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February 22, 2024
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Yokohama F·Marinos is a powerhouse in the J.League, boasting four top-flight titles. Last season, they started with the pressure of being the defending champions and ultimately finished as runners-up. Will 2024 see them reclaim their position at the top?
Marinos held the top position in the league for seven weeks last season and remained in the top two from Matchweek 15 onward. However, a late-season defeat to eventual champions Vissel Kobe, combined with dropped points in their final two matches, thwarted their hopes of a consecutive title.
The Tricolor showcased the league’s most potent offense, spearheaded by J1 joint Top Scorer Anderson Lopes, who netted 22 goals. They also made an impressive run in the J.League YBC Levain Cup, reaching the semi-finals, and successfully advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League.
With manager Kevin Muscat departing at the end of 2023, Australian Harry Kewell leads a squad brimming with talent and a strong core.
Ryotaro Tsunoda faced injury challenges last year, but when fit, he was one of the top center-backs in the league during the 2023 season.
His outstanding performances attracted the interest of European clubs, leading him to sign with KV Kortrijk in Belgium. Marinos is now seeking a suitable replacement in defense.
With Harry Kewell now at the helm, the strategy for building their backline is somewhat uncertain, and the absence of Tsunoda complicates matters further.
William Popp – The exit of Yokhei Takaoka to Vancouver Whitecaps before the 2023 season posed a significant challenge for Marinos in goal, and a one-season loan of Jun Ichimori from Gamba Osaka was merely a temporary fix. Now, the Tricolor is counting on Popp to fill that void effectively.
At 29 years old, Popp is considered somewhat of a late bloomer, only securing a regular starting position with Fagiano Okayama in 2020. After a brief stint with Oita Trinita, he enjoyed an impressive run with FC Machida Zelvia, where he played a pivotal role in their promotion to J1 last year.
Now, Popp is transitioning from J2 to one of the top teams in the first division. This represents a significant leap in both profile and expectations. However, Marinos is confident that he is evolving into one of Japan’s premier goalkeepers and will serve as a reliable presence in goals for years.
Strive for every trophy.
For many teams, vying for the championship is a significant aspiration, but this is Yokohama F·Marinos; they do not merely aspire to contend for the top spot—they anticipate reigning supreme at the pinnacle.
Beyond their domestic commitments, Yokohama also aspires to become Asian champions. Having reached the AFC Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in the club’s history, they are determined to extend their continental journey to the final in May.
Given their skill and experience, the team has every reason to set ambitious goals.
While Takuma Nishimura has gone on loan to Swiss club Servette, the attacking lineup remains formidable, led by the Brazilian trio of Anderson Lopes, Élber, and Yan Matheus.
The midfield is just as impressive. Rising star Riku Yamane, at only 20, is regarded as one of Japan’s most promising talents, while Kota Watanabe and Takuya Kida bring balance and tenacity to the center of the pitch. Additionally, Nam Tae-hee, a seasoned South Korean international, adds a creative flair to the attacking midfield and should significantly enhance Yokohama’s strategy.
With such an abundance of talent, there is there’s no reason why the Marinos cannot can’t contend for every trophy, which places considerable pressure on new manager Harry Kewell. Expectations at Nissan Stadium are soaring, and he will need to have the Tricolor performing at their best right from the outset to compete on all fronts.
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