2015 will be Matsumoto Yamaga’s first in the top tier of Japanese football. The club’s story is a footballing fairytale. Just five years ago, they were about to start their first season in what was then Japan’s third tier, the Japan Football League. Before
the 2004 season, Yamaga had only ever played in the Regional Leagues.
The off-season has seen 15 players join the club, but it is one or two of the outgoings that may have the biggest impact on Yamaga’s season.
Composed 21-year-old centre-back Tomoya Inukai has returned to his parent club Shimizu S-Pulse after a season and a half on loan at the club. He formed an excellent partnership with club captain Masaki Iida last season. The most notable out is at the other
end of the pitch. Takayuki Funayama’s 19 goals fired Yamaga to promotion. but he has since departed for Kawasaki Frontale. Replacing Funayama’s goals is likely to be the key to Yamaga’s survival chances.
Of the several incomings, Brazilian Obina looks to be the stand-out candidate to step up and fill Funayama’s boots. The Brazilian was signed from América in his homeland, where he scored 13 goals in 32 Serie B appearances last season. Elsewhere,
Tatsuya Sakai has joined on loan from fellow J1 side Sagan Tosu. The central defender fell out of favour in the second half of last season after an error-strung debut for the Samurai Blue. If he can form a similar partnership with Iida as Inukai did in the last campaign, then Yamaga are at least likely to be hard to beat.
The treble signing of defender Keita Goto, midfielder Takayoshi Ishihara and striker Tomoyuki Arata from Fagiano Okayama, and the capture of front man Tomoki Ikemoto from Giravanz Kitakyushu adds clear strength in depth that will be needed over a long two stage campaign.
After several seasons of climbing the Japanese football ladder, Matsumoto Yamaga would be delighted with a season of consolidation and survival in their first J1 campaign. While they may be one of the favourites for the drop, a squad that has a good mix of youth and experience, combined with their amazing fans – especially on the road, there is every chance the Yamaga footballing fairytale can continue into 2015.