Football Season Guide

J2 League
Japan
J2 League
2024
Ehime FC
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Ehime FC

In


Yusei Ozaki (def) Vissel Kobe – on loan; Ye-chan Yu (def) Jeonbuk; Keon-woo Bak (def) Pohang Steelers; Sung-chan Kang (def) Seohae; Masashi Tanioka (mid) Kansai University; Taiga Ishiura (mid) Tokyo Verdy; Nelson Ishiwatari (mid) Cerezo Osaka – on loan; Akira Hamashita (mid) Tokushima Vortis – on loan; Ryo Kubota (att) Gifu; Yuta Fujihara (att) Sagan Tosu;

Out


Kei Oshiro (sp) (def) Tottori; Taiga Ishiura (sp) (mid) Tokyo Verdy – end of loan; Asahi Yada (sp) (mid) Kitakyushu; Kyoji Kutsuna (sp) (mid) Nagano Parciero; Shumpei Fukahori (sp) (att) Gunam – end of loan; Haruki Yoshida (def) Edo All Utd; Shuya Iwai (mid) Kawaguchi; Yasuhiro Hiraoka (def) end of career; Takumi Sasaki (mid) released; Yuto Hikida (mid) Fagiano Okayama – end of loan; Shoi Yoshinaga (def) Omiya Ardija – end of loan; Yugo Masukake (att) Kashiwa Reysol – end of loan;

Ehime were the convincing J3 champions last season and they returned to the second tier in style. Ehime finished 11 points ahead of the nearest team after securing 21 wins in 38 rounds, only 7 defeats. All season Ehime’s impressive home record and their ability to come from behind in matches, earned 16 points from losing positions, made them the team setting up the pace. Ehime secured their promotion with 5 rounds to spare and coach Kiyotaka Ishimaru was crucial in all that success during 2023. Under Ishimaru culture of togetherness and not-giving up was developed in Ehime and this should remain unchanged in 2024. The two main forward assets Riki Matsuda (12 goals) and Shunsuke Motegi (9 assists) are expected to be key figures once again this season. All important players stayed put after the promotion and if anything Ehime managed to add a few good pieces to what is already a big squad. Full-back Keon-woo Bak and attacking midfielder Akira Hamashita were needed additions to add depth to their respective areas. Ehime’s core of players will be pretty much the same as last season and this should see the J3 champions from 2023 hitting the ground running from early on in the higher division this year.

Target


Establishing in J2 and staying out of trouble is the natural goal. Should have enough quality to achieve that.