2021 in Japanese football

Football in Japan
Season2021
Men's football
J1 LeagueKawasaki Frontale
J2 LeagueJúbilo Iwata
J3 LeagueRoasso Kumamoto
Japan Football LeagueIwaki FC
Japanese Regional LeaguesCriacao Shinjuku
Emperor's CupUrawa Red Diamonds
J.League CupNagoya Grampus
Super CupKawasaki Frontale
Women's football
Nadeshiko Division 1Iga FC Kunoichi
Nadeshiko Division 2JFA Academy Fukushima
← 2020 Japan 2022 →

This article summarizes Japanese football in the 2021 season.

National team results and fixtures

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Men's

[edit]

Senior

[edit]
25 March 2021 Friendly Japan 3–0  South Korea Yokohama, Japan
19:20 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Nissan Stadium
Referee: Rowan Arumughan (India)
30 March 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Mongolia  0–14 Japan Chiba, Japan[a]
19:20 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Fukuda Denshi Arena
Attendance: 0
Referee: Omar Mohamed Al-Ali (United Arab Emirates)
28 May 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Japan 10–0  Myanmar Chiba, Japan
19:30 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Fukuda Denshi Arena
Attendance: 0
Referee: Hasan Akrami (Iran)
7 June 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Japan 4–1  Tajikistan Suita, Japan
19:30 UTC+9 Report Stadium: Panasonic Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Abdulrehman Al Jassim (Qatar)
11 June 2021 Kirin Challenge Cup Japan 1–0  Serbia Kobe, Japan
19:25 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Noevir Stadium Kobe
Referee: Payam Heidari (Iran)
15 June 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Japan 5–1  Kyrgyzstan Suita, Japan
19:30 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Panasonic Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Omar Al-Yaqoubi (Oman)
7 September 2021 2022 World Cup qualification China  0–1 Japan Doha, Qatar
18:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)
7 October 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Saudi Arabia  1–0 Japan Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
20:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City
Attendance: 51,218
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
12 October 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Japan 2–1  Australia Saitama, Japan
19:14 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Attendance: 14,437
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
11 November 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Vietnam  0–1 Japan Hanoi, Vietnam
19:00 UTC+7 Report
Stadium: Mỹ Đình National Stadium
Attendance: 11,022
Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates)
16 November 2021 2022 World Cup qualification Oman  0–1 Japan Muscat, Oman
20:00 UTC+4 Report
Stadium: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)

U-23

[edit]
3 June Unofficial friendly Japan A Japan 3–0  Japan Hokkaido, Japan
19:30 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Sapporo Dome
Attendance: 0
Referee: Mohamed Darwish (UAE)
5 June Friendly Japan  6–0  Ghana Fukuoka, Japan
19:25 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Best Denki Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara (Japan)
12 June Friendly Japan  4–0  Jamaica Toyota, Aichi, Japan
13:35 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 4,029
Referee: Yudai Yamamoto (Japan)
12 July Kirin Challenge Cup (Under-24) Japan  3–1  Honduras Osaka, Japan
19:30 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Yodoko Sakura Stadium
Attendance: 4,063
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara (Japan)
17 July Kirin Challenge Cup (Under-24) Japan  1–1  Spain Hyogo, Japan
19:20 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Noevir Stadium Kobe
Attendance: 4,909
Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)
22 July 2020 Summer Olympics GS Group A Japan  1–0  South Africa Tokyo, Japan
20:00 UTC+9
Report (TOCOG)
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Tokyo Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela)
3 August 2020 Summer Olympics Semi-finals Japan  0–1 (a.e.t.)  Spain Saitama, Japan
20:00 UTC+9 Report (TOCOG)
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Attendance: 0
Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)

U-20

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The 2020 AFC U-19 Championship was cancelled after the draw for the group stage was conducted.[2]

March 2021 2020 AFC U-19 Championship Group Stage Japan  Cancelled  Iraq Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Stadium: Lokomotiv Stadium
March 2021 2020 AFC U-19 Championship Group Stage Bahrain  Cancelled  Japan Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Stadium: Lokomotiv Stadium
March 2021 2020 AFC U-19 Championship Group Stage South Korea  Cancelled  Japan Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Stadium: Lokomotiv Stadium
18 December IBARAKI Next Generation Match 2021 1st Round Kashima Antlers Youth Japan 2–6  Japan Hitachinaka, Japan
11:00
  • Kai Kikuchi 60'
  • Keita Imai 90+1'
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Hitachinaka Athletics Stadium
19 December IBARAKI Next Generation Match 2021 Final Japan  1–2 Japan U-20 Kanto University Selection Hitachinaka, Japan
14:00
  • Kanta Chiba 41'
Report (JFA) unknown 61', 87' Stadium: Hitachinaka Athletics Stadium

U-17

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2–6 June U-16 International Dream Cup Japan  Cancelled Japan
Cancellation
2–6 June U-16 International Dream Cup Japan  Cancelled Japan
Cancellation
2–6 June U-16 International Dream Cup Japan  Cancelled Japan
Cancellation

Futsal

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19 August 2021 (2021-08-19) Friendly Portugal  3–2  Japan Rio Maior, Portugal
19:00 *Local time
  • ? 25'
  • ? 29'
  • ? 37'
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Pavilhao Polidesportivo Rio Maior Sports Centre
22 August 2021 (2021-08-22) Friendly Japan  2–2  Venezuela Rio Maior, Portugal
19:00 *Local time
  • Murota 7'
  • Arthur 16'
Report (JFA)
  • ? 16'
  • ? 39'
Stadium: Pavilhão Polidesportivo Rio Maior
25 August 2021 (2021-08-25) Friendly Argentina  2–1  Japan Jaén, Spain
20:30 *Local time
  • ? 1'
  • ? 6'
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Palacio de deportes Olivo Arena
29 August 2021 (2021-08-29) Friendly Japan  1–0  Vietnam Jaén, Spain
18:00 *Local time
  • Shimizu 36'
Report (JFA) Stadium: Palacio de deportes Olivo Arena
31 August 2021 (2021-08-31) Friendly Spain  2–0  Japan Jaén, Spain
20:15 *Local time Report (JFA) Stadium: Palacio de deportes Olivo Arena
7 September 2021 (2021-09-07) Friendly Japan  3–0  Morocco Lithuania
Report (JFA)
14 September 2021 (2021-09-14) FIFA Futsal World Cup GS Group E Angola  4–8  Japan Klaipėda, Lithuania
20:00 EEST (UTC+3)
  • Guga 19', 21'
  • R. Hoshi 24' (o.g.)
  • Kaluanda 29'
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
  • Oliveira 13', 20', 23', 37'
  • Murota 14'
  • R. Hoshi 25'
  • Nishitani 25'
  • S. Hoshi 40'
Stadium: Švyturys Arena
Attendance: 607
Referee: Diego López (Costa Rica)
17 September 2021 (2021-09-17) FIFA Futsal World Cup GS Group E Spain  4–2  Japan Klaipėda, Lithuania
18:00 EEST (UTC+3)
  • Díaz 4'
  • Chino 26'
  • Campos 30'
  • Tolrà 39'
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Švyturys Arena
Attendance: 712
Referee: Valeria Palma (Chile)
20 September 2021 (2021-09-20) FIFA Futsal World Cup GS Group E Japan  1–2  Paraguay Vilnius, Lithuania
18:00 EEST (UTC+3) Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
  • Mareco 7'
  • J. Salas 33'
Stadium: Avia Solutions Group Arena
Attendance: 792
Referee: Roberto López (Panama)
23 September 2021 (2021-09-23) FIFA Futsal World Cup Round of 16 Brazil  4–2  Japan Kaunas, Lithuania
20:00 EEST (UTC+3)
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Žalgiris Arena
Attendance: 918
Referee: Irina Velikanova (Russia)

U-20 futsal

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Beach soccer

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19 August 2021 (2021-08-19) FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup GS Group A Paraguay  4–7  Japan Moscow, Russia
16:30 UTC+3
  • Cantero 10'
  • N. Medina 10', 13'
  • Morán 27'
Report (BSWW)
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
  • Ojeda 21' (o.g.)
  • Akaguma 26', 32', 32'
  • Yamauchi 29', 33' (pen.), 36'
Stadium: Luzhniki Beach Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 598
Referee: Francisco de Oses Bumedien (Spain)
21 August 2021 (2021-08-21) FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup GS Group A Japan  4–3  United States Moscow, Russia
16:30 UTC+3
  • Okuyama 4'
  • Ozu 23'
  • Oba 28' (pen.)
  • Yamauchi 31'
Report (BSWW)
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
  • Silveira 3'
  • Canale 29'
  • Perea 34'
Stadium: Luzhniki Beach Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 1,507
Referee: Aurélien Planchais-Godefroy (Tahiti)
23 August 2021 (2021-08-23) FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup GS Group A Japan  1–7  RFU Moscow, Russia
20:30 UTC+3
  • Akaguma 32'
Report (BSWW)
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
  • Ozu 1' (o.g.)
  • Paporotnyi 3', 25', 27'
  • Zemskov 8'
  • Chuzhkov 15'
  • Nikonorov 36'
Stadium: Luzhniki Beach Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Micke Palomino (Peru)
26 August 2021 (2021-08-26) FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Quarter-finals Tahiti  4–5 (a.e.t.)  Japan Moscow, Russia
19:00 UTC+3
Report (BSWW)
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
  • Tehau 4' (o.g.)
  • Yamauchi 5' (pen.)
  • Oba 36'
  • Okuyama 37'
  • Akaguma 38'
Stadium: Luzhniki Beach Soccer Stadium
28 August 2021 (2021-08-28) FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Semi-finals Japan  5–2  Senegal Moscow, Russia
19:30 UTC+3
  • Akaguma 15' (pen.), 29', 33'
  • Oba 27'
  • Okuyama 27'
Report (BSWW)
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
  • Fall 26'
  • Boye 32'
Stadium: Luzhniki Beach Soccer Arena
Attendance: 1,950
Referee: Łukasz Ostrowski (Poland)
29 August 2021 (2021-08-29) FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Final RFU  5–2  Japan Moscow, Russia
19:30 UTC+3
  • Zemskov 4'
  • Krasheninnikov 13', 34'
  • Nivikov 15'
  • Paporotnyi 19'
Report (BSWW)
Report (FIFA)
Report (JFA)
  • Akaguma 13', 17' (pen.)
Stadium: Luzhniki Beach Soccer Arena
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Suhaimi Mat Hassan (Malaysia)
2 November 2021 (2021-11-02) Tecnotree Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup Russia  7–6  Japan Dubai, United Arab Emirates
18:45 UTC+4 Report (BSWW)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Kite Beach
3 November 2021 (2021-11-03) Tecnotree Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup Iran  6–1  Japan Dubai, United Arab Emirates
20:00 UTC+4 Report (BSWW)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Kite Beach
4 November 2021 (2021-11-04) Tecnotree Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup Japan  4–6 (a.e.t.)  Paraguay Dubai, United Arab Emirates
16:00 UTC+4 Report (BSWW)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Kite Beach
6 November 2021 Tecnotree Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup (5th place play-off) Japan  5–4  Spain
16:15 Report(BSWW)
Report(JFA)

Women's

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Senior

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8 April Friendly Japan  7–0  Paraguay Sendai, Japan
16:30 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
Report (SW)
Stadium: Yurtec Stadium Sendai
Attendance: 818
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
11 April Friendly Japan  7–0  Panama Tokyo, Japan
13:30 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
Report (SW)
Stadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 4,036
Referee: Azusa Sugino (Japan)
10 June Friendly Japan  8–0  Ukraine Hiroshima, Japan
15:15 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
Report (SW)
Stadium: Edion Stadium Hiroshima
Attendance: 796
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
13 June MS&AD CUP Japan  5–1  Mexico Utsunomiya, Japan
14:00 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
Report (FMF)
Report (SW)
Stadium: Kanseki Stadium Tochigi
Attendance: 3,890
Referee: Asaka Koizumi (England)

U-20

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U-17

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Futsal

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Club competitions

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Men's

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Promotion and relegation

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League Promoted to league Relegated from league
J1 League No relegation
J2 League No relegation
J3 League No relegation
Japan Football League No relegation

J1 League

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Kawasaki Frontale (C) 38 28 8 2 81 28 +53 92 Qualification for the AFC Champions League group stage
2 Yokohama F. Marinos 38 24 7 7 82 35 +47 79
3 Vissel Kobe 38 21 10 7 62 36 +26 73 Qualification for the AFC Champions League play-off round
4 Kashima Antlers 38 21 6 11 62 36 +26 69
5 Nagoya Grampus 38 19 9 10 44 30 +14 66
6 Urawa Red Diamonds 38 18 9 11 45 38 +7 63[b] Qualification for the AFC Champions League group stage[c]
7 Sagan Tosu 38 16 11 11 43 35 +8 59
8 Avispa Fukuoka 38 14 12 12 42 37 +5 54
9 FC Tokyo 38 15 8 15 49 53 −4 53
10 Consadole Sapporo 38 14 9 15 48 50 −2 51
11 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 38 12 13 13 44 42 +2 49
12 Cerezo Osaka 38 13 9 16 47 51 −4 48
13 Gamba Osaka 38 12 8 18 33 49 −16 44
14 Shimizu S-Pulse 38 10 12 16 37 54 −17 42
15 Kashiwa Reysol 38 12 5 21 37 56 −19 41
16 Shonan Bellmare 38 7 16 15 36 41 −5 37[b]
17 Tokushima Vortis (R) 38 10 6 22 34 55 −21 36 Relegation to the J2 League
18 Oita Trinita (R) 38 9 8 21 31 55 −24 35
19 Vegalta Sendai (R) 38 5 13 20 31 62 −31 28
20 Yokohama FC (R) 38 6 9 23 32 77 −45 27
Source: Meiji Yasuda J1 League, J.League Data Site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goal scored; 7) Fair-play points.
(C) Champions; (R) Relegation to the J2 League
Notes:
  1. ^ The Mongolia v Japan match was played in Chiba, Japan.[1]
  2. ^ a b The JPFL awarded a 3–0 win to Shonan Bellmare after Urawa Red Diamonds fielded Zion Suzuki who was an ineligible player. The original score was 3–2 for Shonan Bellmare.[4][5]
  3. ^ Qualified as winners of the 2021 Emperor's Cup.

J2 League

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
1 Júbilo Iwata (C, P) 42 27 10 5 75 42 +33 91 Promotion to J1 League
2 Kyoto Sanga (P) 42 24 12 6 59 31 +28 84
3 Ventforet Kofu 42 23 11 8 65 38 +27 80
4 V-Varen Nagasaki 42 23 9 10 69 44 +25 78
5 Machida Zelvia 42 20 12 10 64 38 +26 72
6 Albirex Niigata 42 18 14 10 61 40 +21 68
7 Montedio Yamagata 42 20 8 14 61 49 +12 68
8 JEF United Chiba 42 17 15 10 48 36 +12 66
9 FC Ryukyu 42 18 11 13 57 47 +10 65
10 Mito HollyHock 42 16 11 15 59 50 +9 59
11 Fagiano Okayama 42 15 14 13 40 36 +4 59
12 Tokyo Verdy 42 16 10 16 62 66 −4 58
13 Blaublitz Akita[a] 42 11 14 17 41 53 −12 47
14 Tochigi SC 42 10 15 17 37 51 −14 45
15 Renofa Yamaguchi 42 10 13 19 37 51 −14 43
16 Omiya Ardija 42 9 15 18 51 56 −5 42
17 Zweigen Kanazawa 42 10 11 21 39 60 −21 41
18 Thespakusatsu Gunma 42 9 14 19 35 56 −21 41
19 SC Sagamihara[a] (R) 42 8 14 20 33 54 −21 38 Relegation to J3 League
20 Ehime FC (R) 42 7 14 21 38 67 −29 35
21 Giravanz Kitakyushu (R) 42 7 14 21 35 66 −31 35
22 Matsumoto Yamaga (R) 42 7 13 22 36 71 −35 34
Source: Meiji Yasuda J2 League, J.League Data Site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goal scored; 7) Fair-play points.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b The team did not hold a J1 license, and so was ineligible for promotion to the 2022 J1 League.

J3 League

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
1 Roasso Kumamoto (C, P) 28 15 9 4 39 20 +19 54 Promotion to J2 League[a]
2 Iwate Grulla Morioka (P) 28 15 8 5 43 28 +15 53
3 Tegevajaro Miyazaki[b] 28 16 5 7 44 31 +13 53
4 Kataller Toyama 28 13 7 8 40 34 +6 46
5 Fukushima United[b] 28 13 6 9 41 32 +9 45[c]
6 FC Gifu 28 12 5 11 38 35 +3 41
7 Kagoshima United 28 11 7 10 34 35 −1 40
8 YSCC Yokohama 28 11 7 10 31 33 −2 40
9 Nagano Parceiro 28 8 12 8 35 28 +7 36
10 Fujieda MYFC 28 8 8 12 42 42 0 32
11 FC Imabari[b] 28 7 9 12 34 33 +1 30
12 Gainare Tottori 28 9 2 17 36 53 −17 29
13 Vanraure Hachinohe 28 7 8 13 24 44 −20 29[c]
14 Azul Claro Numazu[b] 28 7 6 15 32 44 −12 27
15 Kamatamare Sanuki 28 4 9 15 20 41 −21 21
Source: 2021 MEIJI YASUDA J3 LEAGUE League table, J.League Data Site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Head-to-head points; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goal scored; 6) Number of wins; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fair-play points
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ Only teams that hold a J2 license are eligible for promotion.
  2. ^ a b c d The team held neither a J1 nor J2 license, and so was ineligible for promotion to the J2 League.
  3. ^ a b The match between Fukushima United and Vanraure Hachinohe resulted in a 2–0 win for Fukushima, but was changed to an awarded 0–3 scoreline by the J.League, after Fukushima allowed a player who had not received a negative test to play in the game.[6] The original result was restored following a decision by the JFA Appeal Committee.[7]

Japan Football League

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 Iwaki FC[a] (C, P) 32 21 8 3 65 28 +37 71 Promotion to J3 League[b]
2 Honda FC 32 20 7 5 69 25 +44 67
3 Verspah Oita[a] 32 19 5 8 46 24 +22 62
4 Suzuka Point Getters[a] 32 15 5 12 51 46 +5 50
5 Matsue City 32 14 8 10 38 37 +1 50
6 Sony Sendai 32 14 6 12 52 39 +13 48
7 F.C. Osaka[a] 32 13 9 10 37 35 +2 48
8 Tiamo Hirakata 32 14 6 12 58 57 +1 48
9 ReinMeer Aomori[a] 32 12 9 11 41 49 −8 45
10 Nara Club[a] 32 10 13 9 39 36 +3 43
11 Veertien Mie[a] 32 10 10 12 40 43 −3 40
12 MIO Biwako Shiga