2018 season in Chugoku Regional League is worthy of remark

In 2018, it is expected that there will be fierce competition among powerful clubs aiming for Japan Football League and J League in the future.


One of the champion hopefuls is Matsue City FC. They finished in the 2nd position last year and disappointedly missed the chance to promote to the upper league.


Another club in Shimane prefecture, Dezzolla Shimane struggled in the mid group of the league for the last two seasons. The club are expected to compete with the above rival this upcoming season.


Former JFL club, Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima FC is the one to watch out. Last year, Mizushima won the championship of the league. They can be one of the champion hopefuls this year as well. 

2018 Season Preview

2018 season is coming soon. It is obvious that the division 2 has a lot to offer. It is predicted that 22 clubs in the league can be divided into 5 groups as below.


Group A: Both clubs are obviously champion hopefuls. 
1. Albirex Niigata
2. Omiya Ardija

Group B: This club has potential to finish within top two.
3. Matsumoto Yamaga FC
4. Ventforet Kofu

Group C: Among these clubs, there will be competitive contests for the playoffs.
5. Fagiano Okayama
6. Tokushima Vortis
7. Avispa Fukuoka
8. JEF United Chiba
9. Yokohama FC
10. Oita Trinita
11. Tokyo Verdy

Group D: These clubs may have some chances to climb the league table, while they may hover near the bottom.
12. Montedio Yamagata
13. Kyoto Sanga FC
14. Ehime FC
15. Mito Hollyhock
16. FC Machida Zelvia
17. Renofa Yamaguchi FC

Group E: Their priority is to avoid the demotion.
18. Tochigi SC
19. Kamatamare Sanuki
20. Roasso Kumamoto
21. FC Gifu　   
22. Zweigen Kanazawa

Start-up for 2018 season

This month, the club held a press conference for the upcoming season. Needless to say, the club's goal is to promote to the upper league. The head coach, Nagasawa believes that the club's strength is more powerful than the last year to reach the goal.


This is the tenth year in the division 2 since the club were qualified as J league club. The club had their emblem renew. The red-uniformed club were highly expected to have a successfull year in 2018.


After the last season, the club have successfully acquired several talented players to reinforce their strengths ever though some main forces left the club.

The club's transfer information #7 / 2017

An experienced playmaker, Ueda is back from the division 1 club, Jubilo Iwata. He had 13 appearances in 2017 with one goal. In 2014, he played for Okayama on a loan. 


The club acquired Korean striker, Lee Yong-Jae from Kyoto Sanga. In 2017, he has scored four goals with 30 appearances. He has played as Korean international before.


A defender, Masuda joins the team from the division 1 club, Albirex Niigata. Last year, he played for Machida Zelvia on a loan. He is expected to enhance the club's defensive strength.


The club made a deal with another defender, Mukuhara. He is the product of FC Tokyo. In 2017, he played for Sanfrecce Hiroshima on a loan from Cerezo Osaka.

The club's transfer information #6 / 2017

Argentine attacker, Orsini leaves the club. After he came to Okayama in mid 2017 season, he obviously enhanced the attacking strength.



The club made an agreement with an experienced forward, Saito from the division 1 club, Jubilo Iwata. He is expected to play as a chance-taker.



Okayama acquired Korean defender, CHOI Jung Won. He is fresh out of university. He is expected to enhance the club's defensive strength. 



One of the first choice defenders decided to leave Okayama for the division 2 club, Avispa Fukuoka. This season, he constantly appeared as a main force.

The club's transfer information #5 / 2017

An experienced defender, Goto comes back to Okayama from Matsumoto Yamaga FC for the first time in for years. In 2016, he has 20 appearances.


The club made an agreement with a defender, Hamada from Avispa Fukuoka. He is expected to improve the team's defensive strength dramatically.
 

Okayama made a deal with another Fukuoka midfield player, Sueyoshi. He is well-experienced in the division 1 as well as the division 2. He seems to make the team more competitive.


An attacker, Nakama joins Oakayama from Kamatamare Sanuki. In 2017, he has appeared at 39 matches with two goals. 

The club's transfer information #4 / 2017

The club won't reach a deal with a young attacker, Toyokawa. He had played on a loan from Kashima Antlers as a red-uniformed man for two years.


One of the main forces, Katayama made an agreement with the third club of the division 1, Cerezo Osaka. He is going to play in Asian Champions League as well next year.


Korean attacker, PARK Hyong-Jin leaves Okayama. This year, he appeared at 33 matches and created lots of chances for his team.


Another Korean defender, JANG Suk-Won won't play as a red-uniformed man. He was expected to cover up　for Iwamasa, but he only appeared at two matches.


The club didn't keep Korean forward, KIM Jong Min for the next year. He was not able to show a good performance as expected.

The club's transfer information #3 / 2017

The club made an agreement with Tomoya FUKUMOTO from Ichiritsu Funabashi high school. He is 180cm tall forward. He is expected to play as a target man.


The product of the club's academy, a young goal keeper, Kiwada decided to take off shoes. This year, he played on a loan for JFL club, Vanraure Hachinohe. This season, he had no appearance in the league.


Okayama made a deal with an experienced goal keeper, Kanayama from Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the division 1. He appeared at two matches of the campaign this season.


A young goal keeper, Kushibiki announced that he would leave Okayama. He appeared at six matches in 2017.


A young attacker, Ishige would also leave the club. He has scored two goals with 31 appearances this season. He played in Okayama only for one year.