The 2024 J2 season – what happened in the first six rounds?
The 2024 J2 season only just started. Now the first 6 rounds have been played we will give you a quick summary of what happened so far. Which teams impressed? Which teams underperformed? Who has shown strengths? Who has shown weaknesses? Which individual performances are worth mentioning?
After all this J2 season summary for the first 6 rounds, we’ll finish with our forecast of what could happen in the coming weeks in one of the most exciting football competitions in the world the Japanese J2.
The 2024 J2 season – rounds 1 to 6 summary
Here is a quick brief on what transpired in the first six rounds of the new J2 season.
Fagiano Okayama top the table and has the best defence after six rounds
Many changes to their squad over the winter made Fagiano Okayama a serious contender for promotion in 2024. So far they have lived up to this hype and the 2024 J2 season had a dream start for Fagiano.
Dropped only 2 points in the first six rounds (W5 D1) and have the best defensive record in the entire division – just 2 goals conceded in six matches.
Shimizu S-Pulse living up to the expectations so far
Before the season started Shimizu S-Pulse were seen as the main favourites to win J2 this season and secure a return to the top flight. The Tangerines have the three most valuable players in the entire division playing for them – Carlinhos, Lucas Braga and Douglas.
So far, it has been a good start to the J2 season for Shimizu – W5 D0 L1. They are yet to concede a goal on home turf too.
Montedio Yamagata falling out of contention fast
Another team seen as a serious candidate for promotion ahead of 2024 J2 season were Montedio Yamagata. Those expectations looked logical after Montedio opened the season with back-to-back wins and six goals scored in them.
However, injuries to their main strikers Goto and Fujimoto in those first two matches changed their fortunes immediately. Montedio failed to score in the last four rounds and they earned a single point from those four games.
The 2024 J2 season – who shone brightest individually in rounds 1-6
Now let’s look at the players that made the headlines during the first 6 rounds of the 2024 J2 season.
Vegalta’s Akihiro Hayashi shows age is not an issue
Vegalta Sendai are the only undefeated team outside leaders Fagiano in J2 after six rounds (W2 D4). This is mainly thanks to the contributions of their 36-year-old goalkeeper Akihiro Hayashi. He conceded only 2 goals in those six matches and wasn’t breached in any of the last four league games.
Is Hiiro Komori the answer for JEF?
JEF United scored 12 goals in the opening 6 rounds of the 2024 J2 season. The main reason for their efficiency in attack has been their 23-year-old striker Hiiro Komori. Between rounds 2 and 5 Komori scored in four consecutive matches. Can he keep it up going forward?
Koya Okuda carrying Tochigi single-handedly
Tochigi’s forward Koya Okuda has been used mainly as part of the midfield line this season. This doesn’t matter and the 29-year-old has been directly involved in every one of the six league goals Tochigi scored so far. In the first six rounds, Okuda amassed two goals and four assists.
The 2024 J2 season: Our predictions for the next six rounds
In the next few paragraphs, we give you our predictions of likely developments in the 2024 J2 season throughout the next six rounds.
Shimizu S-Pulse to move into the top spot
Right now Shimizu sits second and only a point behind leader Fagiano Okayama so this won’t be much of a surprise. Considering, their kind schedule over the next half a dozen matches we expect them to be at the top of the ladder after 12 rounds.
Blaubitz Akita to drop into the relegation zone
Despite their 7 points from six matches, Blaubitz Akita are one of only three teams so far that failed to score in four of the six league games they played. Considering that most of those matches were against relativity weak opponents this is a reason for concern.
We expect Akita’s problems in attack to continue and this could easily see them fall into the relegation zone before summer comes.