Nobody thrilled J.League crowds in 2023 quite like Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. They were open, aggressive, attacking, and anyone who tuned in knew that Consadole were going to take them on a wild ride.But will we see the same Sapporo side in 2024? Let's dig in.2023 reviewNo team in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League conceded more goals than 12th-place Consadol…

J.League has announced that FUJIFILM SUPER CUP 2024 will be available for viewing worldwide on the following overseas broadcasters and platforms.　In addition to Thailand, Australia and China, the match will be also broadcast in Indonesia and Macau this year.Furthermore, the match will be broadcast live on J.League's official international YouTube chann…

It took a decade for Kyoto Sanga F.C. to secure their place back in the top flight, but they are now going on their third straight season in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. What does 2024 have in store for this club looking to become a top-flight mainstay?2023 reviewA three-match winning streak early in the season saw Sanga reach as high as fifth place, but tha…

Japan’s quest for a fifth AFC Asian Cup crown has come to an end. The Samurai Blue were defeated by Iran, 2-1, sending Japan out in the quarter-finals of the continental championship.Hidemasa Morita gave Japan the lead before the half-hour mark with a brilliant solo effort. He picked up the ball at 35 yards, darted between three Iran defenders before making…

Sagan Tosu may not have the financial heft of some of their top-flight rivals, but that makes it all the more remarkable that they are set for their 13th consecutive season in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. This is a club consistently punching above its weight, but will 2024 be the year when they break back into the top half for the first time since a 7th plac…

Shonan Bellmare have had five separate stints in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, but they’ve never made it more than six straight seasons in the top flight. That is until now, as the 2024 campaign marks a club record seventh consecutive year in J1 for the Hiratsuka side. What awaits them in Year 7?2023 reviewIt was a precarious season for Bellmare, who spent 11…

Cerezo Osaka and BG Pathum United gave fans in Thailand all the entertainment they could want in the Thai Life Insurance J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE 2023/24 powered by MEIJI YASUDA as both teams flew forward and showed off their skills in a goal-heavy contest won by BG, 3-2.The Sakura struck first just after the hour mark on a corner kick. Ryosuke Shindo got aw…

It’s been a difficult couple of seasons for Gamba Osaka. They’ve found themselves far from the upper reaches of the table and down in the relegation fight, but 2024 presents a new opportunity to get back to their roots as a team at the top.2023 reviewGamba went winless in their first six matches of the season, immediately dropping them into a relegation fig…

The Thai Life Insurance J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE 2023/24 powered by MEIJI YASUDA is back and it features a tasty clash between Cerezo Osaka and BG Pathum United at BG Stadium in Thailand.Cerezo bring some serious star power to the match. Shinji Kagawa leads the way, with a glittering legacy in the J.League, across Europe, and for the Japan national team. Léo…

Kashiwa Reysol have had a funny alternating pattern emerge ever since being promoted back to the Meiji Yasuda J1 League in 2020.One season they will turn in a strong top-half finish, and follow it up the next year with a relegation battle. After last season’s fight at the foot of the table, they’ll be hoping the pattern sticks for one more season and that a…

Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda were all on the mark as Japan defeated Bahrain, 3-1, in the Round of 16 of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup to book their spot in the final eight.It was a terrific performance by Japan, who were on the front foot right from the start. They were clearly the better side and nearly scored inside 10 minutes when Kashima Antlers pr…

Supachok Sarachat and Thailand reached the knockout stages of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, marking the second consecutive continental championship in which the War Elephants reached the final 16.Thailand made it through the group stage unbeaten, beating Kyrgyzstan, 2-0, in the opener before a pair of scoreless draws sent them through. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo …

Tokyo Verdy are J.League royalty, having won the first two league titles, but they’ve been in a long lull and spent the last 15 seasons in the second division. Now, they are back and intent on continuing their climb back to the top.2023 reviewVerdy were very good all season, reaching the top six of the J2 table by week four and staying there the rest of the…

Júbilo Iwata have been on quite the yo-yo. They’ve either been promoted or relegated in five of the last six years, but they’re back in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League in 2024 and have every intention of making it stick this time.2023 reviewIt was a wild year for Júbilo. They started in bad form and it took until the back half of May before they first moved into…

For the first time in FC Machida Zelvia history, they are playing in the top flight. How does this ambitious club look heading into their Meiji Yasuda J1 League debut?2023 reviewLast season was Zelvia’s eighth straight in the second division and with the backing of well-resourced ownership, they had their sights set on promotion. They did just that, winning…

Japan are heading to the AFC Asian Cup knockout stages after defeating Indonesia, 3-1, to wrap up Group D play.Former Kashima Antlers man Ayase Ueda was spectacular, scoring twice to lead the Samurai Blue as they secured a round of 16 matchup with the winner of Group E.Japan were dynamic from the start and took the lead mere minutes in. Ueda turned his defe…

The fixture list for the 2024 J.League season is here, with the match schedule for J1, J2, J3, and the opening stage of the J.League YBC Levain Cup released on Tuesday.The newly-expanded, 20-team Meiji Yasuda J1 League kicks off on Friday, February 23rd with a special doubleheader.Sanfrecce Hiroshima will take on Urawa Reds to open the season at the brand-n…

Japan’s AFC Asian Cup campaign hit a speed bump on Friday as the Samurai Blue lost to Iraq, 2-1, in their second group stage match.The loss leaves the Samurai Blue on three points ahead of their January 24 group stage finale against Indonesia. If they win, they will clinch second place in the group and a spot in the knockout stages.Aymen Hussein put Iraq in…

Japan kicked off their 2023 AFC Asian Cup campaign with a full three points as they defeated Vietnam, 4-2.Takumi Minamino, the Cerezo Osaka product who has been starring in Europe for nearly a decade, led the way with two goals.Two more were added to seal the Samurai Blue victory by Keito Nakamura, the former Gamba Osaka man, and Ayase Ueda, the one-time pr…

The backbone of the Japan national team is the J.League, where all of its players come through on their way to the Samurai Blue. All 26 players on the AFC Asian Cup squad have been developed at J.League clubs and while 21 of them have moved abroad to play for some of the best teams in the world, five still suit up for domestic sides.Perhaps none of them bri…