2015 in Japanese football

Last updated

2015 season
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2016  

Japanese football in 2015.

J1 League

Sanfrecce Hiroshima won the Clausura title, accumulating the most points in the overall table and thus getting a bye to the Championship final, where they met third-place Gamba Osaka, who had defeated Apertura champions Urawa Red Diamonds in the semifinal. Hiroshima won the two-legged final for their eighth overall Japanese title, regaining the record position they had set in 1970 and which they had held until the old Japan Soccer League folded.

Contents

Shimizu S-Pulse was relegated to the second tier for the first time, after being one of the co-founders of the J. League back in 1993 (a placement that was deemed questionable in many quarters due to their lack of JSL record). Following after cameo appearances were Montedio Yamagata, in their fourth season, and Matsumoto Yamaga, who was debuting in the top flight only four years after being promoted from what was the third tier at the time, the Japan Football League.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (C)3423567330+4374 Club World Cup, Champions League group stage and J.League Championship Final
2 Urawa Red Diamonds 3421946940+2972 Champions League group stage and J.League Championship 1st Round
3 Gamba Osaka 3418975637+1963
4 FC Tokyo 3419694533+1263 Champions League qualifying play-off [a]
5 Kashima Antlers 34185115741+1659
6 Kawasaki Frontale 34176116248+1457
7 Yokohama F. Marinos 34151094532+1355
8 Shonan Bellmare 34139124044448
9 Nagoya Grampus 34137144448446
10 Kashiwa Reysol 34129134643+345
11 Sagan Tosu 349131237541740
12 Vissel Kobe 34108164449538
13 Ventforet Kofu 341071726431737
14 Vegalta Sendai 3498174448435
15 Albirex Niigata 348101641581734
16 Matsumoto Yamaga (R)34772030542428Relegation to 2016 J2 League
17 Shimizu S-Pulse (R)345101937652825
18 Montedio Yamagata (R)344121824532924
Updated to match(es) played on 28 November 2015. Source: Meiji Yasuda J1 League Standings
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. The winner of the 2015 Emperor's Cup qualified for the Group Stage of the 2016 AFC Champions League. Since the Emperor's Cup winner was Gamba Osaka who were the third-placed team, the qualifying play-off spot was awarded to the fourth-placed team.

J2 League

Omiya Ardija won the title and returned to the top flight at the first attempt. Júbilo Iwata followed after two years of second-tier football. In the playoffs, Avispa Fukuoka survived the final against fourth-placed Cerezo Osaka with a draw and was promoted, putting an end to four years of second-tier wilderness.

At the bottom, Tochigi SC were relegated after 6 years in the second division, while Oita Trinita had the most shocking downfall, being a former J. League Cup winner and having played first-tier football only two seasons before, and losing a test-match series to Machida Zelvia.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1 Omiya Ardija (C, P)4226887237+3586Promotion to 2016 J1 League
2 Júbilo Iwata (P)42241087243+2982
3 Avispa Fukuoka (O, P)42241086337+2682Qualification for promotion playoffs [a]
4 Cerezo Osaka 421813115740+1767
5 Ehime FC 42198154739+865
6 V-Varen Nagasaki 421515124233+960
7 Giravanz Kitakyushu 42185195958+159
8 Tokyo Verdy 421610164341+258
9 JEF United Chiba 421512155045+557
10 Consadole Sapporo 421415134743+457
11 Fagiano Okayama 421218124035+554
12 Zweigen Kanazawa 421218124643+354
13 Roasso Kumamoto 421314154245353
14 Tokushima Vortis 421314153544953
15 Yokohama FC 4213131633582552
16 Kamatamare Sanuki 421215153033351
17 Kyoto Sanga 421214164551650
18 Thespakusatsu Gunma 421392034562248
19 Mito HollyHock 421016164047746
20 FC Gifu 421272337713443
21 Oita Trinita (R)428142041511038Qualification for relegation playoffs [b]
22 Tochigi SC (R)427142139642535Relegation to 2016 J3 League
Source: Meiji Yasuda J2 League Standing
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Only teams that meet J1 license criteria can participate in promotion playoffs. If one or more teams fail to meet the criteria, only eligible teams that finished 3rd to 6th will participate and no replacement teams will be added.
  2. The playoffs and direct exchange between J2 and J3 are subject to eligibility of J2-licensed teams in top 2 of 2015 J3 League.

J3 League

Only one season after being promoted from the fourth-tier JFL, Renofa Yamaguchi won the third tier at the first attempt. Machida Zelvia settled for second place but won the test match series easily against a crestfallen Oita Trinita.

There was no relegation from this division, but the Japan Football Association folded the U-22 team.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or relegation
1 Renofa Yamaguchi (C, P)3625389636+6078Promotion to 2016 J2 League
2 Machida Zelvia (P)3623945218+3478Qualification to J2 League promotion playoffs [a]
3 Nagano Parceiro 3621784628+1870
4 SC Sagamihara 36177125951+858
5 Kataller Toyama 361410123736+152
6 Gainare Tottori 36148144741+650
7 Fukushima United 361310134248649
8 Blaublitz Akita 36129153740345
9 FC Ryukyu 36129154551645
10 Fujieda MYFC 361142137612437
11 Grulla Morioka 368111736471135
12 J.League U-22 Selection (W)36772228714328Folded by JFA after the season.
13 YSCC Yokohama 36762324583427
Updated to match(es) played on 23 November 2015. Source: JLeague.jp
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4th) head-to-head results; 5th) disciplinary points; 6th) draw
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (W) Withdrawn
Notes:
  1. Only teams that hold a J2 license are eligible for promotion.

Japan Football League

Vanraure Hachinohe won the Apertura title and an entry to the 2015 Emperor's Cup but fell in the Clausura stage to eventual winner Sony Sendai as well as to Kagoshima United, who won fourth-place overall, good enough for promotion to the J3 League.

There was no relegation, but SP Kyoto FC withdrew after the season. They will be replaced by Regional Promotion Series finalists ReinMeer Aomori and Briobecca Urayasu.

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or relegation
1 Sony Sendai (C)3021814821+2771
2 Vanraure Hachinohe 3017853621+1559
3 Honda FC 3021547322+5168
4 Kagoshima United (P)3018664625+2160Promotion to 2016 J3 League
5 Azul Claro Numazu 3016683628+854
6 SP Kyoto FC 3014885126+2550Withdrawn
7 Nara Club 30137103328+546
8 FC Osaka 30135124535+1044
9 Honda Lock 30117123137640
10 Verspah Oita 30107134047737
11 MIO Biwako Shiga 3097143641534
12 Yokogawa Musashino 3086163140930
13 Maruyasu Okazaki 30632127613421
14 Ryutsu Keizai Dragons 30632127623521
15 Fagiano Okayama Next 30622225593420
16 Tochigi Uva 30542129613219
Updated to match(es) played on 15 November 2015. Source: JFL website (in Japanese)
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) head-to-head results; 5) disciplinary points; 6) draw
Winners of each stage will be ranked 1st and 2nd based on the championship results regardless of their total points.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

Regional Leagues

National team (Men)

Results

12 January 2015 AFC Asian Cup Japan  Flag of Japan.svg4–0Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine Flag of Australia (converted).svg Newcastle, Australia
18:00 UTC+11 Endo Soccerball shade.svg8'
Okazaki Soccerball shade.svg25'
Honda Soccerball shade.svg43' (pen.)
Yoshida Soccerball shade.svg49'
AFC Report Stadium: Newcastle Stadium
Attendance: 17,147
Referee: Abdulrahman Abdou (Qatar)
16 January 2015 AFC Asian Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg0–1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brisbane, Australia
19:00 UTC+10 AFC Report Honda Soccerball shade.svg23' (pen.)Stadium: Brisbane Stadium
Attendance: 22,941
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Iran)
20 January 2015 AFC Asian Cup Japan  Flag of Japan.svg2–0Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne, Australia
20:00 UTC+11 Honda Soccerball shade.svg24'
Kagawa Soccerball shade.svg82'
AFC Report Stadium: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Attendance: 25,016
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
27 March International Friendly Japan  Flag of Japan.svg2–0Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia Flag of Japan.svg Ōita, Japan
19:37 JST Okazaki Soccerball shade.svg78'
Honda Soccerball shade.svg83'
JFA Report Stadium: Ōita Bank Dome
Attendance: 34,777
Referee: Ben Williams (Australia)
11 June International Friendly Japan  Flag of Japan.svg4–0Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama, Japan
19:03 JST Honda Soccerball shade.svg5'
Makino Soccerball shade.svg9'
Okazaki Soccerball shade.svg32'
Haraguchi Soccerball shade.svg84'
JFA Report Stadium: Nissan Stadium
Attendance: 63,877
Referee: Daniel Stefański (Poland)
2 August 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg2–1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Wuhan, China
18:20 UTC+8 Ri Hyok-chol Soccerball shade.svg78'
Pak Hyon-il Soccerball shade.svg88'
EAFF Report Muto Soccerball shade.svg3'Stadium: Wuhan Sports Center Stadium
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Iran)
8 September 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) round 2 Afghanistan  Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg0–6Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Flag of Iran.svg Tehran, Iran
16:55 UTC+4:30 FIFA Report Kagawa Soccerball shade.svg10', 50'
Morishige Soccerball shade.svg35'
Okazaki Soccerball shade.svg57', 60'
Honda Soccerball shade.svg74'
Stadium: Azadi Stadium
Attendance: 8,650
Referee: Khamis Al-Kuwari (Qatar)
13 October International Friendly Iran  Flag of Iran.svg1–1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Flag of Iran.svg Tehran, Iran
17:00 UTC+4:30 Torabi Soccerball shade.svg45+1' FIFA Report Muto Soccerball shade.svg48'Stadium: Azadi Stadium
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Yaqoob Abdul Baki (Oman)
17 November 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) round 2 Cambodia  Flag of Cambodia.svg0–2Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Flag of Cambodia.svg Phnom Penh, Cambodia
19:14 UTC+7:00 AFC Report Laboravy Soccerball shade.svg52' (o.g.)
Honda Soccerball shade.svg90'
Stadium: Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 29,871
Referee: Fu Ming (China)


  Win    Draw    Loss

Players statistics

Player-201401.1201.1601.2001.2303.2703.3106.1106.1608.0208.0508.0909.0309.0810.0810.1311.1211.172015Total
Yasuhito Endo 148(14)O(1)OOO-------------4(1)152(15)
Shinji Okazaki 85(40)O(1)OOOO(1)O(1)O(1)O---OO(2)O(1)O-O13(7)98(47)
Yasuyuki Konno 84(2)-O--OO-----------3(0)87(2)
Makoto Hasebe 83(2)OOOOO-OO---OOOOO-12(0)95(2)
Yuto Nagatomo 76(3)OOOO--O----OOO-OO10(0)86(3)
Atsuto Uchida 72(2)----OO-----------2(0)74(2)
Keisuke Honda 65(24)O(1)O(1)O(1)OO(1)OO(1)O---O(1)O(1)O(1)OO(1)O(1)14(10)79(34)
Eiji Kawashima 64(0)OOOO-OOO---------7(0)71(0)
Shinji Kagawa 63(19)OOO(1)OOOOO---O(1)O(2)OOOO14(4)77(23)
Maya Yoshida 48(3)O(1)OOOO-OO---O(1)OOOO(1)O13(3)61(6)
Hiroshi Kiyotake 26(1)OOO-O--------OOO-7(0)33(1)
Hiroki Sakai 19(0)----O-OO---OO--O-6(0)25(0)
Gotoku Sakai 18(0)OOOO-O-------OO--7(0)25(0)
Masato Morishige 17(1)OOOO-O--OOOOO(1)-OO-12(1)29(2)
Hotaru Yamaguchi 15(0)----O-O-OO(1)OOOO--O9(1)24(1)
Shusaku Nishikawa 15(0)--------OO-OOOOOO8(0)23(0)
Takashi Inui 14(2)OOOO-O-----------5(0)19(2)
Tomoaki Makino 14(1)----O-O(1)OOOO--O--O8(1)22(2)
Yuya Osako 12(3)-----OOO---------3(0)15(3)
Shinzo Koroki 12(0)--------OOOO-----4(0)16(0)
Toshihiro Aoyama 7(0)-----O(1)-----------1(1)8(1)
Yoshinori Muto 6(1)OOOOO-OO---OOOO(1)O-12(1)18(2)
Yohei Toyoda 6(1)O--O-------------2(0)8(1)
Hiroki Mizumoto 6(0)-----O-----------1(0)7(0)
Mu Kanazaki 5(0)---------------O(1)-1(1)6(1)
Gaku Shibasaki 4(1)--OO(1)-O(1)OOOOO---O--9(2)13(3)
Kosuke Ota 4(0)-----O-O-O-------3(0)7(0)
Yosuke Kashiwagi 4(0)--------------OOO3(0)7(0)
Genki Haraguchi 3(0)------O(1)O---OOOOOO8(1)11(1)
Shuichi Gonda 2(0)----O------------1(0)3(0)
Kensuke Nagai 1(0)----O-O-OOO------5(0)6(0)
Takashi Usami 0(0)----OO(1)OOOOOOOO(1)OOO13(2)13(2)
Kengo Kawamata 0(0)----OO(1)--OOO------5(1)5(1)
Wataru Endo 0(0)--------OOO-O---O5(0)5(0)
Hiroki Fujiharu 0(0)----O---O-------O3(0)3(0)
Takuma Asano 0(0)--------OOO------3(0)3(0)
Yuki Muto 0(0)--------O(1)-O(1)------2(2)2(2)
Shogo Taniguchi 0(0)------O-O--------2(0)2(0)
Daiki Niwa 0(0)----------O---O--2(0)2(0)
Koki Yonekura 0(0)----------O---O--2(0)2(0)
Takumi Minamino 0(0)--------------O-O2(0)2(0)
Gen Shoji 0(0)-----O-----------1(0)1(0)
Naoyuki Fujita 0(0)---------O-------1(0)1(0)
Shu Kurata 0(0)---------O-------1(0)1(0)
Masaaki Higashiguchi 0(0)----------O------1(0)1(0)

National team (Women)

Results

2015.03.04 Japan 1–2 Denmark Portugal
Ando Soccerball shade.svg?'? Soccerball shade.svg?'
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2015.03.09 Japan 1–3 France Portugal
Kawasumi Soccerball shade.svg?'? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2015.03.11 Japan 2–0 Iceland Portugal
Miyama Soccerball shade.svg?', ?'
2015.06.12 Japan 2–1 Cameroon Canada
Sameshima Soccerball shade.svg?'
Sugasawa Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2015.06.16 Japan 1–0 Ecuador Canada
Ogimi Soccerball shade.svg?'
2015.06.27 Japan 1–0 Australia Canada
Iwabuchi Soccerball shade.svg?'
2015.07.01 Japan 2–1 England Canada
Miyama Soccerball shade.svg?'
Soccerball shade.svg?' (o.g.)
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2015.07.05 Japan 2–5 United States Canada
Ogimi Soccerball shade.svg?'
Soccerball shade.svg?' (o.g.)
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2015.08.01 Japan 2–4 North Korea China
Masuya Soccerball shade.svg?'
Sugita Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2015.08.04 Japan 1–2 South Korea China
Nakajima Soccerball shade.svg?'? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
2015.08.08 Japan 2–0 China China
Yokoyama Soccerball shade.svg?'
Sugita Soccerball shade.svg?'
2015.11.29 Japan 1–3 Netherlands Netherlands
Sakaguchi Soccerball shade.svg?'? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'
? Soccerball shade.svg?'

Players statistics

Player-201403.0403.0603.0903.1105.2405.2806.0806.1206.1606.2306.2707.0107.0508.0108.0408.0811.292015Total
Homare Sawa 197(82)----O(1)OOOOOO-O----8(1)205(83)
Aya Miyama 144(34)O-OO(2)OOO(1)OOOOO(1)O---O13(4)157(38)
Shinobu Ono 125(39)O-OOOOOOOOOOO----12(0)137(39)
Kozue Ando 119(18)O(1)OOOOOO----------7(1)126(19)
Yuki Ogimi 112(52)O-OOOO(1)OOO(1)OOOO(1)---O13(3)125(55)
Azusa Iwashimizu 109(11)O--OOOOO-OOOO----10(0)119(11)
Yukari Kinga 92(5)O-O-OO-O---------5(0)97(5)
Mizuho Sakaguchi 85(26)OOOO-OOO-O(1)OOO---O(1)12(2)97(28)
Miho Fukumoto 75(0)-O-O-O--O--------4(0)79(0)
Rumi Utsugi 74(5)OOOOOOOO-OOOO---O13(0)87(5)
Nahomi Kawasumi 67(18)OOO(1)-OOOO-OOOO----11(1)78(19)
Saki Kumagai 63(0)O-O-OOOO-OOOO---O11(0)74(0)
Aya Sameshima 57(3)O-OOOO-O(1)OOOOO---O12(1)69(4)
Megumi Takase 52(9)OOOO---------O-O-6(0)58(9)
Ayumi Kaihori 46(0)--O--O-O-OOOO----7(0)53(0)
Asuna Tanaka 30(3)-OOO----O-----OO-6(0)36(3)
Saori Ariyoshi 30(0)OOOO-OO-OO(1)OOO---O12(1)42(1)
Megumi Kamionobe 27(2)-O-O---OO----O---5(0)32(2)
Mana Iwabuchi 25(3)--------OOO(1)OO----5(1)30(4)
Yuika Sugasawa 24(8)OO(1)OOOOOO(1)O---OOOOO14(2)38(10)
Emi Nakajima 21(5)--------------O(1)OO3(1)24(6)
Kana Osafune 14(2)----------------O1(0)15(2)
Erina Yamane 13(0)O---O-O------O--O5(0)18(0)
Yuri Kawamura 11(1)-O(1)O-OOO-O----OOOO10(1)21(2)
Rika Masuya 7(2)-------------O(1)-OO3(1)10(3)
Asano Nagasato 7(1)OO-O----O--------4(0)11(1)
Kana Kitahara 7(0)--------O----O---2(0)9(0)
Hikaru Naomoto 6(0)-------------OO--2(0)8(0)
Mina Tanaka 4(1)--------------OO-2(0)6(1)
Mai Kyokawa 2(0)-------------OOO-3(0)5(0)
Saori Arimachi 1(0)-------------OOOO4(0)5(0)
Ami Sugita 1(0)-------------O(1)-O(1)O3(2)4(2)
Yumi Uetsuji 1(0)-O-O----------O--3(0)4(0)
Ryoko Takara 1(0)-------------O-O-2(0)3(0)
Shiho Kohata 1(0)-------------O---1(0)2(0)
Rie Azami 1(0)--------------O--1(0)2(0)
Kumi Yokoyama 0(0)-O(1)-----------OOO(1)O5(2)5(2)
Ayaka Yamashita 0(0)--------------OOO3(0)3(0)
Tomoko Muramatsu 0(0)--------------OO-2(0)2(0)
Hanae Shibata 0(0)--------------O--1(0)1(0)

References