Kashima Antlers were crowned J1-champion for the 2nd year running after their 1-0 win away against Consadole in the final round of the J.League 2008 season. Kawasaki Frontale ends 2nd, while Nagoya Grampus takes the important 3rd place which gives ACL-participation next year. Oita Trinita just missed out on top 3, but should be happy about their season nonetheless. They are the biggest surprise-package of the season, along with Nagoya Grampus.
Kashima's victory is deserved, as they have been the most constant performer with the fewest hiccups this season. Where other big-guns like Urawa Reds and Gamba Osaka have failed to deliver, have Antlers been the only top-team to perform ( to some extent Frontale have also delivered). Gamba's season is saved by the ACL-win though, but for Urawa's sake it's been a total disaster. There will most likely be alot of change in personell at Saitama during the close-season period, and they've already changed coach. Gert Engels have been thrown out of his office, and the new man to take over is former Freiburg-coach Volker Finke. A respected man in Germany, but former Urawa-boss Guido Buchwald doesn't believe Finke will make it in Japan, as he "has trouble dealing with individuals", according to japanese newspapers. Guido is the only manager that have lifted the J.League-trophy with Urawa, so he should know what he's talking. Let's hope for Urawa's sake Finke can save them though.
At the bottom of the table we saw a fairytale-like comeback from JEF United, as they came from 2 goals behind to win 4-2 against FC Tokyo at home. With that JEF avoided relegation by a whisker. Consadole Sapporo were ready for relegation months ago, and to join them is Tokyo Verdy. That means Kyoto Sanga is the only one of the promoted teams from last season to stay up. Jubilo Iwata finished 16th, which means they will meet Vegalta Sendai in a play-off to decide who plays where next season.
An exciting finish to another fantastic J.League season, and we can't wait until it all starts again in March 2009!
Kashima fans celebrating
J1 results - final round:
Albirex Niigata Gamba Osaka 3-2
A:Homma 10', Matsushita 31', Uchida 90'
G: Terada 32', Lucas 61'
Consadole Sapporo Kashima Antlers 0-1
K: Nozawa 35'
JEF Utd Ichihara FC Tokyo 4-2
J: Arai 74', Yazawa 77', Reinaldo 80', Tanizawa 85'
T: Cabore 39', Nagatomo 53'
Jubilo Iwata Omiya Ardija 0-1
O: Kobayashi 35'
Kyoto Sanga FC Shimizu S-Pulse 1-3
K: Yanagisawa 84'
S: Yajima 37', Yamamoto 38', Hara 80'
Oita Trinita Nagoya Grampus 0-0
Tokyo Verdy Kawasaki Frontale 0-2
K: Renatinho 64', Nakamura 90'
Urawa Red Diamonds Yokohama F Marinos 1-6
U: Hosogai 56'
Y: Hyodo 22', Kawai 46',80', Komiyama 64',76', Oshima 87'
Vissel Kobe Kashiwa Reysol 0-2
K: Popo 31', ྲྀ'
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