RSS
ATOM
Derbies, rivalries, and revitalisation as J-League season opener for 2012 revealed
Japan's opening day of top-flight football will feature several derbies, reunions, and other intriguing match-ups to start the season off on a high note
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
Jan 13, 2012 4:45:00 AM
By Dan Orlowitz
Cesare Polenghi
The J-League appears set to begin another dramatic season in March after Sponichi announced the opening day's fixtures on Thursday.
Japan's top competition will kick off on March 10, nearly a year after the devestating earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and brought the nation to a standstill. Matches featuring teams with mid-week Asian Champions League fixtures are expected to take place on March 11, the anniversary of the disaster.
In a highly-anticipated card, Former manager Mihailo Petrovic and star defender Tomoaki Makino will return to their former home when Urawa Reds travel to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
In their first top-flight match since 2008, Consadole Sapporo will host Jubilo Iwata in a match featuring the present and former clubs of national team veteran Masashi 'Gon' Nakayama. The 44-year-old is staying fit in the off-season by playing professional futsal.
In a match between two teams deeply affected by the disasters, Kashima Antlers will travel to Vegalta Sendai. Both teams' stadiums sustained considerable damage after the earthquake, but Vegalta encouraged the region with an admirable fourth-place finish while Antlers won the J-League Cup.
At Todoroki Stadium, strugglers Kawasaki Frontale and Albirex Niigata will meet. Albirex won their first-ever J1 match at Todoroki last season and will be looking to start a new streak.
In the western region of Kyushu, Sagan Tosu will play their first-ever J1 match against Cerezo Osaka at Tosu Stadium. Sagan are the last of the original ten founders of J2 to have earned promotion.
J2 and Emperor's Cup champions FC Tokyo will travel to Omiya Ardija, hoping to make a good start to the season under new manager Ranko Popovic after facing Brisbane Roar on the road in ACL play.
In two face-offs between regional rivals, Gamba Osaka will welcome Vissel Kobe in the Hanshin Derby, while Nagoya Grampus host Shimizu S-Pulse in the Tokai Derby.
Last but not least, reigning champions Kashiwa Reysol will kick off their title defence against Yokohama F. Marinos. The match will be the first at Kashiwa Stadium since the completion of renovations meant to expand capacity and upgrade facilities.
Additionally, Kashiwa Reysol and FC Tokyo will contest the Japan Super Cup on March 3 at Tokyo's National Olympic Stadium, while the second division kicks off the next day.
After the J-League board of directors meets on January 17 to confirm the full schedule, an official announcement is expected in early February.
Japan's top competition will kick off on March 10, nearly a year after the devestating earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and brought the nation to a standstill. Matches featuring teams with mid-week Asian Champions League fixtures are expected to take place on March 11, the anniversary of the disaster.
In a highly-anticipated card, Former manager Mihailo Petrovic and star defender Tomoaki Makino will return to their former home when Urawa Reds travel to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
In their first top-flight match since 2008, Consadole Sapporo will host Jubilo Iwata in a match featuring the present and former clubs of national team veteran Masashi 'Gon' Nakayama. The 44-year-old is staying fit in the off-season by playing professional futsal.
In a match between two teams deeply affected by the disasters, Kashima Antlers will travel to Vegalta Sendai. Both teams' stadiums sustained considerable damage after the earthquake, but Vegalta encouraged the region with an admirable fourth-place finish while Antlers won the J-League Cup.
At Todoroki Stadium, strugglers Kawasaki Frontale and Albirex Niigata will meet. Albirex won their first-ever J1 match at Todoroki last season and will be looking to start a new streak.
In the western region of Kyushu, Sagan Tosu will play their first-ever J1 match against Cerezo Osaka at Tosu Stadium. Sagan are the last of the original ten founders of J2 to have earned promotion.
J2 and Emperor's Cup champions FC Tokyo will travel to Omiya Ardija, hoping to make a good start to the season under new manager Ranko Popovic after facing Brisbane Roar on the road in ACL play.
In two face-offs between regional rivals, Gamba Osaka will welcome Vissel Kobe in the Hanshin Derby, while Nagoya Grampus host Shimizu S-Pulse in the Tokai Derby.
Last but not least, reigning champions Kashiwa Reysol will kick off their title defence against Yokohama F. Marinos. The match will be the first at Kashiwa Stadium since the completion of renovations meant to expand capacity and upgrade facilities.
Additionally, Kashiwa Reysol and FC Tokyo will contest the Japan Super Cup on March 3 at Tokyo's National Olympic Stadium, while the second division kicks off the next day.
After the J-League board of directors meets on January 17 to confirm the full schedule, an official announcement is expected in early February.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
2 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Champions League Team of the last-16 first leg
Goal.com picks the best in show from the first leg of the round of 16 fixtures in Europe's most prestigious club competition
-
Ranieri must banish Sneijder & Zarate to the bench
The under-fire Nerazzurri boss appears to have lost the courage of his convictions if his team selection for his side's latest defeat is anything to go by
-
Rafinha not good enough, and neither is Dante
The right-back was exposed against Basel on Wednesday, and his alarming inadequacy should send a clear signal to Uli Hoeness that the Gladbach man is a similarly risky investment
-
Champions League Player Ratings: Basel 1-0 Bayern
Goal.com assesses the individuals on show as the Swiss champions shocked the Bavarian giants at St. Jakob-Park
-
Champions League Player Ratings: Marseille 1-0 Inter
Goal.com evaluates the performances of those involved in the last 16 clash at the Stade Velodrome, a game decided by Andre Ayew's last-gasp goal
Advertisement
Advertisement
