J1 League

The J1 League (J1リーグ, J1 Rīgu) is the top division of Japan Professional Football League (日本プロサッカーリーグ, Nippon Puro Sakkā Rīgu) and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J1 League is the first level of the Japanese association football league system. The second tier is represented by J2 League. It is currently sponsored by Meiji Yasuda Life and thus officially known as the Meiji Yasuda J1 League.

History

Phases of J1

Before the professional league (1992 and earlier)

Before the inception of the J.League, the highest level of club football was the Japan Soccer League (JSL), which consisted of amateur clubs. Despite being well-attended during the boom of the late 60's and early 70's (when Japan's national team won the bronze Olympic medal at the 1968 games in Mexico), the JSL went into decline in the 80's, in general line with the deteriorating situation worldwide. Fans were few, the grounds were not of the highest quality, and the Japanese national team was not on a par with the Asian powerhouses. To raise the level of play domestically, to attempt to garner more fans, and to strengthen the national team, the Japan Football Association (JFA) decided to form a professional league.

1995 J.League

The J. League 1995 season is the third season of the J. League Division 1. The league fixture began on March 18, 1995 and ended on November (date), 1995. The Suntory Championship '95 took place on November 30 and December 6, 1995.

Honours

1995 J. League clubs

Following fourteen clubs participated in J. League during 1995 season. Of these clubs, Kashiwa Reysol, and Cerezo Osaka were newly promoted from Japan Football League (former).

Kashiwa Reysol

Cerezo Osaka

1995 J. League format

In the 1995 season, the league followed split-season format, and each halves (or stages) were known as Suntory Series and NICOS Series for sponsorship purposes. In each series, fourteen clubs played in double round-robin format, a total of 26 games per club (per series). The games went to golden-goal extra time and penalties if needed after regulation. The points system is introduced for the first time and a club received 3pts for any win, 1pts for PK loss, and 0pts for regulation or extra time loss. The clubs were ranked by points and tie breakers are, in the following order:

1999 J.League Division 1

The 1999 season was the seventh season of the J-League Division 1. The league began in March and ended in November. For this year, the division was contested by 16 teams following the folding of Yokohama Flügels and the relegation of Consadole Sapporo to the newly formed Division 2. In a year dominated by Shizuoka Prefecture, Júbilo Iwata won the 1st stage with neighbours Shimizu S-Pulse winning the 2nd stage. Iwata won the J. League Division 1 title for the after triumphing on penalty kicks in the Suntory Championship.

Clubs

Following sixteen clubs participated in J. League Division 1 during 2000 season. Of these clubs, Kawasaki Frontale and FC Tokyo were promoted from Division 2.

Overview

First stage

Second stage