The ever-changing poses of Tokyo Fox!
In 2025 I went to 33 soccer matches in Japan and the UK which was probably the most I’ve ever performed together with my years as a season ticket holder at Leicester Metropolis again within the Nineties. But once more the thought was to scale issues again a bit this 12 months however right here we’re simply forward of the halfway level of the 12 months having already been to 10 matches in Japan in addition to two within the UK. For the file, I’ve determined to not embody the UK ones on this rating checklist.
This primary batch of matches options six completely different stadiums and grounds in Tokyo, Kanagawa and Fukuoka. The majority of them weren’t thought-about worthy of solitary posts so I’ve collated them into this rankings checklist. It’s definitely not one to be taken too critically because it’s based mostly on a combination of event, climate, individuals I met, the stadium and possibly even the soccer itself! As ever, I loved all of them in several methods.
10. Aries Toshima FC 0-2 Shibuya Metropolis FC @ Chihaya Sports activities Discipline, Toshima-ku (Tokyo), Sunday twelfth April (15:00 KO)
Unable to get one of many official free tickets, I needed to accept the free space behind the purpose with each glass and netting between me and the pitch! In some methods, it is likely one of the worst views you will get however when the ball is in that specific penalty space the up-close view is fairly good. Sadly, each objectives had been scored on the different finish of the sector although!
Climate: Sunny, Value: 0 Yen, Attendance: Unknown.
9. Tokyo United FC 1-0 Aries Toshima FC @ @ Akabane Sports activities-no-mori Park, Kita-ku (Tokyo), Saturday 18th April (18:00 KO)
The non-league Tokyo Derby didn’t stay as much as the one I noticed a few years in the past however the ambiance right here was much better than on that event with United having far more followers current than I’d have anticipated. On the sector, it was a good affair however the blue facet of Tokyo edged it.
Climate: Cloudy, Value: 0 Yen, Attendance: Unknown.
8. Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 Mynavi Sendai @ Ajinomoto Discipline Nishigaoka, Kita-ku (Tokyo), Sunday 1st March (14:00 KO)
A fantastic sunny afternoon and a match I used to be by no means actually anticipating to attend. It was a late resolution to go so simply being again at my native stadium was a bonus. This Kracie Cup match was a good affair with an absence of goalmouth motion. It was determined by a late penalty and the house followers, who created an ideal ambiance, went residence completely satisfied.
Climate: Sunny, Value: 2500 Yen, Attendance: 1,353.
7. Tokyo Verdy Beleza 0-1 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama @ Ajinomoto Discipline Nishigaoka, Kita-ku (Tokyo), Sunday fifth April (14:00 KO)
The ambiance is all the time the perfect factor about watching the house staff, particularly in the course of the second half after they’re (normally) taking part in in the direction of their very own followers. Nevertheless, on this event they had been surprisingly crushed regardless of their heavy favourites tag.
Climate: Cloudy, Value: 3,000 Yen, Attendance: 1,562.
6. Machida Zelvia 1-0 Urawa Reds @ Japan Nationwide Stadium, Shinjuku-ku (Tokyo), Friday twenty second Could (19:30 KO)
My first top-flight match of the 12 months and it was a very good ambiance on the Nationwide Stadium because the non permanent J1 100 12 months Imaginative and prescient League was drawing to an in depth. On the again of many scorching days, this was a chilly evening and the motion on the sector was not so scorching both as Machida claimed the three factors. On the plus facet, I acquired to satisfy up with a pal within the second half who was over from Kansai for the match.
Climate: Breezy, Value: 3,300 Yen, Attendance: 44,871.
5. Tokyo United FC 2-0 Shibuya Metropolis FC @ Akabane Sports activities-no-mori Park, Kita-ku (Tokyo), Saturday 4th April (18:00 KO)
The sport itself was nothing particular however the circumstances made it memorable as heavy rain and swirling winds affected the on-the-field motion. The primary purpose was truly scored immediately from a nook early within the second half and miraculously I simply occurred to be filming a brief video then to indicate the terrible climate. A late penalty completed the sport, however I used to be already on my bike driving residence then because the rain had eased off just a little and I wished to reap the benefits of that!
Climate: Heavy rain & wind, Value: 0 Yen, Attendance: Unknown.
4. Shimizu S-Pulse 1-2 Gamba Osaka @ Japan Nationwide Stadium, Shinjuku-ku (Tokyo), Sunday twenty fourth Could (17:00 KO)
This tie was a West match being performed within the east and the primary half was a relatively drab end-of-season affair. Nonetheless, it was a extremely good ambiance with each units of followers behind the objectives in high-quality voice. Fortunately, the second half was a giant enchancment with not only some objectives however another good probabilities too which stored the record-breaking crowd entertained. Extra particulars right here.
Climate: Cloudy, Value: 3,000 Yen, Attendance: 53,439.
3. Tokyo Verdy Beleza 2-2 (3-1 on pens) RB Omiya Ardija Girls @ Todoroki Athletics Stadium, Nakahara-ku, (Kanagawa-ken), Wednesday twenty ninth April (13:04 KO)
An early purpose for the underdogs set this girls’s league cup remaining properly. Favourites Beleza levelled issues up not too lengthy after the break with a rocket of a shot that satisfyingly bounced down off the underside of the bar and over the road. When Beleza took the lead in further time you’d be forgiven for considering it was sport over however Omiya acquired a really late equaliser to take it to identify kicks the place the Beleza goalie thrived throughout her time within the highlight and pulled off a few saves.
Climate: Cloudy, Value: 0 Yen, Attendance: 12,006.
2. Criacao Shinjuku 2-2 (9-10 on pens) Grulla Morioka @ Ajinomoto Discipline Nishigaoka, Kita-ku (Tokyo), Tuesday twenty first April (18:00 KO)
A bonus midweek sport for me having completed work early. The away staff went 2-0 up within the second half which ignited Shinjuku who acquired one again instantly adopted by a late equaliser. Their goalkeeper even went up for a number of late corners which appeared like insanity to me. At full time it went straight to penalties and it went on and on! Each participant took one and eventually after 24 kicks it was over as Morioka progressed to the subsequent spherical.
Climate: Cloudy, Value: 2,200 Yen, Attendance: 1,205.
1. Giravanz Kitakyushu 2-1 Oita Trinita @ Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu (Fukuoka-ken), Sunday third Could (14:00 KO)
The stadium subsequent to the ocean was one I’ve wished to go to for a number of years now so I managed to sneak in a go to while based mostly in Hiroshima in early Could. Situations had been terrible however that usually makes matches extra memorable for me! I wished to see was what occurred if the ball was kicked over the low again stand into the encompassing waters. Annoyingly, it didn’t occur although! I’ve since came upon that on account of this pretty distinctive geography, fishing boats are sometimes on standby to retrieve any wayward balls. Extra particulars right here.
Climate: Wet, Value: 2,000 Yen, Attendance: 8,801
Bonus: Corby City 1-3 Rushden & Diamonds @ Metal Park, Northamptonshire (UK), Thursday 1st January (13:00 KO)
What higher approach to spend New 12 months’s Day! It was good to meet up with an old-fashioned pal from many years in the past and watch this native Northants derby from plenty of vantage factors. The unique 1:00 pm kick off was truly delayed by ten minutes permitting extra individuals to get into the bottom because the attendance was round double the same old quantity. Not unhealthy for eighth tier soccer. Extra particulars right here.
Climate: Chilly, Value: £12 (2500 Yen), Attendance: 853.
Bonus: Leicester Metropolis 2-1 West Bromwich Albion @ King Energy Stadium, Leicester (UK), Monday fifth January (20:05 KO)
Many supporters boycotted this Monday evening match so the official attendance given beneath is unquestionably not true. Leicester’s keeper had an ideal sport pulling off fairly a number of nice saves earlier than Fatawu scored in harm time to offer Leicester an undeserved late winner. Their luck definitely ran out after that! Extra particulars right here.
Climate: Chilly, Value: £30 (6,000 Yen), Attendance: 27,130.
Click on right here to learn ‘TF High 10……Soccer Match Day Experiences In 2025 (Half 3)’
Click on right here to learn ‘TF High 10……Soccer Match Day Experiences In 2025 So Far (Half 2)’
Click on right here to learn ‘TF High 10……Soccer Match Day Experiences In 2025 So Far (Half 1)’
Click on right here to learn ‘TF High 12……Soccer Match Day Experiences In 2024 (Half 3)’