The J. League is one of the most underrated competitions in the world. And when full-time blows on Saturday afternoon, it will signal another thrilling climax to one of the world’s most entertaining football leagues.
For the umpteenth time in its recent history the J. League will be decided on the final day, with league leaders Kashiwa Reysol battling defending champions Nagoya Grampus and perennial heavyweights Gamba Osaka for the title.
Kashiwa go into their clash away at Urawa Reds with a one-point lead at the top of the table. But with an inferior goal difference to both Nagoya and Gamba, anything less than victory could cost Reysol the title.
Kashiwa are looking to make history as the first side ever to be crowned second-division and top-flight champions in consecutive seasons, after the Chiba side romped to the J2 title last season.
They did so on the back of some high quality attacking football, and the Sun Kings have only improved on their return to the top flight.
Reysol are an interesting side. They’re one of the more storied teams in Japan, without ever having claimed the kind of popular support of several of their near neighbours.
But what the Sun Kings lack in popularity they make up for in sheer intimidation, and Reysol fans have long had a reputation as some of the most vociferous in Asia.
The one game I attended at Kashiwa’s compact Hitachi Stadium was a midweek League Cup encounter. It ended with Reysol’s then-goalkeeper Yuichi Mizutani flipping the bird at Shimizu S-Pulse supporters, while the two teams had to be separated by officials at the final whistle.
In fact, I was later warned off travelling to Hitachdai altogether, with Kashiwa’s intimidating home fans not exactly renowned for their hospitable welcome.
But on the pitch Kashiwa have been one of this season’s real entertainers, and the quality of their football can largely be attributed to the foresight of their experienced coach.
Brazilian tactician Nelsinho has been at so many clubs his CV must be ten pages long, and crucially for Reysol fans, Kashiwa is the third club he’s coached in Japan.
He’s been in charge since mid-2009 and hung around even when Reysol were relegated to the second tier.
Nelsinho signed Leandro Domingues from his native Brazil and the fleet-footed midfielder not only fired Reysol to the second division title last year, he’s also been the most influential player in the top flight this season as well.
Yet Reysol don’t just rely on Brazilian influences – although Jorge Wagner is also a more than handy player – with the likes of Hiroki Sakai, Ryoichi Kurisawa and Junya Tanaka all enjoying impressive campaigns.
The Sun Kings even shrugged off the mid-season loss of midfielder Yuki Otsu to Borussia Mönchengladbach, with squad depth clearly not a problem for the Chiba side.
Much as I dislike their fans, I hope Kashiwa win their first J1 title on Saturday and etch a new name onto the league trophy.
Furthermore, I’d love to see a fearless attacking side like Kashiwa take on Brisbane Roar in the AFC Champions League in what would be a mouth-watering clash between two of Asia’s hottest sides.
The Roar might be peerless in Australia, but I’m not sure they’d beat Kashiwa, particularly in front of Reysol’s notoriously vocal fans.
And a packed Hitachi Stadium for the midweek visit of a team like Brisbane Roar is exactly the kind of marketable clash the Champions League needs.
Kashiwa Reysol are just ninety minutes away from a famous title win, although anyone with experience of Japanese football knows that can be an eternity in the J. League.
Josh Kennedy might hope otherwise, but the romantics among us will hope Kashiwa win the J. League and hopefully go on to play Brisbane Roar next year to boot.
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
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