F. League

Not to be confused with F-League.
F. League
Country  Japan
Confederation AFC
Founded 2007
Number of teams 12
Level on pyramid 1
Domestic cup(s) Puma Cup
International cup(s) AFC Futsal Club Championship
Current champions Nagoya Oceans
(2013–14)
Most championships Nagoya Oceans (7 titles)
Website http://www.fleague.jp/

The F. League (in Japanese: "F・リーグ", Officially "日本フットサルリーグ",Nihon Futtosaru Rīgu) is the top league for Futsal in Japan. The winning team obtains the participation right to the AFC Futsal Club Championship.[1]

Overview

The league was formed in 2007 as a complement for the elimination tournament, (the current Puma Cup) which groups regional futsal champions into a final elimination phase.[2]

The league operates on the sports franchise system, with no promotion or relegation of clubs. The clubs are thus expansion teams. In 2009 the number of clubs was increased from 8 to 10 with the addition of Fuchu Athletic and Espolada Hokkaido.

In F. League play, the clubs battle each other three times: once at home, once away and once in a neutral venue (generally Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo). The season runs from August to February.

An elimination league cup, the Ocean Cup is played every season by the 12 F.League teams.

Teams

Teams playing the F.League 2014–15 season.

History

SeasonsWinnerRunner-upThird place
2007–08Nagoya OceansBardral UrayasuDeução Kobe
2008–09Nagoya OceansBardral UrayasuDeução Kobe
2009–10Nagoya OceansPescadola MachidaShriker Osaka
2010–11Nagoya OceansDeução KobeVasagey Oita
2011–12Nagoya OceansShriker OsakaDeução Kobe
2012–13Nagoya OceansShriker OsakaFuchu Athletic
2013–14Nagoya OceansShriker OsakaVasagey Oita

See also

References

  1. ↑ ARITA, KENICHI (18 May 2012). "F.League hopes World Cup will boost sport's popularity". asahi.com. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Futsal league ready for the off". fifa.com. Retrieved 13 December 2013. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)

External links