March kick-off for new J.League

The J.League will kick off on March 10, nearly a year after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands.

Matches featuring teams with mid-week Asian Champions League fixtures are expected to take place on March 11, the anniversary of the disaster.

Former manager Mihailo Petrovic and star defender Tomoaki Makino will return to their former home when Urawa Reds travel to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

In their first top-flight match since 2008, Consadole Sapporo will host Jubilo Iwata in a match featuring the present and former clubs of Consadole veteran Masashi ‘Gon’ Nakayama.

The 44-year-old is staying fit in the off-season by playing professional futsal.

In a match between two teams deeply affected by the disasters, Kashima Antlers will travel to Vegalta Sendai.

Both stadiums were damaged after the earthquake, but Vegalta helped revitalise the region with an admirable fourth-place finish while Antlers won the J-League Cup.

At Todoroki Stadium, strugglers Kawasaki Frontale and Albirex Niigata will meet. Albirex won their first-ever J1 match at Todoroki last season and will be looking to start a new streak.

In the western region of Kyushu, Sagan Tosu will play their first-ever J1 match against Cerezo Osaka at Tosu Stadium. Sagan are the last of the original ten founders of J2 to have earned promotion.

J2 and Emperor’s Cup champions FC Tokyo will travel to Omiya Ardija, hoping to make a good start to the season under new manager Ranko Popovic after facing Brisbane Roar on the road in ACL play.

In two face-offs between regional rivals, Gamba Osaka will welcome Vissel Kobe in the Hanshin Derby, while Nagoya Grampus host Shimizu S-Pulse in the Tokai Derby.

Last but not least, reigning champions Kashiwa Reysol will kick off their title defence against Yokohama F. Marinos. The match will be the first at Kashiwa Stadium since renovations began to expand capacity in 2011.

Additionally, Kashiwa Reysol and FC Tokyo will play in the Japan Super Cup on March 3 at Tokyo’s National Olympic Stadium.

After the J-League board of directors meets on January 17 to confirm the full schedule, an official announcement is expected in early February.