2012 in Japanese football

Last updated
2012 season
  2011
2013  

Japanese football in 2012

Domestic leagues

Promotion and relegation

Teams relegated from J.League Division 1

Teams promoted to J.League Division 1

Teams relegated from J.League Division 2

No relegation to the Japan Football League

Teams promoted to J.League Division 2

J.League Division 1

Sanfrecce Hiroshima won the J. League title, their first in 42 years and first in the J. League era, marking their sixth time overall atop the Japanese football league system. Vegalta Sendai, which led the table riding on the wave of their fourth-place finish the previous year, ended up in second place after Albirex Niigata defeated them in the round before last. Urawa Red Diamonds was able to pass four other teams, including newly promoted Sagan Tosu, who surprisingly was in third place in the penultimate round.

Contents

Consadole Sapporo was relegated on September 30, the earliest a team has been relegated in the modern-day era. Niigata's victory enabled them to climb to safety while Vissel Kobe was relegated after six seasons. Gamba Osaka, despite scoring more goals than anyone else, had a poor defense and allowed many goals in, causing them to be relegated after 26 seasons in the top division.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (C)3419786334+2964Qualification to 2012 Club World Cup and 2013 Champions League
2 Vegalta Sendai 34151275943+1657Qualification to 2013 Champions League [lower-alpha 1]
3 Urawa Red Diamonds 34151094742+555
4 Yokohama F. Marinos 34131474433+1153
5 Sagan Tosu 34158114839+953
6 Kashiwa Reysol 34157125752+552Qualification to 2013 Champions League [lower-alpha 1]
7 Nagoya Grampus 34157124647152
8 Kawasaki Frontale 34148125150+150
9 Shimizu S-Pulse 34147133940149
10 FC Tokyo 34146144744+348
11 Kashima Antlers 341210125043+746
12 Júbilo Iwata 34137145753+446
13 Omiya Ardija 341111123845744
14 Cerezo Osaka 34119144753642
15 Albirex Niigata 341010142934540
16 Vissel Kobe (R)34116174150939Relegation to 2013 J.League Division 2
17 Gamba Osaka (R)34911146765+238
18 Consadole Sapporo (R)34422825886314
Updated to match(es) played on 1 December 2012. Source: J.League Division 1
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 The winners of the 2012 Emperor's Cup qualified for the group stage of the 2013 AFC Champions League.

J.League Division 2

Ventforet Kofu returned to the top flight at the first attempt, but this time they did so as champions. Shonan Bellmare returned to the top division as well, after two seasons. Oita Trinita, despite overwhelming odds due to its position and the playoff rules which favored the three higher-ranked teams, won the playoff and returned to the top flight after three seasons.

Newly promoted Machida Zelvia, despite hiring Osvaldo Ardiles as their manager, could not cope with professionalism and finished in bottom place, being relegated as V-Varen Nagasaki won the JFL championship.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or relegation
1 Ventforet Kofu (C, P)42241446335+2886Promotion to 2013 J.League Division 1
2 Shonan Bellmare (P)42201576643+2375
3 Kyoto Sanga 42235146145+1674Qualification for promotion playoffs
4 Yokohama FC 42227136245+1773
5 JEF United Chiba 42219126133+2872
6 Oita Trinita (O, P)42218135940+1971
7 Tokyo Verdy 42206166546+1966
8 Fagiano Okayama 421714114134+765
9 Giravanz Kitakyushu 42197165347+664
10 Montedio Yamagata 421613135149+261
11 Tochigi SC 42179165049+160
12 Matsumoto Yamaga 421514134643+359
13 Mito HollyHock 421511164749256
14 Roasso Kumamoto 421510174048855
15 Tokushima Vortis 421312174549451
16 Ehime FC 421214164746+150
17 Thespa Kusatsu 4212111931451447
18 Avispa Fukuoka 429141953681541
19 Kataller Toyama 429112238592138
20 Gainare Tottori 421152633784538
21 FC Gifu 427142127552835
22 Machida Zelvia (R)427112434673332Relegation to 2013 Japan Football League [lower-alpha 1]
Updated to match(es) played on 11 November 2012. Source: J.League Division 2
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd goal differential; 3rd goals scored; 4th head-to-head results; 5th disciplinary points; 6th draw. If two clubs are tied for first place, both clubs will be declared champions.
(C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. The promotion and relegation between J2 and JFL will take place only if more than one promotion-eligible (i.e. having a J.League Associate Membership) JFL team finished above second place and playoff will be played only if a eligible JFL team finished in second place(See the corresponding section for further details). As only 2012 Japan Football League Champion V-Varen Nagasaki has the Associate Membership among the top 2 teams. Machida Zelvia was relegated immediately but no relegation/playoff was taken place for FC Gifu which finished 21st.

Japan Football League

Although Arte Takasaki withdrew from the league due to economic problems, the JFL decided to go with a 17-team format. V-Varen Nagasaki won the tournament, joining the professional ranks automatically.

Sagawa Shiga withdrew after the league following parent company Sagawa Express's decision to close the team, leaving Tochigi Uva to playout against the Regional League promotion series third place.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or relegation
1 V-Varen Nagasaki [lower-alpha 1] (C, P)3220755724+3367Promotion to 2013 J.League Division 2
2 Nagano Parceiro 3217785734+2358
3 Sagawa Shiga (R)3216976137+2457Withdrawn [lower-alpha 2]
4 Kamatamare Sanuki 3215894929+2053
5 Honda FC 32165115539+1653
6 YSCC Yokohama 32154135850+849
7 SP Kyoto 32129114343045
8 MIO Biwako Shiga 321110115352+143
9 FC Ryukyu 32127135862443
10 Yokogawa Musashino 321181335501541
11 Fujieda MYFC 32117143948940
12 Sony Sendai 32912112729239
13 Blaublitz Akita 32910133341837
14 Zweigen Kanazawa 32812123341836
15 Hoyo Oita 32981540571735
16 Honda Lock 32771828562828
17 Tochigi Uva 324101836703422Qualification for pro/rel playoffs
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2012. Source: Japan Football League
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd goal differential; 3rd goals scored; 4th head-to-head results; 5th disciplinary points; 6th draw.
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. V-Varen Nagasaki topped the table at the end of the 17th round and thus were awarded JFL seed for 2012 Emperor's Cup. [1]
  2. On 21 October Sagawa Express Co., the owner and operator of Sagawa Shiga FC, have announced that after the season the club will withdraw from JFL and cease its operations. [2]

Japanese Regional Leagues

Kantō champions SC Sagamihara and Tōhoku champions Fukushima United won first and second place in the Regional League promotion series, thus being promoted automatically, while Hokkaidō champions Norbritz Hokkaido battled in the playout against Tochigi Uva but lost.

Domestic cups

Emperor's Cup

Gamba Osaka 0–1 Kashiwa Reysol
Watanabe Soccerball shade.svg35'

J. League Cup

Shimizu S-Pulse 1–2 (a.e.t.) Kashima Antlers
Omae Soccerball shade.svg77' (pen.) Report Shibasaki Soccerball shade.svg73' (pen.), 93'

Japanese Super Cup

Kashiwa Reysol 2–1 FC Tokyo
Wagner Soccerball shade.svg27'
Leandro Soccerball shade.svg45' (pen.)
Report Soccerball shade.svg64' Aria
National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
Attendance: 35,453 [3]
Referee: Flag of Japan.svg Yuichi Nishimura

International club competitions

Suruga Bank Championship

FIFA Club World Cup

Will take place between 6 and 16 December 2012. Since the tournament is hosted in Japan the winners of the J. League will be invited to take part. If the AFC Champions League winner is from Japan, then the highest placed non-Japanese team of the AFC Champions League will be invited in place of the J. League winner.

National team (Men)

Results

23 February 2012 International Friendly (2012 Kirin Cup) Japan  Flag of Japan.svg3–1Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland Flag of Japan.svg Osaka, Japan
19:20 JST (UTC+9) Maeda Soccerball shade.svg2'
Fujimoto Soccerball shade.svg53'
Makino Soccerball shade.svg79'
[ JFA]
Summary
Smárason Soccerball shade.svg90+3' (pen.)Stadium: Nagai Stadium
Attendance: 42,579
Referee: Chris Beath (Australia)
29 February 2012 2014 World Cup Qualifier Japan  Flag of Japan.svg0–1Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan Flag of Japan.svg Aichi, Japan
19:30 JST (UTC+9) Report
Summary
Shadrin Soccerball shade.svg54'Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 42,720
Referee: Abdullah Balideh (Qatar)
23 May 2012 International Friendly
(2012 Kirin Cup)
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg2–0Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan Flag of Japan.svg Fukuroi, Japan
19:15 JST (UTC+9) Kagawa Soccerball shade.svg43'
Nabiyev Soccerball shade.svg58' (o.g.)
[ JFA]
Summary
Stadium: Shizuoka Stadium
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Malik Abdul Bashir (Singapore)
3 June 2012 2014 World Cup Qualifier Japan  Flag of Japan.svg3–0Flag of Oman.svg  Oman Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan
19:30 JST (UTC+9) Honda Soccerball shade.svg11'
Maeda Soccerball shade.svg51'
Okazaki Soccerball shade.svg54'
JFA Report Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Attendance: 63,551
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
8 June 2012 2014 World Cup Qualifier Japan  Flag of Japan.svg6–0Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan
19:30 JST (UTC+9) Maeda Soccerball shade.svg19'
Honda Soccerball shade.svg22', 31', 54' (pen.)
Kagawa Soccerball shade.svg34'
Kurihara Soccerball shade.svg90'
Report Deeb Yellow card.svg 25' Yellow-red card.svg 27'Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Attendance: 60,874
Referee: Kim Dong Jin (Korea Republic)
12 June 2012 2014 World Cup Qualifier Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg1–1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brisbane, Australia
19:00 JST (UTC+9) Milligan Yellow card.svg 25' Yellow-red card.svg 55'
Wilkshire Soccerball shade.svg69 pen'
Report Kurihara Soccerball shade.svg64'
Kurihara Yellow card.svg 23' Yellow-red card.svg 89'
Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 40,189
Referee: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
15 August 2012 International Friendly (2012 Kirin Cup) Japan  Flag of Japan.svg1–1Flag of Venezuela (state).svg  Venezuela Flag of Japan.svg Hokkaidō, Japan
19:30 JST (UTC+9) Endō Soccerball shade.svg15' Summary Miku Soccerball shade.svg62'Stadium: Sapporo Dome
Attendance: 39,396
Referee: Min-Hu Lee (Korea Republic)
7 September 2012 International Friendly (2012 Kirin Cup) Japan  Flag of Japan.svg1–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates Flag of Japan.svg Niigata, Japan
19:20 JST (UTC+9) Havenaar Soccerball shade.svg69' Summary Stadium: Tohoku Denryoku Big Swan Stadium
Attendance: 42,020
Referee: Mingyu Ma (China PR)
11 September 2012 2014 World Cup Qualifier Japan  Flag of Japan.svg1–0Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan
19:34 JST (UTC+9) Maeda Soccerball shade.svg25' Report Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Referee: Malik Abdul Bashir (Singapore)
13 October 2012 International Friendly France  Flag of France.svg0–1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Flag of France.svg Saint-Denis, France
04:00 JST (UTC+9) Summary Hasebe Yellow card.svg 34'
Kagawa Soccerball shade.svg88'
Stadium: Stade de France
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: William Collum (Scotland)
16 October 2012 International Friendly Japan  Flag of Japan.svg0–4Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil Flag of Poland.svg Wrocław, Poland
21:10 JST (UTC+9) Summary Paulinho Soccerball shade.svg12'
Neymar Soccerball shade.svg25' (pen.), 48'
Kaká Soccerball shade.svg76'
Stadium: Municipal Stadium
Referee: Marcin Borski (Poland)

Players statistics

Player-201102.2402.2905.2306.0306.0806.1208.1509.0609.1110.1210.1611.142012Total
Yasuhito Endo 113(9)OO-OOOO(1)OOOOO11(1)124(10)
Yuichi Komano 67(1)OO----OOO---5(0)72(1)
Kengo Nakamura 56(6)O-O-O-OO-OO-7(0)63(6)
Yasuyuki Konno 55(1)OO-OOO---OOO8(0)63(1)
Yoshito Okubo 53(5)O-----------1(0)54(5)
Makoto Hasebe 52(2)-OOOOOOOOOOO11(0)63(2)
Shinji Okazaki 49(26)-OO(1)O(1)OOOOO--O(1)9(3)58(29)
Atsuto Uchida 45(1)-OOOOO---OO-7(0)52(1)
Yuto Nagatomo 44(3)-OOOOOO-OOOO10(0)54(3)
Keisuke Honda 31(8)--OO(1)O(3)OOOO-OO9(4)40(12)
Shinji Kagawa 28(9)-OO(1)OO(1)OOO-O(1)O-9(3)37(12)
Eiji Kawashima 28(0)-OOOOOOOOOOO11(0)39(0)
Ryoichi Maeda 16(6)O(1)-OO(1)O(1)OO-O(1)--O8(4)24(10)
Maya Yoshida 13(2)-O-OO-OOOOOO9(0)22(2)
Tadanari Lee 10(2)-O----------1(0)11(2)
Hajime Hosogai 10(1)--OO--OOOOOO8(0)18(1)
Jungo Fujimoto 10(0)O(1)O----O-----3(1)13(1)
Takayuki Morimoto 9(3)--O---------1(0)10(3)
Masahiko Inoha 9(1)O-O-OOOOO---7(0)16(1)
Yuzo Kurihara 8(0)O-O-O(1)O(1)----O-5(2)13(2)
Tomoaki Makino 8(0)O(1)-O---O-----3(1)11(1)
Shusaku Nishikawa 7(0)O-----------1(0)8(0)
Mike Havenaar 5(2)-O-----O(1)OO--4(1)9(3)
Hiroshi Kiyotake 5(0)---O-O-OOOOO(1)7(1)12(1)
Naohiro Ishikawa 5(0)O-----------1(0)6(0)
Takashi Inui 3(0)-O-------OO-3(0)6(0)
Hiroki Mizumoto 3(0)------OO----2(0)5(0)
Yosuke Kashiwagi 3(0)O-----------1(0)4(0)
Ryota Moriwaki 1(0)O-----------1(0)2(0)
Hiroki Sakai 0(0)--OO-O-O-OOO7(0)7(0)
Hideto Takahashi 0(0)--O----O-O-O4(0)4(0)
Ryo Miyaichi 0(0)--O-------O-2(0)2(0)
Gotoku Sakai 0(0)-------O---O2(0)2(0)
Chikashi Masuda 0(0)O-----------1(0)1(0)
Junya Tanaka 0(0)O-----------1(0)1(0)
Naoya Kondo 0(0)O-----------1(0)1(0)

Goal scorers

PlacePositionNameFriendliesKirin CupWC QualifyingTotal
1MF Keisuke Honda 0044
FW Ryoichi Maeda 0134
3MF Shinji Kagawa 0112
DF Yuzo Kurihara 0022
FW Shinji Okazaki 0022
6MF Jungo Fujimoto 0101
DF Tomoaki Makino 0101
MF Yasuhito Endō 0101
Own Goal 0101
FW Mike Havenaar 0101
FW Hiroshi Kiyotake 0011
TOTALS161320

National team (Women)

Results

2012.02.29 Japan 2–1 Norway Portugal
Nagasato Soccerball shade.svg?'
Kawasumi Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2012.03.02 Japan 2–0 Denmark Portugal
Sugasawa Soccerball shade.svg?'
Ono Soccerball shade.svg?'
2012.03.07 Japan 3–4 Germany Portugal
Kawasumi Soccerball shade.svg?'
Tanaka Soccerball shade.svg?'
Nagasato Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2012.04.01 Japan 1–1 United States Miyagi, Japan
Kinga Soccerball shade.svg?'? Soccerball shade.svg?'Stadium: Sendai Stadium
2012.04.05 Japan 4–1 Brazil Hyogo, Japan
Soccerball shade.svg?' (o.g.)
Nagasato Soccerball shade.svg?'
Miyama Soccerball shade.svg?'
Sugasawa Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'Stadium: Kobe Wing Stadium
2012.06.18 Japan 1–4 United States Sweden
Nagasato Soccerball shade.svg?'? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2012.06.20 Japan 1–0 Sweden Sweden
Nagasato Soccerball shade.svg?'
2012.07.11 Japan 3–0 Australia Tokyo, Japan
Miyama Soccerball shade.svg?'
Ogimi Soccerball shade.svg?'
Sawa Soccerball shade.svg?'
Stadium: National Stadium
2012.07.19 Japan 0–2 France France
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2012.07.25 Japan 2–1 Canada England
Kawasumi Soccerball shade.svg?'
Miyama Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2012.07.28 Japan 0–0 Sweden England
2012.08.03 Japan 2–0 Brazil Wales
Ogimi Soccerball shade.svg?'
Ono Soccerball shade.svg?'
2012.08.06 Japan 2–1 France England
Ogimi Soccerball shade.svg?'
Sakaguchi Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2012.08.09 Japan 1–2 United States England
Ogimi Soccerball shade.svg?'? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'

Players statistics

Player-201102.2903.0203.0503.0704.0104.0506.1806.2007.1107.1907.2507.2807.3108.0308.0608.092012Total
Homare Sawa 177(80)O-----OOO(1)OOO-OOO10(1)187(81)
Aya Miyama 104(26)OOOOOO(1)OOO(1)OO(1)OOOOO16(3)120(29)
Shinobu Ono 97(36)OO(1)OOOOOOOOOO-O(1)OO15(2)112(38)
Kozue Ando 97(17)--OOOOOOOOOOOOO-13(0)110(17)
Yuki Ogimi 75(32)O(1)OOO(1)OO(1)O(1)O(1)O(1)OOOOO(1)O(1)O(1)16(9)91(41)
Azusa Iwashimizu 74(8)-OOO----OOOOOOOO11(0)85(8)
Yukari Kinga 72(4)OOOOO(1)OO-OOOOOOOO15(1)87(5)
Kyoko Yano 69(1)----OOO-O---O---5(0)74(1)
Karina Maruyama 68(14)------OOO---O--O5(0)73(14)
Miho Fukumoto 56(0)-OO--O-OOOOO-OOO11(0)67(0)
Mizuho Sakaguchi 47(16)O-OOO-OOOOOOOOO(1)O14(1)61(17)
Rumi Utsugi 47(5)OOOOOOO---------7(0)54(5)
Aya Sameshima 38(2)O-OOOOOOOOOO-OOO14(0)52(2)
Saki Kumagai 33(0)OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO16(0)49(0)
Ayumi Kaihori 27(0)O--OO-O-OO--O---7(0)34(0)
Nahomi Kawasumi 23(6)O(1)OOO(1)OOOOOOO(1)OOOOO16(3)39(9)
Megumi Takase 19(4)OOO(1)O-OOOO---OO--10(1)29(5)
Megumi Kamionobe 17(2)-------O--------1(0)18(2)
Mana Iwabuchi 11(2)---------O-OO--O4(0)15(2)
Kanako Ito 10(3)OOO-------------3(0)13(3)
Manami Nakano 10(2)-----O----------1(0)11(2)
Asuna Tanaka 6(2)OOOO(1)OOOOO--OO-OO13(1)19(3)
Yuika Sugasawa 6(0)-O(1)O-OO(1)----------4(2)10(2)
Nanase Kiryu 3(0)-O-O------------2(0)5(0)
Kana Osafune 3(0)-----O----------1(0)4(0)
Saori Ariyoshi 0(0)OO-OO--O--------5(0)5(0)
Mai Kyokawa 0(0)OO--------------2(0)2(0)
Yumi Uetsuji 0(0)-----O----------1(0)1(0)
Ami Otaki 0(0)-------O--------1(0)1(0)

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References

  1. "第92回天皇杯JFLシードはV・ファーレン長崎に決定!" [V-Varen Nagasaki as the JFL-seeded for the 92nd Emperor's Cup]. Japan Football League. 2012-06-24. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
  2. "SAGAWA SHIGA FC 活動停止に関するお知らせ" [Note on cessation of activity of Sagawa Shiga FC] (in Japanese). Sagawa Express Co. 2012-10-22. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
  3. http://www.j-league.or.jp/SS/eng/other/201250300101101_W0201_E.html [ dead link ]