Kashiwa Reysol, based in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, is in its second season under head coach Ricardo Rodriguez. In addition to Yuki KAKITA and Yoshio KOIZUMI, who have previously played for the same team, the club has newly acquired Tomoaki OKUBO from Urawa. They have also strengthened their squad with capable immediate-impact players such as Koya YURUKI from Kobe and Hinata YAMAUCHI from Kawasaki. While maintaining defensive stability centered around goalkeeper Ryosuke Kojima, they aim for the title with a style of play that controls the front line anchored by ace Mao HOSOYA.