Episode 255 - J1 Matchday 34 & J2 Playoffs

It's another ripping episode of J-Talk this week, as Sam Robson guests to put a bow on the 2018 J1 season, and Jon Steele joins us in Part 2 after Tokyo Verdy's latest playoff heroics.

In Part 1 Sam and I begin with Iwata's stunning last minute loss at Kawasaki that condemned them to the relegation playoff game, and then discuss the narrow escapes for Shonan and Nagoya after their 2-2 draw, and Tosu, who survived after a 0-0 draw away at Kashima (to 26:15). We then move on to the other game that had final day implications, Hiroshima's visit to Sapporo and their battle for an ACL spot (to 33:45), before wrapping up the other five games from the Matchday 34 goalfest (to 1:00:30).

Then Jon, who was at Mitsuzawa for the Yokohama FC vs Tokyo Verdy playoff game, hops on board to discuss Verdy's stunning stoppage time win (to 1:23:50), before Sam and Jon preview the Iwata v Verdy final this Saturday, focusing on how both teams might approach it, and the key players from each side that could have a big impact on proceedings (to 1:42:10). We finish off Part 2, and the podcast, with a brief mention of the final day of the J3 season, and pay tribute to the retiring Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, and also Yuji Nakazawa, who looks set to leave Yokohama F.Marinos, while also mentioning this Wednesday's Emperor's Cup semi finals.

Follow my guests on twitter:

Sam - @FRsoccerSam

Jon - @J2KantoBites