Kawasaki Frontale

is a Japanese professional football club based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo. The club currently compete in the J1 League, which is the top tier of football in the country. Their home stadium is Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium in Nakahara Ward, located in the central area of Kawasaki.

History

Establishment and earlier years (1955–1977)

The club was founded in 1955 as Fujitsu Soccer Club. It was one of many city clubs that comprised the Japan Soccer League (JSL), including Yomiuri (later Tokyo Verdy 1969), Toshiba (later Consadole Sapporo) and NKK SC (now defunct). They first made the JSL Division 1 in 1977, only to be relegated the next season.

Professional transition and relegations (1997–2000)

Fujitsu's club became professional in 1997, and changed its name to "Kawasaki Frontale", which means "frontal" in Italian. The club old crest and colours are based on those of Brazilian side Grêmio, because both clubs have cooperated since 26 March 1997.

The club joined the second division of the J.League in 1999 and went on to become the champion of the division. But in the next season, they sank to the bottom of J.League Division 1 and were relegated.

Frontale would not return to the top flight until 2000, when they were promoted to the rebranded J1. But they were once again dropped to the J2 at the end of the season.

Back to the top flight and AFC Champions League debut (2004–2007)

In 2004, Frontale crowned champions of J2 and won promotion to J1 for the second time. With the former rival city clubs out of the way due to relocation or liquidation, they began building their power base in the city.

In 2006, the club achieved runners-up position in J1, their highest league position up to that time. As a result, they entered the AFC Champions League for the first time in 2007 from the group stage.

Kawasaki made important success in the competition, as they became the first Japanese club for qualifying its group stage before the eventual winners, Urawa Red Diamonds. However, they eventually lost in the quarter finals against Iranian club, Sepahan, in a penalty shoot-out, following two scoreless games.

Prominence era under Toru Oniki (2017–2024)

After two more second-place finishes in 2008 and 2009, Kawasaki finally won the title in 2017, coming from behind to upstage bitter rivals Kashima Antlers after they were held to a draw at Júbilo Iwata, 16 seasons and 40 years after their first promotion to the top division.

Kawasaki became the first team to win four J1 titles in a five-year span. They came up short multiple times (2000, 2007, 2009 and 2017) but won their first J.League Cup in 2019, beating Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on penalties. In 2020, they successfully won their third J1 League title with 83 points, staying 17 points clear off the runners-up, Gamba Osaka. They made sure of the title with four games to spare, which was a record under the 34-match league format. With a player depth not being restricted to the starting XI, Frontale managed to get the best out of the five substitutions allowed by the J. League, per FIFA recommendation, instated after the COVID-19 outbreak. A good example was a breakout season by Kaoru Mitoma, who started more matches on the bench than in the starting XI.

In 2021, Frontale won their first title of the year in the opening match of the season, beating Gamba Osaka 3–2 in the 2021 Japanese Super Cup.

Raised standards, eye-catching performances, and increase of national team level players coming from Frontale led foreign clubs to pay attention to their players. Among the most significant departures, Frontale saw two major talents leaving the club mid-season. Kaoru Mitoma was included in the 2020 J.League Best XI in his first full season as a professional despite playing less than half of his matches as a starter for Frontale, being signed by Brighton & Hove Albion of the Premier League. The second one was midfielder, Ao Tanaka. The 2020 J.League Rookie of the Year which quickly earned his spot on the starting XI after turning professional, transferring to Fortuna Düsseldorf of 2. Bundesliga on loan, which later would have his deal turning permanent. They weren't the only departures leaving a mark on the team, as they followed Hidemasa Morita to Europe, as the latter went on to sign for Santa Clara of the Primeira Liga.

However, despite Frontale having their future performances being apparently threatened after these departures, the club went on to win the 2021 J1 League with a record-breaking season, which saw them: Winning the most points on a single J1 League season ever, with 92 points won on 38 matches; Achieving the fewest number of losses on a J1 League season, registering only two losses in total (the first J1 loss only came six months after the season opening); Being the joint unbeaten team at home matches in a J1 League season, equalling Urawa Red Diamonds's tally in 2006; Being the first ever J1 team to win more than 80 points on consecutive seasons.

Leandro Damião, with 23 goals, was Frontale's individual highlight on the 2021 season, helping him win the MVP award, after being the joint league top-scorer and one of the players with the most assists of the tournament. The latter record was accomplished by another Frontale players, Miki Yamane, which also saw several call-ups for the Japan national football team throughout the 2021 and 2022 season, alongside other Frontale players and formers players, like the team captain Shogo Taniguchi, and midfielder Yasuto Wakizaka. They joined many other players who previously were selected for the national team while playing at Frontale. Of the selected players, some players can be highlighted, like defender Yoshinobu Minowa, who was selected in 2005. After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, midfielder Kengo Nakamura and forward Kazuki Ganaha became new Japan internationals, especially Kengo Nakamura, who being a mainstay at club and country for a long time. Long-serving for the national team, goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima was also selected while at Frontale, making his debut on the 2008 East Asian Cup. Shuhei Terada, who played all of his 13-year professional career at Frontale, was also selected for the national team from 2008 to 2009.

After five consecutive seasons winning at least one major title from 2017 to 2021, Frontale tasted a season without winning any silverware for the entire 2022. Taking their previous overall season into account, the club went through an uninspired season, which saw early eliminations in all four competitions the club played that involved knockout-stage formats. In February, the club already saw their first match of the season resulting on a defeat, after losing 2–0 by Urawa Red Diamonds at the Super Cup. On April, the club was eliminated at the 2022 AFC Champions League at its group stage, finishing their group as runners-up, behind Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim. In June, at the Emperor's Cup, Frontale were unexpectedly eliminated, at the third round of the competition, after being defeated by J2 League club Tokyo Verdy by 1–0.

On the latter half of the season, Frontale continued an atypically poor run of form. On August, the club started their campaign at the J.League Cup, entering the competition late in the double-legged quarterfinals, after receiving a bye from the early stages of the competition due to their AFC Champions League qualification. The club played this quarterfinal against Cerezo Osaka and was awarded the hosting rights of the tie's second leg. Despite not losing any of the two legs, Frontale didn't won any, either. At Cerezo, the match ended 1–1, giving a theoretical relief for Frontale ahead of the match, who only needed a 0–0 draw or a win to proceed in the competition. Frontale started the second leg winning 2–0, with Marcinho scoring two goals at the 40th and 53rd minute. Surprisingly, Frontale collapsed at the dying minutes of the match, conceding two heading goals at the 90th and 95th minute, respectively.

Following the elimination at the J.League Cup, only the J1 League title was then available for Frontale to chase. Oscillating placements throughout the campaign, the club still managed to finish five separate matchweeks at the top of the league in the first half of the season. In the second half of the season, though, never again did Frontale get past the second place. Serving as a minor consolation for their season, the club held to a hardly fought title chase alongside Sanfrecce Hiroshima (until the closing matchweeks). In December, at the 38th round, the last round of the season, Frontale were narrow two points away from first-placed Yokohama F. Marinos. A 13-goal difference was also in Frontale's way, meaning that in the more realistic scenario, Frontale needed to win their match and expect Marinos to lose theirs. Playing the round against FC Tokyo, Frontale were early threatened with a red card, as Jung Sung-ryong was sent off a few minutes after Frontale's first goal. Despite playing the rest of the match with 10 players, Frontale still managed to win past FC Tokyo by 3–2. Playing against Vissel Kobe, Marinos won the match by 3–1, and then were handed the J1 League title. On the plus side, finishing as the league's runners-up led the club to qualify for the 2023–24 AFC Champions League, entering the competition in the group stage.

On 9 December 2023, Frontale won the 2023 Emperor's Cup title, beating Kashiwa Reysol 8–7 in the penalty shootout after the match ended 0–0. This second national cup victory resulting their qualification for the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite, entering directly from the league stage.

On 17 February 2024, Frontale defeated 2023 J1 League champions, Vissel Kobe, in the 2024 Japanese Super Cup at Japan National Stadium to clinch their third title of the competition.

On 16 October 2024, it was announced that Toru Oniki would step down as head coach of the club at the end of the season, following the expiration of his contract.

Mid-table finish and arrival of Shigetoshi Hasebe (2025–present)

Following the departure of Oniki, along with mid-table finish at 8th position in both 2023 and 2024, it was announced by Frontale that Shigetoshi Hasebe, who left his position at Avispa Fukuoka, would become the new manager for 2025 season. Hasebe began his tenure with a 4-0 victory over the Pohang Steelers in the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite group stage, and followed up with a 4–0 win over Nagoya Grampus in the J1 League opener. Kawasaki went on to defeat Chinese club Shanghai Shenghua with an aggregate of 5–1 in the AFC Champions League Elite round of 16 tie, thus advancing to the quarter-finals.

Playing at a centralized venue on Saudi Arabia from this stage on, Kawasaki faced off against Qatari side Al Sadd at the quarter-finals. Club captain Yasuto Wakizaka scored the winner in extra time putting the team to win 3–2, thus advancing to the club first ever semi-finals in the AFC Champions League Elite. They ended up qualifying to their first final as well, as Kawasaki beat Al-Nassr by the same 3–2 score, this time during the usual 90 minutes. At the final, they faced another Saudi Pro League team, Al-Ahli on 3 May 2025. Despite their efforts, Kawasaki finished the 2024–25 AFC Champions League as runners-up, losing by 2–0 to the saudi side.

Rivalries

Tamagawa Clásico

Frontale's rivalry with FC Tokyo is known as the Tamagawa Clásico (using the Spanish word ''"Clásico"'' as used in derbies in Spain and Latin America). The two clubs first met in the inaugural Kanto Soccer League in 1967, but did not meet again until 1991 in the old Japan Soccer League (JSL) Division 2 and were rivals for promotion to the J.League in the 1990s. They co-founded the new J2 League in 1999 and were promoted together the same year; although Frontale were immediately relegated, they were promoted again in 2005 and the two clubs have regularly met since.

Frontale also has a Tamagawa rivalry with Tokyo Verdy, which was originally also based in Kawasaki and subsequently moved to Chōfu in 2000. The two clubs were co-founders of the JSL Division 2 in 1972 and, although they spent 20 seasons (1979 to 1999) in separate tiers, their rivalry was rekindled in the late 1990s as Kawasaki fans deserted Tokyo Verdy to support Frontale, who were seen as a more community-focused club. Their fortunes have since been reversed, as Frontale is now a top flight mainstay while Tokyo Verdy sunk into the second tier in 2005, only recently being promoted back to J1 in 2024.

Affiliated clubs

* Fukushima United (1 February 2024−31 January 2026)
* Grêmio (26 March 1997−''present'')

Kit and colours

Kit sponsors

Kit evolution

Current squad

Out on loan

Kawasaki Frontale U-18

Below are list of U-18 team players belong to Kawasaki Frontale academy that competing in 2025 Prince Takamado U-18 Premier League, the top-flight league for U-18 team of football clubs and senior high school football teams in the country. Only registered players for the competition will be displayed.

Club officials

Club officials for 2025 season.

Records and statistics

League history

*Regional ( Kanto Soccer League): 1967–71 (as Fujitsu)
*Division 2 ( JSL Div. 2): 1972–76 (as Fujitsu)
*Division 1 ( JSL Div. 1): 1977–78
*Division 2 ( JSL Div. 2): 1979–91
*Division 2 ( former JFL Div. 1): 1992–98 (as Fujitsu 1992–95; Fujitsu Kawasaki 1996; Kawasaki Frontale 1997–present)
*Division 2 ( J2): 1999
*Division 1 ( J1): 2000
*Division 2 ( J2): 2001–04
*Division 1 ( J1): 2005–present

Total (as of 2021): 20 seasons in the top tier, 30 seasons in the second tier and 5 seasons in the Regional Leagues.

Honours

As Fujitsu SC (1955–1996) and Kawasaki Frontale (1997–present) :

Personnel awards

* J.League Player of the Year
:* Kengo Nakamura (2016)
:* Yu Kobayashi (2017)
:* Akihiro Ienaga (2018)
:* Leandro Damião (2021)

* J.League Top Scorer
:* Juninho (2008)
:* Yoshito Ōkubo (2013, 2014, 2015)
:* Yu Kobayashi (2017)
:* Leandro Damião (2021)

* J.League Best Eleven
:* Kengo Nakamura (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018)
:* Hiroyuki Taniguchi (2006)
:* Juninho (2007)
:* Eiji Kawashima (2009)
:* Yoshito Ōkubo (2013, 2014, 2015)
:* Yu Kobayashi (2016, 2017)
:* Shintaro Kurumaya (2017, 2018)
:* Elsinho (2017, 2018)
:* Shogo Taniguchi (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)
:* Akihiro Ienaga (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)
:* Jung Sung-ryong (2018, 2020)
:* Ryota Oshima (2018)
:* Miki Yamane (2020, 2021, 2022)
:* Jesiel (2020, 2021)
:* Hidemasa Morita (2020)
:* Kaoru Mitoma (2020)
:* Kyohei Noborizato (2020)
:* Ao Tanaka (2020)
:* Leandro Damião (2021)
:* Reo Hatate (2021)
:* Yasuto Wakizaka (2021, 2022, 2023)
:* Marcinho (2022)

* J.League Rookie of the Year
:* Ao Tanaka (2019)
:* Kota Takai (2024)

World Cup players

The following players have been selected by their country in the World Cup, while playing for Kawasaki Frontale:
:* Kengo Nakamura (2010)
:* Junichi Inamoto (2010)
:* Eiji Kawashima (2010)
:* Jong Tae-Se (2010)
:* Yoshito Ōkubo (2014)
:* Ryota Oshima (2018)
:* Shogo Taniguchi (2022)
:* Miki Yamane (2022)

Olympic players

The following players have represented their country at the Summer Olympic Games whilst playing for Kawasaki Frontale:
:* Hiroyuki Taniguchi (2008)
:* Shunsuke Ando (2012)
:* Riki Harakawa (2016)
:* Ryota Oshima (2016)
:* Ao Tanaka (2020)
:* Kaoru Mitoma (2020)
:* Reo Hatate (2020)

Managerial history

References

External links

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J.League clubs
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Sport in Kawasaki, Kanagawa
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1997 establishments in Japan
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