The J-Talk Podcast

A weekly Japanese football podcast focusing on the J.League.

Episode 589 - J1 Matchday 33

J1 Matchday 33 was chock full of drama, and after a brief review of the ACL action from last midweek, Jonny and Ben run through the weekend's games involving the title contenders in Part 1, culminating with the huge Kashima vs Gamba Osaka game on Sunday (to 43:10). Then in Part 2 our Tokyo Verdy correspondent Lewis White returns to the pod to chat about Verdy's vital win on Friday night, the season so far, and the future of manager Hiroshi Jofuku (to 1:03:12), before Jonny and Ben round up the other games, look ahead to the Levain Cup semi finals and Japan's games against Paraguay and Brazil.

10-07
01:26:59

J-Talk: Extra Time – J2 Matchday 31

Jon Steele and James Taylor are back with all the latest from J2. James kicks things off with a review of 9 games from matchday 31 (to 08:45). Jon takes over for a chat with James about Oita v Ehime (to 31:35), before moving on to general J2 news and Most Bravo Player (to 50:55). To finish, the co-hosts preview the biggest games coming up this weekend (to end).   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

10-03
57:00

Episode 588 - J1 Matchdays 31 & 32

With two bumper matchdays in the top flight in the past week to review, Jonny and Ben were joined first by Yokohama FC correspondent Jon Steele, who then stuck around as F.Marinos correspondent Stuart Woodward made it a Yokohama-centric Part 1 after both sides won on Sunday evening. With six games left, which club will survive in J1, or could they both overhaul some of the dogfight adjacent teams struggling for results? Part 1 runs to 37:55. Then in Part 2 Jonny and Ben run through the rest of the games, as the title race narrowed.

09-30
01:30:19

J-Talk: Extra Time – J2 Matchday 30

In this week’s JTET, James Taylor reviews all the action from J2 matchday 30, picks his Most Bravo Player, and previews the matchday 31 fixtures.   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

09-24
11:12

Episode 587 - J1 Matchday 30

Jonny and Ben kick off the episode with a review of ACL action from last midweek (to 9:00), before diving in on the eight games played from J1 Matchday 30 on Saturday night, as Kashima moved back to the summit after Kyoto slipped at home. We rule a couple of big fish out of the title race, before moving on to all of the action in the dogfight (to 1:06:00). We then wrap up the pod with a look ahead to the next two rounds, played on Tuesday night and the weekend.

09-22
01:15:37

J-Talk: Extra Time – J2 Matchday 28 & 29

In this double episode of JTET, Jon Steele and James Taylor review all the action from the last two rounds of J2. First, Jon has a review of all 10 games from matchday 28 (to 13:35), then James reviews most of the games from matchday 29 (to 21:00). After that, the co-hosts discuss Omiya v Nagasaki (to 41:10), their Most Bravo Players and the J.League’s monthly awards for August (to 49:40). Finally, they look ahead to some important games at both ends of the table (to end).   Thank you for your support of the J-Talk Podcast and J-Talk: Extra Time. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

09-19
58:33

Episode 586 - J1 Matchday 29 with Sean Carroll

Sean Carroll joined Jonny and Ben to give his thoughts on Japan's two friendlies in the United States, and the state of the J1 title race and relegation dogfight after the weekend's J1 Matchday 29 (to 56:25). Then in Part 2, Jonny and Ben wrap up the remaining four games.

09-16
01:30:31

J-Talk: Short Corner – J3 September Review

Jon Steele welcomes back a jetlagged James Taylor for the latest checkup on J3. The episode begins with a brief recap of Sagamihara’s Emperor’s Cup quarter final (to 02:45), before discussing teams near the top of the table: Nara (to 05:55), Kagoshima (to 09:15), Tochigi City (to 15:40), FC Osaka (to 20:40), and Hachinohe (to 29:25). Then attention turns to the bottom and the perilous predicaments of Nagano (to 37:20) and Numazu (to 40:20), before Jon lets James loose in Kanazawa Korner (to 47:00). Finally, there’s a look ahead to the round 27 fixtures (to end).   Thanks for your support of the J-Talk Podcast, J-Talk: Extra Time, and J-Talk: Short Corner. *Join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *Find our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg *Follow JTET on Bluesky here: @jtalket.bsky.social

09-11
52:00

Episode 585 - Mexico 0-0 Japan & Levain Cup

After Jonny and Ben begin the episode by rounding up the Levain Cup quarter finals (to 14:15), they were joined by first time guest Naoya Kanai to chat about Kawasaki Frontale's progression to the Levain semis and their season so far, before we moved on to Japan's scoreless draw against Mexico in Oakland, and looked ahead to the Samurai Blue's meeting with the USA in Columbus, also touching on similarities and differences between the J.League and MLS.

09-09
01:02:33

Episode 584 - J1 Matchday 28

After Kyoto moved clear on top of J1 with ten rounds left, Jamie Meikle made a very welcome return to the pod to discuss Sanga's 5-0 romp over Okayama on Saturday, and what's gone so right in his side's remarkable campaign to this point (to 32:07). Then Jonny and Ben round up the rest of the top flight results, beginning with Kashiwa's controversy-tinged home win over Fukuoka, and Kobe edging past Yokohama F.Marinos, before we discuss a couple of game-of-the-season contender goal-fests.

09-02
01:32:50

JTET - J2 Round 27 Review

Very late this time (apologies!), Jon Steele rounds up all of last weekend's J2 action in a 15-minute solo pod. Also includes the regular Most Bravo Player segment, a check on the top and bottom of the table, and a preview of this weekend's action (Round 28)! Sorry again for the late upload, and thanks for the continued support! *You can join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *You can join our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg

08-30
14:48

Episode 583 - J1 Matchday 27

Kyoto and Kashima lead the way at the top of J1 after the weekend's Matchday 27, and after rounding up their very contrasting results (to 16:30), Jonny and Ben are joined by Kashiwa correspondent Seamus Johnston to chat about Reysol's brilliant come from behind home win over Urawa on Friday night and other talking points around the club (to 39:50). Then Jonny and Ben run through the other results from the weekend, before looking ahead to midweek Emperor's Cup quarter finals and Thursday's national team squad announcement.

08-26
01:33:42

JTET - J2 Round 26 Review

After another busy round of J2 action, Jon Steele (flying solo this time) checks in on all of the main talking points in a 15-minute mini-pod. Also includes the usual segments - Most Bravo Player chat, and a look ahead to this weekend's Round 27 fixtures! *You can join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *You can join our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg Thanks for all of your support!

08-23
14:27

Episode 582 - J1 Matchday 26

With Ben back in Australia, Alan Gibson joined Jonny to run through all the major talking points from Round 26 of the J1 season. Time Stamps: Start - 01:50 Intro / Emperor’s Cup 01:50 - 1:36.24 Round 26 Review  1:36.25 - End Round 30/27 Preview Thanks again for listening!

08-18
01:43:22

JTET - J2 Round 25 Review

Embarrassingly late this week, JTET is back with all of the latest news from a J2 standpoint. This time, Jon kicks off Part 1 with a review of the recent Emperor's Cup Round of 16 ties (from a J2 perspective), and rounds up all of last weekend's J2 action (Round 25 of the season). After that, Jon was joined by Big Pod regular (but JTET debutant) Ryo Nakagawara to talk in detail about Imabari's home win over Kumamoto. The boys also chatted about some Most Bravo Players from the round, along with the official monthly J2 awards for July and Sapporo's change of manager. Finally, Jon picked Ryo's brains about the upcoming Round 26 matches. Timecodes: Start to 16:10 - Emperor's Cup & J2 Round 25 Roundup 16:10 to 44:20 - Imabari v Kumamoto 44:20 to 57:30 - Most Bravo Player discussion 57:30 to 01:01:00 - J2 Monthly Awards for July 01:01:00 to 01:09:40 - Sapporo's change of manager 01:09:40 to Finish - J2 Round 26 Preview *You can join the J-Talk Podcast Patreon here: https://patreon.com/jtalkpod *You can join our JLeague Chat Discord server here: https://discord.gg/UwN2ambAwg Thanks for all of your support!

08-16
01:27:29

JTSC - J3 Special (August 2025)

With J3 taking a short summer break at the moment, it seemed like the ideal time to record our latest J-Talk: Short Corner J3 Special for 2025! In this August edition, Jon Steele was joined by long-suffering Gifu supporter, groundhopper extraordinaire, and J3 expert Richy Palmer for a look at the current state of the third tier. In Part 1, Jon quizzes Richy on his trip to Nagasaki's beautiful Peace Stadium to catch their J2 game against Sendai. The conversation then moves on to cover the J3 promotion scene, with automatic promotion and Play-Off contenders all assessed. After a quick break, Part 2 begins with a check on the relegation zone and the rest of the bottom half of the J3 standings. There's also chat about teams in contention for promotion to J3 from the JFL, and Richy picks out some of the most interesting transfers that have taken place during the summer window. We hope everyone enjoys the show! Timecodes Start to 13:00 - Richy's Nagasaki trip (not J3-related but we'll let him off with a warning) 1300 to 30:20 - The J3 promotion picture 30:20 to 38:30 - The bottom half of the J3 table 38:30 to 43:20 - State of play at the JFL summit 43:20 to Finish - Richy's Transfer Talk

08-13
52:27

Episode 581 - J1 Matchday 25

With Ben enjoying a well earned break back in Australia, Sam Robson made a welcome return to the pod. Together, Sam and Jonny took an in-depth look at all the drama and talking points from Round 25 of the 2025 J1 season. Time stamps as follows:  Start - 03:03 Emperor’s Cup wrap / Kunishige Kumamoto tribute  03:03 - 1:34.15 Round 25 Review  1:34.15 - End Round 26 Preview  Thanks again for all your support!

08-12
01:39:15

JTET - J2 Round 24 Review

After a long break between drinks, it's time for another JTET 'Two Jonnies' takeover! In Part 1 of this episode, Jon Steele runs though all of the key talking points from Round 24 of the J2 season. After that, Jon is joined by Jonny Nicol (on loan from Big Pod) for a deep dive on Kumamoto's home win over Mito, plus a chat about the state of J2 with 14 rounds left to go in 2025. Jonny also weighed in on all of the usual segments, and helped Jon to preview this weekend's Round 25 slate. Hope everyone enjoys the pod! Timestamps: Start to 13:30 - J2 Round 24 Round-Up 13:40 to 25:30 - Kumamoto v Mito in-depth 25:30 to 31:00 - Most Bravo Player chat 31:00 to 45:30 - Jonny talks about the top half of the J2 table (focus on Iwata) 45:30 to 57:00 - The bottom half of the J2 table 57:00 to Finish - J2 Round 25 Preview

08-08
01:06:12

JTET - 2025 Summer Special

In a 35-minute JTET bonus episode, Jon Steele borrowed Jonny Nicol from Big Pod for a long-overdue 'Two Jonnies' reunion chat! The focus this time is on the summer friendly matches that have taken place across Japan during late July and early August. First of all, Jon runs through the results from the games that involved Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Sociedad, and State Reims. After that, the Two Jonnies compare notes on their experiences (at Yokohama FC v Sociedad and Gamba Osaka v Reims respectively), and comment on the overall slate of summer matches from 2025. We hope everyone enjoys the pod!

08-07
34:05

JTET - Emperor's Cup Round 3 Review

After a summer break, the JTET boys are back with a 15-minute mini-pod to clean deck before J2 returns! This time, James and Jon look back at Round 3 of the Emperor's Cup (held on 16th July) from a J2 perspective. Recording solo, James covers 5 of the pertinent matchups, with Jon (also in isolation this time) talking you though the other 5 (including Hiroshima's high-scoring win at Fujieda). Before time is up, Jon also briefs you on the forthcoming Round 24 fixtures in J2 this weekend, and casts a glance at the midweek Emperor's Cup Round of 16 games on the horizon for Akita and Yamagata. Thanks for waiting patiently for the uploads during our slow summer - we'll have a full review of J2 Round 24 as usual next week!

07-31
14:30

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