To review J1 Matchday 2, played last Saturday and Sunday, a J-Talk record five (5) guests joined Ben Maxwell to discuss the games they watched. Many thanks to Sam Robson, Steve Barme, Alan Gibson, Bryan Cooper and Cesare Polenghi for being so gracious with their time.

Following our chats, the episode ends with Ben on a quick look back at J2 Matchday 2, and a brief look ahead to the J3 season, which kicks off this Sunday.

If you’d like to skip to a particular J1 game, the guest and game(s) they chat about are: Sam – Kawasaki v Shonan from start; Steve – Omiya v Kashiwa from 13:15 ; Alan – Kobe v Niigata and Kofu v Gamba Osaka from 24:10; Bryan from 41:18; and Cesare from 51:00. I briefly round up the other three from 1:09:23.

February 27th
14.00 Sanfrecce v Frontale
14.00 Jubilo v Grampus
14.00 Sagan v Avispa
15.00 Reysol v Reds
15.00 Vissel v Ventforet
15.00 Bellmare v Albirex
18.30 F•Marinos v Vegalta
19.00 FC Tokyo v Ardija

Matsumoto Yamaga were relegated last season. Here’s what they’ll be wearing in J2. Green home, white away, red and blue are the ‘keepers’ gear!

Graphic for Shimizu S-Pulse home shirt for their J2 season in 2016.

And S-Pulse neighbours Jubilo Iwata, who have switched places with them in J1 for 2016.

Vissel Kobe home and away, with a special close-up on their home shirt, too.

Kawasaki Frontale 2016 20th Anniversary “Gremio” shirt!

Kawasaki Frontale Home, away, “cup” shirts

V-Varen Nagasaki home (orange) and away

Yokohama F•Marinos home (blue), away (pink) and three cool GK shirts

Albirex Niigata home (orange) and away

Ventforet Kofu home (blue) and away

Kashiwa Reysol home (yellow) and blue GK shirt

Urawa Reds

Thespakusatsu Gunma home (blue away (white) and two GK shirts

FC Tokyo home / away authentic version

Nagoya Grampus home and away

Kashima Antlers home (red) and away

Fujieda MYFC home

Nara Club (JFL), home, away, GK

Montedio Yamagata away

Mito HollyHock home (blue) and away

Zweigen Kanazawa home

In Part 1 (to 33:35) Sean recaps Hiroshima’s J1 title win and muses on the future of the two-stage and playoff formats, in Part 2 Bryan discusses Fukuoka’s J1 promotion playoff victory, and finally in Part 3 Dave reviews Machida’s second leg and aggregate win in the J2/J3 playout.

http://jtalkpodcast.blogspot.jp/2015/12/ep170.html

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MACHIDA ZELVIA

At the bottom of J1, S-Pulse are down, and Montedio are all but gone, but mathematically in with a chance of survival as I write. Again, worth noting just in case there is any confusion, the relegation places are decided on the overall season/two stages combined table. Matsumoto Yamaga need to make up five points on Vissel Kobe, or six on Sagan or Albirex to reach safety. A tall order, right?

At the top of J2, Omiya Ardija appeared to have the Championship sewn up weeks ago but are now doing their best to lose it. Jubilo are just two points clear of Avispa Fukuoka with the top two going up to J1 without a play-off fight. Fukuoka seem to be the favourites of many now, while Cerezo Osaka have faded away in the last few games although are still well withing the play-off spots.

The play-offs will be 3rd-placed team v 6th placed, and 4th v 5th, over two legs, with a final play-off for a spot in J1 between the winners of those two ties.

Verdy have dropped a few points recently, while Ehime have also flirted with that 6th spot. Giravanz looked good for the play-offs earlier in the season but are not five points away, while the unlikely names of Roasso Kumamoto and Tokushima Vortis have risen into the frame, although it would be a huge surprise, but there are still 15 points to play for in five remaining games. Anythong COULD (and will?) happen.

At the bottom of J2 Tochigi are six points away from safely, although only two points away from earning a play-off spot – as opposed to straight relegation – against the 2nd placed J3 team. FC Gifu have flirted with wins but have dropped back into danger, just four points clear of Oita in that 2nd relegation (play-off) spot. With five matches to go Kyoto Sanga and Mito HollyHock are still well within reach of the lower teams, too.

At the top of J3 Yamaguchi Renofa are looking good for promotion as the Champions, while Machida Zelvia have pulled away from Nagano going for that play-off spot.

At the bottom of J3 we see the J.League Under 22 selection who, of course couldn’t be relegated anyway, although it seems will be replaced by an Under 19 team next season?! Fujieda MYFC are ten points clear of Y.S.C.C. although it should be noted that no teams will be relegated this season as the J3 expansion continues. With rumours of four (at least) “2nd XI” teams from J1 being added to J3 next season, including Gamba Osaka and Urawa Reds, interesting times are ahead! Not necessarily well-received times, though?!