Few preseason predictions would have tipped Omiya Ardija to lead the J. League at the start of July, but as play resumes Saturday after a six-week international break, striker Milivoje Novakovic is happy to keep confounding expectations.
Omiya heads into its game against Sagan Tosu in uncharted territory five points clear at the top of the table, continuing a remarkable campaign that has also seen the unfashionable Saitama club set a new J. League record for consecutive unbeaten games that finally came to an end at 21.
Ardija have never finished in the top half of the table let alone challenged for the title in eight previous seasons in the first division, but after 1½ months kicking their heels waiting for the J. League to emerge from cold storage, Novakovic is unsure how his team will respond when Tosu visits Nack5 Stadium on Saturday.