2022:More JFL clubs aim for J League division 3

The league is literally difficult to predict. In this league, there are more clubs with J League 100 Year Plan holder, aiming for J League division 3. Veertien MIE, FC Osaka, Suzuka Point Getters, Verspah Oita and Nara Club. They all lost at the last match of the 2021 season and missed the ticket to the division 3.


The newly-promoted club, Criacao Shinjuku are also one of the J League 100 Year Plan holders. Former Fagiano men, Ueda and Okamoto play for this club.


Honda FC, owned by Honda Motor Co, failed to finish as the championship of JFL in 2021. As of now, this powerful club have no intention to aim for J league however the club can also be one of the title favorites.


Kochi United and FC Kagura Shimane(Former Matsue city FC) target to compete for the top four of the league. They aim for the promotion to the division 3 in the near future.

Match Preview 2nd Sec : VS Tokushima Vortis at Pocarisweat Stadium on May 31

Last year, Tokushima made a great showing in the division 1 but the club were delegated, ending up in the 19th place due to the Covid-19 delegation rule (Four Bottom clubs delegation).


Two former Fagiano players, Shirai and Abe play for the club. They know well about Okayama and can be the ones to watch out for. This is PRIDE OF CHUSHIKOKU Derby so that the match is expected to be heated.

Match Review 1st Sec : VS Ventforet Kofu at City Light Stadium on February 20

Okayama 4 Ventforet Kofu 1

The total attendance:6,554


 

This is the opening match of 2022 season therefore the starting line-up was fresh. Two rookie players, Tanaka and Motoyama started the game. Australian international, Mitchell Duke was on the reserve list.

After the kickoff, Okayama aggressively kept pushing forward. In the 6th minute, Motoyama almost opened the score with his volley. In the 15th minute, TIAGO ALVES's long-distanced strike was off target. Three minutes later, the home club got a free kick, but they were not able to grasp the chance. In the 35th minute, Okayama conceded an opening goal. Right after that, Kawamoto equalized the game with his superb header. In the 42nd minute, Tanaka added a second.


Seven minutes after the break, TIAGO ALVES smash the net with an amazing long-distanced goal. Four minutes later, he clinched the game with his second for the day. In the 62nd minute, Kawamoto was replaced by Mitchell Duke. Afterwards, Kiyama's men tried to control the game. The newly appointed head coach sent Sano and Kimura onto the pitch. It was debut for high school graduate, Sano. As a result, Okayama defeated the former division 1 club.

2022:Four clubs in Chushikoku region

This year, there will be four clubs in Chushikoku region. For the delegated club, Ehime, the promotion for the division 2 is a must. Former Fagiano attacker, Ehime's attacker, Fujimoto left the club, However, Ehime still try to reach their target.


Kamatamare Sanuki try to compete for the promotion race. The club signed with some talents even through some veteran players took off their shoes. They are expected to be the dark horse of the league.


Gainare Tottori ended up in the 12th place of 15. For the upcoming season, the outfit made a deal with former  Fagiano side back, Masutani. He is expected to enhance the club's defense.


The 11th placed in 2021, Imabari FC signed with some talents as of now. Former Fagiano side back, Shimoguchi is one of these. The young defender is expected to improve himself there.

Match Preview 1st Sec : VS Ventforet Kofu at City Light Stadium on February 20

This is the opening match of 2022 season. This year, the match schedule will be tight due to World Cup held in Qatar this fall so that the season will be so tough.


Kofu finished in the 3rd place and couldn't get the ticket to the division 1. This year, they target to get back to the top league with their new head coach, Yoshida.

The club's transfer information #10 / 2021

Korean ace striker, LEE Yong-Jae departs for Incheon United in Korea. This forward made a great contribution to enhance the club's attacking while he played for the club for four years.


The loan deal with centre back, Abe won't be extended. In the middle of 2021 season, he joinded the club,  since then, he appeared at 24 matches as the first choice.


Carlos DUKE plays for Nagano Parceiro on a loan deal. In 2021, he played for Machida Zelvia on a loan deal.  This year, he is expected to improve himself in Nagano.

The club's transfer information #9 / 2021

An experienced playmaker, Shirai made a deal with Tokushima Vortis in the division 2. He has 38 appearances in 2021 and worked as the first choice.

The club signed with centre back, Yanagi from Tochigi SC. He has 42 appearances with eight goals in Tochigi in 2021. He is expected to enhance the club's defense as well as his offensive strength.  

Young forward, SHIRAI Haruto joins the club from the division 1 club, Gamba Osaka. This youngster is expected to enhance the club's offensive strength.

The club's transfer information #8 / 2021

Defender, Shimoguchi plays for FC Imabari on a loan. He had nine appearances with one goal last year.  He is expected to improve a lot in the division 3 club.


Forward, Noguchi is back in Okayama from Reinmeer Aomori in Japan Football League. He played for Aomori on a loan with one goal in 14 appearances last year.


Forward, Matsuki is also back in Okayama from Suzuka Point Getters in Japan Football League. He played for Suzuka on a loan with four goals in 15 appearances.

The club's transfer information #7 / 2021

The club signed with an experienced mid-field player, Kawai from Shimizu S-Pulse. Last year, he has 24 appearances in the division 1. He is expected to take the control of the game as a playmaker.


Attacker, Ishige left for Gamba Osaka in the division 1. He joined the club in the summber of 2021 and dramatically improved the club's offensive strength with six goals in 14 appearances.


The club made a deal with Dutch centre back, Jordy BUIJS from Kyoto Sanga. Last year, he made 41 appearances with five goals and made a great contribution for Kyoto's promotion to the division 1.

The club's transfer information #6 / 2021

An experienced side back, Masutani departs for Gainare Tottori in the division 3. In 2021, he stayed sidelined throughout the year due to his injury.


Korean goal keeper, LEE Kyung-Tae leaves for his country. In 2021, he played for J League division 1 champion, Kawasaki Frontale on a loan.


The club signed with a young defender, Sugiyama from Tokyo United in Kanto regional league. He is expected to improve the club's defense more.

The club's transfer information #5 / 2021

Brazilian playmaker, Paulinho leaves for his former club, Matsumoto Yamaga. He had 30 appearances in 2021. His leadership helped a lot to encourage his teammates.

The club made a deal with Brazilian forward, TIAGO Alves from the division 1 club, Gamba Osaka. In 2021, he scored two goals in 17 appearances.  


The outfit also agreed with Korean attacker, Han Euigwon from Seoul E-Land FC, in Korean Football League division 2. He has played for an international duty, U-20, U-22, U-23.