Soccer Betting - Japan League History
History - Facts - Teams - Winners
The Japan League was created in 1992 and it had its first official season on May 15, 1993. Originally, the professional football league was made up of 10 teams. The accomplishment of that season moved the sport to another level of expansion with two teams joining the league nearly every year until 1996, then only one in 1997 and 1998.
During this primary phase of the Japan League, many well known players and coaches came from Europe and South America to play, elevating the overall quality of the league to rival that of the more established play overseas. But, this also increased the quality came rising cost. Many the Japan League teams folded or were on the verge of folding.
The following are the years that each team joined the group:
1993
Kashima Antlers, Urawa Red Diamonds, JEF United Ichihara, Verdy Kawasaki, Yokohama Marinos, Yokohama Flügels, Shimizu S-Pulse, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Gamba Osaka, Sanfrecce Hiroshima
1994
Júbilo Iwata, Bellmare Hiratsuka
1995
Kashiwa Reysol, Cerezo Osaka
1996
Kyoto Purple Sanga, Avispa Fukuoka
1997
Vissel Kobe
1999
The Japan League was reduced to 17 teams with the fusion of the two Yokohama franchises. Montedio Yamagata, Vegalta Sendai, Omiya Ardija, Kawasaki Frontale, Ventforet Kofu, Sagan Tosu, FC Tokyo, Albirex Niigata, Oita Trinita
2000
Mito HollyHock (J2)
2001
Yokohama FC (J2)
2005
THE SPA Kusatsu (J2), Tokushima VORTIS (J2)
2006
Ehime FC (J2)
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