Football Season Guide

Kyoto finished only 14th last season but they were never in danger of relegation. Missed out on a top 10 finish only due to the 4-game winless run (3 draws and 1 defeat) to end the campaign. The main struggles in 2024 were in attack. Only two teams in J1 last season scored fewer than Kyoto’s 43 league goals. That said, since Rafael Elias joined the squad in mid-season the forward actions improved vastly. Elias netted 11 goals in just 15 appearances and all the hopes going forward in attack rest on his shoulders. Taichi Hara is the other striker expected to start often, while Brazilians Tulio and Murilo are more likely to be used off the bench. They were both ineffective last year, between them scored just 3 league goals. Solid centre-back Oliveira left but a replacement was already found in Patrick William. Full-back Hidehiro Sugai is another new signing expected to become a regular starter in defence. Kyoto lack depth in defence but the manager for 4 years Gwi-jae Jo has proven he can find solutions when needed. Midfielder Yuta Miyamoto was re-qualified as a centre-back midway through last season. He could continue in this role now he’s back on loan for the 2025 campaign too. The arrival of winger Masaya Okugawa from the German Bundesliga should bring much needed threat down the flanks. This also means that captain Sota Kawasaki is likely to play in a deeper role as the main anchor-man. Newcomer João Pedro could eventually become a regular starter in the same role but he’s expected to struggle for time in the opening months of the campaign as he’s settling in.