Kashiwa Reysol

Japanese football club From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kashiwa Reysol (柏レイソル, Kashiwa Reisoru) is a Japanese professional football club based in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, part of the Greater Tokyo Area. The club currently plays in the J1 League, which is the top tier league in the country. Their home stadium is Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium, also known as "Hitachidai". Reysol is a portmanteau of the Spanish words Rey and Sol, meaning "Sun King". The name alludes to their parent company Hitachi, whose name means "rising sun" in Japanese.

Full nameKashiwa Reysol[1]
NicknamesTaiyō-Ō (Sun King)
Aurinegro (gold-and-black)
Short nameREY
Founded1940; 86 years ago (1940) as Hitachi SC
Quick facts Full name, Nicknames ...
Kashiwa Reysol
Full nameKashiwa Reysol[1]
NicknamesTaiyō-Ō (Sun King)
Aurinegro (gold-and-black)
Short nameREY
Founded1940; 86 years ago (1940) as Hitachi SC
StadiumSankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium ("Hitachidai")
Kashiwa, Chiba
Capacity15,900
OwnerHitachi
ChairmanRyuichiro Takikawa
ManagerRicardo Rodríguez[2]
LeagueJ1 League
2025J1 League, 2nd of 20
Websitewww.reysol.co.jp
Current season
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Reysol supporters at the ASankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium

The club was formed in 1940 and was a founding member ("Original Eight"[a]) of the Japan Soccer League (JSL) in 1965. Since the league's inception, they have spent the majority of their existence in the top tier of Japanese football. They have managed to win 1 J1 League title, 2 J2 League title, 3 Emperor's Cups, 2 J.League Cup and 1 Japanese Super Cup. The club also won the J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship in 2014. Internationally, Kashiwa has made an appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup with their only appearance coming in the 2011 edition.

History

Hitachi SC (1939–1992)

The club started in 1939 and was officially formed as the company team, Hitachi, Ltd. Soccer Club in 1940 in Kodaira, Tokyo. The club formed the Japan Soccer League (JSL) in 1965, along with today's Urawa Reds, JEF United Chiba, Cerezo Osaka, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and three other clubs ("Original Eight").[1] They had some successes during the mid-1970s, winning Emperor's Cups and JSL titles and contributing several players to the Japanese national team.

The club relocated from Kodaira to Kashiwa in 1986, but it took a while to adapt to the new town, as they were relegated to the JSL Division 2 at end of the 1986.[3] They made it back to the top flight in 1989–90, but dropped back in 1990–91 and returned again in 1991–92.[1] As the J.League was formed while they were not strong enough, the club abandoned any attempt to once again be a founding member of the newly formed professional league. Instead, the club joined the Japan Football League Division 1 in 1992, the second tier of the Japanese football hierarchy at the time, below the J.League.

Kashiwa Reysol (1993–present)

The club changed its name to Kashiwa Reysol in 1993. Reysol added Brazil national team player Careca to their squad in the autumn of this year with the aim of winning the JFL champion and winning promotion to the J1 League.[1] The club struggled in the 1993 season. However, with the help of Careca and Brazilian manager Zé Sérgio, they secured the 2nd place in the JFL in 1994, earning promotion to the top league. Reysol debuted in the J1 League in 1995. In 1998, they welcomed Akira Nishino, the former manager of Japan's olympic team as their new manager, along with Bulgarian national team player Hristo Stoichkov.

First major honours (1999)

In 1999, South Korean national team player, Hong Myung-bo was added to the squad. The team went on to win the J.League Cup in 1999 beating Kashima Antlers 5–4 on penalties to win their first ever major honours as Kashiwa Reysol.[4]

However, their next manager, Englishman Steve Perryman, unsettled the team and the club struggled over the next several seasons. After finishing at the 16th place out of 18 clubs in 2005, the club lost the J.League promotion / relegation series against Ventforet Kofu, the 3rd placed team in the J2 League that year, and was relegated to the J2 League.[5]

A new manager, Nobuhiro Ishizaki, led an almost entirely new squad in 2006 and the club secured automatic promotion to the J1 League in the last game of the season.[6]

Rise to prominence after relegation (2009–2014)

Kashiwa Reysol was relegated again at the end of the 2009 season after sitting in the relegation zone thus playing in the J2 League. However, in the 2010 season, Kashiwa Reysol won the J2 League led by Brazilian manager Nelsinho Baptista returned to the top flight after staying one season in the second division. Kashiwa Reysol then shockingly went on to win the J1 League on their first season back in the J1 League in the 2011 season with a squad stacked with talented footballers such as Hiroki Sakai, Junya Tanaka, Jorge Wagner and Leandro Domingues, and became the first Japanese club to win the second tier and the top tier back to back.[b][7] Kashiwa Reysol then qualified for the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup as the host nation's league champion where they went on to defeat 2010–11 OFC Champions League winner Auckland City and 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League winner Monterrey before eventually losing to the 2011 Copa Libertadores winner Santos in the semi-final. The club then played their last match for third place against 2011 AFC Champions League winner Al Sadd but lost 5–3 on penalties.

AFC Champions League debut

In 2012, Kashiwa make their debut in the AFC Champions League where they were drawn in Group H alongside Thailand club Buriram United, Korean club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. Kashiwa went on to finished with 10 points alongside Guangzhou Evergrande but advanced to the round of 16 as runners-up due to their head to head record. In the round of 16, Kashiwa faced another Korean club Ulsan Hyundai but eventually lost 3–2 thus going out from the competition. However, Kashiwa continued their strong form in 2012 by winning the Emperor's Cup, defeating Gamba Osaka in the final with Hirofumi Watanabe scoring the only goal in the match to seal the victory for Kashiwa Reysol where the victory also qualified the club for the 2013 AFC Champions League. Kashiwa also went on to win the 2012 Japanese Super Cup.

In 2013, Kashiwa had a good run in the AFC Champions League where they were drawn in Group H alongside Chinese club Guizhou Renhe, Australian club Central Coast Mariners and Korean club Suwon Samsung Bluewings. The club went on to top the group with 14 points thus advancing to the round of 16 where they would face another Korean club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors where Kashiwa went on to win 5–2 on aggregate to advance to the quarter-finals against Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab. However, both leg resulted in a 3–3 draw on aggregate but fortunately sees Kashiwa advance to the semi-finals due to the away goals rule. In the semi-finals, Kashiwa faced Guangzhou Evergrande but the club was thrashed 8–1 on aggregate thus knocking out from the tournament. Kashiwa then went on to win the season by winning the 2013 J.League Cup. Kashiwa then went on the win the Suruga Bank Championship in 2014.

Relegation and return to the top flight (2018–2021)

In 2018, Kashiwa long stay in the top division came to an end when the club finished in the relegation zone in the 2018 season, resulting in relegation to the J2 League for the first time since 2010. Kashiwa responded strongly to relegation the following season. Under Brazilian manager Nelsinho Baptista, who returned to helms the club guided them to dominated the J2 League in the 2019 season. Kashiwa then won the league title and secured immediate promotion back to the J1 League.

The 2020 season marked the club’s return to the top flight, where they finished in the upper half of the table, demonstrating a successful rebuilding process. The team’s attacking style and reliance on young players helped establish stability following their promotion.

By the 2025 season, Kashiwa had re-emerged as one of the strongest sides in the league. Throughout the season, the club mounted a serious challenge for the league title and remained near the top of the standings for much of the campaign. The league titles race ultimately went down to the final matchday, with Kashiwa competing closely with Kashima Antlers. Although Kashiwa finished as runners-up after a narrow points difference, the season represented the club’s strongest league performance since their historic title victory in 2011 and signaled a return to the continental tournament where the club qualified to the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite.

Team image

Anthem

Kashiwa Reysol's anthem is 'We Are Reysol', which is sung by anime singer Hironobu Kageyama. The song released in 1994, the same year Reysol got promoted to J1.

Rivalries

Marunouchi Gosanke

Historically, Kashiwa Reysol's fiercest rivals have been JEF United Chiba and the Urawa Reds, both close neighbors. The three were co-founders of the Japan Soccer League (JSL) in 1965, and spent most seasons in the top tier through the JSL era. Because of their former parent companies' headquarters all being based in Marunouchi, Tokyo, the three clubs were known as the Marunouchi Gosanke (丸の内御三家, "Marunouchi Big Three") and fixtures among them were known as the Marunouchi derbies.

Chiba derby

Reysol and JEF United Chiba first met in 1941 in the ancient Kanto regional football league. The two clubs are both now based in Chiba Prefecture, and their rivalry is known as the Chiba derby. They play a pre-season friendly match every year, popularly known as the Chibagin Cup (i.e., Chiba Bank Cup) since 1995.

Others

Reysol also has a rivalry with Kashima Antlers (commonly called Tonegawa clásico), FC Tokyo (commonly called Kanamachi derby) and Omiya Ardija (commonly called Nodasen derby).

Stadium

Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium

Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium is the home ground of Kashiwa Reysol. Located in the city of Kashiwa, the stadium has served as the club’s primary venue since its opening in 1985. The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 15,000 spectators and is known for its compact design, which places fans close to the pitch and creates an intense atmosphere during matches.

Originally opened as Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium, the venue was historically associated with the club’s parent company Hitachi, which founded the team. Over the years, the stadium underwent several renovations to modernize its facilities and meet professional football standards. In 2018, the stadium’s naming rights were acquired by Sankyo Frontier, leading to its current name.

The stadium is widely regarded as one of the most atmospheric venues in the J1 League due to its steep stands and proximity to the field. It has hosted numerous domestic league matches, cup fixtures, and continental games in the AFC Champions League.

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

Sponsors

More information Year, Kit manufacturer ...
Year Kit manufacturer Main sponsor
1987–1993 Germany Adidas Japan Hitachi
1994–1996 Japan Mizuno
1997–2010 England Umbro
2011–present Japan Yonex
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Colours

Kashiwa Reysol's main colour is yellow, like sunshine that is based on the club's name "Sun King". The uniform is yellow-black (called Aurinegro in Spanish) reminiscent of Peñarol or Borussia Dortmund. Reysol is the only top division club in the country to wear yellow-black.

Kit evolution

More information Home Kits - 1st ...
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More information Away Kit - 2nd ...
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More information Other Kits - 3rd ...
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Players

First-team squad

As of 27 February 2026.[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...
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Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...
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Management and staff

As of 2026.

More information Position, Name ...
Position Name
ManagerSpain Ricardo Rodríguez
Assistant managerJapan Ryoichi Kurisawa
CoachesJapan Hidekazu Otani
Japan Yuta Someya
Coaches & Physical coachJapan Naoya Matsubara
Goalkeeping coachJapan Keita Inoue
TechnicalJapan Yasushi Okamura
DoctorJapan Kojiro Hyodo
MedicalJapan Kaoru Arakawa
Japan Hiroyuki Akai
Japan Toshiya Itagaki
Japan Hisao Iwaki
Brazil Fabiano
InterpreterJapan Isao Yakita
Japan Masayoshi Edson Hayakawa
Japan Michinori Katsuta
Scout and support coachSouth Korea Lee Chang-won
EquipmentJapan Masafumi Kimura
CompetentJapan Takumi Miyamoto
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Honours

As both Hitachi SC (1939–1992) and Kashiwa Reysol (1993–present)

More information Type, Honours ...
Type Honours Titles Season
League J1 League 1 2011
J2 League 2 2010, 2019
Japan Soccer League Division 1 1 1972
Japan Soccer League Division 2 1 1990–91
All Japan Works Football Championship 2 1958, 1960
All Japan Inter-City Football Championship 1 1963
Cup Emperor's Cup 3 1972, 1975, 2012
J.League Cup 2 1999, 2013
Japanese Super Cup 1 2012
JSL Cup 1 1976
Regional J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship 1 2014
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Club captains

More information Captain, Period ...
Captain Period
Japan Takahiro Shimotaira????–1998
South Korea Hong Myung-bo1999
Japan Tomokazu Myojin2000–2005
Japan Yuta Minami2006–2007
Japan Hidekazu Otani2008–2022
Japan Taiyo Koga2023–present
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Managerial history

More information Manager, Period ...
Manager Period Honours
Japan Tokue Suzuki1 February 1965–31 January 1966
Japan Masayoshi Miyazaki1 February 1966–31 January 1967
Japan Kotaro Hattori1 February 1967–31 January 1970
Japan Hidetoki Takahashi1 February 1970–31 January 1977 1972 Japan Soccer League

1972 Emperor's Cup1975 Emperor's Cup1976 JSL Cup

Japan Takato Ebisu1 February 1977–31 January 1979
Japan Mutsuhiko Nomura1 February 1979–31 January 1982 1990–91 Japan Soccer League
Japan Yoshiki Nakamura1 February 1982–31 January 1985
Japan Yoshikazu Nagaoka1 February 1985–30 June 1989
Japan Hiroyuki Usui1 July 1989–31 January 1993
Brazil Zé Sérgio1 February 1993–10 August 1995
Brazil Antoninho10 August 1995–31 January 1996
Brazil Nicanor1 February 1996–31 January 1998
Japan Akira Nishino1 February 1998–30 July 2001
England Steve Perryman1 August 2001–8 August 2002
Japan Tomoyoshi Ikeya (caretaker)9 August 2002–30 August 2002
Brazil Marco Aurelio31 August 2002–31 January 2004
Japan Tomoyoshi Ikeya (caretaker) (2)1 February 2004–31 July 2004
Japan Hiroshi Hayano1 August 2004–31 January 2006
Japan Nobuhiro Ishizaki1 February 2006–31 January 2009
Japan Shinichiro Takahashi1 February 2009–14 July 2009
Japan Masami Ihara (caretaker)15 July 2009–30 July 2009
Brazil Nelsinho Baptista1 August 2009–31 January 2015 2011 J1 League

2012 Japanese Super Cup2013 J.League Cup2014 J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship

Japan Tatsuma Yoshida1 February 2015–31 January 2016
Brazil Milton Mendes1 February 2016–12 March 2016
Japan Takahiro Shimotaira12 March 2016–13 May 2018
Japan Nozomu Katō14 May 2018–10 November 2018
Japan Ken Iwase10 November 2018–31 January 2019
Brazil Nelsinho Baptista (2)1 February 2019–17 May 2023 2019 J2 League
Japan Masami Ihara17 May 2023–4 December 2024[9]
Spain Ricardo Rodríguez11 December 2024–present [2]
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Season by season record

Champions Runners-up Third place Promoted Relegated
More information Season, Div. ...
SeasonDiv.TeamsPos.PW (OTW / PKW)DL (OTL / PKL)FAGDPtsAttendance/GJ.League CupEmperor's CupAFCFIFA CWC
1995 J11412th5221 (0 / 0)29 (0 / 1)1830–122216,1022nd roundDid not qualifyDid not qualify
1996 165th3020106752156013,033Semi-finals4th round
1997 177th3216 (2 / 0)11 (1 / 2)634914528,664Quarter-finalsQuarter-finals
1998 188th3414 (1 / 3)13 (2 / 1)5661–5479,932Group stage4th round
1999 163rd3017 (3 / -)18 (1 / -)4936135810,122WinnersSemi-finals
2000 163rd3015 (6 / -)17 (1 / -)4832165810,0372nd round4th round
2001 166th3012 (2 / -)311 (2 / -)5846124312,4772nd round3rd round
2002 1612th309 (1 / -)3173848–103211,314Quarter-final3rd round
2003 1612th30910113539–43710,873Group stage4th round
2004 1616th30510152949–202510,513Group stage4th Round
2005 1816th34811153954–153512,492Group stage5th round
2006 J2132nd4827714846024888,328Not eligible4th Round
2007 J1188th3414812433675012,967Group stage4th Round
2008 1811th3413714484534612,308Group stageRunners-up
2009 1816th34713144157–163411,738Group stage3rd round
2010 J2191st3623112712447808,098Not eligible4th round
2011 J1181st3423386542237211,9171st round4th round4th place
2012 186th3415712575255213,768Semi-finalsWinnersRound of 16Did not qualify
2013 1810th34139125659–34812,553Winners4th roundSemi-finals
2014 184th341798484086010,715Semi-finals3rd roundDid not qualify
2015 1810th3412913464334510,918Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsQuarter-finals
2016 188th3415910524485410,728Group stage4th roundDid not qualify
2017 184th3418884933166211,820Group stageSemi-finals
2018 1817th34123194754–73911,298Semi-finals3rd roundGroup stage
2019 J2221st422598853352849,471Group stage3rd roundDid not qualify
2020 J1187th3415712604614523,484Runners-upDid not qualify
2021 2015th38125213756–19414,444Group stage3rd round
2022 187th34138134344–1478,499Group stageRound of 16
2023 1817th34615133347−143311,130Group stageRunners-up
2024 2017th38914153951-124112,070Playoff roundRound of 16
2025 202nd38211256034267513,017Runners-up2nd round
2026 10TBD18N/AN/A
2026-27 20TBD38TBDTBD
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Key
  • Pos. = Position in league; P = Games played; W = Games won; D = Games drawn; L = Games lost; F = Goals scored; A = Goals conceded; GD = Goals difference; Pts = Points gained
  • OTW / PKW = Overtime wins / Penalty kicks wins 1997 & 1998 seasons - 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2002 Overtime wins only
  • OTL / PKL = Overtime losses / Penalty kicks losses 1997 and 1998 seasons - 1999, 2000 & 2001 Overtime losses only
  • Attendance/G = Average home league attendance
  • 2020 & 2021 seasons attendances reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic
  • Source: J.League Data Site

Continental record

More information Season, Competition ...
SeasonCompetitionRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate
2012 AFC Champions League Group H Thailand Buriram United 1–0 3–2 2nd
South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 5–1 0–2
China Guangzhou Evergrande 0–0 3–1
Round of 16 South Korea Ulsan Hyundai
3–2
2013 AFC Champions League Group H China Guizhou Renhe 1–1 0–1 1st
Australia Central Coast Mariners 3–1 0–3
South Korea Suwon Samsung Bluewings 0–0 2–6
Round of 16 South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
2–5
Quarter-finals Saudi Arabia Al-Shabab 1–1 2–2 3–3 (a)
Semi-finals China Guangzhou Evergrande 1–4 4–0 1–8
2015 AFC Champions League Play-off round Thailand Chonburi
3–2 (a.e.t.)
Group E South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3–2 0–0 1st
Vietnam Becamex Bình Dương 5–1 1–0
China Shandong Luneng 2–1 4–4
Round of 16 South Korea Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1–2 2–3 4–4 (a)
Quarter-finals China Guangzhou Evergrande 1–3 1–1 2–4
2018 AFC Champions League Play-off round Thailand Muangthong United
3–0
Group E South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 0–2 3–2 3rd
China Tianjin Quanjian 1–1 3–2
Hong Kong Kitchee 1–0 1–0
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League history

  • Division 1 (JSL): 1965–1971 (as Hitachi SC)
  • Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1972 to 1986–87
  • Division 2 (JSL Div. 2): 1987–88 to 1988–89
  • Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1989–90
  • Division 2 (JSL Div. 2): 1990–91
  • Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1991–92
  • Division 2 (former JFL Div. 1): 1992–1993
  • Division 2 (former JFL): 1994 (as Kashiwa Reysol)
  • Division 1 (J.League): 1995–1998
  • Division 1 (J1): 1999–2005
  • Division 2 (J2): 2006
  • Division 1 (J1): 2007–2009
  • Division 2 (J2): 2010
  • Division 1 (J1): 2011–2018
  • Division 2 (J2): 2019
  • Division 1 (J1): 2020–present

Notes

  1. The original clubs of the Japan Soccer League in 1965 were Mitsubishi Motors, Furukawa Electric, Hitachi, Yanmar Diesel, Toyo Kogyo, Yahata Steel, Toyota Industries and Nagoya Mutual Bank.
  2. Gamba Osaka achieved the same feat three seasons later; won the J2 League in 2013 and the J1 League back-to-back in 2014.

References

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