In 2023 I went to twenty soccer matches in Japan which was double what I did the yr earlier than. While I’m extremely unlikely to attend 40 this season (not that I wish to!) I ought to at the very least equal final yr’s tally. It’s actually been a powerful begin (by my requirements!) with 10 beneath my belt already. That complete to this point consists of 9 totally different grounds (together with three I’d by no means been to earlier than) in 5 prefectures to see soccer in six competitions so not a nasty combine.
A couple of of those have had their very own weblog posts however the majority of them weren’t actually thought of to be worthy of a solitary put up so I’ve collated them into this rankings listing. It’s actually not one to be taken too severely because it’s based mostly on a mix of event, climate, folks I met, the stadium and possibly even the soccer itself! For the document, I’ve loved all of them in several methods.
10. NTV Beleza 0-1 INAC Kobe Leonessa @ Ajinomoto Subject Nishigaoka, Kita-ku (Tokyo), eighth January – One thing all the time has to come back final. This wasn’t horrible or something however as this stadium is the closest one to the Tokyo Fox World Operations Centre, going to matches right here these days actually does really feel like an in-and-out job with not one of the traditional issues which make up a match day expertise.
9. JEF United Chiba Women 1-0 Mynavi Sendai Women @ Ichihara Seaside Stadium, Ichihara (Chiba-ken), seventh January – Not sport in any respect and it appeared destined to be a goalless draw till the house crew grabbed a late winner. This was my first match of 2024 and it was good to go to a brand new stadium within the firm of my pal Marcus.
8. AS Elfen Saitama 2-1 Nojima Stella @ Kumagaya Athletic Stadium, Kumagaya (Saitama-ken), tenth March – One other stadium that I’d by no means been to, and the climax of an important day trip within the native space. The Saitama followers made a little bit of a noise which isn’t all the time the case within the WE League which has slowly, however certainly been rising in recognition since its inception in 2021. The primary half wasn’t so good however issues improved within the second interval with an important equaliser and the winner was scored straight from a nook!
7. Criacao Shinjuku 1-2 Sony Sendai @ Ajinomoto Subject Nishigaoka, Kita-ku (Tokyo), twenty eighth April – One other journey to my native floor and the ambiance was the very best it’s ever been with a gaggle of passionate Shinjuku followers in fantastic voice. I sat on the entrance row for the primary time and received to see the gamers up actual shut from a standpoint I hardly ever get to expertise.
6. Azul Claro Numazu 0-1 Fukushima United @ Ashitaka Park Stadium, Numazu (Shizuoka-ken), third Could – I all the time try to get to a sport within the Japanese Golden Week vacation every year and this one was the simplest to get to from our base in Izu. There have been a number of good probabilities for either side in a mildly entertaining sport. Every crew hit the body of the purpose earlier than a late purpose received it for the away facet.
5. Urawa Pink Diamond Women 1-1 INAC Kobe Leonessa @ Urawa Komaba Stadium, Urawa (Saitama-ken), third March – An explosive begin to this top-of-the-table WE League conflict with two early objectives however, although have been some good probabilities, the tally sadly couldn’t be added to. This was additionally memorable for me as I cycled all the way in which there which is the furthest I’ve ever gone in such style for a match.
4. Tokyo Verdy 1-1 Kashiwa Reysol @ Ajinomoto Stadium, Chofu (Tokyo), seventh April – Some extent apiece was most likely a good end result. The house facet have been higher within the first 45 minutes however Reysol have been on prime within the second half till Verdy awakened in further time. It’s all the time nice to fulfill up with buddies at a few of these video games and that was actually the case right here.
3. Kashiwa Reysol 1-1 Kyoto Sanga FC @ Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium, Kashiwa (Chiba-ken), twenty fifth February – Regardless of the disappointingly predictable finish to the soccer which was moderately lacklustre at occasions, the horrible drizzly rain all afternoon did assist to creating this match stay longer than traditional in my reminiscence. The pre-kick off restaurant close to the bottom combining soccer, Star Wars, tasty and interesting-looking meals, and a very distinctive rest room actually helped to propel this match day up the rankings! Extra particulars right here.
2. Aries Tokyo 3-2 Tokyo United @ ZOZO Park Honda Soccer Space, Mihama-ku (Chiba-ken), nineteenth Could – The brand new Tokyo Derby as these two fifth tier groups confronted off in opposition to one another for the primary time ever. This floor (not truly in Tokyo!) was one I’d wished to go to for some time because the Honda pertains to the previous Japanese worldwide and never the corporate! Drizzly rain was a characteristic once more however my spirits have been raised after assembly a fellow Englishman who I chatted to all through the match which was very nice. The sport was truly fairly good too. Extra particulars right here.
1. Yokohama F. Marinos 2-1 Al-Ain @ Nissan Stadium, Yokohama (Kanagawa-ken), eleventh Could – No shock I assume that this showpiece event got here out on prime. It was a incredible ambiance and there have been many probabilities all through an eventful sport which finally noticed Marinos take a slender benefit into the away leg. That will not have gone so properly however this house match is not going to be forgotten!! Extra particulars right here.
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