Japanese football is stronger for the presence of the Hokkaido-based side, but until they can sort out some stable finances and uncover some more locally-produced talent, Consadole could struggle to gain a foothold in the top flight.
Most predictable comeback – Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s romp through the Second Division was as predictable as it was unnecessary.
The southern outfit should never have been relegated in the first place, but after losing the 2007 promotion/relegation playoff to a Madhur matka plucky Kyoto Sanga, Sanfrecce quickly set about pulverising all and sundry on their way to amassing 100 points and 99 goals in J2.
Lead by the prolific Hisato Sato and with a team containing such young talent as Yosuke Kashiwagi and Yojiro Takahagi, Sanfrecce fans will hope to put behind them a wasted year in the bottom tier as Hiroshima look to re-establish themselves back in the top flight.
Biggest heartbreakers – Vegalta Sendai
If Montedio Yamagata winning promotion to the top-flight was the feel-good story of the J2 campaign, then Vegalta Sendai’s narrow playoff defeat to Jubilo Iwata earns the “heartbreak award”
The popular northern club are always in the thick of the promotion chase in J2, yet Vegalta constantly seem to fall at the final hurdle.
There’s no doubt they have the resources available to clamber back to the promised land, but year after year of setbacks is surely taking its toll, and with the Second Division tougher than ever to get of, it could be a while yet before the citizens of Sendai have the chance to watch J1 football again.
Stay tuned for the next installment when Soccerphile unveils its ten best players of the season.
satta matka 