The Europe Syndrome
We often talk about the players who are about to leave, but not the ones who are coming back to the J.League after a European stint: a special XI here.
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There’s no “Us” in “AFC”
The ACL Elite Finals venues and format, the Hiroshima conundrum, the future: Japan must step up their game, not just on the pitch.
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Big as an Island
Kei Chinen used to be the third or fourth option upfront – now he’s become a key midfielder for Kashima Antlers.
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Lost in Relegation
From disappointment to tragedy, the boundary is very thin: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo are realising this very quickly.
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The Goalie Whisperer
The renaissance of Gonda, the growth of Takaoka, the consecration of Park: Gilberto Vallesi is the man behind the keepers’ success at Sagan Tosu.
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Six Degrees of Revolution
The 2025 J1 League will see six coaches changing completely their environment – it’s gonna be a massive sports experiment.
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Villain for Life
Grit and grind on the pitch, a true scorer, a warrior: Yohei Toyoda has been all those things.
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The Engine-er
Toshihiro Aoyama turned the impossible into normality – from Okayama to being a MVP in the J.League.
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Flying Pheasants
Fagiano Okayama weren’t even on the map of Japanese football 20 years ago – now they’ll play in J1 for the first time.
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History in 90 Minutes
After 11 seasons, J3 League are getting their own play-offs… which is a good reminder: how did this start in J2?
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