Column – Page 14 – J.League Regista

Sayonara, 2020

A new year is here, but we can’t forget whoever made history for J. League and just retired: a perspective about goodbyes.

Hisato Sato retired after some rocky seasons, but his name will be forever remembered.

A close promotion race, a first title ever and some disappointments: these have been the awards for 2020 in the second division.

In the Silicon valley of Japan, the start-up built by Hasebe worked and Avispa are back in J1, against many odds.

A champion like never before, growing stars and some rebirths: these have been the awards for 2020 in the first division.

Kaoru Mitoma didn’t just enjoy a “good rookie year”: he rewrote the history books, just like his team. Now what?

Don’t let the ACL-run fool you: Vissel Kobe have a lot of work to do to actually reach the top of Japan, let alone Asia.

A surprising promotion, a dominating team and the growth of many players: these have been the awards for 2020 in the third division.

At this third year in J3, Kaito Taniguchi has developed again and proved to be a reliable player. Time for a promotion?

Blaublitz Akita had an otherworldly run of results, but the spell might go on in J2 as well thanks to some key-members of the organization.