2008 J. League Division 2
Encyclopedia
The 2008 J. League Division 2 season is the 37th season of the second-tier club football in Japan and the 10th season since the establishment of J2 League. The season started on March 8 and ended on December 6.
In this season, the number of participating clubs was increased by two, making the total number, fifteen. Unlike the first nine seasons, the clubs played in triple round-robin format, instead of quadruple round-robin format. At the end of the season, top two clubs were promoted and third-placed club advanced to the Pro/Rele Series
. There were no relegation to third-tier Japan Football League
.
.
A 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 top two clubs will be promoted to J1, while the 3rd placed club plays a two-legged Promotion/Relegation series
.
Changes from Previous Year
Round 3
In this season, the number of participating clubs was increased by two, making the total number, fifteen. Unlike the first nine seasons, the clubs played in triple round-robin format, instead of quadruple round-robin format. At the end of the season, top two clubs were promoted and third-placed club advanced to the Pro/Rele Series
J. League Promotion/Relegation Series
In 2004, J. League introduced a series of two test matches called League between the sixteenth-place J. Division 1 club and third-place J.league Division 2 club...
. There were no relegation to third-tier Japan Football League
Japan Football League
The is the 3rd tier of the Japanese association football league system, following J. League Division 1 and J. League Division 2. Also known as the JFL, it is generally considered as the top amateur league in Japan although in reality it is a semi-professional league as many full-time footballers...
.
Promotion and Relegation
- At the end of the 2007 season2007 J. League Division 2The 2007 J. League Division 2 season is the 36th season of the second-tier club football in Japan and the 9th season since the establishment of J2 League. The season began on March 3 and ended on December 1....
, , and were promoted to J1 - At the end of the 2007 season, , and were relegated to J2
- At the end of the 2007 season, and were promoted from the JFLJapan Football LeagueThe is the 3rd tier of the Japanese association football league system, following J. League Division 1 and J. League Division 2. Also known as the JFL, it is generally considered as the top amateur league in Japan although in reality it is a semi-professional league as many full-time footballers...
.
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.
Participating clubs
Following fifteen clubs played in J. League Division 2 during 2008 season. Of these clubs, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Ventforet Kofu, and Yokohama F.C. relegated from Division 1 last year. Also, Roasso Kumamoto and F.C. Gifu newly joined from Japan Football LeagueJapan Football League
The is the 3rd tier of the Japanese association football league system, following J. League Division 1 and J. League Division 2. Also known as the JFL, it is generally considered as the top amateur league in Japan although in reality it is a semi-professional league as many full-time footballers...
.
- Vegalta Sendai
- Montedio Yamagata
- Mito HollyHock
- Thespa Kusatsu
- Yokohama F.C.
- Shonan Bellmare
- Ventforet Kofu
- F.C. Gifu
- Cerezo Osaka
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima
- Tokushima Vortis
- Ehime F.C.
- Avispa Fukuoka
- Sagan Tosu
- Roasso Kumamoto
League Format
Fifteen clubs will play in triple round-robin format, a total of 42 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 points
A 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 top two clubs will be promoted to J1, while the 3rd placed club plays a two-legged Promotion/Relegation series
J. League Promotion/Relegation Series
In 2004, J. League introduced a series of two test matches called League between the sixteenth-place J. Division 1 club and third-place J.league Division 2 club...
.
Changes from Previous Year
- Thirteen participating clubs (2006–2007) to fifteen clubs (2008)
- Quadruple round-robin format (1999–2007) to triple round-robin format (2008–2009)
- Introduction of Disciplinary points for tie breaker (2008–)
Final league table
Final Results
Rounds 1 & 2Round 3
Top scorers
| Rank | Scorer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Hisato SatōHisato Sato is a Japanese football player who currently plays for Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J. League. He is a left-footed forward.-Playing career:Sato is a product of JEF United Ichiahra's youth system. He was promoted to JEF's top team in 2000. His first league appearance came on April 15, 2000 against... |
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| 2 | Yutaka Takahashi |
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| 3 | Naoki Ishihara |
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| Yoshihito Fujita |
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| 5 | Tomoyuki Arata |
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| 6 |  AndersonAndrade Antunes Anderson Andrade Antunes Anderson is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a striker for Maltese club Valletta F.C..- Club career :... |
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| Rui Komatsu |
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| Shinji Kagawa Shinji Kagawa is a Japanese footballer who plays for German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. He previously played for Cerezo Osaka. He has been capped by Japan at international level.-Club career:... |
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| 9 | Kōji Morisaki |
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| Yojiro Takahagi |
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| Tetsuya Ōkubo Tetsuya Okubo is a Japanese football player currently playing for Montedio Yamagata.Known by the nickname 'Jumbo' due to his size he plays primarily as a target man striker, getting the majority of his goals with his head... |