With J.League title race blown wide open, who are the biggest threats to surprise leaders Zelvia?
With just five points now separating the top five, the J1 League title race looks set to go down to the wire.
With just five points now separating the top five, the J1 League title race looks set to go down to the wire.
Japan have emerged as a formidable outfit in the Olympic men's football tournament -- with Leo Kokubo a major factor.
Despite being the only side without overage players, Japan are through to the Olympic men's football quarters with a game to spare.
Japan and Iraq both recorded impressive wins -- albeit in contrasting fashion -- in their Olympic openers.
Asia will be represented at the Olympic men's football tournament by Japan, Uzbekistan and Iraq. How far can they go?
ESPN takes a look at seven managers that have made a name for themselves in the AFC, what makes them so great, and where they could go next.
Socceroos great Harry Kewell is back in the coaching wilderness after he was sacked by J1 League powerhouse Yokohama F. Marinos after less than eight months.
Daichi Kamada is headed to England but will he be a hit? And what does the move mean for Japanese football?
Are J1 League record champions Kashima Antlers finally a real chance to end a seven-year title drought in 2024?
In their first top-flight campaign, Machida Zelvia are somehow the halfway-mark leaders of the J1 League.
Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura, who is widely recognised as world football's oldest active professional, has returned to Japan to join fourth-tier side Atletico Suzuka Club on loan.
Harry Kewell was incensed by the refereeing in his Yokohama F. Marinos side's ACL final loss to Al Ain.
Yokohama F. Marinos continue to do things the hard way but are now on the brink of a historic ACL triumph.
Japan have proven that form is temporary but class is permanent after becoming two-time AFC U-23 champions.
Japan have beaten Uzbekistan in dramatic fashion to win the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.
Japan may not have hit top form yet -- but they could still have timed their AFC U-23 title charge perfectly.
It should have been easier -- but Japan were ultimately able to beat Qatar and reach the U-23 Asian Cup semis.
Marinos have finally reached an ACL final -- but they certainly didn't make it easy for themselves.
Early frontrunners have emerged at the U-23 Asian Cup, and it is unsurprisingly some of the usual suspects.
After a four-month hiatus, the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup returns this week -- and there's plenty to keep a close eye on.
As the semifinal lineup for the 2023-24 AFC Champions League was finalised this week, Al Hilal are looming large in their charge to a record fifth title.
Japan are through to the Asian Cup last 16 but, like Indonesia, will now face a nervous wait with a potential heavyweight clash awaiting them.
Iraq have pulled off a massive upset at the AFC Asian Cup to raise more doubts over Japan's title credentials.
Japan are one of the big favourites to win the AFC Asian Cup, but their biggest obstacle could come in the form of themselves.
Japan have survived a scare to open their Asian Cup campaign with a victory -- but the match also provided plenty of positives for the beaten Vietnam.
TEAM | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Machida Zelvia | 28 | 16 | 6 | 6 | +21 | 54 |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 28 | 14 | 10 | 4 | +24 | 52 |
Vissel Kobe | 28 | 14 | 7 | 7 | +16 | 49 |
Kashima Antlers | 28 | 14 | 6 | 8 | +10 | 48 |
Gamba Osaka | 28 | 13 | 9 | 6 | +10 | 48 |
Yokohama F. Marinos | 28 | 12 | 5 | 11 | +6 | 41 |
Avispa Fukuoka | 28 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 38 |
Cerezo Osaka | 28 | 9 | 11 | 8 | -2 | 38 |
FC Tokyo | 28 | 10 | 8 | 10 | -3 | 38 |
Tokyo Verdy 1969 | 28 | 9 | 11 | 8 | -5 | 38 |
Nagoya Grampus | 28 | 11 | 4 | 13 | -2 | 37 |
Albirex Niigata | 28 | 9 | 9 | 10 | -2 | 36 |
Urawa Red Diamonds | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | +5 | 35 |
Kawasaki Frontale | 27 | 8 | 10 | 9 | +4 | 34 |
Kyoto Sanga | 28 | 9 | 7 | 12 | -12 | 34 |
Kashiwa Reysol | 27 | 8 | 9 | 10 | -7 | 33 |
Shonan Bellmare | 28 | 7 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 29 |
Jubilo Iwata | 28 | 7 | 7 | 14 | -15 | 28 |
Sagan Tosu | 28 | 7 | 3 | 18 | -20 | 24 |
Consadole Sapporo | 28 | 5 | 7 | 16 | -23 | 22 |