2002 J.League Division 1 Explained

Competition:J.League Division 1
Season:2002
Winners:Júbilo Iwata
3rd J. League title
4th Japanese title
Relegated:Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Consadole Sapporo
League Topscorer:Naohiro Takahara (26 goals)
Matches:240
Total Goals:683
Highest Attendance:57,902 Urawa Reds vs. Júbilo (July 13)
Lowest Attendance:3,287 JEF Utd. vs Vegalta(September 18)
Average Attendance:16,368
Prevseason:2001
Nextseason:2003
Lowerleague:2002

The 2002 season was the tenth season since the establishment of the J.League. The league began on March 2, 2002 and ended on November 30, 2002. The Suntory Championship was not held, because Júbilo Iwata was winner of both stages. At the end Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Consadole Sapporo were relegated to J2.

General

Promotion and relegation

Changes in competition formats

Changes in clubs

none

Honours

CompetitionChampionRunner-Up3rd Place
J.League Division 1Júbilo IwataYokohama F. MarinosGamba Osaka
J.League Division 2Oita TrinitaCerezo OsakaAlbirex Niigata
Emperor's CupKyoto Purple SangaKashima AntlersJEF United Ichihara
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Nabisco CupKashima AntlersUrawa Red DiamondsGamba Osaka
Shimizu S-Pulse
Xerox Super CupShimizu S-PulseKashima Antlers

Clubs

Following sixteen clubs participated in J.League Division 1 during 2002 season. Of these clubs, Kyoto Purple Sanga and Vegalta Sendai were promoted from Division 2.

First stage

Second stage

Championship

The Suntory Championship was not held, because Júbilo Iwata was winner of both stages.

Overall table

Top scorers

PosFootballerClubGoalsPKGPShotsGoals Per Game
1st Naohiro TakaharaJúbilo Iwata262/227791.04
2nd MagrãoGamba Osaka225/529810.73
3rd UesleiNagoya Grampus Eight202/2271150.76
4th MarcosVegalta Sendai182/224790.72
5th Masashi NakayamaJúbilo Iwata161/129790.54
EdmundoTokyo Verdy 1969165/5261100.57
Choi Yong-sooJEF United Ichihara167/823740.68
8th Emerson SheikUrawa Red Diamonds151/1241180.61
AmaralFC Tokyo154/429720.54
10th WillYokohama F. Marinos142/224970.55

Awards

Individual

AwardRecipientClubNotes
Player of the Year Naohiro TakaharaJúbilo Iwata
Young Player of the Year Keisuke TsuboiUrawa Red Diamonds
Manager of the Year Masakazu SuzukiJúbilo Iwata
Top scorer Naohiro TakaharaJúbilo Iwata26 goals.

Best Eleven

PositionFootballerClubNationality
GKHitoshi Sogahata (1)Kashima Antlers
DFHideto Suzuki (1)Júbilo Iwata
DFMakoto Tanaka (2)Júbilo Iwata
DFNaoki Matsuda (2)Yokohama F. Marinos
MFMitsuo Ogasawara (2)Kashima Antlers
MFTakashi Fukunishi (3)Júbilo Iwata
MFToshiya Fujita (3)Júbilo Iwata
MFHiroshi Nanami (2)Júbilo Iwata
FWEmerson Sheik (1)Urawa Red Diamonds
FWNaohiro Takahara (1)Júbilo Iwata
FWMasashi Nakayama (4)Júbilo Iwata

Attendance

TeamAttendance
(Average)
Division 1Division 2
Urawa Red Diamonds394,445
(26,296)
Yokohama F. Marinos361,613
(24,108)
FC Tokyo332,597
(22,173)
Vegalta Sendai327,925
(21,862)
Kashima Antlers323,855
(21,590)
Albirex Niigata472,507
(21,478)
Consadole Sapporo287,098
(19,140)
Júbilo Iwata248,462
(16,564)
Nagoya Grampus Eight244,848
(16,323)
Tokyo Verdy 1969226,926
(15,128)
Shimizu S-Pulse224,443
(14,963)
Gamba Osaka191,429
(12,762)
Oita Trinita271,669
(12,349)
Kashiwa Reysol169,716
(11,314)
Sanfrecce Hiroshima164,111
(10,941)
Vissel Kobe157,011
(10,467)
Kyoto Purple Sanga155,276
(10,352)
Cerezo Osaka174,951
(7,952)
JEF United Ichihara118,460
(7,897)
Avispa Fukuoka142,808
(6,491)
Omiya Ardija115,846
(5,266)
Kawasaki Frontale115,431
(5,247)
Ventforet Kofu108,108
(4,914)
Shonan Bellmare100,125
(4,551)
Sagan Tosu85,586
(3,890)
Montedio Yamagata82,601
(3,755)
Yokohama FC76,498
(3,477)
Mito HollyHock60,262
(2,739)

External links