The 2018 J. League season kicks off with just one fixture on Friday, but every club in the 18-team division will get the chance to throw down the gauntlet to defending champions Kawasaki Frontale before the weekend is over.
Sagan Tosu host Vissel Kobe in Friday's opener before four games each on Saturday and Sunday complete the first round of fixtures. Frontale travel to face Jubilo Iwata on Sunday afternoon, and captain Yu Kobayashi is raring to go after being named J. League player of the year last season and finishing as top scorer with 23 goals.
"I can really feel now that the season is about to start, and the first game is very important in terms of giving the team momentum," said the 30-year-old, who scored a hat trick against Omiya Ardija on the final day last season to help Frontale clinch their first-ever title on goal difference ahead of the Kashima Antlers.