The J-Talk Podcast

JTSC host Mike Innes signs off for 2024 with a comprehensive review of all 20 J3 teams, using his pre-season predictions as a guide and putting the teams into five groups of four. Mike starts with Toyama, Matsumoto, Gifu, and Nara (01:20 to 10:30), then Imabari, Osaka, Hachinohe, and Kanazawa (10:30 to 19:55). After that, the focus turns to champions Omiya, Kitakyushu, Sagamihara, and Nagano (19:55 to 29:00), followed by Ryukyu, Sanuki, and bottom two YSCC and Iwate (29:00 to 38:30). Mike rounds out the episode with Fukushima, Numazu, Tottori, and Miyazaki (38:30 to 47:30), and a special announcement at the end.

Thank you for your support of J-Talk: Short Corner over the last 4 years, and for your ongoing support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time.

Join the JLeague chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/p6PVbF9E

Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/jtalkpod

In the final episode of 'big pod' for 2024, Sean Carroll joins Jonny and Ben to piece together the J-Talk J1 Team of the Season, as voted on by our patrons. We didn't agree with all of the poll winners, but there is healthy debate and reasoning when necessary, and we think we've assembled one hell of a team. Towards the end of the episode, with the managerial merry-go-round in full swing, we round up some recent appointments.

Just a reminder, you can keep up to date with all the top flight transfer news, as its confirmed by the clubs, on Jonny's Google spreadsheet.

Long-suffering Zweigen Kanazawa supporters James Taylor and Victor Arroyo got together again for a freewheeling discussion of their team’s first season back in J3. They covered events on and off the pitch throughout the 2024 season, including Victor’s visit to the Go Go Curry Stadium in April, and each selected their Kanazawa MVP.

Thanks for your support of JTET, JTSC, and the J-Talk Podcast during the 2024 season!

Join the JLeague chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/p6PVbF9E

Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/jtalkpod

In part one of this week’s JTET, James Taylor and Jon Steele discuss the J2 promotion playoff final between Fagiano Okayama and Vegalta Sendai (start to 24:00), including choosing their Most Bravo Player for the match (24:00 to 28:10). Part two is J-Talk: Short Corner, in which Mike Innes reviews the J3 promotion playoff final between Kataller Toyama and Matsumoto Yamaga (28:10 to 31:35) and the second leg of the promotion/relegation playoff between Kochi United and YSCC (31:35 to end).

Thanks for your support of JTET, JTSC, and the J-Talk Podcast during the 2024 season!

Join the JLeague chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/p6PVbF9E

Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/jtalkpod

Kobe claimed a second successive J1 title in Sunday's final round, and on this episode Jonny and Ben round up the final day.

We begin with the games involving the three title contenders, and after celebrating Kobe's success, we wonder how the champions, Hiroshima and Machida might approach the offseason (to 38:00).

Then in Part 2 we round up the relegation dogfight by discussing the games involving the three teams trying to avoid 18th and the drop, before chatting about the remaining four games from the Matchday 38 slate (to 1:14:55).

And finally in Part 3 we hand out Player of the Season awards for the top six.

The JTET boys (plus special guest) are back with another 2024 Season Review pod!

In this episode, Jon and James discuss the teams who finished between 11th and 15th in the league table. They start by chatting about Mito Hollyhock (Start to 05:55), then move on to Ventforet Kofu (05:55 to 15:20). After that, Fujieda MYFC (15:20 to 23:15) come under the microscope, with Renofa Yamaguchi (23:15 to 35:50) in hot pursuit.

After that, JTET is delighted to welcome Garry Irwin back to the pod for an in-depth look at Roasso Kumamoto (35:50 to Finish). Garry was tasked with responding to the following questions in his section:

1) How do you feel about the 2024 season for your team overall?

2) What was the high point of the season?

3) What was the low point of the season?

4) Which player from another club impressed you the most this season?

5) What is the biggest hope for your club for 2025?

We hope everyone enjoys the pod, and we appreciate Garry answering the call as usual!

After a few weeks off, J2 returned for the promotion playoffs, and James Taylor and Jon Steele have a review of the semi-finals. First, they discuss Nagasaki v Sendai (start to 15:05), then they focus on Yamagata v Okayama (15:05 to 27:00). After that, they select their Most Bravo Player and look ahead to the playoff final (27:00 to 39:40).

J3’s first ever promotion playoffs also took place last weekend, and in J-Talk: Short Corner Mike Innes reviews the semi-finals: Toyama v FC Osaka (39:40 to 42:40) and Matsumoto v Fukushima (42:40 to 45:05). Mike also talks about the first leg of the relegation playoff between Kochi and YSCC (45:05 to 47:35), then previews the concluding weekend of the J3 season (47:35 to end).

Thanks as always for your support of JTET, JTSC, and the J-Talk Podcast!

Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/jtalkpod

Jonny and Ben welcomed Scott McIntyre back to the pod to review all of the drama at both ends of the table from that mental Matchday 37.

Kobe's late, late equalizer at still relegation-threatened Kashiwa leads us off, before we discuss Hiroshima's home romp over Sapporo, and Machida staying in the title hunt with their win over Kyoto (to 43:10).

Next we head down the table to the battle to avoid 18th, before we wrap up Part 1 with the other games from Saturday, including that epic 5-4 Kawasaki win over Tokyo Verdy (to 1:13:45).

Then in Part 2 Scott sticks around as we hand out eight more team Player of the Season awards, and conclude with any other business.

Kobe lifted the Emperor's Cup for the second time in their history after a 1-0 victory over Gamba Osaka in Saturday's final at the National Stadium, and Alan Gibson joined Jonny and Ben to recap a cagey game won by Taisei Miyashiro's 64th minute goal, and then chat about potential offseason personnel changes at both clubs (to 39:10).

Then Alan shares some nuggets from his trip to Kashiwa on Sunday (to 45:15), we round up Urawa 1-1 Kawasaki, and look ahead to ACL and J1 Matchday 37 action on the horizon (to 1:00:30).

Then in Part 2, Jonny and Ben hand out Player of the Season awards for Tosu, Sapporo, Iwata, Kashiwa, Niigata and Shonan.

Please follow us on Bluesky!

In another (15-minute) standalone mini-pod, Mike 'The Magic' Innes rounds up all of the big stories from yesterday's Round 38 games in J3 (the final match day of the regular season).

There's also a look ahead to the trio of Play-Off games involving J3 coming up this weekend, as four clubs vie for J2 promotion, & YSCC face the first leg of their Promotion/Relegation Play-Off against JFL runners-up Kochi United!

We hope everyone enjoys the show!