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The second division had quite a successful opening season. If anything, fan support was even more encouraging than that in the J1. While teams were not able to draw the sort of crowds that J1 teams generally did, it was clear that the teams had strong grass-roots support, which was seen as the key to ensuring that the J.League established itself in Japan. Three teams in particular had excellent seasons -- FC Tokyo (the former JFL team Tokyo Gas), Kawasaki Frontale, and Oita Trinita.
Oita Trinita's performance was the highlight of the J2 in its initial season. From its home base in the tiny rural town of Oita, the team gathered fanatical local support, and for a while, it seemed that the liliputian club might be able to knock off one of the big-city giants, earning promotion ahead of either Tokyo or Kawasaki. Unfortunately, Oita fell short by losing a heartbreaking match in the last game of the season. As a result, FC Tokyo and Kawasaki Frontale earned promotion. The two teams relegated from the J1 were Urawa Reds and Bellmare Hiratsuka. In addition, Mito Hollyhock joined the J2 after winning the JFL title.
PROMOTED:
Kawasaki Frontale
FC Tokyo
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J2 League Table | | Rank | Team | GP | W | D | L | Pts | GF | GA | G.Dif |
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| 90 | ET |
| 1 | Kawasaki Frontale | 36 | 20 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 73 | 69 | 34 | 35 |
| 2 | FC Tokyo | 36 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 64 | 51 | 35 | 16 |
| 3 | Oita Trinita | 36 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 63 | 62 | 42 | 20 |
| 4 | Albirex Niigata | 36 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 58 | 46 | 40 | 6 |
| 5 | Consadole Sapporo | 36 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 55 | 54 | 35 | 19 |
| 6 | Omiya Ardija | 36 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 51 | 47 | 44 | 3 |
| 7 | Montedio Yamagata | 36 | 14 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 48 | 47 | 53 | -6 |
| 8 | Sagan Tosu | 36 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 37 | 52 | 64 | -12 |
| 9 | Vegalta Sendai | 36 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 31 | 30 | 58 | -28 |
| 10 | Ventforet Kofu | 36 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 18 | 32 | 85 | -53 |
RELEGATED:
Urawa Reds
Bellmare Hiratsuka
Advanced from JFL
Mito Hollyhock
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