GIVEAWAY.
Kyoto Sanga fleece blanket.
Current followers already eligible already. I'll be trying to grow this account by giving this away to a follower drawn at random on March 1st.
Shipping (free!) worldwide!
Meanwhile I'll be trying to collect all 61 different blankets here for #JSoccerMuseum
With a 2-0 win over Kevin Muscat's Shanghai Port, Machida Zelvia record their first win in the AFC Champions League Elite!
#FC町田ゼルビア #zelvia
#ACLElite
When it comes to matches that are hyped up, this one did not disappoint!
Match Report: Vissel Kobe v Kashima Antlers
#VisselKobe v Kashima #Antlers
#JLeague
Japan Come Back to Blow Brazil Away in Fast and Furious Friendly
Despite chasing the lead for much of the game, Japan’s determination to come back from a two-goal deficit saw them beat Brazil for the first time, 3-2!
shielsmedia.com/japan-come-b...
🏆キリンチャレンジカップ2025
🇯🇵 #サッカー日本代表 vs ブラジル🇧🇷
Kyoto Sanga’s Purple Patch
open.substack.com/pub/shielsme...
#JLeague #sanga
Fantastic news, which should see a tremendous atmosphere at Firhill this weekend!
If the Championship match last Friday is anything to go by, we’ll have a battle on the pitch and a clash of cheers between the Partick and Celtic supporters.
Can’t wait!
🔴🟡#PARCEL🟢⚪
A huge result for Aberdeen, who get their hands on the #ScottishCup for the first time in 35 years.
Mitov’s performance during the shoot-out was as impressive as the penalties taken by his teammates.
This is a reminder to those who belittle the SPFL as a “two-horse race.”
A potentially brilliant possibility for increasing viewers for the women’s game.
I had the pleasure of reporting on a UWCL match last year. These games bring fans similar energy and exhilarating football as the men’s UCL tournament.
Not to mention highlighting more role models for young fans!
Never in doubt.
#UELFinal |🏆| #BigAnge
1993 saw the rise of the #JLeague in Japan, as the JFA organised Japan’s #football leagues into J1, J2, and J3 divisions.
A drastic rise in ability and exposure followed for players and teams, resulting in 🇯🇵 players making their names known worldwide.
Happy J. League Day!⚽️
A comfortable win in the end for Al-Ahli as they rush the field to celebrate their first Champions League trophy, they get the bonus of the new cup to show off too.
Congratulations Al-Ahli, AFC Champions League Winners 2025! 🏆
PoTM: Roberto Firmino
#ACLEliteFinal
Five minutes of added time...
And the Al-Ahli fans go WILD!
🇸🇦🔜🏆
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
As time ticks away, these last ten minutes see a comfortable Al-Ahli take the sting out of the game and focus on keeping possession as well as blocking and holding up the increasingly panicked Frontale attack.
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
Although the corner didn't result in much for Frontale, mostly down to a superb bit of defensive play by Toney, Ito strikes a rocket of a shot that goes just wide in what most would view as a difficult angle.
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
As Al-Ahli bring on fresh legs, a disappointed Firmino argues to stay on as the captain looks to continue to lead his team to victory.
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
Despite a switch in possession stats that favour Frontale, with just under 20 minutes left of regulation time, the tempo seems to have slowed drastically.
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
Ito and Ozeki to come on for Yamamoto and Ienaga.
Frontale, despite their initial pressing drive, has had some nervy moments, resulting in a much more cautious approach as the half has played out.
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
While Toney and Firmino have had chances, the first ten minutes have seen a much more attacking Kawasaki float in crosses and take quick throws to press the attack - an attempt to overturn the two-nil deficit
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
An interesting change: Shin Yamada will replace Erison upfront for Kawasaki.
No substitutions for Al-Ahli.
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
Meanwhile, Al Ahli continues to grow in confidence as they breach the defensive walls of their Japanese opponents and seem surer of what many of their fans expect—a huge win as they strive for their first-ever ACL trophy!
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
Half-time sees a definitely rattled Kawasaki go into the break, down one of their most important defensive players, Miura, whose absence saw Frontale concede a second goal.
A huge second half awaits the J. League team.
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
Five Minutes added to the first 45, as Kawasaki looked to try and pull a goal back with a free kick that saw both Erison and Wakizaka BOTH try to kick the ball, ultimately leading to nothing more than an awkward moment.
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
GOAL!
Franck Kessie puts his head THROUGH the ball, sending it flying into the Frontale net that puts Al Ahli 2-0 up.
AHL 2 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
GOAL!
Galeno curls an absolute cracker of a shot around Yamaguchi, putting Al Ahli in front in the 35th minute.
AHL 1 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
A brilliant pass from Mahrez sees a perfectly fed ball to Majrashi to lead up to a chance, but Sasaki is there - he's always there!
That chance is quickly followed by a Firmino volley but it goes straight into the hands of Yamaguchi.
AHL 0 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
Ibanez, Firmino, and Toney's efforts see some close chances, were it not for Frontale's robust defensive efforts and the fast break that sees their 'run, run, and run' tactic work in their favour.
AHL 0 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
CLOSE!
Marchinho breaks away with a naughty nutmeg and cuts through the Ahli defence and gets a sweeping shot off, but it comes to nothing as Mendy makes the save.
AHL 0 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
As Ahli presses and probes the Frontale defence, Kota Takai shows Ivan Toney the same stalwart defence that saw Ronaldo's efforts stopped in the semi-final.
Yamaguchi's safe hands come in clutch with a point-blank effort stopped.
AHL 0 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
The first five minutes see both teams test the runs of each other as lofty floated passes and some lingering shoulders see the physical side start to show in this tense game.
AHL 0 - 0 KWF
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
The Al Ahli and Kawasaki Frontale starting line-ups for what will prove to be a very exciting #ACLElite final!
#ACLEliteFinal | #AHLvKWF
