After six matchdays, the Meiji Yasuda J.League Centennial League is starting to show clearer patterns. In J1, Kashima Antlers lead the EAST group, while Vissel Kobe, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Gamba Osaka are level on 11 points in the WEST. In J2/J3, every group remains competitive, but the teams at the top are beginning to separate themselves through consistency and, crucially, through penalty shoot-out performance.
J1: Kashima lead EAST, WEST turns into a three-way fight
Kashima Antlers sit first in J1 EAST with 16 points from six matches, ahead of FC Machida Zelvia and FC Tokyo on 12 and Tokyo Verdy on 11. Kashima’s 1-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale on Matchday 6 reinforced the impression that they are currently the most stable side in the group. Behind them, however, the margin remains small enough for the table to change quickly.
The WEST group is even tighter. Vissel Kobe, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Gamba Osaka are all on 11 points, while Kyoto Sanga F.C. remain within reach on 9. What initially looked like Hiroshima’s group to control has turned into a genuine three-team race, with every dropped point carrying extra weight in a short-format competition.
J1 EAST – simple standings (after Round 6)
| Pos | Club | Pts | MP | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kashima Antlers | 16 | 6 | 10 | 3 | +7 |
| 2 | FC Machida Zelvia | 12 | 6 | 10 | 7 | +3 |
| 3 | FC Tokyo | 12 | 6 | 8 | 7 | +1 |
| 4 | Tokyo Verdy | 11 | 6 | 8 | 6 | +2 |
J1 WEST – simple standings (after Round 6)
| Pos | Club | Pts | MP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vissel Kobe | 11 | 6 |
| 2 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 11 | 6 |
| 3 | Gamba Osaka | 11 | 6 |
| 4 | Kyoto Sanga F.C. | 9 | 6 |
Featured highlights (J1)
J2/J3: every group is still alive, but the frontrunners are emerging
In the J2/J3 Centennial League, the shape of each section is becoming easier to read. Vegalta Sendai lead EAST-A, Ventforet Kofu top EAST-B, Tokushima Vortis sit first in WEST-A, and Tegevajaro Miyazaki have created the strongest position in WEST-B. Still, none of the groups feel settled, and the table remains vulnerable to a swing of one win, one penalty loss or one late equaliser.
J2/J3 – simple standings (top 3 in each group after Round 6)
| Group | Pos | Club |
|---|---|---|
| EAST-A | 1 | Vegalta Sendai |
| 2 | Blaublitz Akita | |
| 3 | Shonan Bellmare | |
| EAST-B | 1 | Ventforet Kofu |
| 2 | FC Gifu | |
| 3 | RB Omiya Ardija | |
| WEST-A | 1 | Tokushima Vortis |
| 2 | Kochi United SC | |
| 3 | Kataller Toyama | |
| WEST-B | 1 | Tegevajaro Miyazaki |
| 2 | Kagoshima United FC | |
| 3 | Oita Trinita |
How the penalty shoot-out format is shaping the league
The most distinctive feature of the Centennial League remains its mandatory penalty shoot-out after any draw in normal time. A win in 90 minutes brings 3 points, a shoot-out win 2, a shoot-out loss 1, and a regulation loss 0. After six rounds, the effect is clear: clubs are no longer only managing for “draw or win.” They are often managing for “win outright or at least survive to penalties.”
That changes late-game behaviour. Some teams take more risks to chase the full three points; others are visibly content to lock the game down and back themselves in a shoot-out. Preparation for penalties – from goalkeeper study to the order of kick-takers and even substitution timing – has become a tactical layer in its own right.
Symbolic penalty shoot-out matches through Round 6
| Competition | Round | Fixture | 90′ | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J1 | 3 | Tokyo Verdy vs FC Machida Zelvia | 2-2 | 4-3 |
| J1 | 4 | Gamba Osaka vs Shimizu S-Pulse | 2-2 | 5-4 |
| J1 | 6 | Mito HollyHock vs FC Tokyo | 1-1 | 5-6 |
| J1 | 6 | Shimizu S-Pulse vs Fagiano Okayama | 1-1 | 4-2 |
| J2/J3 | 3 | Thespakusatsu Gunma vs Montedio Yamagata | 1-1 | 5-6 |
| J2/J3 | 3 | FC Gifu vs Iwaki FC | 0-0 | 5-4 |
| J2/J3 | 3 | FC Ryukyu vs Reilac Shiga FC | 0-0 | 14-13 |
FC Ryukyu vs Reilac Shiga FC, decided 14–13 on penalties, remains the clearest image of what this competition is trying to produce: maximum tension, a guaranteed winner, and extra value placed on nerve and squad depth.
Round 6 verdict
At the six-match mark, the J1 story is one of Kashima’s stability in the EAST and a three-way race in the WEST. In J2/J3, the standings remain fluid, but the leaders in each section are beginning to show the value of consistency and adaptability. Above all, the league’s all-the-way-to-penalties rule is no longer a curiosity; it is now a central competitive factor.
