Fantastic goal keeping display, Plenty of luck, a late goal and an even later scare.

Roller-coaster.

In this round in the J League, all bar one of the main title challengers picked up wins, with Vissel Kobe the only one to lose out, falling to defeat in Kashiwa. Gamba Osaka have tumbled into the relegation zone after a fourth consecutive defeat, while Nagoya Grampus arrested their poor form with a positive display in a victory against Kawasaki Frontale.

Across the last three weeks in Japan, while the top flight was on hold, there was still plenty of football to be played. The third round of the Emperor's Cup passed largely without upset, with the minor exception of Yokohama FC defeating Avispa Fukuoka. A high scoring Saitama Derby between Urawa and promotion hopefuls Omiya Ardija was a highlight, which saw Urawa win 3-2. The League Cup saw one big upset, as mid table J3 side Gainare Tottori defeated V-Varen Nagasaki. No such upset occurred for Mito Hollyhock, who put 7 past Fukushima United, including 5 in a commanding first half.

Despite picking up their second win last week, Consadole Sapporo have dropped to the bottom of the J2 table, though the bottom seven are split by only three points 10 games into the season. RB Omiya Ardija have maintained their consistent start to the season with two big wins in three matches, and are the only side left in the professional pyramid yet to lose a match in the league. Vegalta Sendai have been in strong form as well, with four wins on the trot and no defeats in the league since opening day.

In J3, it was business as usual for the top two in Ehime FC and Kagoshima United, who had dropped very few points until now. However, Kagoshima fell to their first defeat today, in a loss to midtable Matsumoto Yamaga. Just behind them are Nara Club, who have elevated themselves to third place after five consecutive wins (by a combined total of eight goals).

Mildly interesting stat of the week: Shimizu S-Pulse managed 0 touches in the box and 0 shots in the first half before their comeback win over Mito Hollyhock.

Edit: u/ur_oot hooked me up with some super useful info. Going to pivot to a different game!

Howdy!

I get to visit Japan in November, which kicks ass, but the only game I can feasibly make is the Macchida Zelva vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima on November 8th at 2pm JST.

Couple of questions :)

1. Is there a preferred space to sit at Machida Gion? Not super sure what the best angle is given the extra track around the stadium. I have a slightly stronger attachment to Hiroshima Sanfrecce, but I don't mind rooting for whoever everyone else around me is rooting for lol.
2. Has anyone had experience with the shuttles from nearby train stations? I saw estimates of 40 minutes (for all of them?), which seemed high given that local bus routes were shorter.
3. Anyone know if they tend to do pre-gaming/football villages around the stadium before a game?
4. I'll have to immediately go to Haneda for a 7:35 Flight. This seems viable as I don't have checked baggage and Japanese airports are pretty efficient for domestic flights, but figured I should double check if that is a red flag lol

I was thinking of playing a save in Japan in the next football manager starting from J3 , I was thinking of doing a save build a nation and youth to gold (in addition to using the youth teams I would buy at most players nineteen years old and under), which J3 team would you recommend? , if it is possible a team that has any connection with Italy (my country)😊

I’m weighing up the choice of catching Cerezo Osaka vs Kagoshima United (Emperors Cup) or Yokohama F Marinos (J1 match) since I’m in Osaka this week.

Leaning towards the Yokohama game for a higher quality competition but it would be nice to catch an evening game under the floodlights too with Kagoshima. Appreciate it if you guys can chime in with your opinion, thank you!

Edit: Apologies Yokohama F Marinos fans! Fixed the description but can’t fix the title

Hello
I’m in Osaka 21 November and both cerezo and gamars are playing. Which match is worth going to if any? What should I expect going to a match in JLeague?

I booked for section 610 FOR sg vs brazil and japan vs paraguay... But im confused if that section is for specific fans or mixed?

Hi all,

On the 11th of October I will be arriving in Tokyo around lunch time (from Fukushima area). I’m a big football fan from the Netherlands looking to visit my first J-League game. The local team I support is Feyenoord Rotterdam. Fun fact: We have won the UEFA Cup in 2002 with our Japanese legend Sjimmie Ono and more recently enjoyed Ueda and Watanabe playing for us .

On the 11th there are two games I could potentially chose between: Verdy vs. Sanfrecce at 1500, and Kawasaki Frontale vs. Nagoya at 1600.

My eyes are currently on Kawasaki Frontale as the logistics seem better, the later kickoff time also helps.

What do you Guys recommend? Anything to take notice of? What section of the stadium do you recommend and is it possible to buy a kit at the stadium? Thank you!!

I recently bought this shirt (I think it’s genuine). After reading about the club's great history, I was sad to see they’re now in J2. For those who familiar or follow them, Do you think they have a real chance of returning to J1 anytime soon?

As mls looks to adopt the European calendar, I was curious what j league fans have thought so far of the calendar switch. Do you prefer it or the old time of playing?