The 2012 Japan Football League (Japanese: 第14回日本フットボールリーグ, Hepburn: Dai Jūyon-kai Nihon Futtobōru Rīgu) was the fourteenth season of the Japan Football League, the third tier of the Japanesefootball league system. It has started on March 11, and finished on November 18.[1]
The league intended to run the season in the usual 18-team format, but after the withdrawal of Arte Takasaki in January no replacement team was invited so in 2012 JFL features only 17 teams.[2]
Subsequently, only one club will be directly relegated and one take part in pro/rele playoffs to bring the number of JFL clubs back to 18.
During the season, on 23 July, Nagano Parceiro were approved as J. League associate members,[3] though they are not eligible for promotion until the completion of the renovation of their home stadium which is expected in 2016.
On 28 September 2012, J. League Organization made an announcement for club licenses for 2013, and only Nagasaki was granted conditional J2 license.
On 16 October 2012, it was reported that Sagawa Shiga F.C. had notified JFL organization about their intention of withdrawal from JFL as of the end of this season.[4] On 17 October 2012, JFL Committee has approved the request from Sagawa Shiga F.C. for its withdrawal from JFL as of the end of the season.[5]
Because of withdrawals by Arte Takasaki and Sagawa Shiga, no clubs will be relegated automatically as of the end of the season. The bottom finished (17th placed) club will play a play-off against the 3rd placed club of the 2012 Regional League promotion series.[6]
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2012. Source: Japan Football League Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd goal differential; 3rd goals scored; 4th head-to-head results; 5th disciplinary points; 6th draw. (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 21 October Sagawa Express Co., the owner and operator of Sagawa Shiga FC, have announced that after the season the club will withdraw from JFL and cease its operations.[8]
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2012. Source: Japan Football League: First round, second round Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. Notes:
^F.C. Ryukyu vs Kamatamare Sanuki, a match for the 27th round originally scheduled on 29 September, was postponed due to approaching Typhoon Jelawat, and played on 31 October.[9]
^The 10th round game on May 6 between Tochigi Uva and Nagano Parceiro was discontinued after the first half because of heavy thunderstorm. The score at the moment was 0–0.[10] The match was replayed in full on June 20.
Updated to games played on 18 November 2012 Source: Japan Football League: First round, second round Notes: † Team played previous season in Regional Leagues.
Promotions and relegations after the regular season
V-Varen Nagasaki were automatically promoted to J2 while Machida Zelvia became the first ever team to be relegated from J. League, returning to the JFL after only one season.
SC Sagamihara and Fukushima United were promoted to JFL as the winner and runner-up of the Regional League promotion series, respectively. Third-placed Norbritz Hokkaido faced Tochigi Uva in a playoff series.[11] Both games were played in Tochigi to prevent snow in Hokkaido from potentially postponing an away game. After two games, the series were tied 2–2, but Tochigi Uva won the penalty shootout 4–1, retaining their spot in JFL for the 2013 season.
^Jリーグ準加盟審査結果について [About the results of J. League associate membership examination] (in Japanese). J. League. 23 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-07-26. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
^"SAGAWA SHIGA FC、JFLからの大会について" [About the withdrawal of Sagawa Shiga FC from JFL] (in Japanese). Japan Football League. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
^入れ替えについての変更 [Changes in league promotion/relegation] (in Japanese). Japan Football League. 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
^"SAGAWA SHIGA FC 活動停止に関するお知らせ" [Note on cessation of activity of Sagawa Shiga FC] (in Japanese). Sagawa Express Co. 2012-10-22. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
^Japan Football League (4 October 2012). "第14回JFL第27節「FC琉球vsカマタマーレ讃岐」代替日決定のお知らせ" [Noticee of alternative match date for "FC Ryukyu vs Kamatamare Sanuki", a 27th round game for 14th JFL] (in Japanese). Retrieved 8 October 2012.
^Japan Football League (6 May 2012). 第10節 栃木ウ-長野 中止のお知らせ [Note of discontinuation of the 10th round game between Tochigi Uva and Nagano Parceiro] (in Japanese). Retrieved 8 May 2012.
^"2012年度JFL入替戦について" [About 2012 JFL exchange competition] (in Japanese). Japan Football League. 2012-12-03. Retrieved 2012-12-03.