TOKYO, Feb 23 (News On Japan) –
The J1 League is ready to kick off on Friday, with eyes not solely on the title race between completed groups such because the defending champions Vissel Kobe and Yokohama F. Marinos but additionally on the efficiency of newly promoted groups like FC Machida Zelvia and Tokyo Verdy, which is making a return to J1 after 16 years.

The J.League, marking a brand new begin after its thirtieth anniversary final season, will begin with a match between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Urawa Reds on the new “Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima” stadium in Hiroshima City at 2 PM on the twenty third. This season, J1 has expanded to twenty groups from the earlier season and can contest 38 rounds till December to determine the champion.

Defending champions Vissel Kobe, aiming for back-to-back titles, boast key gamers like final season’s MVP and prime scorer Yuya Osako, and Hotaru Yamaguchi, who was chosen for the Best Eleven. They are joined by skilled members comparable to former Japan nationwide group midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi.

Yokohama F. Marinos, who completed second final season, are recognized for his or her overwhelming offensive energy, main the league with 63 objectives. With Anderson Lopez, who shared the highest scorer title with Vissel’s Osako, their potent assault stays intact as they intention for his or her first championship in two seasons.

Urawa Reds, who completed fourth final season and received the ACL (Asian Champions League), are aiming for his or her first J1 title in 18 seasons with their league-best protection and newly strengthened assault.

Also value watching is how the newly promoted groups will fare, together with FC Machida Zelvia, led by the famend highschool soccer coach Tsuyoshi Kuroda, Jubilo Iwata, and Tokyo Verdy, returning to J1 after 16 years. The first spherical of J1 may have two matches on the twenty third, six on the twenty fourth, and two on the twenty fifth. The J2 and J3 leagues will kick off on the twenty fourth.

Featured Matchups for J1 Round 1:

[February 23 (Friday)] – Hiroshima vs. Urawa 14:00 @ E Peace – Nagoya vs. Kashima 18:00 @ Toyota Stadium

[February 24 (Saturday)] – Iwata vs. Kobe 13:00 @ Yamaha Stadium – Fukuoka vs. Sapporo 14:00 @ Best Amenity Stadium – Tosu vs. Niigata 14:00 @ Station Stadium – Machida vs. G Osaka 15:00 @ G Stadium – Shonan vs. Kawasaki F 15:00 @ Lemon Gas Stadium – C Osaka vs. FC Tokyo 15:00 @ Yodoko Sakura Stadium

[February 25 (Sunday)] – Kashiwa vs. Kyoto 14:00 @ Hitachi Kashiwa Stadium – Tokyo V vs. Yokohama FM 14:00 @ National Stadium

Source: NHK