David Wyatt-Hupton
@davidwh.bsky.social
Mainly here to talk about J-League. Posting the latest news & rumours. I love Japanese football ⚽
Work for DAZN on J-League, NPB, NFL, Serie A, La Liga.
Vissel Kobe. Sumo. Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Jets. Mets. Rangers. Norwich City.
Work for DAZN on J-League, NPB, NFL, Serie A, La Liga.
Vissel Kobe. Sumo. Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Jets. Mets. Rangers. Norwich City.
According to Sponichi, Kawasaki are set to sign German keeper Svend Brodersen from Fagiano Okayama and 28-year-old right winger Kazuya Konno from Avispa. Brodersen faced 140 SOT this season (3rd highest) and saved 72%, he also saved both penalties he faced. Konno had 3 goals this season.
December 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
According to Sponichi, Kawasaki are set to sign German keeper Svend Brodersen from Fagiano Okayama and 28-year-old right winger Kazuya Konno from Avispa. Brodersen faced 140 SOT this season (3rd highest) and saved 72%, he also saved both penalties he faced. Konno had 3 goals this season.
Big news today though...Shimizu S-Pulse announced the appointment of Takayuki Yoshida as manager. Won two league titles and one Emperor's Cup with Vissel Kobe but he announced he was leaving after our last home game. Will miss him, but a bit of new energy is needed at Kobe. Good luck to him.
December 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Big news today though...Shimizu S-Pulse announced the appointment of Takayuki Yoshida as manager. Won two league titles and one Emperor's Cup with Vissel Kobe but he announced he was leaving after our last home game. Will miss him, but a bit of new energy is needed at Kobe. Good luck to him.
Hideto Takahashi has announced that he's retiring. He's most recently been playing with Auckland United FC but spent much of his career with FC Tokyo where he won the Emperor's Cup in 2011. Capped 7 times by the national team and did spend a year with Vissel Kobe. Happy retirement 高橋秀人
December 8, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Hideto Takahashi has announced that he's retiring. He's most recently been playing with Auckland United FC but spent much of his career with FC Tokyo where he won the Emperor's Cup in 2011. Capped 7 times by the national team and did spend a year with Vissel Kobe. Happy retirement 高橋秀人
Just caught up on the J3 playoff today, well the FC Osaka game. Took a liking to them this year and they've progressed through to the final thanks to a Takumi Shimada goal in the 59th minute. They missed out on auto promotion by a point, so hope they get up to J2. 2nd best defense in J3.
December 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Just caught up on the J3 playoff today, well the FC Osaka game. Took a liking to them this year and they've progressed through to the final thanks to a Takumi Shimada goal in the 59th minute. They missed out on auto promotion by a point, so hope they get up to J2. 2nd best defense in J3.
I give all the credit in the world to JEF, but as soon as they got the first Omija completely capitulated. Mentally fragile, they lost all belief in an instance. Couldn't complete a simple pass, positioning went awol. Just terrible. But...JEF were magnificent and the fans even better.
From 0-3 down in the 70h minute to leading 4-3 in the 87th minute is absolutely ridiculous!! #J2
December 7, 2025 at 7:56 AM
I give all the credit in the world to JEF, but as soon as they got the first Omija completely capitulated. Mentally fragile, they lost all belief in an instance. Couldn't complete a simple pass, positioning went awol. Just terrible. But...JEF were magnificent and the fans even better.
I don't think Chiba have been that bad in the first half but Yuki Kato in the Omiya goal is having a great game and Izumi and Sekiguchi just took their opportunities with an element of fortune. JEF fans know they can score and score quickly, so not time to panic yet. #J2
Let's get these J2 playoffs underway. I'm allergic to supporting anything to do with Red Bull, so I'll be a JEF fan this morning. I don't mind who wins the other game, but I have got a lot of time for just how well Tokushima set up defensively. #J2
December 7, 2025 at 5:06 AM
I don't think Chiba have been that bad in the first half but Yuki Kato in the Omiya goal is having a great game and Izumi and Sekiguchi just took their opportunities with an element of fortune. JEF fans know they can score and score quickly, so not time to panic yet. #J2
Let's get these J2 playoffs underway. I'm allergic to supporting anything to do with Red Bull, so I'll be a JEF fan this morning. I don't mind who wins the other game, but I have got a lot of time for just how well Tokushima set up defensively. #J2
December 7, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Let's get these J2 playoffs underway. I'm allergic to supporting anything to do with Red Bull, so I'll be a JEF fan this morning. I don't mind who wins the other game, but I have got a lot of time for just how well Tokushima set up defensively. #J2
Kashima gets the double.
They win J1 and Leo Ceara wins J1s top scorer with 21 goals, 3 ahead of Kyoto Sanga's Rafael Elias and Cerezo's Rafael Ratao who both finished on 18. I think Everaldo in 2020 was the last Antler to finish the year as top scorer.
They win J1 and Leo Ceara wins J1s top scorer with 21 goals, 3 ahead of Kyoto Sanga's Rafael Elias and Cerezo's Rafael Ratao who both finished on 18. I think Everaldo in 2020 was the last Antler to finish the year as top scorer.
December 6, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Kashima gets the double.
They win J1 and Leo Ceara wins J1s top scorer with 21 goals, 3 ahead of Kyoto Sanga's Rafael Elias and Cerezo's Rafael Ratao who both finished on 18. I think Everaldo in 2020 was the last Antler to finish the year as top scorer.
They win J1 and Leo Ceara wins J1s top scorer with 21 goals, 3 ahead of Kyoto Sanga's Rafael Elias and Cerezo's Rafael Ratao who both finished on 18. I think Everaldo in 2020 was the last Antler to finish the year as top scorer.
Success on the J1 prediction. Let's see if the J2 one holds up:
"J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense."
"J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense."
What a great weekend of football we have ahead of us in 🇯🇵
Here are my predictions and based on history, i wouldn't place any bets 😂
J1: Both Kashiwa and Kashima win which means the Antlers are crowned 🏆
J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense.
Can't wait!
Here are my predictions and based on history, i wouldn't place any bets 😂
J1: Both Kashiwa and Kashima win which means the Antlers are crowned 🏆
J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense.
Can't wait!
December 6, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Success on the J1 prediction. Let's see if the J2 one holds up:
"J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense."
"J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense."
"We are pleased to announce that the final match of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League was held on Saturday, December 6th, with a total attendance of 8,073,557 people for the year, breaking the league's previous record." From J1 office 😍
December 6, 2025 at 8:57 AM
"We are pleased to announce that the final match of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League was held on Saturday, December 6th, with a total attendance of 8,073,557 people for the year, breaking the league's previous record." From J1 office 😍
Fair play to Kashima who did what they had to do today. Dominated that game against YFM. Feel for Kashiwa who have gone from 17th to 2nd and did what they had to do by beating Machida today. Congratulations to Kashima on their 9th title. #J1
December 6, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Fair play to Kashima who did what they had to do today. Dominated that game against YFM. Feel for Kashiwa who have gone from 17th to 2nd and did what they had to do by beating Machida today. Congratulations to Kashima on their 9th title. #J1
This World cup draw has been a complete embarrassment from start to finish.
Groups of interest for me.
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European playoff winner.
#WC2026
Groups of interest for me.
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European playoff winner.
#WC2026
December 5, 2025 at 7:16 PM
This World cup draw has been a complete embarrassment from start to finish.
Groups of interest for me.
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European playoff winner.
#WC2026
Groups of interest for me.
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European playoff winner.
#WC2026
Gianni Infantino is so incredibly cringe. This Trump love fest at the World Cup draw is pathetic. Incredibly corrupt organisation, just get on with it.
December 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Gianni Infantino is so incredibly cringe. This Trump love fest at the World Cup draw is pathetic. Incredibly corrupt organisation, just get on with it.
FC Tokyo today confirmed that Brazilian centre back Henrique Trevisan will leave the club once his contract expires after the final game tomorrow. He's been with FC Tokyo since 2022. FC Tokyo are set to finish outside the top 10 for just the 2nd time since 2017 & Trevisan only played 10 games in J1.
December 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
FC Tokyo today confirmed that Brazilian centre back Henrique Trevisan will leave the club once his contract expires after the final game tomorrow. He's been with FC Tokyo since 2022. FC Tokyo are set to finish outside the top 10 for just the 2nd time since 2017 & Trevisan only played 10 games in J1.
If you're in Japan. Please join us on DAZN for all the action. We'll be hosting Fan Zones on all J1 games including J-Zone which I'm working. Also working both J2 playoff semi-finals so please come and say hello 👋🏻
December 5, 2025 at 12:45 PM
If you're in Japan. Please join us on DAZN for all the action. We'll be hosting Fan Zones on all J1 games including J-Zone which I'm working. Also working both J2 playoff semi-finals so please come and say hello 👋🏻
What a great weekend of football we have ahead of us in 🇯🇵
Here are my predictions and based on history, i wouldn't place any bets 😂
J1: Both Kashiwa and Kashima win which means the Antlers are crowned 🏆
J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense.
Can't wait!
Here are my predictions and based on history, i wouldn't place any bets 😂
J1: Both Kashiwa and Kashima win which means the Antlers are crowned 🏆
J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense.
Can't wait!
December 5, 2025 at 12:44 PM
What a great weekend of football we have ahead of us in 🇯🇵
Here are my predictions and based on history, i wouldn't place any bets 😂
J1: Both Kashiwa and Kashima win which means the Antlers are crowned 🏆
J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense.
Can't wait!
Here are my predictions and based on history, i wouldn't place any bets 😂
J1: Both Kashiwa and Kashima win which means the Antlers are crowned 🏆
J2: JEF wins comfortably and Jubilo breaks through that tough Tokushima defense.
Can't wait!
Just managed to pick up an original Tomikichirō Tokurikil piece titled "Eight Views of the Yamato Road - Distant View of Yakushi-ji Temple" painted in 1942. I visited the Yakushi-ji Temple when in Nara and it left a huge impression so can't say how incredibly happy I am to get this.
December 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Just managed to pick up an original Tomikichirō Tokurikil piece titled "Eight Views of the Yamato Road - Distant View of Yakushi-ji Temple" painted in 1942. I visited the Yakushi-ji Temple when in Nara and it left a huge impression so can't say how incredibly happy I am to get this.
Mao Hosoya has been around for so long (made his debut in 2019) that people forget he's only 24. Double figures for goals this season, scored a hatty today and took all his goals well. He should be in Europe in January IMO, he's ready physically. Although he may want to say in J1 until post WC.
November 30, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Mao Hosoya has been around for so long (made his debut in 2019) that people forget he's only 24. Double figures for goals this season, scored a hatty today and took all his goals well. He should be in Europe in January IMO, he's ready physically. Although he may want to say in J1 until post WC.
This is probably one that Gamba keeper Jun Ichimori would rather not see again. He's played pretty well recently but not sure what he's doing here. Daiki Matsuoka doesn't score very often though so I'm sure he'll take it lol.
November 30, 2025 at 8:06 AM
This is probably one that Gamba keeper Jun Ichimori would rather not see again. He's played pretty well recently but not sure what he's doing here. Daiki Matsuoka doesn't score very often though so I'm sure he'll take it lol.
Will the J1 title be decided today? With Kashiwa playing Niigata i wouldn't bet on it. What a great title race we've had. I think I'd prefer Kashiwa to win it because i actually had them being relegated in my predictions after they lost Savio! Show's what I know 😂
November 30, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Will the J1 title be decided today? With Kashiwa playing Niigata i wouldn't bet on it. What a great title race we've had. I think I'd prefer Kashiwa to win it because i actually had them being relegated in my predictions after they lost Savio! Show's what I know 😂
J2 wrapped up their regular season this morning and I'm so happy that V-Varen Nagasaki managed to get over the line, have developed a soft spot for them since former Kobe captain Hotaru Yamaguchi moved there. Nagasaki only have one J1 season under their belts (2018, finished 18th).
November 29, 2025 at 11:41 AM
J2 wrapped up their regular season this morning and I'm so happy that V-Varen Nagasaki managed to get over the line, have developed a soft spot for them since former Kobe captain Hotaru Yamaguchi moved there. Nagasaki only have one J1 season under their belts (2018, finished 18th).
Gangwon were so poor against Machida today. So poor that Machida could start Fujio, Soma, Shoji and Duke on the bench and still be leading 3-0 at HT. I know Gangwon have had a poor year, but the standard of football in South Korea right now is so incredibly poor.
November 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Gangwon were so poor against Machida today. So poor that Machida could start Fujio, Soma, Shoji and Duke on the bench and still be leading 3-0 at HT. I know Gangwon have had a poor year, but the standard of football in South Korea right now is so incredibly poor.
Right to be nervous. Just weren't at the race today. We were asleep for the first 10 minutes and it cost us. When you go 2-0 down in under 5 minutes the chances of recovering against a team as defensively solid as Machida are slim. Congratulations to all Machida fans on their victory!
Nerves are starting to build for the Emperor's Cup Final tomorrow against Machida.
Looking for our 2nd consecutive title and 3rd overall, think it's going to be a difficult matchup considering hie defensively solid Machida have been recently.
Yūki Sōma always worries me when we play Machida.
Looking for our 2nd consecutive title and 3rd overall, think it's going to be a difficult matchup considering hie defensively solid Machida have been recently.
Yūki Sōma always worries me when we play Machida.
November 22, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Right to be nervous. Just weren't at the race today. We were asleep for the first 10 minutes and it cost us. When you go 2-0 down in under 5 minutes the chances of recovering against a team as defensively solid as Machida are slim. Congratulations to all Machida fans on their victory!
Avispa today announced that they have renewed the contract of manager Kim Myung-hwi for the 2026-27 season. The team are currently 12th having finished last season 12th too. It's a similar story for Fukuoka this term, defensively very solid but lacking going forward. 33 goals in 36 J1 games. #J1
November 21, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Avispa today announced that they have renewed the contract of manager Kim Myung-hwi for the 2026-27 season. The team are currently 12th having finished last season 12th too. It's a similar story for Fukuoka this term, defensively very solid but lacking going forward. 33 goals in 36 J1 games. #J1