2012 J.League Division 1
Season | 2012 |
---|---|
Champions | Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1st J. League title 6th Japanese title |
Relegated | Vissel Kobe Gamba Osaka Consadole Sapporo |
Champions League | Sanfrecce Hiroshima Vegalta Sendai Urawa Red Diamonds Kashiwa Reysol |
Matches played | 306 |
Goals scored | 855 (2.79 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Hisato Satō (22 goals) |
Biggest home win | Kashima Antlers 7–0 Consadole Sapporo |
Biggest away win | Gamba Osaka 2–6 Kashiwa Reysol Shimizu S-Pulse 3–5 Kashiwa Reysol |
Highest scoring | Gamba Osaka 7–2 Consadole Sapporo (9 goals) |
Highest attendance | 51,879 Reds vs Grampus |
Lowest attendance | 5,432 Sagan vs Albirex |
Average attendance | 17,566 |
← 2011 2013 → |
The 2012 J.League Division 1 season was the 47th season of Japanese top-flight football and 20th since the establishment of the J.League. The season started on March 10 and finished on December 1.[1]
Sanfrecce Hiroshima won the 2012 J.League Division 1 championship on 24 November and advanced to the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup as the host team, entering the qualifying play-off round.[2][3] This was their first title in the J.League era and first league title since 1970, marking their sixth title overall.[4] Additionally, this was the first time since 1966 that clubs from the traditional regions of Kantō, Tōkai or Kansai – the corridor from Tokyo to Osaka – did not make the top two, and this time it was a team from Tōhoku, Vegalta Sendai, who finished in second place despite leading the table most of the season.[5]
Clubs[]
Ventforet Kofu, Avispa Fukuoka and Montedio Yamagata were relegated at the end of the 2011 season after finishing in the bottom three places of the table. Avispa Fukuoka and Ventforet Kofu returned to J2 after only one season in the top flight, while Montedio Yamagata were relegated after three seasons in J1.
The three relegated teams were replaced by 2011 J.League Division 2 champions FC Tokyo, runners-up Sagan Tosu and third-placed team Consadole Sapporo. FC Tokyo made an immediate return to the top division, while Consadole Sapporo ended a three-year absence. In the end, Sagan Tosu reached J1 after thirteen seasons in the second division.
![2012 J.League Division 1 is located in Japan](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Japan_location_map_with_Tokyo_Greater_Area_Inset.svg/450px-Japan_location_map_with_Tokyo_Greater_Area_Inset.svg.png)
![Albirex Niigata Albirex Niigata](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Arrows_12x12_e.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_e.svg.png)
![Cerezo Osaka Cerezo Osaka](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Arrows_12x12_s.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_s.svg.png)
![Consadole Sapporo Consadole Sapporo](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Arrows_12x12_w.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_w.svg.png)
![Gamba Osaka Gamba Osaka](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Arrows_12x12_n.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_n.svg.png)
![Nagoya Grampus Nagoya Grampus](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Arrows_12x12_s.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_s.svg.png)
![Sagan Tosu Sagan Tosu](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Arrows_12x12_w.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_w.svg.png)
![Sanfrecce Hiroshima Sanfrecce Hiroshima](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Arrows_12x12_n.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_n.svg.png)
![Shimizu S-Pulse Shimizu S-Pulse](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Arrows_12x12_nw.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_nw.svg.png)
![Vegalta Sendai Vegalta Sendai](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Arrows_12x12_w.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_w.svg.png)
![Vissel Kobe Vissel Kobe](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Arrows_12x12_e.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_e.svg.png)
![FC Tokyo FC Tokyo](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Arrows_12x12_e.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_e.svg.png)
![Kashima Antlers Kashima Antlers](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Arrows_12x12_w.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_w.svg.png)
![Kashiwa Reysol Kashiwa Reysol](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Arrows_12x12_w.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_w.svg.png)
![Kawasaki Frontale Kawasaki Frontale](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Arrows_12x12_w.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_w.svg.png)
![Omiya Ardija Omiya Ardija](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Arrows_12x12_s.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_s.svg.png)
![Urawa Red Diamonds Urawa Red Diamonds](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Arrows_12x12_e.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_e.svg.png)
![Yokohama F. Marinos Yokohama F. Marinos](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Arrows_12x12_nw.svg/8px-Arrows_12x12_nw.svg.png)
Club Name | Home Town(s) | Note(s) |
---|---|---|
Albirex Niigata | Niigata & Seirō, Niigata | |
Kashima Antlers | Southwestern cities/towns of Ibaraki | |
Omiya Ardija | Omiya, Saitama | |
Cerezo Osaka | Osaka | |
Consadole Sapporo | Sapporo, Hokkaidō | Promoted from J2 League (3rd place in J2 2011) |
Yokohama F. Marinos | Yokohama, Kanagawa & Yokosuka, Kanagawa | |
Kawasaki Frontale | Kawasaki, Kanagawa | |
Gamba Osaka | Suita, Osaka | 2012 ACL Participant (3rd place in J1 2011) |
Nagoya Grampus | Nagoya, Aichi | 2012 ACL Participant (Runners-up in J1 2011) |
Júbilo Iwata | Iwata, Shizuoka | |
Urawa Red Diamonds | Urawa, Saitama | |
Kashiwa Reysol | Kashiwa, Chiba | 2012 ACL Participant 2011 Defending Champions |
Shimizu S-Pulse | Shizuoka | |
Sagan Tosu | Tosu, Saga | Promoted from J2 League (Runners-up in J2 2011) |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Hiroshima | |
FC Tokyo | Tokyo | Promoted from J2 League (Champions in J2 2011) 2012 ACL Participant (2011 Emperor's Cup Winners) |
Vegalta Sendai | Sendai, Miyagi | |
Vissel Kobe | Kobe, Hyōgo |
Foreign players[]
Club | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Asian Player | Type-C Contract | Non-Visa Foreign |
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Albirex Niigata | ![]() |
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Kashima Antlers | ![]() |
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Omiya Ardija | ![]() |
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Cerezo Osaka | ![]() |
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Consadole Sapporo | ![]() |
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Yokohama F. Marinos | ![]() |
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Kawasaki Frontale | ![]() |
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Gamba Osaka | ![]() |
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Nagoya Grampus | ![]() |
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Júbilo Iwata | ![]() |
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Urawa Red Diamonds | ![]() |
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Kashiwa Reysol | ![]() |
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Shimizu S-Pulse | ![]() |
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Sagan Tosu | ![]() |
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Sanfrecce Hiroshima | ![]() |
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FC Tokyo | ![]() |
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Vegalta Sendai | ![]() |
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Vissel Kobe | ![]() |
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League table[]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima (C) | 34 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 63 | 34 | +29 | 64 | Qualification to 2012 Club World Cup and 2013 Champions League |
2 | Vegalta Sendai | 34 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 59 | 43 | +16 | 57 | Qualification to 2013 Champions League[a] |
3 | Urawa Red Diamonds | 34 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 47 | 42 | +5 | 55 | |
4 | Yokohama F. Marinos | 34 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 44 | 33 | +11 | 53 | |
5 | Sagan Tosu | 34 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 48 | 39 | +9 | 53 | |
6 | Kashiwa Reysol | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 57 | 52 | +5 | 52 | Qualification to 2013 Champions League[a] |
7 | Nagoya Grampus | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 46 | 47 | −1 | 52 | |
8 | Kawasaki Frontale | 34 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 51 | 50 | +1 | 50 | |
9 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 34 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 39 | 40 | −1 | 49 | |
10 | FC Tokyo | 34 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 47 | 44 | +3 | 48 | |
11 | Kashima Antlers | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 50 | 43 | +7 | 46 | |
12 | Júbilo Iwata | 34 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 57 | 53 | +4 | 46 | |
13 | Omiya Ardija | 34 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 38 | 45 | −7 | 44 | |
14 | Cerezo Osaka | 34 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 47 | 53 | −6 | 42 | |
15 | Albirex Niigata | 34 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 29 | 34 | −5 | 40 | |
16 | Vissel Kobe (R) | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 41 | 50 | −9 | 39 | Relegation to 2013 J.League Division 2 |
17 | Gamba Osaka (R) | 34 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 67 | 65 | +2 | 38 | |
18 | Consadole Sapporo (R) | 34 | 4 | 2 | 28 | 25 | 88 | −63 | 14 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ a b The winners of the 2012 Emperor's Cup qualified for the group stage of the 2013 AFC Champions League.
Results[]
Season statistics[]
Top scorers[]
Rank | Scorer | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | |
2 | ![]() |
Sagan Tosu | |
3 | ![]() |
Vegalta Sendai | |
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Gamba Osaka | ||
5 | ![]() |
Vegalta Sendai | |
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Kashiwa Reysol | ||
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Shimizu S-Pulse | ||
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Júbilo Iwata | ||
9 | ![]() |
Kashima Antlers | |
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Gamba Osaka | ||
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Cerezo Osaka | ||
12 | ![]() |
Kashiwa Reysol | |
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FC Tokyo | ||
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Kawasaki Frontale | ||
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Yokohama F. Marinos | ||
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Nagoya Grampus | ||
17 | ![]() |
Kashima Antlers | |
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Urawa Red Diamonds | ||
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Shimizu S-Pulse | ||
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Júbilo Iwata | ||
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Nagoya Grampus | ||
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Vissel Kobe |
Source: J. League Division 1
Attendances[]
Pos | Team | Total | High | Low | Average | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Urawa Red Diamonds | 622,772 | 51,879 | 25,743 | 36,634 | +8.0% |
2 | Albirex Niigata | 425,309 | 35,506 | 15,854 | 25,018 | −4.0% |
3 | FC Tokyo | 407,243 | 34,822 | 16,229 | 23,955 | +36.4%† |
4 | Yokohama F. Marinos | 390,078 | 36,412 | 7,101 | 22,946 | +9.1% |
5 | Kawasaki Frontale | 302,719 | 20,996 | 12,509 | 17,807 | +2.7% |
6 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 301,249 | 32,724 | 11,123 | 17,721 | +34.2% |
7 | Nagoya Grampus | 291,632 | 30,354 | 7,959 | 17,155 | +2.5% |
8 | Cerezo Osaka | 287,524 | 36,723 | 8,226 | 16,913 | +19.6% |
9 | Vegalta Sendai | 282,200 | 18,722 | 11,831 | 16,600 | +6.0% |
10 | Kashima Antlers | 261,484 | 23,507 | 10,626 | 15,381 | −4.8% |
11 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 257,054 | 23,188 | 8,710 | 15,121 | −4.3% |
12 | Gamba Osaka | 251,232 | 19,393 | 8,218 | 14,778 | −10.0% |
13 | Vissel Kobe | 248,853 | 22,766 | 8,755 | 14,638 | +10.6% |
14 | Kashiwa Reysol | 234,064 | 26,106 | 10,351 | 13,768 | +15.5% |
15 | Júbilo Iwata | 223,071 | 28,745 | 8,978 | 13,122 | +11.2% |
16 | Consadole Sapporo | 204,141 | 25,353 | 6,870 | 12,008 | +14.6%† |
17 | Sagan Tosu | 203,844 | 22,116 | 5,432 | 11,991 | +55.1%† |
18 | Omiya Ardija | 180,831 | 12,709 | 7,936 | 10,637 | +16.9% |
League total | 5,375,300 | 51,879 | 5,432 | 17,566 | +11.2% |
Updated to games played on 1 December 2012
Source: J. League Division 1
Notes:
† Team played previous season in J2.
Awards[]
Individual Awards[]
Award | Recipient | Club | Notes |
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Most Valuable Player | ![]() |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | |
Rookie of the Year | ![]() |
Kashima Antlers | |
Manager of the Year | ![]() |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | |
Top Scorer | ![]() |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 22 goals. |
Best Eleven[]
Pos | Footballer | Club | Nationality |
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GK | Shusaku Nishikawa | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | ![]() |
DF | Yūichi Komano | Júbilo Iwata | ![]() |
DF | Hiroki Mizumoto | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | ![]() |
DF | Marcus Tulio Tanaka | Nagoya Grampus | ![]() |
MF | Toshihiro Aoyama | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | ![]() |
MF | Yasuhito Endō | Gamba Osaka | ![]() |
MF | Yojiro Takahagi | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | ![]() |
MF | Leandro Domingues | Kashiwa Reysol | ![]() |
FW | Wilson | Vegalta Sendai | ![]() |
FW | Hisato Satō | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | ![]() |
FW | Yohei Toyoda | Sagan Tosu | ![]() |
References[]
- ^ "2012 J League Results". Soccerway.com. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Sanfrecce crowned champions". Nipponnews. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Sanfrecce win maiden title". AFC-com. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Sanfrecce win J.League title". Japan Times. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Sanfrecce book Japan 2012 spot". FIFA. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- J1 League seasons
- 2012 in Japanese football leagues
- 2011–12 in Asian association football leagues
- 2012–13 in Asian association football leagues