attempt to save the club from relegation to the J2 League following former manager Takafumi Ogura’s dismissal. However, the Macedonian was unable to prevent them dropping down t…

Midfielder Takefusa Kubo became the youngest player to make his J.League debut on Saturday when he appeared for FC Tokyo Under-23 in their MEIJI YASUDA J3 League match against AC Nagano Parceiro. At 15 years, five months, and one day of age, Kubo broke the record set in 2004 by Takayuki Morimoto, then of Tokyo Verdy, at 15 years, 10 months, and six days.…

Yokohama F. Marinos have announced that veteran defender Yuzo Kobayashi will not be signed to a new contract in 2017. The 30-year-old, who joined the club in 2011 from Kashiwa Reysol, earned his 300th J1 appearance in Thursday’s 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League finale. “I’m nothing but thankful for my teammates, the club staff, and all of…

FC Tokyo have renewed their contract with manager Yoshiyuki Shinoda for the 2017 season, the club announced on Friday. The 45-year-old came on in July following former manager Hiroshi Jofuku’s dismissal, accumulating an impressive record of eight wins and just two losses in 12 matches over the latter stretch of the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League seaso…

Mito Hollyhock striker Nguyen Cong Phuong has been selected by Vietnam’s national team for the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup. The 2008 champions will face Indonesia and J.League side Avispa Fukuoka in warm-up friendlies before meeting hosts Myanmar, Malaysia, and Cambodia in the group stage from November 20 to 26. “I’m disappointed that I …

The Japan Football Association on Thursday announced its squad for the country’s upcoming international matches. 10 J.League players were called up by coach Vahid Halilhodzic, including Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi who earned his first senior selection. The Samurai Blue will host Oman in the friendly Kirin Challenge Cup 2016 on Novembe…