Three Teams From the J-Leagues Qualify for the AFC Champions League Round of 16

Picture Source: Jleague

Published by: Zila Mbekela

The J-League competitions(J1,J2 and J3) may have concluded, however, for some of the teams, there is still a bit more football to be played. The AFC Champions League has reached its play-off stages with two teams from the J1-league competition- Yokohama F. Marinos along with Kawasaki Frontale, making the cut. Only one team from the J2-League managed to book themselves a spot in the play-offs. Ventforet Kofu have really put their hands up during the 2023 season and it is by no surprise that they've made it this far. The men from Yamanashi have displayed an attractive brand of football and were clinical on attack, all season long.

There is a lot of soccer to be played as the tournament is properly spread out right up until 2024. This has surely been done to allow the teams an opportunity to rest some of their key players and deal with season-long niggles and injuries. It's also going to be an awkward off-season period for these three teams because their trainers and conditioning staff will have to maintain a strict balance between offseason and inseason training regiments. In order for the three teams to succeed, they will have to keep their game fitness at a high level, regardless of it being an offseason period. The Round of 16 matches will be played after Christams, on December 28th, 2023, February 12th-14th, 2024 and February 19th-21st, 2024.

The team to look out for will undoubtedly be Yokohama F. Marinos. They are still hurting for losing the J1-league Competion Title to Vissel Kobe. They were definitely in the running and at some point during the season, they looked like they were about to overtake the men from Kobe. The party was well spoiled for them and their hopes of clinching a 3peat-taken away, just like that! They'll be hungry for a trophy as a way to sulvage a bit of pride for their disappointing 2023 season. As for Kawasaki Frontale, one can't be too sure about what to expect from them within this tournament. The 2023 J1-League season wasn't the best year for them as they spent the better half of the competiton on the mid-table, of the log. They did show a few glimpses of the powehouse they used to be, however, their efforts were far too inconsistent.

Three players to watch from the three Japanese club teams, in the AFC Champions Lague are:

Anderson Lopes- Yokohama F. Marinos

The Brazilian striker is arguabley one of the most dangerous finishers in the J1-League right now. He was in the running for a season MVP award. Unfortunatley, he fell short to Vissel Kobe's Yuya Osako. According to jleague.co, the 32-year old Japanese player scored a total of 22 goals and was voted as the league's MVP. The good news is that Lopes also scored a total of 22 goals and shared the Top Goal Scorer award with Osako. He'll certainly be looking to maintain that kind of accuracy within their Champions League play-off run. Given half a chance, he'll punish any team with his lethal finishing. Yokohama F Marinos wil be looking to him to get it done.

Peter Utaka- Ventforet Kofu

The 38-year old Nigerian/Belgian striker has shown what it is to defy father time. Utaka was instrumental for Kofu's 2023 on-field success. He is showing the younger players in the team what it means to be pro. He is still fit, fast and scoring goals like he did when he played in Europe and internationally for Nigeria. During His career here in Japan, he has enjoyed a successful spel with a few teams and is one of the most beloved African footballers to play in the J1 and J2-Leagues. If anybody can make something happen for Ventforet in these play-offs, it'll be him!

Bafetimbi Gomis

The former French National player has had an amazing start to his Japan stint-after transfering during the summer transfer window. On debut, he experienced his first win on Japanese soil as Kawasaki beat a struggling FC Tokyo side. Bafetimbi's speed and power-makes him a threat to any team's defence within this tournament. He'll be looking to stamp his authority and properly introduce himself in Asia. His experience from playing in the elite European leagues( for Galatasaray, Swansea, Marseille, Lyon to name a few) will be a major asset for Frontale and will surely boost their chances of possible glory!

Sources:

jleague.co