Band 5 Bulletin: Japan

Tom Aplin provides an update from a thrilling J League, and reports on a player who is soon out of contract but could be useful in League One/Championship squads

Since we last caught up, the league has seen two game weeks pass by.

Yet the battle for the title continues to remain close, with Kashiwa Reysol picking up rhythm at one of the most important moments of the season. Nobutera Nakagawa has been a key player who has been finding his form in midfield, having only just come through from the university system earlier this season.

The gap at the top closes to just 1 point between Kashima Antlers and Kashiwa Reysol.

The gap at the bottom of the table seems to continue to widen. All three teams now look set to be relegated, with 8 points required for 18th place to be on level terms with Nagoya at 17th.