Football, bloody hell

#JFL – Relegation of Asuka FC has been mathematically confirmed. Despite rivals Yokogawa Musashino losing 0–2 against Veertien Mie, a 1–1 vs Maruyasu Okazaki was not enough to prolong their lifeline another day. The club from Nara Prefecture will thus return to the Kansai SL after just one season.

JFL2 South (Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu)

– Fukuyama City
– Beluga Rosso Iwami
– International Pacific University FC
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– FC Tokushima
– Sonio Takamatsu
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– J-Lease FC
– Veroskronos Tsuno
– Nobeoka Agata
– KMG Holdings FC
– MHI Nagasaki

JFL2 Central (Hokushin'etsu, Tokai, Kansai)

– Toyama Shinjo Club
– Fukui United
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– Gakunan F Mosuperio
– FC Ise-shima
– FC Kariya
– Fujieda City Hall
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– Arterivo Wakayama
– Basara Hyogo
– Cento Cuore Harima
– AS.Laranja Kyoto

JFL2 North (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto):

– BTOP Hokkaido
– Hokkaido Tokachi Sky Earth
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– Cobaltore Onagawa
– Blancdieu Hirosaki
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– Tokyo United
– Nankatsu SC
– Toho Titanium
– Vonds Ichihara
– Nihon University N.
– Tokyo 23 FC

As a bit of a follow-up, here are three ten-team divisions of a fictive JFL2, based on roughly the same matrix as the 2025 Shakaijin team allocations (I had to remove one Kanto and one Kansai team and add one Kyushu team to even things out). Division champions to JFL, bottom 3 to RLs. Your opinions?

This pattern is repeating itself since at least a decade and shows in my opinion that the gap between JFL and RLs has become too wide. I just hope that the JFA is utilizing the transition to fall-spring to clean up their structures a little bit. *cough* e.g. JFL 2 with three divisions *cough*

Sustainable growth begins at the roots, so it would be about time to improve the way how teams enter the JFL. The current modus operandi via #ChiikiCL and #ShakIjin is archaic and not beneficial for promoted teams, who usually struggle at least half a season before perhaps gaining any traction.

#JFL, remaining schedules for teams involved in promotion and relegation (playoff) races.

If eligible to promote, P1 goes to #J3League directly, P2 plays a playoff against J3 P20.

P16 relegates to Regional League directly, P15 plays a one-legged playoff against P2 of #ChiikiCL Final Four.

#JFL R28 results, standings, R29 schedule

J's Gatekeeper are at it again – Honda FC have secured a P2 finish.

In the basement, Asuka FC can only reach P15 at best now but are not out completely yet, thanks to the better goal difference over Yokogawa Musashino.

2025 #ChiikiCL Final Four participants:

Veroskronos Tsuno
Tokyo United
Vonds Ichihara
J-Lease FC

Dates: 20 Nov, 22 Nov, 24 Nov
Location: ZA Oripri Stadium, Ichihara

2025 #ChiikiCL Group Stage final standings

1 Veroskronos 7P
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2 F Mosuperio 4
3 Arterivo 2
4 Shinjo 2

1 Tokyo United 6, +3
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2 Fukuyama City 6, +1
3 Basara 6, +1
4 Cobaltore 0

1 Vonds 9
2 J-Lease FC 6, +4
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3 FC Tokushima 3
4 BTOP 0

2025 #ChiikiCL Day 3 results

Group A
Toyama Shinjo 1–2 Veroskronos Tsuno
Gakunan F Mosuperio 4–3 Arterivo Wakayama

Group B
Cobaltore Onagawa 0–1 Basara Hyogo
Tokyo United 1–0 Fukuyama City

Group C
Vonds Ichihara 5–0 BTOP Hokkaido
FC Tokushima 1–5 J-Lease FC

While Honda FC's presence in the JFL frustrates some - and has for the last 25y or so - the only way they are leaving the JFL, short of a nightmare season that ends in relegation, is by Honda deciding to fold the club.

There's a whole lotta what-ifs throughout their history but it is what it is.

With #HondaFC ( #JsGatekeeper) having secured a #JFL Top2 finish, #J3League P19 may now rest easily as only P20 will be considered for a team exchange. If JFL P2 #ReilacShiga win the league, it will be a direct exchange, otherwise there will be a two-legged playoff with Reilac or #ReinMeerAomori.

So, regarding the #J1League title race, we are basically waiting to see in which direction the openings of the "VV" shape in KASHI_A will point...

2025 #ChiikiCL Day 2 results

Group A
Toyama Shinjo 0–0 Arterivo Wakayama
Gakunan F Mosuperio 0–1 Veroskronos Tsuno

Group B
Cobaltore Onagawa 1–2 Fukuyama City
Tokyo United 0–1 Basara Hyogo

Group C
Vonds Ichihara 1–0 J-Lease FC
FC Tokushima 4–0 BTOP Hokkaido

I can't get no sleep

2025 #ChiikiCL Day 1 results

Group A
Toyama Shinjo 1–1 Gakunan F Mosuperio
Arterivo Wakayama 0–0 Veroskronos Tsuno

Group B
Cobaltore Onagawa 0–3 Tokyo United
Fukuyama City 1–0 Basara Hyogo

Group C
Vonds Ichihara 5–0 FC Tokushima
J-Lease FC 1–0 BTOP Hokkaido

While we are at it, have you already heard anything by chance about how the leagues below the J would like to handle the transition to fall-spring? For example, the JFL has been eerily quite on their website about the subject, at least until now... 🤔

#JFL R27 results, standings, R28 fixtures

That stoppage time Suzuka goal could have been the final nail in the coffin of Asuka FC's JFL dream. P15 is still not impossible, but they will need three wins and favorable results from Yokogawa Musashino.

Pending a miracle, #J3League P19 is save as chances of removing Honda from a Top2 finish have shrinked to a minimum. Both Honda and Reilac Shiga have similar remaining schedules – almost literally, as both still have to face Briobecca UI and Yokogawa Musaashino.

For what it`s worth, I asked Google Gemini how it would predict the 2025 #ChiikiCL. The results:

Group winners are Tokyo United, Arterivo Wakayama, Vonds Ichihara; Veroskronos Tsuno complete the Final Four.

Tokyo United wins the league, Vonds go into the JFL PO again, which they win vs Musashino.

The latter is increasingly unlikely though – ReinMeer face a seven-point deficit on Honda (P2) and are nine points back on league leaders Reilac Shiga with four matches to go.

Iwate Grulla Morioka would also fit these criteria if they would return to J3, right?

Perhaps an afterthought of the one earlier today?

#JFL R26 results, standings, R27 fixtures

Aaaaaand we're officially out. Thanks, Marinos... #J1League #J2League2026

In turn, and depending on how #MaruyasuOkazaki v #HondaFC will end tomorrow, #J3League teams not named #azulClaroNumazu may be able to breathe a lot easier by tomorrow around this time as the possibility for a second team swinging for the big leagues has decreased significantly.

A couple of preliminary decisions have been made following today's partial #JFL matchday. The future of Asuka is looking more and more uncertain after their loss against YSCC, and Yokogawa are also headed for at least a bit of extra curriculum after the season.

That number 11 of Atlético Suzuka is such a stylish guy. His hair color is blending perfectly with the color of his shorts and socks.

2025 #ChiikiCL draw:

Group A @ Tecnoport Fukui
Toyama Shinjo Club
Gakunan F Mosuperio
Arterivo Wakayama
Veroskronos Tsuno

Group B @ Iwagin Stadium
Cobaltore Onagawa
Tokyo United
Fukuyama City
Basara Hyogo

Group C @ Kochi Haruno Ball Field
Vonds Ichihara
FC Tokushima
J-Lease FC
BTOP Hokkaido