Kawasaki believe ACL Elite final vs. Al Ahli will be won with feet, not wallets
Coming up against Al Nassr's expensively-assembled squad in the ACL Elite final will hardly faze Kawasaki Frontale.
Why Kawasaki are most-refreshing -- and unlikeliest -- of ACL Elite title contenders
Providing the ACL Elite with a breath of fresh air, Kawasaki Frontale might just be the unlikeliest of title contenders.
Ronaldo, Al Nassr upstaged as Kawasaki go from supporting role to star turn
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr were meant to be the star act of the ACL Elite -- only to be upstaged by Kawasaki Frontale.
Star-studded Al Nassr the favourites but Kawasaki 'not afraid' of Ronaldo and gang
A Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr are favourites to reach the ACL Elite final but Kawasaki Frontale have ideas of their own.
Kawasaki last hope for East as Saudi Arabian giants run riot in ACL Elite Finals
Kawasaki Frontale are the sole source of resistance to Saudi Arabian dominance in the ACL Elite Finals.
Post-qualification hangover immediately offers areas of improvement for Japan
Japan want to win the World Cup. Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia should tell them what they need to get there.
With qualification in the bag, quest to win World Cup now begins for Japan
Japan are the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their attention is now on winning it.
Unstoppable Samurai Blue: Reliving Japan's charge to the 2026 World Cup
Japan are the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Here's how they did so -- in sheer dominant fashion.
Familiar arena looms as venue for Endō's next big achievement: World Cup-qualifying captain
On a familar ground, Wataru Endō's next achievement could just come in the form of a World Cup-qualifying captain.
Maiden ACL Elite Finals draw delivers East-West clashes with zonal segregation removed
The draw for the inaugural AFC Champions League Elite Finals was held on Monday and delivered tantalising East-West ties.
Sailors capitalise on reprieve to hold off Sanfrecce and match historic feat
Lion City Sailors are through to the AFC Champions League Two semifinals after holding off Sanfrecce Hiroshima.d
Unexpected twist leaves Sailors, Sanfrecce poised to deliver thriller
Lion City Sailors and Sanfrecce Hiroshima meet once more after an unexpected twist turned the tie around.
Sailors handed ACL Two lifeline over Sanfrecce fielding suspended player
Lion City Sailors have been awarded a 3-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the AFC Champions League Two quarterfinals.
Sailors dared to dream for a moment -- then Sanfrecce turned it into a nightmare
Lion City Sailors gave themselves reason to dream for a bit. Then Sanfrecce Hiroshima showed no mercy.
Who are the knockout round contenders in the AFC Champions League Elite?
With the ACL Elite knockout round getting underway, we take a look at the 16 contenders still in the running.
Sanfrecce lay down a marker but are Vissel still the team to beat in J1 League?
Sanfrecce Hiroshima have started 2025 on a high -- but are Vissel Kobe still the team to beat in the J1 League?
Japan's ACL Elite dominance continues as Vissel, Marinos and Frontale advance
Japanese football is dominating the East Region of the AFC Champions League Elite with all three clubs marching on.
J1 League down to the wire with three teams a chance to become final-day champions
The J1 League will crown its 2024 champions this weekend with three teams still a chance of winning it.
Who are the standouts at the halfway mark of the ACL Elite league stage?
With the ACL Elite league stage at its halfway mark, we look at the teams that have shone the brightest so far.
How close are Japan to Moriyasu's bold target of winning the World Cup?
Hajime Moriyasu has said Japan's goal is not to reach the World Cup but to win it. Are they a realistic chance?
In Ueda's absence, Ogawa issues legitimate claim as Japan's alternative spearhead
With Ayase Ueda absent, Kōki Ogawa took his chance to lead the Japan attack with both hands this past week.
Indonesia given brutal reminder of gulf in class that still exists as Japan run riot
For the first time in the third round of Asian qualifiers, Indonesia were given a reality check by Japan.
Will Yuma Suzuki be the best Japanese striker to never play for the Samurai Blue?
Yuma Suzuki's record speaks for itself yet he continues to be overlooked by Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.
Who do Japan turn to in order to fill massive Ayase Ueda void?
With Ayase Ueda sidelined, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu will have a huge void to fill in the upcoming Asian qualifiers.
Vissel's new two-pronged attack could deliver in pivotal final month of 2024
Vissel Kobe's switch to a two-man strike force could just reap huge rewards in the final month of their 2024 campaign.
Japanese J1 League Ladder
| TEAM | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kashima Antlers | 14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | +12 | 28 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | +6 | 25 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 24 |
| Kyoto Sanga | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | +2 | 24 |
| Vissel Kobe | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | +4 | 21 |
| Shimizu S-Pulse | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | +3 | 21 |
| Avispa Fukuoka | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 21 |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 13 | 6 | 2 | 5 | +1 | 20 |
| Machida Zelvia | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 20 |
| Gamba Osaka | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | -2 | 20 |
| Kawasaki Frontale | 12 | 4 | 6 | 2 | +8 | 18 |
| Fagiano Okayama | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 18 |
| Shonan Bellmare | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | -8 | 18 |
| Tokyo Verdy 1969 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | -5 | 17 |
| Cerezo Osaka | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | -1 | 16 |
| FC Tokyo | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | -3 | 16 |
| Nagoya Grampus | 14 | 4 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 14 |
| Albirex Niigata | 14 | 2 | 6 | 6 | -5 | 12 |
| Yokohama FC | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -5 | 12 |
| Yokohama F. Marinos | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -6 | 8 |