Vissel Kobe secured the J.League 100 Year Vision tournament championship with a 5-2 aggregate victory over Kashima Antlers despite losing 2-0 in the second leg of the final last Saturday [1, 2]. The tournament was a one-off competition designed to support a transition to a new league schedule starting in August [1, 2].
In the first leg of the final the week before June 8, 2026, Vissel Kobe dominated Kashima Antlers 5-0, establishing a lead that carried them to the title after the second-leg loss [1, 2].
Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao parted ways with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad by mutual consent following the club’s fifth-place finish in the 2024/25 season [1, 2]. Conceicao led Al-Ittihad to the title in the prior season but the recent campaign saw a drop in performance culminating in his departure [1, 2].
Neil Etheridge announced his retirement from international football the week before June 8, after earning 82 caps representing the Philippines [1, 2]. Etheridge made history as the first Southeast Asian player to compete in the English Premier League during Cardiff City’s 2018/19 season [1, 2].
The J.League will implement the new schedule from August, with the 100 Year Vision tournament marking the transition phase. Al-Ittihad are expected to name a new coach ahead of their next Saudi Pro League campaign.