Football Season Guide

Dreadful 2025 saw them finish last and well adrift from everyone in J1. Had only 4 wins (12 draws and 22 defeats) last season. Never with a chance of survival. The Cranes failed to impress much during the spring Vision League too. They managed to finish second in their mini-league and claim the seventh spot in the final standings. Yet, they were never in real contention for the top spot. Scored just 21 goals in 20 games in the Vision League. No player had more than 4. This combined with the pathetic defending in 2025 in J1, 67 goals conceded in 38 rounds, leaves too many reasons to worry. There has been no major moves this summer either. Main playmaker Akiyama left the club, while from the only 3 new signings made in June-July only young full-back Sato could become a regular if he proves himself. Relying largely on the team that struggled mightily last year and lacked consistency in the spring is not ideal. Hard to see where the goals will come from. Wakatsuki is not a prolific striker and yet he should be the regular starter up front. If Gomes and Moraes can stay healthy, neither has been able to do that in 3 consecutive years, there could be more creativity in attack coming from the wings. With Akiyama gone there will be even more pressure on Shirai in midfield. He needs to not only do his defensive duties well but is also expected to become the main ball-distributor in this zone.