Football Season Guide

Kawasaki had a pretty average last season – 13 wins, 13 draws and 12 defeats. They finished in eighth place. The main reason for the struggles was the insecure defending. Only 6 teams conceded more than Kawasaki’s 57 goals last term. The main positive from 2024 was the impressive form displayed by the young striker Shin Yamada. He had 19 league goals last year. Brazilians Marcinho and Erison supported his efforts very well. Also, veterans Yu Kobayashi (37-years-old) and Akihiro Ienaga (38-years-old) proved to be crucial players off the bench. Between them they contributed 11 goals and 12 assists in 2024. Kawasaki’s outlook for the new campaign remains pretty much the same in terms of the core of players. The main change was at the head coach position. After overachieving with Avispa Fukuoka in 3 of the last 4 years Shigetoshi Hasebe is now given the chance to lead the Sky Blues. He led Avispa to the fourth best defensive record in J1 last season (38 goals conceded in 38 games). Hopes are he can do similar thing with Kawasaki’s defensive record now. No major reinforcements in defence have been signed yet. At the same time, the already lethal front line has a bright new winger added to it. Tatsuya Ito joins from Magdeburg. He is expected to start eating from the minutes of the veterans Ienaga and Kobayashi in 2025. Kawasaki’s legendary goalie Sung-ryong Jung turned 40 in January but it seems he will be the preferred choice on goal once more. Jesiel and Sasaki should be nailed on starters in defence, both were the only solid defenders last season. In midfield, captain Yasuto Wakizaka and the star holding midfielder Kento Tachibanada will once more be the backbone. If they stay healthy Kawasaki should be dominating possession the same way they did last season – in 27 of the 38 rounds in 2024 had 51% or more of the ball.