J. League
J. League Opening Day 2010
It's a case of "same again, please" as far as the J. League is concerned, with last season's bumper opening day clash between Kashima Antlers and Urawa Reds reprised for the 2010 campaign.
The J. League has announced the schedule for the opening two rounds of fixtures, with three-time defending champions Kashima set to start the defence of their title in front of a capacity crowd at Kashima Stadium against arch-rivals Urawa.
There's also a repeat of the recent Emperor's Cup final as Gamba Osaka host Nagoya Grampus at Expo '70 Stadium, while last season's runners-up Kawasaki Frontale kick off the new campaign at home to Albirex Niigata.
Round 2 features a much-anticipated Osaka derby, as promoted side Cerezo Osaka welcome crosstown rivals Gamba to Nagai Stadium, with Kanagawa rivals Yokohama F. Marinos and newly promoted Shonan Bellmare also slugging it out at Nissan Stadium.
The full fixture list will be announced on February 3.
Round 1
Saturday, March 6
Kashima Antlers vs Urawa Reds (Kashima Stadium)
FC Tokyo vs Yokohama F. Marinos (Ajinomoto Stadium)
Kawasaki Frontale vs Albirex Niigata (Todoroki Stadium)
Shonan Bellmare vs Montedio Yamagata (Hiratsuka Stadium)
Jubilo Iwata vs Vegalta Sendai (Yamaha Stadium)
Gamba Osaka vs Nagoya Grampus (Expo '70 Stadium)
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Shimizu S-Pulse (Big Arch Stadium)
Sunday, March 7
Omiya Ardija vs Cerezo Osaka (Nack5 Stadium)
Vissel Kobe vs Kyoto Sanga (Home's Stadium)
Round 2
Saturday, March 13
Vegalta Sendai vs Omiya Ardija (Yurtec Stadium)
Yokohama F. Marinos vs Shonan Bellmare (Nissan Stadium)
Albirex Niigata vs Jubilo Iwata (Big Swan Stadium)
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Montedio Yamagata (Nihondaira Stadium)
Nagoya Grampus vs Kawasaki Frontale (Toyota Stadium)
Sunday, March 14
Urawa Reds vs FC Tokyo (Saitama Stadium)
Kyoto Sanga vs Kashima Antlers (Nishikyogoku Stadium)
Cerezo Osaka vs Gamba Osaka (Nagai Stadium)
Vissel Kobe vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Home's Stadium)
Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com
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