We’re just past the halfway mark of the 2025 J.League 1 season, and what has unfolded is nothing short of thrilling — a genuine five-horse title race. Reigning champions Vissel Kobe and perennial contenders Kashima Antlers are both in the mix, while Kashiwa Reysol have rediscovered their spark after two seasons of narrowly escaping relegation. Machida Zelvia, last year’s surprise package, have shaken off a slow start and silenced talk of “second-season syndrome” as they remain firmly in contention.
But the biggest surprise comes from Kyoto Sanga — a side that has historically lingered in mid-table obscurity, finishing inside the top ten only once in their J.League history.
Kyoto’s best-ever finish remains 5th place in 2002, their sole top-ten finish since joining the top flight in 1996. Yet, with 11 matches left, they are already on course to smash that record. Their 51 points so far have surpassed the 46 they earned back in 2002, putting them in uncharted territory.
Much like Machida’s fairytale run last season, Kyoto’s rise has been built on a squad of underdogs sprinkled with a few recognizable names. But unlike Machida, the mastermind steering this campaign is a familiar disruptor of J.League hierarchies — Cho Kwi-jae.
Cho, who famously transformed Shonan Bellmare from a yo-yo club into cup winners in 2018, saw his career derailed by a 2019 power harassment scandal that forced him out of the game for two years. Appointed by Kyoto in 2021, he led them back to the top flight and is now orchestrating what could become one of the most remarkable redemption stories in Japanese football.
Among Kyoto’s squad, a handful of names stand out. Masaya Okugawa previously featured in Europe with Red Bull Salzburg and Arminia Bielefeld, Taichi Hara once turned out for La Liga side Alavés, while Marco Tulio earned continental glory by helping the Central Coast Mariners clinch the 2023/24 AFC Cup.
Yet the heartbeat of this Kyoto side is Rafael Elias. Signed from Cruzeiro midway through 2024, initially on loan, the Brazilian striker immediately made his mark with 11 goals in the second half of last season. His form has carried over into 2025, with 13 goals in 27 appearances, including two hat-tricks — the latest in a 4-0 demolition of FC Tokyo on August 24.
Last season, Machida’s dream was undone in the final stretch as the pressure of the title race took its toll. Now, with 11 games left and the competition tighter than ever, the question lingers: can Kyoto Sanga defy history, hold their nerve, and turn this unlikely charge into a fairytale title?