Read the J.League latest news articles
- Samurai Blue
Japan’s Asian Cup run comes to an end with loss to Iran
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…Sun, 4 Feb 2024 · 01:50 · 2 MIN READ - J1 LEAGUE
2024 J.League season preview: Sagan Tosu aim to return to top half
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…Sun, 4 Feb 2024 · 01:22 · 3 MIN READ - J1 LEAGUE
2024 J.League season preview: Shonan Bellmare aim for successful rebuild
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…Sat, 3 Feb 2024 · 02:28 · 2 MIN READ - J.LEAGUE News
Cerezo Osaka and BG Pathum United thrill in Thai Life Insurance J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE 2023/24 powered by MEIJI YASUDA
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…Sat, 3 Feb 2024 · 02:04 · 2 MIN READ - J1 LEAGUE
2024 J.League season preview: Gamba Osaka hoping for a return to form
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…Fri, 2 Feb 2024 · 04:42 · 3 MIN READ - J.LEAGUE News
Cerezo Osaka take on BG Pathum United in Thai Life Insurance J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE 2023/24 powered by MEIJI YASUDA
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…Fri, 2 Feb 2024 · 04:35 · 2 MIN READ - J1 LEAGUE
2024 J.League season preview: Kashiwa Reysol looking to make a leap
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…Thu, 1 Feb 2024 · 03:18 · 2 MIN READ - Samurai Blue
Japan fly into Asian Cup quarter-finals with 3-1 win over Bahrain
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…Thu, 1 Feb 2024 · 02:25 · 2 MIN READ - J1 LEAGUE
Supachok and Thailand enjoy another successful Asian Cup despite hard-fought Round of 16 loss
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 …Wed, 31 Jan 2024 · 04:10 · 2 MIN READ - J1 LEAGUE
2024 J.League season preview: A Tokyo Verdy return to J1 15 years in the making
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…Wed, 31 Jan 2024 · 01:21 · 3 MIN READ - J1 LEAGUE
2024 J.League season preview: Júbilo Iwata aiming to stay in J1
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…Tue, 30 Jan 2024 · 02:34 · 2 MIN READ - J1 LEAGUE
2024 J.League season preview: FC Machida Zelvia ready to fight in J1 debut
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…Mon, 29 Jan 2024 · 02:19 · 2 MIN READ - Samurai Blue
Japan beat Indonesia, qualify for AFC Asian Cup knockout stages
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…Thu, 25 Jan 2024 · 01:53 · 2 MIN READ - J1 LEAGUE
J.League match schedule released ahead of massive 2024 season
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…Tue, 23 Jan 2024 · 12:32 · 1 MIN READ - Samurai Blue
Japan fall to Iraq, look to bounce back at AFC Asian Cup
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…Sat, 20 Jan 2024 · 03:15 · 2 MIN READ - Samurai Blue
Minamino brace leads Japan to Asian Cup opening win over Vietnam
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…Mon, 15 Jan 2024 · 01:32 · 3 MIN READ - Samurai Blue
Samurai Blue Asian Cup spotlight: Mao Hosoya
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…Thu, 11 Jan 2024 · 10:02 · 2 MIN READ - Samurai Blue
Samurai Blue Asian Cup spotlight: Seiya Maikuma
Japan are heading to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in search of a record fifth continental crown and, as always, they’re doing it with a team of J.Leaguers past and present. All 26 players began their professional careers is the domestic league, with five of them still plying their trade for Japanese clubs.One of them is Seiya Maikuma, the Cerezo Osaka man who has…Thu, 11 Jan 2024 · 09:57 · 2 MIN READ - Samurai Blue
Samurai Blue Asian Cup spotlight: Kaishu Sano
The J.League is the developmental hub of Japanese football, as one look at the Samurai Blue’s AFC Asian Cup squad makes clear. All 26 players began their professional careers in the domestic league and five still play their club ball on home soil.One of them, who will slot right into the midfield, is Kashima Antlers’ 23-year-old star Kaishu Sano.Sano has be…Thu, 11 Jan 2024 · 09:53 · 2 MIN READ - Samurai Blue
Samurai Blue Asian Cup spotlight: Taishi Brandon Nozawa
Japan is taking a team of J.League products to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, with five players still starring in the domestic league.Arguably the most unique story of the five, and of Japan’s entire team, is Taishi Brandon Nozawa.Nozawa enters the Asian Cup as Japan’s lone player to have never been capped by his country. The FC Tokyo man is an extraordinarily pro…Thu, 11 Jan 2024 · 09:50 · 2 MIN READ