Football Season Guide

Tokushima were very close to first-ever promotion to the top flight in 2025. Had by far the best defence, conceded just 24 goals in 38 rounds. The second-best defence of the J2 champions Mito allowed full 10 goals more. The lack of goals meant only 18 wins were secured though. This left them 5 points behind the top 2. Still made the play-offs but there their inability to score failed them. Started the transition Vision League in February very well. Topped their mini-league halfway through but then a major decline followed. Won only 2 of their last 9 games in this competition. Sacked the manager in May because of these back-to-back disappointments. Start the new season with new manager. Yuki Takahashi has rich experience at J2 level. He is defence-first type of coach so fits well with the philosophy Tokushima believe in. The team managed to maintain their core of players. The only departure this summer has been aggressive right wing-back Nishino. He will be missed but the squad is very big and there are at least 4 players that can easily operate in the same role. Of the 8 new arrivals this summer goalkeeper Kitamura seems the most likely to be a regular. Ken Iwao, now 36-years-old, might play often too. His ability to help defensively and distribute the ball accurately when under pressure convinced the new manager to make him the team captain. Before he got hurt in the spring Barcelos scored 10 goals in as many starts in the Vision League. His return to full fitness brings hope that Tokushima’s attack will be much more effective this season.