Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the reigning champions, may have pipped Emperor's Cup holders Yokohama F. Marinos to the title on the final day of the 2013 league campaign, but the Purple Arrows will be hungry for revenge when the two sides meet on Saturday in the Fuji Xerox Super Cup, the curtain-raiser for the new J.League season.
Hiroshima lost twice in league action to Yokohama last season and Hajime Moriyasu's side was denied a league and cup double on New Year's Day when they were beaten 2-0 in the Emperor's Cup final at National Stadium, the venue for Saturday's match.
In fact, Hiroshima has not beaten Yokohama in two years, losing four matches against one draw with two goals scored against nine conceded, a record that Moriyasu was keen to put behind him.