A roller-coaster J. League season ended right back where it started — with Vissel Kobe defending their J1 crown on Sunday.
The defending champions cruised past Shonan Bellmare 3-0 at home thanks to goals from Taisei Miyashiro, Yoshinori Muto and Takahiro Ogihara.
Fellow title hopefuls Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Machida Zelvia had for so long led the way this term, but as they both faltered on the final straight, Vissel maintained their composure to claim back-to-back titles and a club-first double, following on from last month’s triumph in the Emperor’s Cup.
Sunday’s showdown was the first time since 2014 that more than two teams were still in with a chance of becoming J1 champions heading into the last round of games.
A decade ago challengers Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers both lost on the final day, enabling leaders Gamba Osaka to hold on to their narrow advantage with a nervy draw. This time, too, chasing teams Sanfrecce and Machida both suffered defeat when they needed positive results.
Unlike Gamba, Vissel — who started the day a point ahead of Sanfrecce and three above Machida — didn’t leave anything to chance, however, establishing a two-goal lead in the first half to all-but wrap things up with 45 minutes to spare.
Ogihara’s ferocious drive in the 70th minute removed any remaining doubts, and with Sanfrecce and Machida both ultimately losing 3-1 against Gamba and Kashima, respectively, the celebrations could begin in earnest at Noevir Stadium.
The ruthless efficiency on display against Shonan epitomised the manner in which Vissel secured their second consecutive championship.
Takayuki Yoshida’s men only moved to the top with a 2-0 win over Jubilo Iwata on Nov. 1 — the first time they led the pack since spending a couple of weeks at the summit in May — but they timed their surge to perfection as Sanfrecce and Machida both wilted in the heat of the battle.
"We've played a lot of games this season and that's thanks to everyone in the team," Yoshida said, according to AFP.
"We've won two titles and we're progressing well in the Asian Champions League. I appreciate the hard work of everyone in the team, all the players and staff."
Sanfrecce started the season unbeaten in 11 games and went on another run of 11 without defeat between mid-July and the start of October to rise from seventh in the rankings — 12 points behind then-leaders Machida — to the top of the table. But Hiroshima froze as the pressure increased and lost four of its last five games, having previously only tasted defeat in four of its first 33.
J1 debutant Machida also ran out of steam as the title race intensified. Go Kuroda’s men were first for 14 consecutive rounds between mid-May and the end of August, but a catastrophic run of just one win in eight games between Aug. 25 and Nov. 3 saw them fall seven points off the pace having at one point themselves been seven points ahead of Vissel.
Clearly bolstered by the experience of winning the league for the first time in their history last year, Vissel were contrastingly a model of consistency, motoring along steadily in the rear-view mirror of the front-runners before putting their foot on the gas with the finish line in sight.
They won six games in a row between Aug. 25 and Oct. 6 as they started to click into gear, and ended the season with just one loss in their last 13 games
The fact Vissel avoided defeat against either of their closest competitors — claiming a draw and win against each of Sanfrecce and Machida in their four meetings — ultimately proved crucial, as did their impressive balance between defense and attack — Kobe finished with the third-most goals for and third-fewest goals against in J1.
The quality of the club’s front three also tipped the scales in Vissel’s favour.
Yuya Osako and Miyashiro were both regular sources of goals as they registered 11 times apiece, but the standout performer over the campaign was undoubtedly Muto.
The 32-year-old was a force of nature at times as he drove Vissel forward, supplementing his all-action displays by finishing as the team’s top scorer with 13 goals — many of which came at crucial junctures.
In total, Muto’s goals directly earned 16 points for Vissel as he struck the deciders in 1-0 victories against Shonan, Kawasaki Frontale, and Urawa, both goals in a 2-1 win-from-behind over Yokohama F. Marinos, what proved to be the decisive effort in the 2-1 defeat of Machida, and the dramatic equalizer in the 10th minute of additional time to earn Vissel a 1-1 draw against Kashiwa Reysol on the penultimate weekend.
That strike not only preserved Vissel’s points lead at the top of the table, but it also served as the impetus to propel them over the line this past weekend.
And Muto, in particular, was a constant menace from the first whistle against Shonan.
He went close to opening the scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes, and it was another of his attempts that led to Vissel breaking the deadlock after 26 minutes — Miyashiro tucking a loose ball into an empty net after Shonan goalkeeper Naoto Kamifukumoto had palmed Muto’s powerful header off the post.
Fittingly, Muto then got his customary goal just before halftime to edge Vissel closer to glory, and he will likely add another prize to a trophy-laden season later this week when he is surely named as J. League MVP.
Still, the former Japan international wasn’t prepared to take the credit for the team’s success.
"All the players have given 100% in games and in training," said Muto, according to AFP.
"The strong point of our team is that everyone is willing to take responsibility."
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.