We round up two full rounds of top flight fixtures (with a focus on the weekend's Matchday 4) in this week's episode, towards the end of which we're joined by Neil Debnam to chat about the early days of Shigetoshi Hasebe's reign at Kawasaki. We begin with the games involving the top three - new leaders Kashiwa, who climbed to the summit with a win away at Urawa, then Shonan's draw at Yokohama F.Marinos and Hiroshima's narrow win at home over Yokohama FC - before moving on to Kashima's win over F...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 557
James, Jon, and special guest Sean Carroll look back at another busy weekend of J2 action. James gets things started with a quick review of most of the Round 2 action (Start to 03:00), before Jon and Sean sat down to talk about Omiya's home win over Kofu in depth (03:00 to 15:00). The boys also discuss Omiya and Kofu's prospects for 2025 in more detail, and touch on the new era at Omiya under Red Bull (there are spoilers for classic 90s sports comedy 'Cool Runnings', so be warned). After that, J...
Feb 26, 2025•24 min•Ep. 645
Jonny and Ben were pleased to welcome Stuart Woodward back to the pod, to chat about his trip to Hiroshima for Yokohama F.Marinos' visit to Sanfrecce on Sunday, a cagey affair settled by a correct, but unfortunate, penalty decision against visiting defender Jeisson Quinones that saw Hiroshima stay perfect after two rounds (to 27:20). Then in Part 2 we chat the other two sides with spotless records, Shimizu and Shonan, then move on to the four teams that won for the first time this season on Satu...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 556
The JTET boys are back to pick over the bones of the opening round in J2 2025! Kicking off a new, streamlined pod format, Jon runs through the scores on the doors from Round 1 in a whistle-stop roundup (Start to 03:15). Jon then sat down with James to discuss their 'Match of the Week', focusing in detail on Omiya's return to J2 life against Yamagata at a sold-out NACK-5 Stadium in Saitama (03:15 to 20:40). The gentlemen then move on to regular segments 'Most Bravo Player' (20:40 to 25:00), then ...
Feb 21, 2025•29 min•Ep. 644
J1 is back, and on this episode (after a brief ACL review at the start of the pod) Jonny and Ben review all of the top flight action, beginning with stirring wins for Okayama, Cerezo Osaka and Kawasaki, then moving on to clashes involving presumptive title challengers, before rounding up the final group of games.
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 555
With the new J2 season hurtling into view at the weekend, the JTET crew finish off their 2025 season preview with five more teams covered in depth. James and Jon get things underway by running the rule over newly-relegated Tosu (Start to 09:20), followed by Yamaguchi (09:20 to 19:15), and then Oita (19:15 to 29:00). The boys then welcome special guest Chikashi Toyoshima (co-creator of the ViviCast) to give us the lowdown on hotly-tipped Nagasaki (29:00 to 39:20). After that, friend of the pod Ga...
Feb 13, 2025•58 min•Ep. 643
We wrap up our top flight previews with the final five teams, and a heavy Kansai focus, as Alan Gibson guests in Part 1 to chat about his long weekend in the Tokyo area - including the Super Cup - and then help us preview defending champions Kobe (to 38:25) and Gamba Osaka (to 1:03:55). Then in Part 2 Jonny and Ben discuss Cerezo Osaka (to 1:22:35), Kyoto (to 1:41:35) and Nagoya. Follow Alan on X/Twitter and Bluesky ....
Feb 11, 2025•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 554
With the big J2 kick-off less than a week away, the JTET team continue with their team-by-team previews of the 2025 season. In this episode, Jon and James begin in Shikoku, discussing newly-promoted Imabari (Start to 09:15), and their rather-more-established prefectural neighbors Ehime (09:15 to 17:20). After that, Tokushima come under the microscope as well (17:20 to 26:40). The boys then hand over to regular contributor Chris Hough to hear all about JEF Chiba's preparations for 2025 (26:40 to ...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 642
Hot on the heels of Part 1, JTET is back to preview another five teams who are getting ready for the 2025 J2 season. This time, Jon and James get things underway by talking about Consadole Sapporo (Start to 08:45), and Montedio Yamagata (08:45 to 16:45). After that, a trio of special guests are on hand to give us their thoughts on the year ahead. First up is Martin Spivey, who covers Blaublitz Akita (16:45 to 36:20). Following up is Fin Wilson, who has all the pre-season information about Vegalt...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 641
Victor Arroyo makes his debut as the new host of JTSC, previewing five teams ahead of the new 2025 J3 season: 0:00-3:05 Intro 3:05-5:30 Azul Claro Numazu 5:30-7:50 Fukushima United FC 7:50-10:05 Gainaire Tottori 10:05-12:20 FC Gifu 12:20-15:15 Giravanz Kitakyushu 15:15-End Outro Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/jtalkpod Feel free to join us on the JLeague Chat Discord: https://discord.gg/p6PVbF9E Follow Victor on Bluesky: @jfootballanalytics.bsky.social...
Feb 07, 2025•16 min•Ep. 640
With not long until the big kickoff for 2025, Jon Steele and James Taylor got together for the first J2 season preview pod. After a brief word of thanks to departing JTSC host Mike Innes, Jon and James talked about five teams: 04:00 to 10:15 Jubilo Iwata 10:15 to 16:10 Fujieda MYFC 16:10 to 25:05 Mito Hollyhock 25:05 to 34:45 Ventforet Kofu 34:45 to end Kataller Toyama Thank you for your ongoing support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. We hope you’ll enjoy the 2025 season with us. J...
Feb 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 639
We have another bumper round of J1 previews for you this week, as we edge closer to the start of the new season. In Part 1 Jonny and Ben preview Hiroshima (to 21:20) and Kashiwa (to 48:25), before they're joined by three terrific guests. In Part 2 Daniel Hawkins chats about Fukuoka (to 1:13:17), then in Part 3 Ralf Seidl discusses Urawa (to 1:45:25), before James Taylor from J-Talk: Extra Time rounds out the pod in Part 4 looking ahead to Okayama's first-ever J1 campaign.
Feb 05, 2025•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 553
Now that we're up and running, our J1 season previews roll on galactically on this episode, with five more teams under the microscope. We begin with a J-Talk crossing of the streams, as Jon Steele guests to preview promoted clubs Yokohama FC (to 42:15) and Shimizu (to 1:09:00), before Jonny and Ben run the rule over Shonan (to 1:29:30) and Yokohama F.Marinos (to 1:52:35) in Part 2. Then in Part 3 we were delighted to welcome Kawasaki correspondent Neil Debnam back to the pod to preview the brave...
Jan 29, 2025•2 hr 28 min•Ep. 551
Welcome to our previews of the 2025 J1 Season! In Part 1, after some housekeeping at the start of the episode, we chat with Lewis White about Tokyo Verdy (to 32:05), and to Ryo Nakagawara about Machida (to 1:01:00) and FC Tokyo (to 1:40:20), before Jonny and Ben discuss Niigata (to 1:56:23) and Kashima. For each club, we follow the same format: A brief review of 2024; the club's major moves in the transfer market; thoughts on the manager; a player to watch and prospects for the new season. You c...
Jan 22, 2025•2 hr 15 min•Ep. 638
Welcome back to a new year, and a new season of J-Talk! On our first episode of 2025, Dan Orlowitz joins Jonny and Ben to chat about how the J.League can build on their successful 2024, and what will be new or different this season, before we discuss the 2026 "0.5 Season", or as it will be known from this point on: The 2026 Chaos Energy J.League Cup (from 17:45 to 39:25), before we finish with some hot takes on the best and worst of the new season's top flight kits. Thanks to you all for your on...
Jan 14, 2025•57 min•Ep. 550
The JTET team start 2025 by bringing down the curtain on last season in the final part of their big J2 season review. Jon and James get things up and running by discussing Montedio Yamagata (Start to 11:15), before handing over to a trio of guest contributors to cover the rest of the Play-Off teams from 2024. We welcome debutant Makoto to talk about Fagiano Okayama (11:15 to 19:20), before veteran co-host of the ViviCast, Daniel Kuroda, takes us through V-Varen Nagasaki's campaign (19:20 to 30:0...
Jan 04, 2025•42 min•Ep. 637
In a holiday special, Jon and James talk about the recent (official) J2 Awards, and discuss their own personal picks for some of the more interesting categories. In Part 1, the gentlemen share their views on Manager of the Season (Start to 07:05), and Player of the Season (07:05 to 12:45). Spoilers: Matheus Jesus was robbed! In Part 2, attention turns to the Goal of the Season award (12:45 to 16:10), before things are rounded off with a detailed look at the J2 Team of the Season (16:10 to Finish...
Dec 28, 2024•35 min•Ep. 636
In Part 3 of the big JTET Season Review for J2, a whopping six teams from the second tier are covered. Jon and James kick things off (sorry) by talking about champions Shimizu S-Pulse (Start to 06:50), and runners-up Yokohama FC (06:50 to 16:45). Jon refers to 'Joao Pedro' twice in the Yokohama FC segment, but of course means 'Joao PAOLO'. The regular co-hosts also discuss Tokushima Vortis (16:45 to 25:45). After that, the mics are thrown open to a welcome trio of guest correspondents. Chris Hou...
Dec 21, 2024•56 min•Ep. 635
JTSC host Mike Innes signs off for 2024 with a comprehensive review of all 20 J3 teams, using his pre-season predictions as a guide and putting the teams into five groups of four. Mike starts with Toyama, Matsumoto, Gifu, and Nara (01:20 to 10:30), then Imabari, Osaka, Hachinohe, and Kanazawa (10:30 to 19:55). After that, the focus turns to champions Omiya, Kitakyushu, Sagamihara, and Nagano (19:55 to 29:00), followed by Ryukyu, Sanuki, and bottom two YSCC and Iwate (29:00 to 38:30). Mike rounds...
Dec 20, 2024•49 min•Ep. 634
In the final episode of 'big pod' for 2024, Sean Carroll joins Jonny and Ben to piece together the J-Talk J1 Team of the Season, as voted on by our patrons. We didn't agree with all of the poll winners, but there is healthy debate and reasoning when necessary, and we think we've assembled one hell of a team. Towards the end of the episode, with the managerial merry-go-round in full swing, we round up some recent appointments. Just a reminder, you can keep up to date with all the top flight trans...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 549
Long-suffering Zweigen Kanazawa supporters James Taylor and Victor Arroyo got together again for a freewheeling discussion of their team’s first season back in J3. They covered events on and off the pitch throughout the 2024 season, including Victor’s visit to the Go Go Curry Stadium in April, and each selected their Kanazawa MVP. Thanks for your support of JTET, JTSC, and the J-Talk Podcast during the 2024 season! Join the JLeague chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/p6PVbF9E Join the J...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 633
In part one of this week’s JTET, James Taylor and Jon Steele discuss the J2 promotion playoff final between Fagiano Okayama and Vegalta Sendai (start to 24:00), including choosing their Most Bravo Player for the match (24:00 to 28:10). Part two is J-Talk: Short Corner, in which Mike Innes reviews the J3 promotion playoff final between Kataller Toyama and Matsumoto Yamaga (28:10 to 31:35) and the second leg of the promotion/relegation playoff between Kochi United and YSCC (31:35 to end). Thanks f...
Dec 11, 2024•37 min•Ep. 632
Kobe claimed a second successive J1 title in Sunday's final round, and on this episode Jonny and Ben round up the final day. We begin with the games involving the three title contenders, and after celebrating Kobe's success, we wonder how the champions, Hiroshima and Machida might approach the offseason (to 38:00). Then in Part 2 we round up the relegation dogfight by discussing the games involving the three teams trying to avoid 18th and the drop, before chatting about the remaining four games ...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 548
The JTET boys (plus special guest) are back with another 2024 Season Review pod! In this episode, Jon and James discuss the teams who finished between 11th and 15th in the league table. They start by chatting about Mito Hollyhock (Start to 05:55), then move on to Ventforet Kofu (05:55 to 15:20). After that, Fujieda MYFC (15:20 to 23:15) come under the microscope, with Renofa Yamaguchi (23:15 to 35:50) in hot pursuit. After that, JTET is delighted to welcome Garry Irwin back to the pod for an in-...
Dec 08, 2024•44 min•Ep. 631
After a few weeks off, J2 returned for the promotion playoffs, and James Taylor and Jon Steele have a review of the semi-finals. First, they discuss Nagasaki v Sendai (start to 15:05), then they focus on Yamagata v Okayama (15:05 to 27:00). After that, they select their Most Bravo Player and look ahead to the playoff final (27:00 to 39:40). J3’s first ever promotion playoffs also took place last weekend, and in J-Talk: Short Corner Mike Innes reviews the semi-finals: Toyama v FC Osaka (39:40 to ...
Dec 04, 2024•50 min•Ep. 630
Jonny and Ben welcomed Scott McIntyre back to the pod to review all of the drama at both ends of the table from that mental Matchday 37. Kobe's late, late equalizer at still relegation-threatened Kashiwa leads us off, before we discuss Hiroshima's home romp over Sapporo, and Machida staying in the title hunt with their win over Kyoto (to 43:10). Next we head down the table to the battle to avoid 18th, before we wrap up Part 1 with the other games from Saturday, including that epic 5-4 Kawasaki w...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 547
Kobe lifted the Emperor's Cup for the second time in their history after a 1-0 victory over Gamba Osaka in Saturday's final at the National Stadium, and Alan Gibson joined Jonny and Ben to recap a cagey game won by Taisei Miyashiro's 64th minute goal, and then chat about potential offseason personnel changes at both clubs (to 39:10). Then Alan shares some nuggets from his trip to Kashiwa on Sunday (to 45:15), we round up Urawa 1-1 Kawasaki, and look ahead to ACL and J1 Matchday 37 action on the ...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 546
In another (15-minute) standalone mini-pod, Mike 'The Magic' Innes rounds up all of the big stories from yesterday's Round 38 games in J3 (the final match day of the regular season). There's also a look ahead to the trio of Play-Off games involving J3 coming up this weekend, as four clubs vie for J2 promotion, & YSCC face the first leg of their Promotion/Relegation Play-Off against JFL runners-up Kochi United! We hope everyone enjoys the show!
Nov 25, 2024•14 min•Ep. 629
Jon and James begin their big review of the J2 season by looking at the five teams that finished in the bottom quarter of the standings in 2024. In Part 1 of this episode, the relegation zone comes under the microscope as the boys cover Gunma (Start to 08:00), Kagoshima (08:00 to 12:50), and Tochigi SC (12:50 to 19:40). Then in Part 2, the focus shifts to just above the drop zone, with Ehime (19:40 to 26:45) and Oita (26:45 to Finish) being analyzed in detail. We hope everyone enjoys the pod - m...
Nov 22, 2024•38 min•Ep. 628
Jonny and Ben welcomed Dan Orlowitz back to the pod to chat about Japan's World Cup qualifying victories over China and Indonesia, and how Hajime Moriyasu might approach more than a year of 'dead rubbers' after the Samurai Blue clinch qualification, which will almost certainly come in the next international break, in March (to 27:20), and also Peter Cklamovski's departure from FC Tokyo, after a year and a half in charge (to 39:35). Then in Part 2 we round up the two J1 games played last weekend,...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 545
