Nadeshiko League: Difference between revisions
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|[[Okayama Yunogo Belle]]||[[Mimasaka, Okayama]]||2003|| |
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|[[Fukuoka J. Anclas]]||[[Kasuga, Fukuoka]]|| |
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Revision as of 18:12, 23 February 2012
Founded | 1989 |
---|---|
Country | Japan |
Confederation | AFC |
Divisions | 2 |
Number of teams | 10 L1 12 L2 (6 West and 6 East) |
Level on pyramid | 1-2 |
Relegation to | Regional Divisions |
Domestic cup(s) | All-Japan Cup League Cup |
International cup(s) | none |
Current champions | INAC Kobe Leonessa (2011) |
Website | http://www.nadeshikoleague.jp/ |
Current: 2012 |
The L. League (in Japanese: "L・リーグ", Officially "日本女子サッカーリーグ",Nihon Joshi Sakkā Rīgu) is the top flight of women's association football in Japan. It is the women's equivalent of the J. League, but not professional. However, some individual players are professional.
The league conssists of two divisions: division 1 has the nickname Nadeshiko League (なでしこリーグ, Nadeshiko Rīgu) and division 2 Challenge League (チャレンジリーグ, Charenji Rīgu). Since 2008 it has been sponsored by Plenus, a food company based in Fukuoka, and are thus billed as Plenus Nadeshiko League and Plenus Challenge League.
History
L-League began in 1989. From 1993 to 1999 it adopted an Apertura and Clausura system, similar to the J. League system of the era. From 2000 to 2003 the clubs were divided into East and West groups and then the top clubs of each would go into a championship group, with the bottom clubs in a relegation group. In 2004 the single-table format was brought back.
Players from the 8 L-League teams would host an annual training camp to build skills and relationships between L-League and international women's football clubs, including US and Australian teams.
Since the 2004 season, the L. League has 2 divisions - Division 1, with 8 clubs, and Division 2 with 8 clubs in the 2006 season. Until 2009 the league operated on the same way as the old Japan Soccer League for men, the bottom club in the second division playing off against a regional league playoff winner.
Starting off with the 2010 season, the second division is divided into a east and west group of six teams each. The winners of each group are promoted.
League structure
The L-League consists of two levels.
Level |
League(s)/Division(s) | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
L1 (Nadeshiko League) | |||||||||||||||
2 |
L2 (Challenge League) |
Champions
First Division Champions
Bold indicate doubles with the All Japan Women's Football Championship.[1]
- 1989 Shimizu F.C. Ladies
- 1990 Yomiuri Beleza
- 1991 Yomiuri Beleza (2)
- 1992 Yomiuri Beleza (3)
- 1993 Yomiuri Beleza (4)
- 1994 Matsushita L.S.C. Bambina
- 1995 Prima Ham F.C. Kunoichi
- 1996 Nikko Securities Dream Ladies
- 1997 Nikko Securities Dream Ladies (2)
- 1998 Nikko Securities Dream Ladies (3)
- 1999 Prima Ham F.C. Kunoichi (2)
- 2000 NTV Beleza (5)
- 2001 NTV Beleza (6)
- 2002 NTV Beleza (7)
- 2003 Tasaki Perule F.C.
- 2004 Saitama Reinas F.C.
- 2005 NTV Beleza (8)
- 2006 NTV Beleza (9)
- 2007 NTV Beleza (10)
- 2008 NTV Beleza (11)
- 2009 Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies (2)
- 2010 NTV Beleza (12)
- 2011 INAC Kobe Leonessa[2]
Yomiuri Beleza was renamed to NTV Beleza in 1999 and to Tokyo Verdy Beleza in 2011, when the Yomiuri Group sold its stake. Saitama Reinas were absorbed by Urawa Red Diamonds in 2005.
Second Division Champions
- 2004 Okayama Yunogo Belle
- 2005 INAC Kobe Leonessa
- 2006 Albirex Niigata Ladies
- 2007 TEPCO Mareeze
- 2008 JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
- 2009 AS Elfen Sayama
- 2010 Tokiwagi Gakuen (East, not promoted); Speranza Takatsuki (West, not promoted)
- 2011 Tokiwagi Gakuen (East); Kibi International University (West)
L. League Clubs (2012)
The L-League consists of two levels.
Nadeshiko League (Division 1)
Club | Hometown(s) | First Season in Top Flight |
Current Spell in Top Flight |
---|---|---|---|
Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies | Sayama, Saitama | 1999 | 1999- |
AS elfen Sayama F.C. | Sayama, Saitama | 2002 | 2010- |
JEF United Chiba Ladies | Chiba, Chiba | 2000 | 2000- |
NTV Beleza | Inagi, Tokyo | 1989 | 1989- |
Albirex Niigata Ladies | Niigata Prefecture | 2004 | 2004- |
Iga F.C. Kunoichi | Iga, Mie | 1989 | 2010- |
Speranza F.C. Takatsuki | Takatsuki, Osaka | 1991 | 2012- |
INAC Kobe Leonessa | Kobe, Hyogo | 2005 | 2005- |
Okayama Yunogo Belle | Mimasaka, Okayama | 2003 | 2005- |
Fukuoka J. Anclas | Kasuga, Fukuoka | 2010 | 2010- |
Challenge League (Division 2)
Past participants Clubs
Relegated to regional leagues
- Renaissance Kumamoto Ladies F.C. - Relegated to Kyushu League from 2011
- Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades F.C. - Relegated to Tokai League from 2011
- Norddea Hokkaido - Relegated to Hokkaido League from 2012
- Aguilas Kobe - Withdrew from Challenge League and moved to Kansai League from 2012
Dissolved
- Fujita Soccer Club Mercury (affiliated with Shonan Bellmare)
- Nikko Securities Dream Ladies
- Nissan F.C. Ladies (affiliated with Yokohama Marinos)
- OKI F.C. Winds
- Shiroki F.C. Serena
- Suzuyo Shimizu F.C. Lovely Ladies (affiliated with Shimizu S-Pulse)
- Tasaki Perule F.C.
- Tokyo SHiDAX L.S.C. (ex Shinko Seiko F.C. Clair)
- Urawa Ladies F.C.
- TEPCO Mareeze (dissolved after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster; many of the players moved to Vegalta Sendai Ladies)
See also
- L. League Cup
- All-Japan Women's Football Championship
- Japan and South Korea Women's League Championship
References
- ^ "Japan - List of Women Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
- ^ "Goals galore on three continents". FIFA. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.