Reigning J. League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima got off to a good start in their bid to retain their title by beating Cerezo Osaka 1-0 as the 2014 J. League kicked off over the weekend.
　Last year’s runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos also opened their 2014 campaign on a winning note, beating Omiya Ardija 2-0 at home, but Kawasaki Frontale were held to a 2-2 draw at home by newly promoted Vissel Kobe.
　At Osaka, Cerezo fielded new striker Diego Forlan along with young Japan forward Kakitani Yoichiro, but the visitors overcame their hosts thanks to a goal in the 71st minute by Shiotani Tsukasa.
　Marinos had a comfortable win over visiting Omiya with goals by new midfielder Fujimoto Jungo and young forward Ito Sho.
　In an attacking game at Kawasaki, Simplicio put the visitors ahead in the 18th minute before Kobayashi Yu equalized a minute later. The home team took the lead in the 28th minute through Nakamura Kengo’s goal from a tight angle, but substitute forward Matsumura Ryo leveled the scores in additional time.
　In a match between two former Asian champions, Gamba Osaka, back in the top flight after a season in J2, suffered a 1-0 home loss to Urawa Reds as Makino Tomoaki slotted home an Abe Yuki rebound in the 43rd minute.
　In other matches, Kashima Antlers romped over hosts Ventforet Kofu 4-0, while Sagan Tosu cruised past newly promoted Tokushima Vortis 5-0 at home.
　Nagoya Grampus, under new manager Nishino Akira, lost 3-2 to visiting Shimizu S-Pulse.
　Kashiwa Reysol fought back to draw 1-1 with Massimo Ficcadenti’s FC Tokyo at home, while Vegalta Sendai, under new coach Graham Arnold, lost 1-2 to visiting Albirex Niigata.
　The J. League’s Division One runs through to December 6 with a break between May 19 and July 18 for the FIFA World Cup. The top three finishers will qualify for next year’s AFC Champions League.
　The bottom three teams will be relegated to Division Two and will be replaced by the top two finishers in Division Two plus the winners of playoffs from the teams that finish third to sixth.