Japanese Non-league Football News

It's turning into a very disappointing season in the Chugoku League for Renofa Yamaguchi. The former Yamaguchi Teachers team changed their name at the beginning of 2006, as part of their overall intention of becoming a stronger team in the region before working up to the JFL and beyond. They made some good progress last year, but in 2007 seem to have well and truly stalled - and following on from Sunday's matches, Renofa are back in the bottom half of the Chugoku League table.

They conceded three second half goals to champions Fagiano Okayama to slip behind JFE Steel Western Japan, who were in turn 2-1 winners over Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado. While Fagiano were making it five wins out of five, at the other end of the table it looks like being a battle to avoid the wooden spoon between Yamaguchi's Hitachi and newly-promoted side Mazda SC, 2-0 losers at Hiroshima Fujita SC.



Renofa Yamaguchi prepare to get done over by Fagiano Okayama

Sun 06 May: Fagiano Okayama 3-0 Renofa Yamaguchi
Sun 06 May: Hiroshima Fujita SC 2-0 Mazda SC
Sun 06 May: JFE Steel Western Japan 2-1 Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado

1. Fagiano Okayama 15 (+24)
2. FC Central Chugoku 12 (+10)
3. Sagawa Kyubin Chugoku 9 (+12)
4. JFE Steel Western Japan 6 (-9)
5. Renofa Yamaguchi 5 (-5)
6. Hiroshima Fujita SC 4 (-4)
7. Mazda SC 1 (-12)
8. Hitachi Manufacturing Kasado 0 (-16)