In 2004, J. League introduced a series of two test matches called League Promotion/relegation Series between the sixteenth-place J. Division 1 (J1) club and third-place J.league Division 2 (J2) club. The winner of this game receives the third and final ticket to J1 in the following season, with the first two going to the first- and second-place J2 teams at the end of the season.
The 2007 edition of the J.League Cup, officially the 2007 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, sponsored by Nabisco began on March 21 with reigning champions JEF United seeking to claim their 3rd successive crown. This would equal the record set by Verdy Kawasaki when the competition began in 1992. The top 4 teams of each qualifying group automatically qualified for the quarterfinals with the best two remaining runners-up. Both Kawasaki Frontale and Urawa Red Diamonds were exempt from competing in the group stage, due to their entry into the Asian Champions League. They were therefore entered into the quarter-final stage which begins in the summer.
The 86th Emperor's Cup had been held between September 17, 2006, and January 1, 2007. The previous season's winners Urawa Red Diamonds defended the Cup and completed the league-cup double.
The 2008 edition of the J. League Cup, officially the 2008 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, sponsored by Nabisco began on March 20. The top team in each of the four qualifying group automatically qualified for the quarter-finals along with the best two remaining runners-up. Both Gamba Osaka and Kashima Antlers received a bye to the quarter-final stage due to their participation in the group stage of the Asian Champions League.
The Saitama City Cup is an International friendly football tournament held in Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It has been hosted by Urawa Red Diamonds annually since 2003 at Saitama Stadium 2002 until 2008 edition. 2009 event was also planned and announced but cancelled later due to 2009 flu pandemic. 2010 and 2011 edition were hosted by Omiya Ardija thus held at NACK5 Stadium Ōmiya. After absence in 2012, 2013 event will be hosted by Urawa again and Arsenal F.C. will be non-Japanese invitees, while previous edition in 2011 was competed by Omiya and Urawa, without non-Japanese invitees first time.
The 88th Emperor's Cup began on September 13, 2008 and ended on January 1, 2009 with the final which took place at National Stadium in Tokyo. As the champion, Gamba Osaka participated in 2009 AFC Champions League.
The 2009 J.League Cup, more widely known as the 2009 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, is the 34th edition of Japan soccer league cup tournament and the 17th edition under the current J.League Cup format. The championship started on March 25, 2009 and ended on November 3, with F.C. Tokyo defeating Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the Final. They qualified for the 2010 Suruga Bank Championship.
The J.League Cup 2003, officially the 2003 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, was the first edition of Japan soccer league cup tournament and the 11th edition under the current J.League Cup format. The competition started on March 8, and finished on November 3, 2003.
The 89th Emperor's Cup began on September 19, 2009 and ended on January 1, 2010 with the final at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Gamba Osaka won the title for the second consecutive season. Since Gamba already confirmed 2010 AFC Champions League berth, the last spot of ACL for J.League club is awarded to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, which finished as 4th place of 2009 J.League Division 1.
The 2010 J. League Cup, more widely known as the 2010 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, was the 35th edition of the most prestigious Japanese soccer league cup tournament and the 18th edition under the current J. League Cup format. It began on 31 March 2010 with the first matches of the group stage and ended on 3 November 2010 with the Final at National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo.
The 90th Emperor's Cup (第90回天皇杯) began on 4 September 2010 and ended on 1 January 2011 with the final at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Gamba Osaka were the two-time defending champions, having won two previous tournaments.
The 2011 J. League Cup, also known as the 2011 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup for sponsoring purposes, is the 36th edition of the most prestigious Japanese soccer league cup tournament and the 19th edition under the current J. League Cup format. It was scheduled to begin on 16 March 2011 with the first matches of the group stage; however, the competition was postponed due to the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Later the beginning of the tournament is set to 5 June, with reducing the number of matches.
Statistics of J. League Cup, officially the 2002 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, in the 2002 season.
The 91st Emperor's Cup (第91回天皇杯) was a regular edition of an annual Japanese national cup tournament. It started on 3 September 2011 and ended on 1 January 2012 with the final at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, won by FC Tokyo 4–2 against Kyoto Sanga.
The 92nd Emperor's Cup (第92回天皇杯全日本サッカー選手権大会) was a regular edition of an annual Japanese national cup tournament. It started on 1 September 2012 and ended on 1 January 2013 with the final at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, won by Kashiwa Reysol 1–0 against Gamba Osaka.
The 2013 J.League Cup, also known as the 2013 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup for sponsoring purposes, was the 38th edition of the most prestigious Japanese soccer league cup tournament and the 21st edition under the current J.League Cup format.
The 2014 J.League Cup, also known as the 2014 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup for sponsoring purposes, is the 39th edition of the most prestigious Japanese soccer league cup tournament and the 22nd edition under the current J.League Cup format.
The 2016 J.League Cup is the 41st edition of the most prestigious Japanese football league cup tournament and the 24th edition under the current J.League Cup format.
The 2018 AFC Champions League group stage was played from 12 February to 18 April 2018. A total of 32 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout stage of the 2018 AFC Champions League.
The 2021 J.League Cup, known as the 2021 J.League YBC Levain Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 29th edition of J.League Cup, a Japanese association football cup competition. It began on 2 March 2021 and ended on 30 October that year.
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