J. League 2008

The 2008 season of the J. League, the 16th season in the league, shall be contested as follows:

General

Promotion and relegation

* At the end of the 2007 season, Consadole, Verdy and Sanga were promoted to J1
* At the end of the 2007 season, Sanfrecce, Ventforet and Yokohama FC were relegated to J2
* At the end of the 2007 season, Rosso and FC Gifu were promoted from the JFL.

Changes in Competition Formats

* The Division 2 was expanded to 15 clubs.
* The new J2 format will consist of triple round-robin instead of quadruple round-robin to reduce the games played by team to 42 games.

Changes in clubs

*Nagoya Grampus Eight is renamed Nagoya Grampus.
*Tokyo Verdy 1969 is renamed Tokyo Verdy.
*Rosso Kumamoto is renamed Roasso Kumamoto before joining the League.

Honours

J. League Division 1 (J1)

2008 J1 Clubs

Following eighteen clubs played in J. League Division 1 during 2008 season. Of these clubs, Consadole Sapporo, Tokyo Verdy, and Kyoto Sanga F.C. are newly promoted clubs.

* Consadole Sapporo
* Kashima Antlers
* Urawa Red Diamonds
* Omiya Ardija
* JEF United Chiba
* Kashiwa Reysol
* F.C. Tokyo
* Tokyo Verdy †
* Kawasaki Frontale
* Yokohama F. Marinos
* Albirex Nigata
* Shimizu S-Pulse
* Jublio Iwata
* Nagoya Grampus ‡
* Kyoto Sanga F.C.
* Gamba Osaka
* Vissel Kobe
* Oita Trinita

† Tokyo Verdy 1969 changed to Tokyo Verdy from 2008 season ‡ Nagoya Grampus Eight became Nagoya Grampus from 2008 season

2008 J1 Format

Eighteen clubs will play in double round-robin (home and away) format, a total of 34 games each. A club receives 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The clubs are ranked by points, and tie breakers are, in the following order:
* Goal differential
* Goals scored
* Head-to-head results
* Disciplinary pointsA draw would be conducted, if necessary. However, if two clubs are tied at the first place, both clubs will be declared as the champions. The bottom two clubs will be relegated to J2, while the 16th placed club plays a two-legged Promotion/Relegation Series. The champions of this season qualifies to the AFC Champions League and one to three more clubs may also qualify.;Changes from Previous Year
* Introduction of Disciplinary points for tie breaker (2008-)
* Top three clubs will qualify to AFC Champions League (To be confirmed in May)
* The J. League may not participate in A3, due to an issue related to prize money; Japanese media has reported that Urawa has not received prize money from last year's competition. [http://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/f-sc-tp0-20080105-303482.html] [http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2008/01/06/05.html]

2008 J1 Standings

2008 J1 Golden Boots Ranking

"As of October 5, 2008"

J. League
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2007-08 in Asian Football (AFC)