Football Season Guide

Tokushima Vortis finished 2024 well after a slow start. They finished in 8th place, so only 2 positions outside the promotion play-offs. However, they were full 9 points behind the top 6 so promotion was not really on the cards. Still, the ability to secure narrow wins, 11 of their 16 league wins last season were by a single goal, saw Tokushima thrive for most of the campaign. It was a slow start – 7 defeats and only 1 win in the opening 10 rounds. However, from mid-June onward the displays improved and Tokushima quickly climbed into the top half of the table. The main departures this winter were in defence. Caca was never available in 2024 as he was out on loan, so his absence doesn’t matter as much as the sales of the two main centre-backs Ishio and Mori. The starting goalie Suarez also left. Experienced Kengo Nagai was signed to become the new main goalie. Kohei Yamakoshi also joined the team and he should take one of the available starting spots in the heart of the defence. Despite that the back line looks weaker compared to last year. Tokushima liked to use the right flank for most of their attacks in 2024, 71% of the big chances last season were created down that zone. This is likely to continue with the 35-year-old Elsinho still a great player in that zone. Also, his countrymen Thonny Anderson and João Victor are right wingers by trade. Another Brazilian Lucas Barcelos arrived and is expected to team up with the 2024 top goalscorer Daiki Watari (8 goals) in attack.