2023 J.League Cup
2023 JリーグYBCルヴァンカップ
Tournament details
CountryJapan
Dates8 March – 4 November
Teams20
Final positions
ChampionsAvispa Fukuoka (1st title)
Runner-upUrawa Red Diamonds
Tournament statistics
Matches played73
Goals scored190 (2.6 per match)
Attendance677,347 (9,279 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Noriyoshi Sakai
Asahi Uenaka
(4 goals each)
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 J.League Cup, known as the 2023 J.League YBC Levain Cup (Japanese: 2023 JリーグYBCルヴァンカップ) for sponsorship reasons, was the 31st edition of J.League Cup, a Japanese association football cup competition.[1] Unlike previous editions, the competition did not use the away goals rule. No byes awarded for the knockout stage and thus no knockout round playoffs.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima were the defending champions, having beaten Cerezo Osaka 2–1 in the 2022 final to win their first J.League Cup title. They were unable to defend their title after their elimination in the group stage.

Avispa Fukuoka won their first ever major trophy by defeating two-time winners Urawa Red Diamonds in the final. They became the third consecutive new winners of the tournament, following Nagoya Grampus in 2021 and Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2022.

Format

All 18 teams in the 2023 J1 League participated as well as the top two relegated teams from the 2022 season. Different from the previous editions, no teams were awarded bye or a direct qualification for the knockout stage. The change was made due to AFC Champions League's calendar shift, as it adopted the spring-autumn season format from 2023 and got rid of the year-round format, thus having the 2023–24 group stage played from September 2023.[1]

Twenty teams played in the group stage, divided into five groups of four teams, allocated in each group by their finish on the 2022 J1 and J2 Leagues. Each group winners and the three best-placed runners-up qualified to the quarter-finals.[2]

This was the last edition to feature a group stage like the Scottish League Cup and Taça da Liga. From 2024, it would be held as a single knockout competition like the EFL Cup and would see all clubs from the season's J1, J2, and J3 Leagues participate, thus including the clubs from all J.League divisions for the first time since 2001.[3]

Qualified teams

League Team Final 2022 rank
2022 J1 Yokohama F. Marinos 1st
Kawasaki Frontale 2nd
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3rd
Kashima Antlers 4th
Cerezo Osaka 5th
FC Tokyo 6th
Kashiwa Reysol 7th
Nagoya Grampus 8th
Urawa Red Diamonds 9th
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 10th
Sagan Tosu 11th
Shonan Bellmare 12nd
Vissel Kobe 13rd
Avispa Fukuoka 14th
Gamba Osaka 15th
Kyoto Sanga 16th
Shimizu S-Pulse (2023 J2) 17th
Júbilo Iwata (2023 J2) 18th
2022 J2 Albirex Niigata (2023 J1) 1st
Yokohama FC (2023 J1) 2nd

Schedule

The schedule was confirmed along with the holding method of the competition on 20 December 2022.[1]

Stage Round Date[1]
Group stage Matchday 1 8 March 2023
Matchday 2 25–26 March 2023
Matchday 3 5 April 2023
Matchday 4 19 April 2023
Matchday 5 24 May 2023
Matchday 6 18 June 2023
Knockout stage
Quarter-finals 6 September 2023 (first leg)
10 September 2023 (second leg)
Semi-finals 11 October 2023 (first leg)
15 October 2023 (second leg)
Final 4 November 2023

Group stage

Each group had its matches played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. Each match lasted 90 minutes. Each team played six times, twice against each opponent at home and away.

Tiebreakers

In the group stage, teams in a group were ranked by points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If the points were tied, the following tiebreakers were applied accordingly:[1]

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;

If more than two teams were tied, and applying all head-to-head criteria above remains a part of teams still tied, reapply the criteria above only for the tied teams.

  1. Goal difference in all group matches;
  2. Goals scored in all group matches;
  3. Penalty shoot-out if only two teams were tied and they met in the sixth match of the group;
  4. Fewer disciplinary points;
  5. Drawing of lots.

Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Yokohama F. Marinos 6 5 0 1 14 5 +9 15 Advance to knockout stage
2 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 6 3 1 2 13 10 +3 10
3 Júbilo Iwata 6 2 0 4 8 9 −1 6
4 Sagan Tosu 6 1 1 4 4 15 −11 4
Source: JLeague.co (EN), JLeague.jp (JA)
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Yokohama F. Marinos 1–0 Júbilo Iwata Yokohama
19:03 Suzuki 49' (o.g.) JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium
Attendance: 7,077
Referee: Yoshiro Imamura
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Sagan Tosu 0–0 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo Tosu
19:04 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Ekimae Real Estate Stadium
Attendance: 4,002
Referee: Jumpei Iida
25 March 2023 (2023-03-25) Júbilo Iwata 2–3 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo Iwata
14:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Yamaha Stadium
Attendance: 4,658
Referee: Shu Kawamata
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26) Sagan Tosu 0–2 Yokohama F. Marinos Tosu
15:04 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Ekimae Real Estate Stadium
Attendance: 6,615
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Yokohama F. Marinos 2–1 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo Yokohama
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Nakashima 6' Stadium: Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium
Attendance: 6,269
Referee: Takuto Okabe
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Júbilo Iwata 1–2 Sagan Tosu Iwata
19:03 Ogawa 81' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Yamaha Stadium
Attendance: 2,769
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 4–1 Sagan Tosu Sapporo
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Ono 23' Stadium: Sapporo Dome
Attendance: 4,439
Referee: Futoshi Nakamura
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) Júbilo Iwata 0–1 Yokohama F. Marinos Iwata
19:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Yan 7' Stadium: Yamaha Stadium
Attendance: 3,526
Referee: Koei Koya
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 3–2 Yokohama F. Marinos Sapporo
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Sapporo Dome
Attendance: 5,923
Referee: Ryo Tanimoto
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) Sagan Tosu 0–2 Júbilo Iwata Tosu
19:04 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Ekimae Real Estate Stadium
Attendance: 3,753
Referee: Hajime Matsuo
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2–3 Júbilo Iwata Sapporo
18:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Sapporo Dome
Attendance: 10,146
Referee: Hayato Shimizu
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Yokohama F. Marinos 6–1 Sagan Tosu Yokohama
18:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Suzuki 90+3' Stadium: Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium
Attendance: 6,939
Referee: Koji Takasaki

Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Urawa Red Diamonds 6 1 5 0 5 4 +1 8[a] Advance to knockout stage
2 Shimizu S-Pulse 6 2 2 2 8 15 −7 8[a]
3 Kawasaki Frontale 6 2 2 2 12 7 +5 8[a]
4 Shonan Bellmare 6 1 3 2 8 7 +1 6
Source: JLeague.co (EN), JLeague.jp (JA)
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b c Head-to-head points: Urawa Red Diamonds 6, Shimizu S-Pulse 5, Kawasaki Frontale 4.
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Shonan Bellmare 0–0 Urawa Red Diamonds Hiratsuka
19:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka
Attendance: 8,856
Referee: Futoshi Nakamura
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Shimizu S-Pulse 3–2 Kawasaki Frontale Shizuoka
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: IAI Stadium Nihondaira
Attendance: 6,900
Referee: Shu Kawamata
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26) Urawa Red Diamonds 1–1 Shimizu S-Pulse Saitama
15:03 Linssen 38' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Kololli 71' Stadium: Urawa Komaba Stadium
Attendance: 10,125
Referee: Koei Koya
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26) Kawasaki Frontale 0–0 Shonan Bellmare Kawasaki
15:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium
Attendance: 14,967
Referee: Thomas Bramall
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Kawasaki Frontale 0–0 Urawa Red Diamonds Kawasaki
19:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium
Attendance: 18,332
Referee: Shu Kawamata
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Shonan Bellmare 3–0 Shimizu S-Pulse Hiratsuka
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka
Attendance: 7,204
Referee: Takafumi Mikuriya
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) Kawasaki Frontale 6–0 Shimizu S-Pulse Kawasaki
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium
Attendance: 15,081
Referee: Keigo Sendachi
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) Urawa Red Diamonds 1–1 Shonan Bellmare Saitama
19:33 Hayakawa 43' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Yamada 3' Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Attendance: 11,222
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) Shimizu S-Pulse 3–2 Shonan Bellmare Shizuoka
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: IAI Stadium Nihondaira
Attendance: 4,574
Referee: Koji Takasaki
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) Urawa Red Diamonds 2–1 Kawasaki Frontale Saitama
19:33
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Segawa 3' Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Attendance: 12,366
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Shonan Bellmare 2–3 Kawasaki Frontale Hiratsuka
18:03 Ohashi 6', 59' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka
Attendance: 10,374
Referee: Koei Koya
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Shimizu S-Pulse 1–1 Urawa Red Diamonds Shizuoka
18:03 Kitagawa 33' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Akimoto 49' Stadium: IAI Stadium Nihondaira
Attendance: 10,229
Referee: Koichiro Fukushima

Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Nagoya Grampus 6 5 0 1 11 5 +6 15 Advance to knockout stage
2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 6 3 0 3 12 7 +5 9
3 Yokohama FC 6 2 0 4 7 10 −3 6[a]
4 Vissel Kobe 6 2 0 4 4 12 −8 6[a]
Source: JLeague.co (EN), JLeague.jp (JA)
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Yokohama FC 3, Vissel Kobe 3. Head-to-head goal differences: Yokohama FC +1, Vissel Kobe –1.
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Vissel Kobe 0–2 Nagoya Grampus Kobe
19:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Sakai 23', 75' Stadium: Noevir Stadium Kobe
Attendance: 4,084
Referee: Yusuke Araki
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3–1 Yokohama FC Hiroshima
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Caprini 59' Stadium: Edion Stadium Hiroshima
Attendance: 5,249
Referee: Tetsuro Yoshida
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26) Yokohama FC 0–1 Vissel Kobe Yokohama
14:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Osako 85' Stadium: Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium
Attendance: 3,813
Referee: Yoshiro Imamura
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26) Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1–2 Nagoya Grampus Hiroshima
14:03 Kawamura 29' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Edion Stadium Hiroshima
Attendance: 8,807
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Vissel Kobe 0–5 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Kobe
19:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Noevir Stadium Kobe
Attendance: 4,434
Referee: Koei Koya
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Nagoya Grampus 3–2 Yokohama FC Nagoya
19:33
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 6,465
Referee: Atsushi Kamimura
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) Yokohama FC 0–2 Nagoya Grampus Yokohama
19:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Kida 41', 52' Stadium: Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium
Attendance: 2,818
Referee: Akihiko Ikeuchi
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2–1 Vissel Kobe Hiroshima
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Lincoln 69' (pen.) Stadium: Edion Stadium Hiroshima
Attendance: 5,877
Referee: Jumpei Iida
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) Yokohama FC 1–0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Yokohama
19:03 Lara 29' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium
Attendance: 2,754
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) Nagoya Grampus 0–1 Vissel Kobe Nagoya
19:33 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Lincoln 64' Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 6,266
Referee: Masuya Ueda
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Nagoya Grampus 2–1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Nagoya
18:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Shibasaki 80' Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 7,806
Referee: Futoshi Nakamura
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Vissel Kobe 1–3 Yokohama FC Kobe
18:03 Jean Patric 8' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Noevir Stadium Kobe
Attendance: 5,430
Referee: Yusuke Araki

Group D

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Avispa Fukuoka 6 4 1 1 9 6 +3 13 Advance to knockout stage
2 Kashima Antlers 6 3 1 2 6 4 +2 10
3 Albirex Niigata 6 2 0 4 6 8 −2 6
4 Kashiwa Reysol 6 1 2 3 7 10 −3 5
Source: JLeague.co (EN), JLeague.jp (JA)
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Kashiwa Reysol 1–1 Kashima Antlers Kashiwa
19:03 Hosoya 90' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Matsumura 22' Stadium: Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium
Attendance: 6,674
Referee: Takuto Okabe
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Avispa Fukuoka 1–0 Albirex Niigata Fukuoka
19:03 Tsuruno 59' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Best Denki Stadium
Attendance: 3,092
Referee: Hayato Shimizu
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26) Albirex Niigata 1–0 Kashima Antlers Niigata
14:03 Akiyama 52' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Denka Big Swan Stadium
Attendance: 12,294
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26) Avispa Fukuoka 3–3 Kashiwa Reysol Fukuoka
15:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Best Denki Stadium
Attendance: 3,611
Referee: Kazuyoshi Enomoto
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Kashima Antlers 1–0 Avispa Fukuoka Kashima
19:03 Araki 32' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Kashima Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 5,571
Referee: Hayato Shimizu
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Albirex Niigata 2–0 Kashiwa Reysol Niigata
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Denka Big Swan Stadium
Attendance: 8,081
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) Kashiwa Reysol 3–2 Albirex Niigata Kashiwa
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium
Attendance: 4,650
Referee: Shu Kawamata
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) Avispa Fukuoka 2–1 Kashima Antlers Fukuoka
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Arthur 31' Stadium: Best Denki Stadium
Attendance: 3,520
Referee: Masuya Ueda
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) Kashima Antlers 1–0 Kashiwa Reysol Kashima
19:10 Arthur 68' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Kashima Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 6,134
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) Albirex Niigata 1–2 Avispa Fukuoka Niigata
19:03 Gustavo 4' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Denka Big Swan Stadium
Attendance: 7,879
Referee: Takuto Okabe
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Kashima Antlers 2–0 Albirex Niigata Kashima
18:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Kashima Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 9,652
Referee: Akihiko Ikeuchi
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Kashiwa Reysol 0–1 Avispa Fukuoka Kashiwa
18:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Wellington 12' Stadium: Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium
Attendance: 4,986
Referee: Hajime Matsuo

Group E

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Gamba Osaka 6 3 1 2 8 4 +4 10[a] Advance to knockout stage
2 FC Tokyo 6 3 1 2 9 5 +4 10[a]
3 Kyoto Sanga 6 3 0 3 9 11 −2 9
4 Cerezo Osaka 6 1 2 3 2 8 −6 5
Source: JLeague.co (EN), JLeague.jp (JA)
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Gamba Osaka 3, FC Tokyo 3. Head-to-head goal differences: Gamba Osaka +2, FC Tokyo –2.
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Kyoto Sanga 1–3 Gamba Osaka Kameoka
19:03 Yamasaki 34' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Sanga Stadium by Kyocera
Attendance: 6,598
Referee: Hirokazu Otsubo
8 March 2023 (2023-03-08) Cerezo Osaka 1–0 FC Tokyo Osaka
19:03 Capixaba 86' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Yodoko Sakura Stadium
Attendance: 10,615
Referee: Akihiko Ikeuchi
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26) FC Tokyo 5–0 Kyoto Sanga Tokyo
15:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Ajinomoto Stadium
Attendance: 8,662
Referee: Takuto Okabe
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26) Gamba Osaka 1–1 Cerezo Osaka Suita
15:03 Meshino 90+1' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Maikuma 52' Stadium: Panasonic Stadium Suita
Attendance: 26,110
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Kyoto Sanga 4–0 Cerezo Osaka Kameoka
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Sanga Stadium by Kyocera
Attendance: 5,156
Referee: Ryo Tanimoto
5 April 2023 (2023-04-05) Gamba Osaka 3–0 FC Tokyo Suita
19:03
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Panasonic Stadium Suita
Attendance: 6,757
Referee: Koichiro Fukushima
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) FC Tokyo 1–0 Gamba Osaka Tokyo
19:03 Tsukagawa 74' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Ajinomoto Stadium
Attendance: 8,117
Referee: Takuto Okabe
19 April 2023 (2023-04-19) Cerezo Osaka 0–2 Kyoto Sanga Osaka
19:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Yodoko Sakura Stadium
Attendance: 6,717
Referee: Yudai Yamamoto
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) FC Tokyo 0–0 Cerezo Osaka Tokyo
19:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Stadium: Ajinomoto Stadium
Attendance: 8,376
Referee: Shu Kawamata
24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) Gamba Osaka 0–1 Kyoto Sanga Suita
19:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Kinoshita 19' (pen.) Stadium: Panasonic Stadium Suita
Attendance: 7,804
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Kyoto Sanga 1–3 FC Tokyo Kameoka
18:03 Hirato 18' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Stadium: Sanga Stadium by Kyocera
Attendance: 6,259
Referee: Yoshiro Imamura
18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) Cerezo Osaka 0–1 Gamba Osaka Osaka
18:03 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Handa 37' Stadium: Yodoko Sakura Stadium
Attendance: 18,061
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura

Ranking of runners-up

The three best runners-up from the five groups advanced to the knockout stage along with the five group winners.

Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 E FC Tokyo 6 3 1 2 9 5 +4 10 Knockout stage
2 A Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 6 3 1 2 13 10 +3 10
3 D Kashima Antlers 6 3 1 2 6 4 +2 10
4 C Sanfrecce Hiroshima 6 3 0 3 12 7 +5 9
5 B Shimizu S-Pulse 6 2 2 2 8 15 −7 8
Source: JLeague.co (EN), JLeague.jp (JA)
Rules for classification: 1) Goal difference in all group matches; 2) Goals scored in all group matches; 3) Fewer disciplinary points; 4) Drawing of lots.

Knockout stage

In the knockout stage (also called the "Prime Stage" in Japan), which started with the quarter-finals, the matches were played in two legs, except for the final. The aggregate winners of each tie would qualify for the next round. Should in the second leg of either the quarter-final or semi-final the aggregate score was tied, extra-time would have been played. Should the draw stood, penalty shoot-outs would have been played to determine the tie winners. From this season on, the away goals rule would not be applied under any circumstances throughout the entire competition.

The draw to decide the match-ups was held on 3 July 2023 at 12:00 JST.[4]

Bracket

Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
Kashima Antlers112
Nagoya Grampus (a.e.t.)123
Nagoya Grampus000
Avispa Fukuoka112
Avispa Fukuoka022
4 November – Tokyo
FC Tokyo101
Avispa Fukuoka2
Urawa Red Diamonds1
Urawa Red Diamonds134
Gamba Osaka000
Urawa Red Diamonds022
Yokohama F. Marinos101
Yokohama F. Marinos235
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo30 3

Quarter-finals

Summary

Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Kashima Antlers 2–3 Nagoya Grampus 1–1 1–2 (a.e.t.)
Avispa Fukuoka 2–1 FC Tokyo 0–1 2–0
Urawa Red Diamonds 4–0 Gamba Osaka 1–0 3–0
Yokohama F. Marinos 5–3 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2–3 3–0

Matches

Nagoya Grampus1–1Kashima Antlers
Kubo 90+4' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Matsumura 49'
Toyota Stadium, Toyota
Attendance: 8,089
Referee: Yudai Yamamoto
Kashima Antlers1–2 (a.e.t.)Nagoya Grampus
Nakama 51' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Kashima Soccer Stadium, Kashima
Attendance: 14,310
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura

Nagoya Grampus won 3–2 on aggregate.

FC Tokyo1–0Avispa Fukuoka
Adaílton 16' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo
Attendance: 5,565
Referee: Hayato Shimizu
Avispa Fukuoka2–0FC Tokyo
 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Best Denki Stadium, Fukuoka
Attendance: 8,659
Referee: Yudai Yamamoto

Avispa Fukuoka won 2–1 on aggregate.

Gamba Osaka0–1Urawa Red Diamonds
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Schalk 46'
Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita
Attendance: 9,363
Referee: Takafumi Mikuriya
Urawa Red Diamonds3–0Gamba Osaka
 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
Attendance: 21,467
Referee: Koichiro Fukushima

Urawa Red Diamonds won 4–0 on aggregate.

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo3–2Yokohama F. Marinos
 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
Attendance: 7,566
Referee: Hajime Matsuo
Yokohama F. Marinos3–0Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium, Yokohama
Attendance: 10,423
Referee: Jumpei Iida

Yokohama F. Marinos won 5–3 on aggregate.

Semi-finals

Summary

Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Nagoya Grampus 0–2 Avispa Fukuoka 0–1 0–1
Urawa Red Diamonds 2–1 Yokohama F. Marinos 0–1 2–0

Matches

Avispa Fukuoka1–0Nagoya Grampus
Tsuruno 45+3' JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Best Denki Stadium, Fukuoka
Attendance: 6,980
Referee: Jumpei Iida
Nagoya Grampus0–1Avispa Fukuoka
JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Wellington 5'
Toyota Stadium, Toyota
Attendance: 24,876
Referee: Yoshiro Imamura

Avispa Fukuoka won 2–0 on aggregate.

Yokohama F. Marinos1–0Urawa Red Diamonds
Anderson Lopes 61' (pen.) JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
Attendance: 13,337
Referee: Akihiko Ikeuchi
Urawa Red Diamonds2–0Yokohama F. Marinos
Scholz 63' (pen.), 90+1' (pen.) JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)
Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
Attendance: 29,504
Referee: Ryu Tanimoto

Urawa Red Diamonds won 2–1 on aggregate.

Final

Main article: 2023 J.League Cup final

This was Avispa's first major tournament final, while for Urawa this was their seventh J.League Cup final, winning two from the previous six. Their most recent final was in 2016, which they won.[5]

Avispa Fukuoka2–1Urawa Red Diamonds
 JLeague.co (EN)
JLeague.jp (JA)		 Akimoto 67'
Japan National Stadium, Tokyo
Attendance: 61,683
Referee: Futoshi Nakamura

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Goals[6][7]
1 Japan Noriyoshi Sakai Nagoya Grampus 4
Japan Asahi Uenaka Yokohama F. Marinos
3 Netherlands Bryan Linssen Urawa Red Diamonds 3
Japan Makoto Mitsuta Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Japan Kota Mizunuma Yokohama F. Marinos
Japan Sho Sasaki Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Japan Reiju Tsuruno Avispa Fukuoka
Slovenia Milan Tučić Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
Brazil Wellington Avispa Fukuoka
Japan Naoki Yamada Shonan Bellmare

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "2023 JリーグYBCルヴァンカップ 大会方式および試合方式について" [About 2023 J.League YBC Levain Cup Holding Method] (in Japanese). Japan Professional Football League. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Major format changes await J. League in coming seasons". The Japan Times. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  3. ^ "League Structure and Competition Format from 2024 Season Unify the number of clubs in each category to 20 League Cup changed to a knockout competition with participation of all J1, J2 and J3 clubs". Japan Professional Football League. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  4. ^ "プライムステージ組み合わせ決定！[ルヴァンカップ]" [Prime stage combination decided! [Levain Cup]]. JLeague.jp (in Japanese). Japan Professional Football League. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Fukuoka, Urawa to play for J.League Cup after semi-final victories". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023. Not only have Avi never played in a J.League Cup final, they've never played for any major trophy before...with Urawa on one end trying to win their first J.League Cup since 2016,...
  6. ^ "All Positions | Goals | All clubs | J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP | 2023 Player Stats | J.LEAGUE". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Players - J-League Cup - Japan - Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 November 2023.

External links

J.League Cup
J.League Cup champions
2023 in Japanese football
2022–23 in Asian football (AFC)
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