Saturday’s J. League YBC Levain Cup final — which saw Sanfrecce Hiroshima claim its maiden title over Cerezo Osaka after two dramatic stoppage-time goals by Cypriot Pieros Sotiriou — was proof that, on a good day, the tournament remains more than capable of capturing fans’ hearts and minds.
But a burning question remains: What about the other 364 days of the year?
As the J. League prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary, its cup competition remains at a crossroads, with lethargic atmospheres, repetitive matchups and poor exposure among the most frequent complaints. And with Japanese soccer facing an increasingly congested calendar, the relevance of the tournament continues to be questioned as it begins its fourth decade.