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.
Race is on for Rafael Ratão. Cerezo are struggling to strike a deal with Bahia over a permanent move after the Brazilian scored 18 J1 goals while on loan this season. According to Yahoo it's now unlikely he'll stay in Osaka. He has an offer from China but Kobe also very interested.
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Race is on for Rafael Ratão. Cerezo are struggling to strike a deal with Bahia over a permanent move after the Brazilian scored 18 J1 goals while on loan this season. According to Yahoo it's now unlikely he'll stay in Osaka. He has an offer from China but Kobe also very interested.
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.
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.
"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 😍
Kaha very fair. Decent OG though
December 6, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Kaha very fair. Decent OG though
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
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.
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.
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
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 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
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.
Kazuhiko Chiba will leave Albirex Niigata in February although as far as I'm aware he hasn't stated his intention to retire yet. Chiba spent a good 11+ years with Niigata over two spells and remember he came to Europe at one point to play in the Dutch second division. Niigata already relegated.
November 20, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Kazuhiko Chiba will leave Albirex Niigata in February although as far as I'm aware he hasn't stated his intention to retire yet. Chiba spent a good 11+ years with Niigata over two spells and remember he came to Europe at one point to play in the Dutch second division. Niigata already relegated.
Kazuma Okamoto posted to the MLB today. As a NY Mets fan I would absolutely love to have him at the hot corner despite my reticence to cheer for anything connected to the Yomiuri Giants, but my gut says that he ends up in Boston or Seattle. #NYM
November 19, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Kazuma Okamoto posted to the MLB today. As a NY Mets fan I would absolutely love to have him at the hot corner despite my reticence to cheer for anything connected to the Yomiuri Giants, but my gut says that he ends up in Boston or Seattle. #NYM
There's always drama in the J-League. After being accused of having an affair in a women's weekly magazine, Hideomi Yamamoto has paused all team activities according to Ventforet Kofu's website. He's played over 640 official matches for Kofu and is seen as a legend there. In 🥵 💦 now.
November 19, 2025 at 1:17 PM
There's always drama in the J-League. After being accused of having an affair in a women's weekly magazine, Hideomi Yamamoto has paused all team activities according to Ventforet Kofu's website. He's played over 640 official matches for Kofu and is seen as a legend there. In 🥵 💦 now.
Kobe have announced that David Aizawa will be joining the team next season from Hosei University. He's a big lad at 196cm (6'4) and 94kg (207lbs). Apparently there was a bidding war for his services from plenty of J1 clubs, but he chose Kobe. It was an area we needed to focus on. #Kobe #Vissel
November 18, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I'm a Kobe fan, and in no way do I want to lose him. But...I think it's probably time for Taisei Miyashiro (宮代 大聖) to make a move to Europe. 15 goal involvements while playing deeper this season, nothing left to prove in J1. Germany would suit him, lower tier Premier League Club would too.
November 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM
I'm a Kobe fan, and in no way do I want to lose him. But...I think it's probably time for Taisei Miyashiro (宮代 大聖) to make a move to Europe. 15 goal involvements while playing deeper this season, nothing left to prove in J1. Germany would suit him, lower tier Premier League Club would too.
Nagoya have announced that Kasper Junker will leave the club at the end of the season with his contract expiring. Injuries have hindered him over the last two years, only played in 14 games this season (1 goal). But he helped Nagoya win the Levain Cup last season and scored 16 J1 goals in 2023.
November 18, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Nagoya have announced that Kasper Junker will leave the club at the end of the season with his contract expiring. Injuries have hindered him over the last two years, only played in 14 games this season (1 goal). But he helped Nagoya win the Levain Cup last season and scored 16 J1 goals in 2023.