Soccer / J. League Aug 4, 2020
Sagan Tosu player negative for virus after missing game with fever
FC Tokyo manager Kenta Hasegawa criticized the league for apparently deciding to proceed with the match before consulting his team.
Soccer | From the Spot Dec 4, 2019
Tokyo's title ambitions all but extinguished
by Dan Orlowitz
Despite leading the league for 20 straight rounds from Round 8 — and retaking the top spot for one more week after Round 31 — FC Tokyo is almost certain to settle for second place when the final whistle is blown on Saturday at ...
Soccer | From the Spot Aug 21, 2019
FC Tokyo preparing to embark on grueling stretch of matches away from home stadium
by Dan Orlowitz
Japanese media have called it "the road of death." After Dec. 7, it may be remembered as the path to glory. If FC Tokyo are to win the J. League's first division, they will do so having survived one of the most grueling campaigns in league ...
Soccer / J. League Aug 17, 2019
FC Tokyo falls to Sanfrecce in last home match before long stretch of away fixtures
by Dan Orlowitz
The homestand is over. The long march is just beginning. FC Tokyo's last home game before a grueling run of eight straight road fixtures ended in a 1-0 defeat to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in front of 30,015 fans at Ajinomoto Stadium. The J. League first-division leaders, who are ...
Soccer / J. League Jun 29, 2019
FC Tokyo exploits Yokohama F. Marinos' porous defense en route to victory
by Dan Orlowitz
On Friday, former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn abruptly announced — and just as abruptly canceled — a press conference as his defense against charges of financial misconduct continued. On Saturday, the Nissan-owned Yokohama F. Marinos' defense seemed equally unwilling to show up at Tokyo's Ajinomoto ...
Soccer | From the Spot Feb 27, 2019
Teen prodigy Takefusa Kubo growing up fast as Europe awaits
by Dan Orlowitz
The roughly four-month countdown to the end of FC Tokyo midfielder Takefusa Kubo's J. League career is ticking. When it hits zero, which will likely be soon after his 18th birthday on June 4, the player who many believe can lead Japan to a podium ...
Soccer / J. League Nov 24, 2018
J1 champions Frontale outplay FC Tokyo on drama-filled day elsewhere
by Dan Orlowitz
The J. League's scheduling software, known affectionately as "Nittei-kun" by fans, has earned a reputation over the years as having an uncanny ability to schedule dramatic fixtures at the end of the season. That FC Tokyo’s 2-0 loss to Kawasaki Frontale in Saturday's Tamagawa Clasico ...
Soccer / J. League Dec 3, 2017
Levir Culpi to take over at Gamba Osaka; Kenta Hasegawa at FC Tokyo
Gamba Osaka on Sunday announced the appointment of former Cerezo Osaka boss Levir Culpi as the J. League first-division club's manager next season. The 64-year-old, who this season has been at the helm of Brazilian side Santos, will replace Kenta Hasegawa, whom FC Tokyo announced ...
Soccer / J. League Nov 18, 2017
Frontale keep title hopes alive
by Andrew McKirdy
Kawasaki Frontale defender Elsinho scored in the 82nd minute to keep the J. League title race alive for at least another round with a 1-0 win over Gamba Osaka on Saturday. Frontale went into the game at Todoroki Stadium knowing that a loss to Gamba ...
Soccer / J. League Sep 8, 2017
Gamba's Hasegawa keeps focus on team unity, winning in final months at the helm
Gamba Osaka manager Kenta Hasegawa held back the emotions on Friday in his first comments a night after the J. League club announced he would leave at season's end. "All I can do is do what I'm told by the club," Hasegawa said in Gamba's ...
Soccer / J. League Sep 7, 2017
Gamba decide to not offer contract extension to manager Hasegawa
Kenta Hasegawa, who managed Gamba Osaka to a domestic triple in 2014, will not receive a contract extension past this season, the team announced Thursday. The 51-year-old Hasegawa took the reins in 2013 after Gamba had been relegated to the J2. Under his guidance, the ...