by FRsoccerNathan

Kawasaki Frontale were very much the nearly men again in 2014, contesting for the title before falling short in the closing weeks of the campaign. Eventually finishing sixth, Frontale couldn’t match their achievements of 2013 which saw them finish third and qualify for the AFC Asian Champions League.

Arguably Kawasaki’s most important piece of business in the off- season was to retain the services of 32-year-old striker Yoshito Okubo. The J.League’s top scorer for the last two campaigns, Okubo was heavily linked with a move away to FC Tokyo, and former clubs Cerezo Osaka and Vissel Kobe, but the Japanese international has decided to remain in Kanagawa for another season. He will again be complemented by Brazilian winger Renato, the effervescent Kengo Nakamura, and his fellow international Yu Kobayashi. Future Samurai Blue hopefuls Shogo Taniguchi and Ryota Oshima were also key men last season and will be looking to take further steps forward in 2015.

Many of Frontale’s squad players have been cleaned out. The likes of Junichi Inamoto (Consadole Sapporo), Yasuhito Morishima (Jubilo Iwata, loan) and Sota Nakazawa (Cerezo Osaka, loan) have moved on. The most notable outgoings are defenders Yusuke Tanaka and Jeci who have moved to Australia and returned to Brazil respectively.

The attacking side of the team has been bolstered by two prominent additions. Takayuki Funayama, who fired Matsumoto Yamaga to J1 last season with 19 goals has been signed along with Kenyu Sugimoto. Once hotly tipped as a future international, Sugimoto’s career stalled last season as his former club Cerezo Osaka were shockingly relegated. The 22-year-old will be looking to breathe new life into his game at Frontale, and at his best he certainly strengthens manager Kazama’s options.

Other incomings include former Vegalta Sendai defender Makoto Kakuda and Brazilian full- back Elsinho, from Brazilian Serie B side América. However, Frontale still look light at the back which is surprising given that this was their main failing last season.

After a couple of seasons of near misses the new two stage system and end of season champion- ship play-offs are likely to benefit Kawasaki Frontale, who found it difficult to sustain a challenge at the top over the full 34 matches last season.

Web site – www.frontale.co.jp/
English – www.frontale.co.jp/about/club_profile_e. html
Twitter – @frontale_staff

Kawasaki Frontale 2015 shirts