Japan Football(Soccer) Guide Blog

Japan Football(Soccer) Guide Blog

  • ACL2 Champions Gamba Osaka Fight Back to Win

    Shimizu S-Pulse 1–2 Gamba Osaka

    Meiji Yasuda J1 Hyakunen Koso League — WEST, Matchweek 18 (Final Round) 24 May 2026 | Japan National Stadium (MUFG Stadium), Tokyo

    Before the Match: A Historic Night Still Fresh — and One Last Group Game

    Just eight days ago, Gamba Osaka travelled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and made history.

    In the final of the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) — Asia’s second-tier continental club competition, roughly equivalent to the UEFA Europa League — they faced Al-Nassr, a side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and João Félix. Playing in a completely hostile away environment, Gamba scored through Deniz Hümmet and held on for a 1–0 win. It was the club’s 10th major title, and the first time a Japanese club had ever lifted the ACL2 trophy.

    Eight days is barely enough time to celebrate, let alone fully recover — but Gamba showed up. After returning home for a victory celebration with supporters, they were quickly back on the pitch. Today’s match against Shimizu S-Pulse was the final game of the group stage, one week before the playoff round begins.

    The venue was not Shimizu’s usual home ground, IAI Stadium Nihondaira in Shizuoka. Instead, it was held at the Japan National Stadium (also known as MUFG Stadium) in Tokyo — a special stage for a special occasion.

    Starting Line-Up: Two Changes from the ACL2 Final

    Head coach Jens Wissing made two changes from the team that started the ACL2 final.

    Takashi Usami came in for Issam Jebali in the forward line. Ginjiro Ikegaya replaced Takeru Kishimoto at right back.

    On the bench, three first-year professionals were included in the squad: Yuki Yoshihara, Taisei Tono, and Tensho Yamamoto. Shogo Sasaki, returning from a long spell on the injured list, was also back in the squad.

    First Half: Injuries and Rough Tackles Tell the Story

    The match started as an open game. Both teams attacked from the beginning. But it did not take long for injuries and foul play to interrupt the flow.

    14th minute. Gamba midfielder Rin Mifuji made a reckless tackle on Shimizu midfielder Zento Uno and received a yellow card. Uno later had to leave the pitch with an injury. Mifuji has the talent to become one of the top midfielders in the J1 League — but unnecessary fouls like this keep getting in the way of that potential.

    Note: Dangerous tackles like this are punished strictly in J1 League matches. The refereeing standard is noticeably different from the Saudi Pro League, which Gamba experienced during the ACL2.

    29th minute. Bad news for Gamba. Ryotaro Meshino pulled up with a problem in his right hamstring and was replaced by Welton. It has been a long season, with a demanding run across Asia on top of it. How the coaching staff manages player rotation will continue to be a valid question.

    34th minute. Gamba created a good chance. Deniz Hümmet hit a powerful shot, but Shimizu’s goalkeeper saved it well.

    47th minute (first-half stoppage time). Shimizu almost scored. A cross reached tall striker Oh Se-hun, who connected with a header — but the ball went wide. Gamba were fortunate.

    The first half ended 0–0. Injuries and fouls were the main story of those 45 minutes.

    Second Half: A Goal, an Instant Reply, and a Dramatic Winner

    There were no changes at half-time, and Shimizu kept control of the game.

    58th minute. Yutaka Yoshida delivered a cross, and substitute Masaki Yumiba — freshly on the pitch — headed in perfectly. Shimizu took the lead.

    Gamba responded immediately. Wissing brought on Harumi Minamino and Gaku Nawata. Takashi Usami and Ryoya Yamashita came off.

    61st minute. Just three minutes later, Gamba were level. Ryo Hatsuse delivered a cross from the left, and Minamino headed it in cleanly. A goal straight after coming on — he was the best player on the pitch today.

    69th minute. Welton played in Hümmet, who fired another powerful shot. The goalkeeper saved it again.

    72nd minute. Gamba’s best defensive moment of the match. Shimizu shot from inside the penalty area — the zone directly in front of goal — but centre-back Rui Araki closed down quickly and blocked it.

    75th minute. The winning goal came in an unusual way. Nawata played a sharp, low cross from the right. Minamino’s first touch was slightly off, and the ball deflected off Shimizu defender Yutaka Yoshida and crept into the net. Football rarely cares about aesthetics, and Gamba will not be losing sleep over it. The goal was officially recorded as Minamino’s — his 8th of the tournament — rather than an own goal. Gamba led 2–1.

    83rd minute. Hümmet and Noritomo Suzuki came off. Tensho Yamamoto and Shinya Nakano came on. Nakano took the left wing position. Yamamoto dropped into the defensive midfielder role — the player who sits in front of the back line and shields the defence. Welton moved to right wing, and Nawata shifted to the attacking midfielder position behind the strikers.

    Shimizu pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing minutes. Gamba held their shape and defended well. There were only five minutes of stoppage time — the extra time added at the end for delays and stoppages — and Gamba saw it out.

    It was their first win inside 90 minutes in three games. They took three points and confirmed 5th place in the WEST group, earning a spot in the playoff round.

    What Is the J1 Hyakunen Koso League?

    The “J1 Hyakunen Koso League” (J1 100-Year Vision League) is a special one-off tournament held in 2026.

    The J1 League is changing its season calendar. For many years, the season ran from February to December — the same as most Asian leagues. From the 2026–27 season onward, it will follow the European model and run from August to May. This special tournament bridges that gap, giving all 20 J1 clubs meaningful competition during the first half of 2026.

    The 20 clubs are split into two groups of ten: EAST and WEST. Each club plays 18 group stage matches — home and away against the other nine teams in its group.

    With Matchweek 18 now complete, the group stage is over for all clubs.

    Next comes the playoff round. Clubs with the same final group stage ranking from EAST and WEST will face each other in a two-legged tie — one home game and one away game — to decide the overall final standings of the tournament.

    Next Match: Gamba Osaka vs. Tokyo Verdy

    Gamba Osaka (5th, WEST) will face Tokyo Verdy (5th, EAST) in the playoff round.

    Some supporters had hoped Gamba might be drawn against long-standing rivals Urawa Red Diamonds, but Urawa lost their final group stage matches and finished in a different position, sending them to a separate playoff bracket.

    The first legs are scheduled for Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May. The second legs will follow on Saturday 6 June and Sunday 7 June.

    After the Hyakunen Koso League concludes, the J.League All-Star Game will take place, and then the brand-new J1 2026–27 season kicks off under the new August-to-May calendar. Japanese football is stepping into a new era.

    Match details: Shimizu S-Pulse 1–2 Gamba Osaka Goals: Masaki Yumiba 58′ / Harumi Minamino 61′, 75′ Venue: Japan National Stadium (MUFG Stadium), Tokyo | Attendance: Not yet announced

  • Gamba Osaka Make History in Riyadh

    AFC Champions League Two 2025–26 Final — Match Report

    Al Nassr 0–1 Gamba Osaka | May 17, 2026 | Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    A Miracle Born from Adversity

    The 2026 season started as badly as possible for Gamba Osaka.

    During pre-season camp, Asahi Uenaka picked up an injury. In the opening match, Takashi Usami went off hurt. In the second round, both Shogo Sasaki and Shota Fukuoka followed him to the treatment room. Then key defender Riku Handa suffered a serious injury. It felt like the squad was falling apart before the season had even started.

    But the team did not break. Under their young head coach, Jens Wissing — only five months into the job — the players came together. And in the end, they lifted the trophy of the AFC Champions League Two (Asia’s second-tier continental club competition, organised by the Asian Football Confederation).

    Starting Line-ups

    Gamba Osaka lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

    Rui Araki started in goal. The back four, from right to left, was Takeru Kishimoto, Shinnosuke Nakatani, Genta Miura, and Ryo Hatsuse. Two defensive midfielders — players who sit in front of the defence and protect it — were Rin Mito and Tokuma Suzuki. Ryotaro Meshino started on the right wing and Ryoya Yamashita on the left. Issam Jebali played as the attacking midfielder (the player linking midfield and attack), with Deniz Hümmet as the lone striker up front.

    Al Nassr fielded a world-class squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and João Félix. Brazilian international Bento started in goal. Spain international Iñigo Martínez was part of the defensive line.

    Match Report

    First Half: Defending Well, Then Striking at the Right Moment

    In the early part of the first half, Gamba kept the ball and worked play into Al Nassr’s half. However, they could not find the net. Al Nassr gradually took control of the game, and Gamba spent more time defending in a compact block.

    Then, on 30 minutes, the moment arrived.

    Jebali played a perfectly timed through ball. Hümmet received it and calmly placed his right-foot shot into the bottom-right corner. Gamba had the lead they had been waiting for.

    Al Nassr kept firing in powerful shots, but none of them hit the target. Gamba went into half-time leading 1–0.

    Second Half: Five Substitutions to Hold the Lead

    As the second half began, Wissing made his first change. He withdrew goalscorer Hümmet and brought on Harumi Minamino.

    Al Nassr kept pressing throughout the second half. Gamba relied on the counter-attack — winning the ball quickly and pushing forward at pace — to relieve the pressure and create danger.

    On 60 minutes, Suzuki and Yamashita came off, replaced by Shuto Abe and Kanji Okunuki.

    On 70 minutes, Meshino came off and Welton came on.

    On 80 minutes, Jebali went off with an injury. Takashi Usami came on as the attacking midfielder, completing all five substitutions allowed in the match.

    There were six minutes of stoppage time in the second half. Gamba used their corner kicks smartly to run down the clock. And then the final whistle blew. The players erupted in celebration. This was the club’s 10th title in its history — won far away in Riyadh.

    Tournament MVP: Issam Jebali

    The AFC Champions League Two 2025–26 Most Valuable Player award went to Issam Jebali.

    He was the heart of the attack throughout the knockout stage — the phase of the tournament where teams are eliminated after a single defeat. In the final, he topped it all off with the decisive assist. Wissing’s decision to move him into the attacking midfielder role paid off in the best possible way.

    Man of the Match

    Honestly, every single player on this team deserves a mention today. But if we have to choose one name, goalkeeper Rui Araki is the clear candidate.

    Ronaldo hit the post at one point. Araki made save after save to keep Al Nassr out and give his team the win.

    Of course, there are other worthy candidates too. Hümmet, who scored the only goal. Jebali, whose pass led directly to it. And Nakatani and Miura, who threw themselves in front of shot after shot throughout the match.

    The Unsung Hero: Masaaki Higashiguchi

    Araki guarded the goal in the final, but there is someone who must not be forgotten: club legend and goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi.

    He started in goal for every match except the final. He kept Gamba in the competition with consistent, reliable performances all the way to the final. When the final came, he accepted a place on the bench — and every player in that dressing room understood how much he had contributed. Without him, this trophy does not exist.

    The Season’s Greatest Contributor

    Looking across the whole season, the single biggest reason for this success is head coach Jens Wissing.

    Five months into the job, he has delivered Gamba Osaka’s first title in 11 years. His most important tactical move was converting Jebali into an attacking midfielder.

    When Usami’s injury left him without a natural player in that position, Wissing turned to Jebali — a player who had struggled to settle into a clear role in previous seasons. The decision worked perfectly. Jebali became the team’s creative hub and delivered the crucial assist in tonight’s final. The club’s decision to appoint Wissing has been proved completely right.

    To the Away Supporters in Blue and Black

    Amid an unsettled situation in the Middle East, some Gamba Osaka supporters still made the long journey to Riyadh. They deserve the highest respect.

    Gamba Osaka is nothing without its supporters. They, alongside the players and the manager, are part of what made this title happen.

    A Night Written into Club History

    Gamba Osaka’s last Asian title came in 2008, when they won the AFC Champions League — Asia’s top continental club competition. Tonight’s AFC Champions League Two victory is the club’s first Asian trophy in 18 years.

    Their most recent domestic title was the 2015 Emperor’s Cup — Japan’s most historic national knockout cup competition, which is open to every club in the country, from J1 League professionals down to amateur sides. Wissing has ended an 11-year wait for silverware.

    Injuries hit Gamba hard throughout 2026. Yet the team stayed together and climbed to the top of Asia. That scoreline — 1–0 — will not look spectacular in the history books. But everyone who watched knows exactly what it took. This victory in Riyadh is now part of Gamba Osaka’s story forever.

    Glossary for first-time J-League fans:

    • AFC Champions League Two → Asia’s second-tier continental club competition (below the AFC Champions League Elite)
    • Knockout stage → The part of a tournament where teams are eliminated after one loss (also called the knock-out round or playoff round)
    • Defensive midfielder → A central midfielder whose main job is to protect the defence and win the ball back
    • Attacking midfielder → A central player who operates between midfield and the strikers, creating chances
    • Lone striker → A single centre-forward playing at the top of the team’s attacking shape
    • Counter-attack → Moving quickly from defence to attack right after winning the ball
    • Emperor’s Cup → Japan’s most historic national knockout cup competition, open to all clubs from top professionals to amateur teams
    • J1 League → Japan’s top professional football division

  • What is the National Derby in the J.League?

    — Urawa Reds vs. Gamba Osaka, J.League’s Greatest Rivalry —

    What is the “National Derby”?

    In a previous article, we wrote about the Osaka Derby. The J.League has many regional derby matches. But only one fixture has ever been called the “National Derby” in J.League history — Urawa Reds vs. Gamba Osaka.

    The name came from Ivica Osim, one of the most respected coaches in the world. Osim was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the 1990 FIFA World Cup, he led Yugoslavia to the quarterfinals. In the J.League, he managed JEF United Ichihara·Chiba and guided them to their first-ever Levain Cup title. (The Levain Cup — formerly known as the Nabisco Cup — is a domestic cup competition organized by the J.League. It is similar to the EFA League Cup in England.) Later, in 2006, he became the head coach of the Japan national team and stayed in charge until a sudden illness forced him to step down. It was Osim who gave this fixture its famous name.

    Getting to Know the Two Clubs

    First, let’s look at Urawa Reds. The club is based in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. Saitama has a population of about 7.3 million people — it is one of Japan’s largest urban areas.

    Urawa have won the J1 League (the top division of Japanese football) once (2006), the Emperor’s Cup four times (2005, 2006, 2018, 2021), and the Levain Cup (formerly the Nabisco Cup) twice (2003, 2016). (The Emperor’s Cup is Japan’s oldest domestic cup competition, organized by the Japan Football Association. It is similar to the FA Cup in England.) They have also won the AFC Champions League three times (2007, 2017, 2022). (The AFC Champions League is Asia’s top club competition, similar to the UEFA Champions League in Europe.) With three titles, Urawa hold the record for the most AFC Champions League wins by any Asian club.

    Next, let’s look at Gamba Osaka. The club is based in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture. Osaka has a population of about 8.8 million people — it is Japan’s second-largest economic area.

    Gamba have won the J1 League twice (2005, 2014), the Emperor’s Cup four times (2008, 2009, 2014, 2015), the Levain Cup twice (2007, 2015), and the AFC Champions League once (2008).

    Both clubs are based in large cities and have huge, passionate supporter bases. In terms of fan numbers, these two clubs are at the very top of the J.League.

    From Struggling Clubs to Fierce Rivals

    When the J.League launched in 1993, neither club was considered a powerhouse. In fact, both struggled in the early years and were sometimes looked down on by rival supporters.

    Then, in 2005, Gamba won the J1 League title for the first time. The following year, 2006, Urawa won their first J1 League title — and the final match of that season was a direct clash between Urawa and Gamba. The championship was not decided until the very last game.

    In 2007, Urawa won the AFC Champions League. The following year, 2008, Gamba also won the AFC Champions League — and in the semifinals of that tournament, the two clubs faced each other directly. For two years in a row, a Japanese club had become the champion of Asia.

    During this period, the two clubs competed not only in the J.League but also on the Asian stage. This was the era when Osim named their matches the “National Derby.”

    The J.League Has Other Great Rivalries Too

    Of course, Urawa and Gamba are not the only great rivalry in J.League history.

    In the mid-1990s, Verdy Kawasaki (now Tokyo Verdy) and Yokohama Marinos (now Yokohama F·Marinos) produced some classic battles. From the late 1990s into the 2000s, Kashima Antlers and Júbilo Iwata dominated the league — between 1996 and 2002, only these two clubs won the J1 League title. Then, from the late 2010s into the 2020s, Kawasaki Frontale and Yokohama F·Marinos took over — from 2017 to 2022, those two clubs won every single J1 League title.

    Each era of the J.League has produced a new rivalry. That is one of the things that makes the league so exciting to follow.

    The Intensity of the “National Derby”

    Matches between Urawa and Gamba carry a special tension unlike anything else in the J.League.

    In May 2008, Gamba defeated Urawa 3–2 in the J1 League at Saitama Stadium 2002 (Urawa’s home ground). But this match did not end quietly.

    On the pitch, there were serious problems. Gamba’s second goal came after a disputed throw-in call near the Urawa end. The referee made an error, and Gamba quickly restarted play to score. After the final whistle, Gamba’s players celebrated in a way that Urawa’s players found disrespectful — and a confrontation broke out between the two sides.

    In the stands, the trouble was just as bad. Gamba’s ultras (the most passionate supporters who stand in the end section of the away stand) had been provoking the Urawa fans before the match and at halftime. After the final whistle, fighting broke out between the ultras sections of both clubs.

    Both clubs received sanctions (official punishments) from the J.League. None of this behaviour was acceptable. But it showed just how much this fixture means — the “National Derby” pushes even the calmest people to their limit.

    Later that same year, Gamba beat Urawa again — both in the AFC Champions League semifinals in October and in a J1 League match in November. In the November league match, the Urawa players were so emotionally overwhelmed by the defeat that they had an argument among themselves on the pitch.

    “Zutto Tomodachi” — A Strange Bond Beyond Rivalry

    In recent years, some people on the internet have described Urawa and Gamba as “Zutto Tomodachi” — a Japanese phrase that literally means “friends forever,” similar to the English expression “best friends forever” (BFF).

    This came about partly because the two clubs have had similar results in recent years — for better and for worse. But there is probably more to it than that. They were both named in the “National Derby” by Osim. They both reached the top of Asian football in back-to-back years. They went through those intense, unforgettable battles together.

    Maybe it is that shared history — a history no other clubs in Japan can claim — that has created this strange, quiet sympathy between two rivals. Honestly, that kind of complicated friendship might be the most football thing imaginable.

    Why is Urawa Reds vs. Gamba Osaka called the “National Derby”? The answer is not simply that two big clubs are competing. It is because these two clubs built the most brilliant era in J.League history — together, and against each other.

  • Lose Before the Final. Win the Title. That’s Gamba Osaka.

    May 16. History Is About to Be Made in Riyadh.

    Gamba Osaka will play in the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) final on May 16 local time — May 17, 3:15 AM Japan time. The ACL2 is a continental club competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Think of it as Asia’s version of the UEFA Europa League.

    Their opponents are Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Nassr. The match takes place at King Saud University Stadium — Al Nassr’s home ground.

    Al Nassr have some of the biggest names in world football. Their squad includes Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Sadio Mané (Senegal), Kingsley Coman (France), Marcelo Brozović (Croatia), and João Félix (Portugal) — all former stars at Europe’s top clubs. In the group stage, Al Nassr won all six matches, scored 22 goals, and conceded just two. They have been almost unstoppable.

    Gamba have matched them step for step. They also won all six group stage matches. In the knockout rounds, they beat South Korean side Pohang Steelers, then Thai clubs Ratchaburi FC and Bangkok United — to book their place in the final.

    Now Gamba are chasing their 10th club title. Their previous nine are:

    • 2005 J1 League
    • 2007 Nabisco Cup (Japan’s domestic League Cup — a knockout competition for J1 clubs, now called the Levain Cup)
    • 2008 AFC Champions League
    • 2008 Emperor’s Cup (Japan’s oldest cup competition, open to both professional and amateur teams — similar to England’s FA Cup)
    • 2009 Emperor’s Cup
    • 2014 Nabisco Cup
    • 2014 J1 League
    • 2014 Emperor’s Cup
    • 2015 Emperor’s Cup

    A win on May 16 would also be Gamba’s first Asian title in 17 years, since their 2008 ACL triumph.

    Gamba Lost — Six Days Before the Final

    With six days until the ACL2 final, Gamba played a home match in Matchday 16 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League — Japan’s top division — against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on May 10.

    They lost 0–1. A defeat, six days before the biggest game of their season.

    You’d be forgiven for worrying. But Gamba fans know something the rest of the world might not.

    Gamba Osaka almost always lose — or fail to win — the match right before they lift a trophy. And then they lift the trophy.

    This is not a coincidence. History proves it.

    2005 J1 League: First Title, After Three Straight Defeats

    Gamba’s trophy-winning story begins with the 2005 J1 League title.

    They started the season slowly. But from July, they went on a long winning run and climbed to the top of the table in September. It looked like they would hold on.

    They didn’t.

    In November, they lost three matches in a row. After the third defeat — against JEF United Chiba in Matchday 33 — Gamba dropped out of first place.

    Matchday 34 was the final day of the season. Five clubs still had a chance to win the title.

    Gamba beat Kawasaki Frontale. Meanwhile, league leaders Cerezo Osaka needed only a draw to be champions — but Yasuyuki Konno, a defensive midfielder from FC Tokyo (a man who would join Gamba himself seven years later), scored a last-minute equaliser. Cerezo drew. Gamba moved above them on points.

    The title was theirs.

    Three defeats in a row. Then a miraculous first championship.

    2007 Nabisco Cup: Lose on Saturday, Celebrate the Next Weekend

    The Nabisco Cup is Japan’s domestic League Cup. It is a knockout competition for J1 clubs, similar to England’s Carabao Cup. (The competition was renamed the Levain Cup in 2016.)

    In the 2007 Nabisco Cup final, Gamba faced Kawasaki Frontale.

    One week before the final — on October 27 — Gamba lost a league match to Shimizu S-Pulse.

    Then, on November 3, they walked out at the National Olympic Stadium (the old one, built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics — not the current venue), beat Kawasaki 1–0, and lifted the trophy.

    2008 AFC Champions League: Beaten Mid-Week, Asian Champions by Month’s End

    In 2008, Gamba reached the AFC Champions League final for the first time. Their opponents were Australian club Adelaide United.

    Three days after losing to Shimizu S-Pulse in a league match on October 26, Gamba hosted Adelaide in the first leg of the final at home — and won 3–0.

    Three days after that, they returned to J1 League duty and were beaten heavily by FC Tokyo. Center back Sota Nakazawa was out with a back injury, so defensive midfielder Tomokazu Myojin had to step into the defensive line. The team was far from full strength.

    It didn’t matter. On November 12, Gamba flew to Australia for the second leg and won 2–0. The aggregate score was 5–0. Gamba Osaka were champions of Asia.

    2014 Nabisco Cup: The Fans Sang — and the Players Responded

    The 2014 season was Gamba’s first year back in J1 after spending a season in J2. (In Japan’s football pyramid, clubs are promoted to J1 or relegated to J2 based on their final league position. J2 is the second division, similar to England’s Championship.)

    Gamba chased league leaders Urawa Reds hard that season. But on November 2, they conceded a last-minute equaliser against Vegalta Sendai. It felt like a defeat.

    The Gamba fans inside the stadium did not boo. They did not panic. After the final whistle, they began to sing — chanting “Grab the cup!” — to lift the players.

    Six days later, Gamba faced Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the Nabisco Cup final. They went 0–2 down. Then they scored three goals and won 3–2. A stunning comeback.

    History Repeats Itself

    The pattern is clear. Before almost every Gamba title, the club loses — or at least fails to win — in the match immediately before the final.

    (There are some exceptions. Competitions like the Emperor’s Cup have many matches concentrated at the end of the year, so the pattern does not always apply there. But in the cases above, it holds almost every time.)

    The 0–1 loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima on May 10 is not a reason for alarm.

    For fans who know Gamba’s history, it might actually feel like a good sign. Sound familiar? It should.

    Playing Al Nassr — a squad full of global superstars, on their own pitch, with their own fans — will not be easy.

    But Gamba Osaka did something very similar in 2008, in Australia, against Adelaide United. Now, under Head Coach Jens Wissing, they travel to Riyadh carrying 17 years of ambition.

    Gamba Osaka win when it matters. That is who they are.

    This article is written for overseas football fans who are new to the J.League.

  • The Calm Before the Storm — Gamba Osaka Fall 0–1 to Hiroshima, but Their Eyes Are Already on Riyadh

    Meiji Yasuda J1 League 100 Year Vision League (Japan’s top professional football division) — Matchday 16 Gamba Osaka 0–1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima May 10, 2026 / Panasonic Stadium Suita, Osaka Goal: Shunki Higashi (Hiroshima) 68′

    The End of Eleven Straight Games

    With this match, Gamba Osaka completed a gruelling run of eleven games in a row.

    🗒️ New to Japanese football? Japanese clubs compete in the J1 League, the Emperor’s Cup (Japan’s national knockout cup), the Levain Cup (Japan’s league cup), and Asian club competitions. This often creates a very busy schedule, similar to top clubs in Europe.

    Two of those eleven games were the semi-final legs of the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2).

    🗒️ What is ACL2? The AFC Champions League 2 is an international club competition run by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It is the second-tier club competition in Asia. The top tier is called the AFC Champions League Elite.

    Gamba went unbeaten through all six group stage matches in the ACL2. They then defeated Pohang Steelers (South Korea), Ratchaburi FC (Thailand), and Bangkok United (Thailand) in the knockout rounds. They have now reached the final — their first Asian final in 18 years, since winning the AFC Champions League in 2008.

    But the cost has been high. League results have suffered, and more seriously, injuries have been piling up.

    The Injury List and Today’s Starting XI

    These players are currently out injured:

    • Riku Handa (right back) — out for an extended period
    • Shuto Abe (central midfielder) — continuing to miss matches
    • Issam Jebali (striker) — was on the bench last match, but not in the squad today
    • Welton (left winger) — started today on the bench
    • Takeru Kishimoto (right back) — returned to the starting XI today

    Takashi Usami, who has recently come back from injury, is also not yet at his best.

    Today’s starting XI for Gamba:

    PositionPlayers
    GKRui Araki
    DEF (back four)Takeru Kishimoto (right back), Shinnosuke Nakatani, Genta Miura (centre backs), Shinya Nakano (left back)
    MIDTokuma Suzuki, Takato Yamamoto (double pivot / two defensive midfielders), Kanji Okunuki
    FWDRyotaro Meshino (attacking midfielder), Ryoya Yamashita, Deniz Hümmet (centre forward)

    With Shuto Abe still out, young Takato Yamamoto finally earned his first league start as a deep-lying defensive midfielder.

    First Half — Hiroshima Take Control, Gamba Hold On

    Just three minutes in, Ryoya Yamashita played a clever through ball for Deniz Hümmet, who finished — but the goal was ruled out for offside.

    After that, Gamba struggled to play out from the back against Hiroshima’s aggressive high press. Hiroshima gradually took control of the game and spent long periods of time inside Gamba’s half.

    In the 27th minute, Gamba goalkeeper Rui Araki had to rush off his line to deal with a rebound from a Hiroshima shot, but managed to clear his lines.

    The first real chance of the match came in the 39th minute. Hümmet received a pass from Yamashita and shot. Kanji Okunuki was first to the rebound, but his effort went wide.

    The first half ended goalless.

    Second Half — One Moment of Confusion Decides the Game

    At the start of the second half, Gamba replaced Okunuki with Harumi Minamino. It was a tactical change to alter their attacking shape.

    In the 49th minute, Hiroshima’s Hayao Kawabe fouled Minamino during a dribble and was shown a yellow card.

    Hiroshima’s coaching staff also made changes, bringing on Ryo Germain and Akito Suzuki to increase pressure on Gamba’s goal.

    In the 59th minute, Yamashita turned Hiroshima defender Sho Sasaki well and shot, but Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako blocked it.

    In the 65th minute, Takashi Usami came on in place of Hümmet.

    Then came the 68th minute — and the decisive moment of the match.

    A Hiroshima through ball released Akito Suzuki inside the box. Gamba centre back Genta Miura moved to block, expecting goalkeeper Rui Araki to cover behind him. But Suzuki slipped his foot between Miura and Araki to get a touch on the ball. The loose ball fell to Shunki Higashi, who calmly slid it home. Hiroshima were ahead.

    It was a tiny breakdown in the understanding that Araki and Miura had built up across all those weeks of matches — and it cost Gamba everything.

    More Injuries and Difficult Substitutions

    Shortly after the goal, Takato Yamamoto — making his first league start — was hurt in a challenge and had to leave the pitch.

    Gamba brought on Ryo Hatsuse and Welton, and also replaced Shinya Nakano. When Hatsuse held up one finger on the pitch, it suggested the team had shifted to a single pivot — a system using just one defensive midfielder in front of the defence, instead of two.

    In the 79th minute, Ryotaro Meshino went off with pain in his left thigh. Shu Kurata came on in his place.

    In the 83rd and 93rd minutes, Takeru Kishimoto drove forward from the right side with energy, but his final efforts were blocked by Hiroshima’s defenders and goalkeeper.

    The final whistle blew. Hiroshima won 1–0.

    The Manager’s Decisions and the Injury Cycle

    There is some criticism of Head Coach Jens Wissing’s approach. The concern is that he tends to push players to their absolute limit before resting them — and injuries often arrive before the rest does. Today, the injury list grew again.

    You have to feel for these players. After eleven straight matches, most of them have barely had time to breathe, let alone recover properly.

    How much is it really possible to manage player fatigue during a packed schedule? It is a problem facing big clubs all around the world — and Gamba are no exception.

    Next Stop: Riyadh — The Biggest Match of All

    After the final whistle, the squad gathered on the pitch for a send-off event. Everyone’s focus is now on the major match ahead, which kicks off in the early hours of May 17 (Japan time).

    AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) Final Gamba Osaka vs Al Nassr May 16, 2026 (local time) / King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Al Nassr are a squad full of world-class players. They include Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Sadio Mané (Senegal), João Félix (Portugal), Kingsley Coman (France), and Marcelo Brozović (Croatia). In this tournament’s group stage, they won all six matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding just two.

    There is actually a historical connection between Gamba and Ronaldo. After winning the AFC Champions League in 2008, Gamba Osaka competed in the FIFA Club World Cup. In the semi-final, they faced Manchester United — the club where Ronaldo was playing at the time. Ronaldo started the match and scored. Gamba lost. Eighteen years later, history has a funny way of bringing old rivals back together — this time, at a different stage and in a different competition.

    The key question before the final is whether Jebali and Abe will be fit to play. Despite the injuries, Gamba aim to become the first Japanese club ever to win the ACL2.

    The match is available to watch on DAZN.

  • J.League All-Stars Return After 17 Years: Everything You Need to Know About the J.LEAGUE ALL-STAR DAZN CUP

    Why Now? — A Historic Turning Point

    J.League is entering a major new era in 2026.

    For over 30 years, the J.League season ran from February to December. Starting from the 2026/27 season, J.League will switch to an autumn-to-spring calendar — beginning in August and ending in May the following year. This is the same structure used by most top European leagues.

    Because of this change, the first half of 2026 (February to June) has been designated a “Special Season.” J.League does not want this period to feel like a quiet off-season. Instead, it has planned a series of events to say thank you to everyone who has supported the league throughout its 33-year history.

    The grand finale of this Special Season is the J.LEAGUE ALL-STAR DAZN CUP.

    Basic Information

    ItemDetails
    Event NameJ.LEAGUE ALL-STAR DAZN CUP
    DateSaturday, June 13, 2026
    VenueMUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium), Tokyo
    Title PartnerDAZN
    BroadcastDAZN (all matches live)
    Number of Matches7 matches in total
    Match Length30 minutes per match (no extra time) ※ The third-place and fifth-place playoff matches are 20 minutes

    What Does “17 Years” Mean?

    J.League held an All-Star Game every year from 1993 to 2007. The format was an East vs. West match between selected players from across the league. In 2008 and 2009, the format changed: a J.League All-Star XI faced an All-Star XI from South Korea’s K League.

    After 2009, the All-Star Game was discontinued. This year’s event marks its return — the first time in 17 years.

    There is another important point. In the past, only players from J1 — the top division — could participate in the All-Star Game. This time, players from all 60 clubs across J1, J2 (second division), and J3 (third division) are eligible. This has never happened before in the event’s history.

    A New Format — Regional All-Star Teams

    The biggest change in this tournament is how the teams are put together.

    There is no East vs. West format this time. Instead, six regional All-Star teams will compete in a knockout tournament. The six regions follow the same geographic groupings used in the Meiji Yasuda J.League Hyakunen Koso League — a special pre-season league competition held during the Special Season.

    The Six Teams

    J1 Division (Top Flight)

    • J1 EAST All-Stars Kashima Antlers, Mito HollyHock, Urawa Red Diamonds, Chiba, Kashiwa Reysol, FC Tokyo, Tokyo Verdy, Machida Zelvia, Kawasaki Frontale, Yokohama F·Marinos
    • J1 WEST All-Stars Shimizu S-Pulse, Nagoya Grampus, Kyoto Sanga, Gamba Osaka, Cerezo Osaka, Vissel Kobe, Fagiano Okayama, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Avispa Fukuoka, V-Varen Nagasaki

    J2/J3 Division (Second and Third Divisions)

    • J2/J3 EAST-A All-Stars
    • J2/J3 EAST-B All-Stars
    • J2/J3 WEST-A All-Stars
    • J2/J3 WEST-B All-Stars

    How the Tournament Works

    1. Preliminary Round: The four J2/J3 teams play two matches. The two winners advance.
    2. Semi-finals: J1 EAST All-Stars vs. J2/J3 Winner A. J1 WEST All-Stars vs. J2/J3 Winner B.
    3. Final: The two semi-final winners play for the title.
    4. A third-place match and a fifth-place match are also held.

    The J1 sides are the top-flight teams, but the path to the title is open to J2 and J3 players too. And honestly, that alone makes this tournament worth watching — the chance of a real upset is built right into the format.

    How Are Players Selected? — The Power of Fan Voting

    Players are chosen through three methods.

    ① Fan Vote

    This is the most important selection method. Voting runs every week from February to May 2026. Fans can vote in three ways:

    • At the stadium on match days (in-stadium voting)
    • Through DAZN while watching matches (viewer voting via DAZN)
    • By registering for a J.League ID (the official J.League fan account)

    Fans from all over the world can vote through DAZN. This is what makes the event truly global.

    ② Regional Best XI

    The top-performing players from each regional group are selected.

    • J1 division: 11 players per group × 2 groups
    • J2/J3 division: 11 players per group × 4 groups

    ③ League Nominations

    J.League can add extra players to balance positions and squad numbers.

    Important note: Players selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (held in North America) will not be available for this event. Some of Japan’s biggest international stars may be absent. But that also gives other talented J.League players a chance to step into the spotlight.

    What to Expect on Match Day — The Stadium Experience

    The matches are just one part of the event. On June 13 at the Japan National Stadium, fans can also enjoy:

    • Player events and fan interaction activities
    • Live music performances by artists
    • A special stadium food festival

    J.League’s stadium food culture is one of its most loved features. At most J.League home grounds, you can eat local specialties from that club’s city or region — and the quality and variety are some of the best you will find at any football stadium in the world. A special all-star version, bringing together the best stadium food from clubs across Japan, is something to look forward to.

    Why 2026 Is Special — Two Football Celebrations at Once

    June 13, 2026 falls right in the middle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. DAZN plans to broadcast all 104 World Cup matches. Football excitement in Japan — and around the world — will be at its highest point.

    The J.League All-Star Game takes place right in the middle of all that energy. For football fans everywhere, this is a rare chance to enjoy both the world’s biggest tournament and one of Asia’s most exciting leagues at the same time.

    What This Means — J.League’s Next Chapter

    The J.LEAGUE ALL-STAR DAZN CUP is more than a celebration event.

    In a historic year when J.League moves to an autumn-to-spring calendar — matching the structure of major European leagues — the best players from all 60 clubs across all three divisions will come together in one place. Fans around the world can vote for the players they want to see. Anyone with DAZN can watch it live.

    This is the moment J.League takes a clear step from being “a Japanese league” to being “a league open to the world.”

  • What is stadium food(Sta-Guru) in Japan?

    You Haven’t Experienced J-League Until You’ve Tried the Stadium Food!

    The Complete Guide to Staguru — Japan’s Unique Matchday Food Culture

    What Is Staguru?

    When you watch a J-League match, there is something almost as exciting as the football on the pitch. It is called staguru.

    “Staguru” is a shortened Japanese word for stadium gourmet. In English, the closest terms are “stadium food” or “matchday food” — but J-League staguru goes far beyond that. In many European football stadiums, hot dogs and popcorn are the standard options. J-League stadiums are completely different. Each matchday, you will find local regional dishes, popular local restaurants, special menus created in collaboration with players, and seasonal limited items — all inside the stadium. The atmosphere feels more like a small food festival than a typical sports venue.

    More than 60 clubs across Japan bring local ingredients and traditional dishes into their stadiums. Fans often arrive several hours before kick-off just to enjoy the food. Some supporters — passionate fans — even travel to away matches specifically for the staguru experience.

    Why Is J-League Staguru So Special?

    The J-League was founded in 1993. From the beginning, clubs have followed a philosophy of being “rooted in the local community.” Sharing local food culture is part of that idea. Each club works with local restaurants and food producers to create exclusive stadium menu items.

    In previous seasons, an event called Staguru Fes (Stadium Food Festival) was held every February, bringing clubs from all over Japan together to showcase their regional specialties. It was held alongside the season-opening ceremonial match — a one-off game between the previous season’s J1 League champion and the Emperor’s Cup winner. The Emperor’s Cup (officially the JFA Cup) is a nationwide knockout cup competition open to clubs from all levels of Japanese football, similar to the FA Cup in England. When it took place, the Staguru Fes was a great opportunity to try dishes from many different regions in one place, on one day.

    ⚠️ Please note: 2026 is a year of major structural changes for the J-League. As of the time of writing, the scheduling of the Super Cup and the holding of Staguru Fes in 2026 have not been officially confirmed. Please check the J-League’s official website and social media channels for the latest updates before making any plans.

    3 Reasons We Recommend Staguru to International Visitors

    Reason 1: Taste local flavours inside the stadium. Japan’s food culture varies greatly from region to region. In Sendai, you can try grilled beef tongue. In Osaka, there is takoyaki (octopus dumplings). In Tochigi, you will find gyoza dumplings from Utsunomiya City. In Shizuoka, Fujinomiya yakisoba noodles are a must. Just by going to the stadium, you can discover the food culture of that region.

    Reason 2: Food culture and supporter culture go hand in hand. Buying staguru before a match, having a beer or soft drink, and talking with friends — this is a central part of Japanese football culture. Win or lose, the memory of “that dish at that stadium” always stays with you.

    Reason 3: Easy to enjoy, even for first-time visitors. You do not need to speak Japanese. Most stalls use picture menus, and the open-counter format makes ordering simple. Some popular stalls attract long queues, but that is all part of the matchday experience in Japan.

    Regional Staguru Guide: What to Eat and Where

    🏔 Hokkaido

    Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (Home stadium: Sapporo Dome)

    Hokkaido is one of Japan’s most celebrated food-producing regions. At Consadole’s stadium, the “Victory Red Beef Kalbi Curry” draws a crowd at every match. The name reflects the club’s red and black team colours. It is a hearty curry filled with tender beef short ribs — the perfect warm dish for Hokkaido’s cold climate. Creating a dish around team colours is a distinctly J-League idea.

    ⚽ Kanto Region (Greater Tokyo Area)

    Kawasaki Frontale (Home stadium: Todoroki Athletics Stadium, Kawasaki City)

    One long-loved dish at Frontale’s stadium food area, known as “Fronte Park,” is the “Kawasaki Special Salt Chanko.” Chanko-nabe is a traditional Japanese hot pot originally eaten by sumo wrestlers. It is made with chicken, vegetables, and a light salt-based broth. Kawasaki City was once home to a sumo stable, and this recipe carries on that local tradition. Warming up with a bowl of chanko before kick-off is a classic Fronte Park sight on matchdays.

    Shonan Bellmare (Home stadium: Lemongas Stadium Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture)

    The waters of Sagami Bay, off the Shonan coast of Kanagawa, are famous for shirasu — tiny young fish (whitebait). Bellmare’s stadium serves a popular bento (lunch box) that combines slow-boiled shirasu with homemade roast beef. This dish has won the supporters’ vote five consecutive years running.

    Kashiwa Reysol (Home stadium: Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium, Chiba Prefecture)

    Locally called “Hitachidai,” this stadium is known for its “Reysol Curry Rice.” It is a well-spiced curry topped with an onsen tamago — a soft egg slowly cooked at low temperature in hot spring water. For many supporters, this dish signals the start of a new season.

    Kashima Antlers (Home stadium: Kashima Soccer Stadium, Ibaraki Prefecture)

    Kashima Antlers are the most successful club in J-League history. Their stadium is also well known for its food. “Harami Meshi” is a generous rice bowl topped with beef skirt steak — a flavourful cut from the diaphragm of the cow. Another classic here is “motsu-ni” — a rich Japanese stew made with pork offal, vegetables, and a miso-based broth. It is especially popular on cold winter matchdays.

    Tochigi SC (Home stadium: Kanseki Stadium Tochigi, Tochigi Prefecture)

    Utsunomiya City in Tochigi Prefecture is one of Japan’s most famous cities for gyoza dumplings. The stadium naturally features pan-fried gyoza — dumplings with a crispy bottom and juicy filling. Different local gyoza restaurants take turns at each match, giving fans a slightly new experience every time. It is a great example of combining football and local food tourism in one visit.

    🦑 Tohoku Region (Northern Japan)

    Montedio Yamagata (Home stadium: ND Soft Stadium Yamagata)

    Montedio Yamagata is one of the J-League’s standout clubs for stadium food. Their food area, called “Blue Kitchen,” has more than 30 stalls — one of the largest in the entire league. It opens four hours before kick-off, so supporters can take their time eating and exploring. The highlight is “motsu nikomi” — a slow-cooked pork offal stew using offal from the Shonai area of Yamagata Prefecture, prepared with three types of white miso and more than ten spices. This dish has won the J-League Stadium Food Grand Prix three years in a row.

    Vegalta Sendai (Home stadium: Yurtec Stadium Sendai)

    Sendai is famous across Japan for grilled beef tongue (gyutan). Thick slices of beef tongue are grilled over charcoal — a dish born right here in Sendai. It may sound unusual to some international fans, but it is tender with a slight chew, seasoned simply with salt, and completely delicious. Honest advice: just order it. You will not regret it.

    🐙 Kansai Region (Osaka Area)

    Gamba Osaka (Home stadium: Panasonic Stadium Suita, Osaka Prefecture)

    Osaka is the home of takoyaki. Takoyaki are small round dumplings of batter with octopus inside, cooked on a special iron griddle and topped with sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and dried seaweed powder. At Gamba’s stadium, the famous Dotonbori restaurant “Kukuru” serves its signature giant-octopus takoyaki. Kukuru’s octopus pieces are two to three times larger than usual. The outside is crispy; the inside is soft and creamy. This dish has earned official Hall of Fame status in the J-League Stadium Food Awards — and eating it, you will understand why.

    Cerezo Osaka (Home stadium: Yodoko Sakura Stadium, Osaka City)

    Cerezo, also based in Osaka, hosts another famous takoyaki shop: “Wanaka.” While Kukuru’s style features big, bold octopus pieces, Wanaka is known for a more traditional and straightforward taste. On Osaka Derby day — the match between Gamba and Cerezo, two clubs from the same city — supporters often spend as much time debating “Kukuru vs. Wanaka” as they do talking about the match itself.

    Cerezo also has a second beloved dish: “Hiden no Karaage” (Secret-Recipe Fried Chicken). Karaage is Japanese-style fried chicken marinated in soy sauce and ginger before frying. At Cerezo’s stall, you choose from 11 different sauces to top your chicken. This dish has received a Best Eleven award at the J-League Stadium Food Grand Prix.

    Vissel Kobe (Home stadium: Noevir Stadium Kobe)

    Vissel Kobe, one of the leading clubs in J1 League — the top division of Japanese professional football — serves “sobameshi” as their signature Kobe dish. Sobameshi is a Kobe specialty: fried noodles and steamed rice stir-fried together on a hot iron griddle. It was born in the Nagata district of Kobe, a working-class neighbourhood with a proud local identity. You start eating and think, “Oh, it’s just noodles and rice” — and then somehow the plate is empty before you know it. Enjoying a dish born in Kobe at a Kobe club’s stadium: it does not get more fitting than that.

    🌊 Chugoku, Shikoku & Kyushu Regions

    Fagiano Okayama (Home stadium: City Light Stadium, Okayama Prefecture)

    The “Faji-kara Donburi” is a rice bowl piled high with “Faji-kara” — the club’s own original fried chicken — served over torimeshi, a seasoned rice dish with chicken that is a local Okayama specialty. This dish sells out at almost every match. The queue forms well before kick-off.

    Kamatamare Sanuki (Home stadium: Pikara Stadium, Kagawa Prefecture)

    Kagawa Prefecture is famous across Japan for udon noodles. The club’s own name comes from “kamatama udon” (a style of egg-topped udon noodles) plus “mare,” the Italian word for “sea.” At the stadium, the popular item is “Kama-coro” — a croquette filled with mashed potato and meat, made using locally grown Kagawa potatoes. It has won the J-League Stadium Food Grand Prix two years in a row.

    Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Home stadium: Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima)

    The signature stadium dish in Hiroshima is okonomiyaki. Hiroshima okonomiyaki is made in a completely different way from the Osaka version. It is a layered savoury pancake: thin batter, cabbage, pork, yakisoba noodles, and egg are cooked in separate layers on a griddle, then stacked together. People outside Hiroshima often call it “Hiroshima-style,” but for locals, this is simply the real okonomiyaki — full stop. That local pride is part of what makes it special. For international visitors, calling it Hiroshima okonomiyaki is the natural and respectful way to refer to it. The stadium has a dedicated food information page, and you can also find special menus produced by the players.

    Kagoshima United FC (Home stadium: Shiranami Stadium, Kagoshima City)

    Kagoshima, in the far south of Kyushu island, is famous for Kurobuta pork — a premium breed of black-haired pig known for its rich flavour and tender texture. At Kagoshima United’s stadium, popular items include the “Afro Sand” pork sandwich made with Kurobuta, and “Tenko-mori Gobo-ten Udon” — udon noodles topped with deep-fried burdock root, served in a broth made from dried bonito and kelp. You can also try “Keihan” — a traditional chicken and rice dish with clear broth, a local speciality from Amami Island, a southern island that belongs to Kagoshima Prefecture. This stadium has one of the most diverse and distinctive staguru cultures in the J-League.

    The Stadium Belongs to Everyone — J-League’s Spirit of Omotenashi

    Here is one feature of J-League that often surprises international football fans.

    In many European and South American football stadiums, away supporters are separated from home supporters, and tensions can run high. In the J-League, the atmosphere is completely different.

    At many J-League stadiums, away clubs are given a space to sell their own regional staguru inside the home stadium. This means home supporters can enjoy food from the away team’s region. On top of that, the away club’s official merchandise shop sometimes operates inside the same stadium, selling the opposing team’s shirts and goods. The sight of home supporters casually walking past an away team’s merchandise stall might be hard to picture in some other football cultures — but in Japan, it is a normal part of the matchday.

    This reflects the J-League’s core philosophy: building a culture where local communities enjoy football together. The stadium is both a place of competition and a place of entertainment. Respect for opponents and a love of the matchday experience exist side by side. Away supporters who travel from far away are welcomed warmly at the home ground. This spirit of omotenashi — Japanese hospitality — is an essential part of Japanese football culture.

    Staguru Changes Every Match — That Is Part of the Fun

    One exciting thing about staguru is that it is never exactly the same. Depending on the match, clubs may offer menus inspired by the visiting team’s region, special event menus, player-produced menus, or seasonal limited items. Even if you visit the same stadium many times, you can always find something new to try. That is one of the reasons J-League fans keep coming back.

    Please note that menus and stall availability can change by match day. Check each club’s official website for the latest information before you visit.

    5 Tips to Enjoy Staguru to the Fullest

    1. Arrive early. Popular items can sell out two to three hours before kick-off. Try to arrive at the stadium one and a half to two hours before the match and take a walk around the food area first.

    2. Prepare for cashless payment. More and more J-League stadium stalls now accept credit cards and electronic payment (IC cards such as Suica or Pasmo). It is useful to have both options ready, though some smaller stalls are still cash only.

    3. Keep an eye on Staguru Fes. In previous seasons, the season-opening Super Cup match — a one-off game between the J1 League and Emperor’s Cup champions — was held every February alongside the Staguru Fes event, where clubs from all over Japan gathered in one place. When it happens, it is the best single opportunity to try dishes from multiple regions on the same day. However, as noted above, the 2026 schedule has not been officially confirmed due to structural changes in the J-League. Check the official J-League website for the latest information.

    4. Take a photo before you eat. J-League staguru often looks as impressive as it tastes. Many dishes are bold and visually striking. Take your photo first, then enjoy.

    5. Start with one dish that truly represents the local area. In Sendai, try grilled beef tongue. In Osaka, try takoyaki. In Tochigi, try gyoza. In Shizuoka, try Fujinomiya yakisoba. Choosing “food that means something in that specific place” turns your matchday into a genuine travel memory.

    Final Thoughts

    J-League staguru is not simply “stadium food.” It is a matchday culture unique to Japan — where local food traditions, club identity, and supporter habits come together as one. Whatever the result on the pitch, the staguru will not let you down.

    Next time you have the chance to visit a J-League match, head to the stadium three hours before kick-off. Come hungry. Come curious. That is all you need — the rest takes care of itself.

    ※ Prices, menus, and stall information are subject to change. Please check each club’s official website for the latest details before matchday.

  • What is an Osaka Derby?

    What is a Derby Match?

    The term “derby match” comes from England. It refers to a game between two clubs from the same city or region. The most famous examples are the North London Derby (Arsenal vs. Tottenham) and the Manchester Derby (City vs. United). Around the world, a “derby” means more than just a regular game. It is a battle for pride.

    Why Does the J.League Have So Many Derbies?

    The J.League — Japan’s top professional football league, founded in 1993 — also uses the concept of the derby match. However, the definition in Japan is a little broader than in Europe.

    Here are some well-known city and prefecture-level derbies:

    • Tokyo Derby: FC Tokyo vs. Tokyo Verdy
    • Yokohama Derby: Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Yokohama FC
    • Chiba Derby (Chiba-gin Cup): JEF United Chiba vs. Kashiwa Reysol — a traditional pre-season fixture. “Chiba-gin” refers to Chiba Bank, the title sponsor of the match.
    • Shinshu Derby: AC Nagano Parceiro vs. Matsumoto Yamaga FC — two clubs from different cities within Nagano Prefecture.

    There are also “regional derbies” that cross prefecture borders:

    • Shikoku Derby: Matches between clubs from the Shikoku region (Ehime, Tokushima, Kagawa, and Kochi).
    • Kyushu Derby: Matches between clubs from the Kyushu region.

    In the J.League, almost any match with a strong rivalry element can be called a derby, regardless of the distance between the clubs.

    But Japan’s Biggest Derby Is the Osaka Derby

    Without question, the most exciting derby in Japan is the Osaka Derby. This match is between two clubs based in Osaka Prefecture: Gamba Osaka and Cerezo Osaka.

    Osaka Prefecture has a population of around 8.8 million people (as of 2024). It is Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area, after Tokyo. These two clubs divide that great city between them.

    Gamba Osaka: The Blue-and-Black Giants Born from Panasonic

    Gamba Osaka’s home area covers the northern part of Osaka Prefecture. The club represents several cities, including Suita, Toyonaka, Ibaraki, and Takatsuki. Their stadium is Panasonic Stadium Suita, a football-specific ground completed in 2016.

    The club grew out of the Matsushita Electric Works football team, founded in 1980 — the company that later became Panasonic. When the J.League launched in 1993, Gamba Osaka was one of the ten founding clubs, known as the “Original 10.”

    Major Titles in the J.League Era:

    CompetitionDetails
    J1 League (Japan’s top division)Champions: 2 times (2005, 2014)
    Levain Cup (formerly the Nabisco Cup — a domestic knockout cup competition similar to the EFL Cup in England)Winners: 2 times (2007, 2014)
    Emperor’s Cup (Japan’s oldest football cup, open to all clubs from professional to amateur level — similar to the FA Cup)Winners: 5 times (1990, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015)
    AFC Champions League (Asia’s top club competition, equivalent to the UEFA Champions League)Winners: 1 time (2008)

    In 2014, Gamba Osaka won the domestic treble — the J1 League, the Levain Cup, and the Emperor’s Cup all in the same season. In terms of total domestic titles, they rank third among all J.League clubs, behind Kashima Antlers and Urawa Red Diamonds.

    Their team colors are blue and black. The name “Gamba” comes from the Italian word for “leg,” and it also connects to the Japanese word ganbaru — meaning to give your absolute best. Honestly, the name suits them perfectly.

    Cerezo Osaka: The Pink Tradition Built by Yanmar

    Cerezo Osaka’s home area covers Osaka City and Sakai City. The club plays home matches at two venues: Yodoko Sakura Stadium and Yanmar Stadium Nagai.

    “Cerezo” is the Spanish word for cherry blossom. The team color is pink — one of the most distinctive and recognizable colors in world football.

    The club’s origins go back to 1957, when Yanmar Diesel F.C. was formed as the works team of Yanmar, a major manufacturer of agricultural machinery and engines. In the Japan Soccer League (JSL) — the top league before the J.League era — the club won the title four times and the Emperor’s Cup three times. They were one of the most successful clubs in the country.

    However, when the J.League was formed, Cerezo did not join at the start due to issues related to their home city. They restructured in 1994 and joined the J.League in 1995 — two years after Gamba Osaka.

    Now, here is where the story gets really interesting — and you genuinely cannot make this stuff up. Yanmar once had a reserve team called “Yanmar Club.” When that team disbanded in 1979, many of its players and staff went on to form the Matsushita Electric Works football team in 1980 — the very club that became Gamba Osaka. In other words, part of Gamba Osaka’s roots can be traced directly back to Yanmar. That historical connection makes the Osaka Derby even more layered and fascinating.

    Title Comparison: Gamba Leads in the Professional Era

    CategoryGamba OsakaCerezo Osaka
    J1 League titles20
    Levain Cup titles21
    Emperor’s Cup titles (J.League era)41
    AFC Champions League titles10

    In the J.League era, Gamba Osaka clearly has the stronger record. However, before the professional era — in the JSL days — Yanmar (the predecessor of Cerezo) was the dominant force.

    This uneven history creates a special kind of rivalry. Both sets of supporters carry their own distinct sense of pride.

    Head-to-Head Record: Gamba Once Led, Cerezo Is Fighting Back

    The first-ever Osaka Derby was played on 3 May 1995. It was a home game for Cerezo, and Cerezo won 1–0.

    In all J1 League meetings combined, Cerezo’s record stands at 18 wins, 7 draws, and 24 losses (as of mid-2026 season). For a long time, Gamba held the upper hand. But in the last 10 meetings, Cerezo has dominated with 7 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss. Since 2019 — the year Japan entered its new imperial era, called Reiwa — Cerezo have won 9, drawn 2, and lost only 2.

    Recent Notable Matches:

    • 2025 Season Opener (14 February 2025): Played at Gamba’s home ground. Cerezo won 5–2, with Sōta Kitano (who later signed for Red Bull Salzburg) scoring twice.
    • 2026 Season Opener (7 February 2026): Played at Cerezo’s home. The match ended 0–0. Gamba won 5–4 on penalties. Two players were sent off in what became a heated and chaotic contest.
    • 11 April 2026 (J1 League): Played at Gamba’s home. Cerezo won 1–0, returning the favor from the penalty shootout defeat earlier in the season.

    Supporter Culture and Incidents: The Reality of a Japanese Derby

    Overall, the J.League is one of the safest football leagues in the world. Violence and major disorder at matches are extremely rare. This reflects both Japanese culture and the strict policies of each club.

    However, when emotions run high — as they always do in the Osaka Derby — incidents do occasionally happen.

    In 2021, a group of Gamba supporters threw objects at Cerezo supporters outside the stadium. Then, in May 2022, after a match, a section of Gamba supporters verbally abused players and staff, made threats, and threw objects that caused injuries. Gamba Osaka responded immediately by issuing permanent bans to all members of that group — the most severe punishment available to the club.

    Since then, Gamba has maintained a strict zero-tolerance approach to antisocial behavior at all matches, working hard to keep stadiums safe and supporter culture healthy.

    It is important to put this in perspective. These incidents are nothing like the deadly riots or large-scale violence seen at derbies in some other parts of the world. The J.League as a whole remains one of the safest football environments on the planet.

    The Osaka Derby Shows Another Side of Japan

    Visitors from overseas often picture Japanese people as quiet, polite, and reserved. In everyday life, that image is largely accurate.

    But watch one Osaka Derby in person, and that image will shatter completely.

    Gamba supporters fill the stands in blue and black. Cerezo supporters pack their sections in pink and cherry blossom. For 90 minutes — and deep into added time — both sets of fans sing at full volume, pound their drums, and give everything they have to their club. Players themselves often say it feels completely different from any other match.

    The Osaka Derby is not just another league game. It is one of those occasions where Japanese football truly comes alive — passion, pride, and history all packed into a single 90-minute fixture.

    All data is based on information available as of May 2026.

  • Match Report: Nagoya Grampus 2–1 Gamba Osaka

    Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League — WEST, Matchday 15 / May 6, 2026 / Toyota Stadium, Toyota City

    Matchday 15 was a direct clash between the 2nd-place club (Gamba Osaka, based in Osaka) and the 3rd-place club (Nagoya Grampus, based in Nagoya). Gamba traveled to Nagoya as the away side.

    Before the Match

    Gamba Osaka had just crushed league leaders Vissel Kobe 5–0 at home in their previous match.

    Gamba Osaka Crush J1.League Leader Vissel Kobe 5-0!

    However, this game was the 10th match of an 11-game run in a short period of time — a brutal congested schedule. Tired legs were a real concern heading into an away trip.

    Nagoya Grampus, on the other hand, had made a complete squad rotation in their previous match — putting out an entirely different starting lineup — to beat V-Varen Nagasaki. Their players were rested and ready.

    The match commentary was handled by Kenta Hasegawa, a manager who has led both clubs in his career.

    Starting Lineups

    Gamba Osaka

    In goal: Rui Araki. At right back: young Ginjiro Ikegaya. On the left wing: Kanji Okunuki, who scored in the previous match. Leading the attack as center forward: Harumi Minamino, who scored twice against Kobe. Holding the midfield together as a defensive midfielder — the player who links defense and attack in the center of the pitch — was Shuto Abe. On the bench: Issam Jebali, returning from injury.

    Nagoya Grampus

    In goal: Daniel Schmidt, a former Japan international. Up front: a two-striker partnership of Yuya Yamagishi and Yudai Kimura. Controlling the game from deep as a holding midfielder (a deep-lying defensive role at the base of midfield): Sho Inagaki.

    First Half: Nagoya Take Control with Two Goals

    Nagoya made the sharper start.

    8′ — Gamba’s defensive shape broke down for a moment. Sho Inagaki stepped forward and drove a precise shot from just outside the penalty area into the net. 1–0 Nagoya.

    16′ — Gamba suffered an early blow. Defensive midfielder Shuto Abe went down in a challenge and left the pitch on a stretcher with a left ankle injury. Abe is one of Gamba’s most important players — the engine of their midfield who controls both defensive work and the transition into attack. Young Takato Yamamoto came on to replace him.

    32′ — Nagoya kept pushing from a corner kick. In the follow-up play, striker Yudai Kimura got on the end of the move and headed the ball into the net. 2–0. Gamba’s defense had been completely second-best.

    Half-time: Nagoya 2–0 Gamba Osaka

    Gamba had spells of possession but could not create anything dangerous in the final third — the area of the pitch closest to the opponent’s goal. The performance was the polar opposite of the 5–0 win over Kobe.

    Second Half: Gamba Push Hard but Fall Short

    The pattern continued in the second half. Gamba kept the ball but could not find a way through. Nagoya, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

    61′ — Kimura ran on to a long counter and headed towards goal — but the ball hit the post. Gamba survived.

    63′ — Gamba made three substitutions at once: Harumi Minamino, Takashi Usami, and Kanji Okunuki came off. Deniz Hummet, Ryotaro Meshino, and Shinya Nakano came on. Even so, Nagoya continued to create more clear chances. Gamba had the ball but couldn’t do much with it — and that, honestly, is the story of their season on tough away days.

    82′ — Meshino delivered a cross and midfielder Rin Mito met it with a header, but goalkeeper Daniel Schmidt pushed it away.

    90+5′ — Meshino hit a shot that Schmidt could only parry. Mito followed up and scored his first goal of the season. 2–1. But the final whistle blew almost immediately. Gamba could not find an equalizer.

    Full-time: Nagoya Grampus 2–1 Gamba Osaka

    Post-Match Analysis

    Gamba’s Recurring Problem

    This result reflected a pattern that has run through Gamba’s season. When they face a well-rested opponent on the road, after playing so many matches in a short time, their football struggles to function. They can hold the ball, but they lose the cutting edge in the final third. By contrast, when both sides are equally tired — as Kobe were in the previous match — Gamba can show what they are truly capable of.

    Impact on the WEST Group Table

    With this result, the race for first place in the WEST group has narrowed to Vissel Kobe and Nagoya Grampus. For Gamba to finish top of the group, both of those clubs would need to lose in consecutive matches — not a realistic scenario. Finishing second and advancing to the playoff round is now the practical target.

    In the EAST group, Kashima Antlers and FC Tokyo are locked in a tight battle at the top.

    The Biggest Worry: Shuto Abe’s Injury

    Beyond the final score, the most serious concern from this match is the condition of Shuto Abe. He left on a stretcher with a left ankle injury. With the AFC Champions League 2 Final approaching fast, his availability is now the biggest question mark hanging over Gamba Osaka.

    The Big Match Ahead: ACL2 Final — Gamba Osaka vs. Al Nassr

    May 17, 2026 (Japan time; May 16 local time) / Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / King Saud University Stadium

    Gamba Osaka are now just days away from one of the most important matches in the club’s history. They will play in the final of the AFC Champions League 2 — Asia’s second-tier continental club competition, roughly equivalent to UEFA’s Europa Conference League in Europe — organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

    What is the AFC Champions League 2? The AFC Champions League 2 is the second-level international club competition in Asia. Top clubs from J1 and other Asian leagues compete for the title each season.

    Their opponents are Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia) — a club stacked with players who were among the best in Europe not long ago: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Sadio Mané (Senegal), João Félix (Portugal), Kingsley Coman (France), and Marcelo Brozović (Croatia).

    Al Nassr were dominant in the group stage, winning all six matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding just two. However, their form has not been entirely consistent in the knockout rounds. Coman hit a hat-trick in the semifinal while Ronaldo went scoreless. Even inside Saudi Arabia, voices have been saying that Al Nassr may not be in the right shape to handle Gamba right now.

    For Gamba, this match also carries a historical echo: the last time the club faced Cristiano Ronaldo was at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008, when they played against his Manchester United side — 18 years ago.

    Can head coach Jens Wissing’s Gamba pull off the upset, deep in enemy territory, against one of the most star-studded squads in Asian football? The whole continent is watching.

    Next fixture: Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League WEST, Matchday 16 — Gamba Osaka vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (May 10 / Panasonic Stadium Suita)

    ACL2 Final: Al Nassr vs. Gamba Osaka (May 17, Japan time / Riyadh) — Live on DAZN

  • What is the Levain Cup?

    A Complete Guide for J.League Beginners

    What is the Levain Cup?

    The J.League YBC Levain Cup is one of the three most important titles in Japanese football. The other two are the J1 League — the top division, played across the full season — and the Emperor’s Cup, Japan’s oldest national cup competition. The Emperor’s Cup is open to clubs from all divisions, including amateur teams, and uses a straight knockout format.

    In short, the Levain Cup is J.League’s league cup. If you follow European football, the closest comparison is the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) in England.

    Where Does the Name “Levain” Come From?

    The full name is the J.League YBC Levain Cup. “YBC” stands for Yamazaki Biscuits Co., Ltd., the tournament’s title sponsor. “Levain” is the brand name of one of the company’s cracker products. The word comes from French and means “sourdough starter.”

    But this competition had a completely different name for a long time.

    The tournament started in 1992 — one year before the J.League officially launched — and was known for many years as the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup. This is because Yamazaki Biscuits was previously called Yamazaki Nabisco and held a license to use the Nabisco brand name.

    In 2016, the company ended its Nabisco license and changed its corporate name to Yamazaki Biscuits. The tournament was renamed the YBC Levain Cup at the same time.

    For long-time J.League fans, simply saying “Nabisco” was enough to mean this tournament. Now “Levain” has taken that place. The name changed, but the love hasn’t.

    Why Does the Levain Cup Matter?

    Winning the league title or the Emperor’s Cup is obviously important. But the Levain Cup has its own special meaning.

    It is a gateway to glory.

    The J1 League title is often won by wealthy clubs from large cities. The Levain Cup is different. Smaller clubs from provincial cities have a real chance here. For a club that has never won a major title, the Levain Cup is often the first door that opens.

    Tournament Format

    The format has changed several times over the years. As of 2025, all 60 clubs from the J1, J2, and J3 leagues take part in a fully knockout-format tournament.

    (Quick note: J1 is the top division, J2 is the second division, and J3 is the third. Clubs are promoted and relegated between divisions based on their league results each season.)

    The competition runs in three stages:

    1st Round (Rounds 1–3) Single-leg knockout matches, hosted by lower-division clubs or lower-ranked clubs within the same division. Clubs involved in international competitions — such as the AFC Champions League or the FIFA Club World Cup — may receive a bye and skip this round.

    Playoff Round Two-legged ties, played home and away. The winner is decided by the total score across both matches — a format that fans of European cup football will recognize immediately.

    Prime Round (Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final) The quarterfinals and semifinals are two-legged ties. The final is a single match. VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is used in all matches from the Prime Round onward.

    The Final: Venue and Traditions

    Since 2022, the final has been held at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. It usually takes place in October or November, in the middle of the Japanese autumn.

    For J.League fans, the Levain Cup final under a clear autumn sky has become one of the highlights of the football calendar.

    And the final has another famous tradition: the tifo display.

    Before kick-off, supporters of both finalists create enormous visual displays — choreographed artwork that covers thousands of seats across the entire end stands behind each goal. This has become one of the defining images of the final.

    It all started in 2003. Urawa Red Diamonds — known for having some of the most passionate supporters in all of J.League — reached the Nabisco Cup Final for the first time. Their fans packed the end stands, turned them a deep red, and put on a spectacular tifo display. From that moment, the tradition took hold. Now, it is simply what you do when you reach the final.

    Levain Cup vs. Emperor’s Cup: What’s the Difference?

    Both competitions use a knockout format, but they feel completely different on match day.

    The Emperor’s Cup Final (often held on New Year’s Day) attracts many general football fans, not just supporters of the two clubs playing. It has a nationwide, festive atmosphere — almost like a national holiday.

    The Levain Cup Final is different. It belongs to the fans of the two finalists. The stadium is split in two by rival supporter groups, and the tifo displays make this contrast very clear. Both end stands are painted in completely different colors.

    So the two competitions are distinct not just in their rules and traditions, but also in the kind of atmosphere they create inside the stadium.

    2025 Results

    The 2025 Levain Cup Final was held on November 1st at Japan National Stadium.

    Sanfrecce Hiroshima defeated Kashiwa Reysol 3–1 to claim the title. It was Hiroshima’s second Levain Cup trophy, following their previous win in 2022.

    Summary

    The Levain Cup is not just “the third title.” It has a long history and is deeply loved by supporters across Japan. The name changed from Nabisco to Levain, but the competition’s value and passion remain exactly the same. The autumn final, the colorful tifo displays, the chance for an upset — all of this is part of what makes J.League worth watching.

    If you want to truly enjoy J.League, the Levain Cup is not something you want to miss.