# 2018 J.League Cup

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Football tournament season

2018 J. League Cup 2018 JリーグYBCルヴァンカップ Tournament details Country Japan Dates 7 March – 27 October 2018 Teams 20 Final positions Champions Shonan Bellmare (1st title) Runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos Tournament statistics Matches played 69 Goals scored 207 (3 per match) Top goal scorer Sho Ito ← 2017 2019 →

The **2018 J.League Cup** (2018 Jリーグカップ), or officially the **2018 J.League YBC Levain Cup** (2018 JリーグYBCルヴァンカップ), was the 43rd edition of the [Japanese](/source/Japan) [football](/source/Association_football) league cup tournament and the 26th edition under the current [J. League Cup](/source/J._League_Cup) format.

The winners earned the right to play against the winners of the [2018 Copa Sudamericana](/source/2018_Copa_Sudamericana) in the [2019 J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship](/source/2019_J.League_Cup_%2F_Copa_Sudamericana_Championship).

## Format

**Byes**
- Teams that qualified for [2018 AFC Champions League](/source/2018_AFC_Champions_League) group stage (3 or 4 teams) are given byes to the quarterfinals.

**Group stage**
- The group stage was played by 16 teams, consisting of all other [2018 J1 League](/source/2018_J1_League) participants (14 or 15 teams) plus top 1 or 2 [2018 J2 League](/source/2018_J2_League) participants based on the ranking of the previous season (i.e., 16th-placed team, and 17th-placed team if applicable, of [2017 J1 League](/source/2017_J1_League)).

**Play-off stage**
- Play-off stage was played as four or five [two-legged ties](/source/Two-legged_tie) (number depending on the number of teams given byes to the quarterfinals so that eight teams play the quarterfinals). - If four teams are given byes to the quarterfinals, eight teams (top two teams of each group) advances to the play-off stage and composes four ties. - If three teams are given byes to the quarterfinals, ten teams (top two teams of each group, plus two best third-placed teams among four groups) advances to the play-off stage and composes five ties.

After the play-off stage where eight teams are active, quarterfinals (two-legged), semi finals (two-legged) and the final (single match) were played.[1]

## Group stage

Played between March 7 & May 16.

### Tiebreakers

[1]

To determine the ranking of a group, teams with the same points are ranked by the following criteria:

1. Points in the matches between the teams in question,

1. Goal differences in the matches between the teams in question,

1. Number of goals in the matches between the teams in question,

1. Number of away goals in the matches between the teams in question.

1. In case there are still two or more tied teams by the criteria above, re-apply them for only the tied teams. If the process does not classify teams anymore, see the following criteria.

1. Goal differences in all group matches,

1. Number of goals in all group matches,

1. [Penalty shoot-out](/source/Penalty_shoot-out_(association_football)) (only if just two teams are tied, and they play the last group match)

1. Fewer disciplinary points,

1. Drawing of lots.

To determine the best third-placed teams (if needed), teams with the same points are ranked by the following criteria:

1. Goal differences in all group matches,

1. Number of goals in all group matches,

1. Fewer disciplinary points,

1. Drawing of lots.

### Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts VEG YMA ALB TOK 1 Vegalta Sendai 6 3 2 1 10 6 +4 11 — 4–2 1–1 3–0 2 Yokohama F. Marinos 6 3 2 1 10 8 +2 11 0–0 — 2–1 1–0 3 Albirex Niigata 6 2 1 3 9 10 −1 7 3–1 1–3 — 3–2 4 FC Tokyo 6 1 1 4 5 10 −5 4 0–1 2–2 1–0 —

Source: [Group A League table](https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT01/?competitionSectionIdLabel=Up+to+date&competitionIdLabel=J.LEAGUE+YBC+Levain+CUP+Group+Stage+Group+A&yearIdLabel=2018&yearId=2018&competitionId=447&competitionSectionId=0&search=search)

### Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts JÚB VEN SSP CON 1 Júbilo Iwata 6 4 0 2 9 7 +2 12 — 3–2 2–1 2–3 2 Ventforet Kofu 6 3 1 2 10 5 +5 10 0–1 — 1–0 3–0 3 Shimizu S-Pulse 6 3 1 2 8 5 +3 10 1–0 1–1 — 2–1 4 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 6 1 0 5 4 14 −10 3 0–1 0–3 0–3 —

Source: [Group B League table](https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT01/?competitionSectionIdLabel=Up+to+date&competitionIdLabel=J.LEAGUE+YBC+Levain+CUP+Group+Stage+Group+B&yearIdLabel=2018&yearId=2018&competitionId=448&competitionSectionId=0&search=search)

### Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts RED GAM SFR GRA 1 Urawa Red Diamonds 6 4 1 1 9 5 +4 13 — 1–4 1–0 2–0 2 Gamba Osaka 6 3 0 3 12 13 −1 9 0–1 — 0–4 1–4 3 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 6 2 1 3 9 7 +2 7 0–0 2–3 — 2–1 4 Nagoya Grampus 6 2 0 4 9 14 −5 6 1–4 1–4 2–1 —

Source: [Group C League table](https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT01/?competitionSectionIdLabel=Up+to+date&competitionIdLabel=J.LEAGUE+YBC+Levain+CUP+Group+Stage+Group+C&yearIdLabel=2018&yearId=2018&competitionId=449&competitionSectionId=0&search=search)

### Group D

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts VIS BEL VVN SAG 1 Vissel Kobe 6 3 2 1 14 8 +6 11 — 3–4 2–2 1–1 2 Shonan Bellmare 6 3 1 2 8 8 0 10 0–3 — 2–0 1–0 3 V-Varen Nagasaki 6 2 1 3 9 11 −2 7 1–2 2–1 — 3–2 4 Sagan Tosu 6 1 2 3 5 8 −3 5 0–2 0–0 2–1 —

Source: [Group D League table](https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFRT01/?competitionSectionIdLabel=Up+to+date&competitionIdLabel=J.LEAGUE+YBC+Levain+CUP+Group+Stage+Group+D&yearIdLabel=2018&yearId=2018&competitionId=450&competitionSectionId=0&search=search)

## Bracket

Play-off stage Quarterfinals Semifinals Final 1 Ventforet Kofu 2 1 3 16 Urawa Red Diamonds 0 2 2 Ventforet Kofu 2 1 3 Kashiwa Reysol (a) 2 1 3 8 Kashiwa Reysol 9 Bye Kashiwa Reysol 1 2 3 (4) Shonan Bellmare (p) 1 2 3 (5) 5 Shonan Bellmare 3 1 4 12 Vegalta Sendai 0 3 3 Shonan Bellmare 3 2 5 Cerezo Osaka 0 2 2 4 Cerezo Osaka 13 Bye Shonan Bellmare 1 Yokohama F. Marinos 0 6 Kashima Antlers 11 Bye Kashima Antlers 1 3 4 Kawasaki Frontale 1 1 2 3 Kawasaki Frontale 14 Bye Kashima Antlers 1 2 3 Yokohama F. Marinos 2 2 4 7 Gamba Osaka 1 3 4 10 Júbilo Iwata 0 2 2 Gamba Osaka 0 1 1 Yokohama F. Marinos 4 3 7 2 Yokohama F. Marinos 4 1 5 15 Vissel Kobe 2 1 3

## Play-off stage

In each tie ([two-legged tie](/source/Two-legged_tie)) of play-offs, quarterfinals or semifinals, [away goals rule](/source/Away_goals_rule) is applied for goals in the regular playing time, but not in the [extra time](/source/Overtime_(sports)).[1]

Played on June 2 & 9.

Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg Shonan Bellmare 4–3 Vegalta Sendai 3–0 1–3 Gamba Osaka 4–2 Júbilo Iwata 1–0 3–2 Ventforet Kofu 3–2 Urawa Red Diamonds 2–0 1–2 Yokohama F. Marinos 5–3 Vissel Kobe 4–2 1–1

## Quarterfinals

Played on September 5 & 9.

Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg Shonan Bellmare 5–2 Cerezo Osaka 3–0 2–2 Ventforet Kofu 3–3 (a) Kashiwa Reysol 2–2 1–1 Gamba Osaka 1–7 Yokohama F. Marinos 0–4 1–3 Kashima Antlers 4–2 Kawasaki Frontale 1–1 3–1

### First leg

[Shonan Bellmare](/source/Shonan_Bellmare) v [Cerezo Osaka](/source/Cerezo_Osaka)

5 September 2018 (2018-09-05) Shonan Bellmare 3–0 Cerezo Osaka Shonan BMW Stadium, Hiratsuka 19:03 Matsuda 28' Umesaki 70' Kaneko 75' Attendance: 5,896 Referee: M. Okabe

[Ventforet Kofu](/source/Ventforet_Kofu) v [Kashiwa Reysol](/source/Kashiwa_Reysol)

5 September 2018 (2018-09-05) Ventforet Kofu 2–2 Kashiwa Reysol Yamanashi Chuo Stadium, Kōfu 19:03 Nakayama 54' Soneda 69' 63' Nakagawa 85' Cristiano Attendance: 4,157 Referee: M. Fukushima

[Gamba Osaka](/source/Gamba_Osaka) v [Yokohama F. Marinos](/source/Yokohama_F._Marinos)

5 September 2018 (2018-09-05) Gamba Osaka 0–4 Yokohama F. Marinos Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita 19:03 2', 40' Ito 74' Ōtsu 75' Nakagawa Attendance: 5,792 Referee: M. Nishimura

[Kashima Antlers](/source/Kashima_Antlers) v [Kawasaki Frontale](/source/Kawasaki_Frontale)

5 September 2018 (2018-09-05) Kashima Antlers 1–1 Kawasaki Frontale Kashima Soccer Stadium, Kashima 19:04 Nishi 19' 32' (pen.) Chinen Attendance: 7,145 Referee: M. Īda

### Second leg

[Cerezo Osaka](/source/Cerezo_Osaka) v [Shonan Bellmare](/source/Shonan_Bellmare)

9 September 2018 (2018-09-09) Cerezo Osaka 2–2 Shonan Bellmare Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka 19:03 Takagi 25' Souza 35' 31' Kaneko 44' (pen.) Yamasaki Attendance: 6,589 Referee: M. Iemoto

[Yokohama F. Marinos](/source/Yokohama_F._Marinos) v [Gamba Osaka](/source/Gamba_Osaka)

9 September 2018 (2018-09-09) Yokohama F. Marinos 3–1 Gamba Osaka Nissan Stadium, Yokohama 19:03 Nakagawa 12' Ito 20' (pen.), 85' 52' Ichimi Attendance: 11,207 Referee: M. Araki

[Kawasaki Frontale](/source/Kawasaki_Frontale) v [Kashima Antlers](/source/Kashima_Antlers)

9 September 2018 (2018-09-09) Kawasaki Frontale 1–3 Kashima Antlers Ajinomoto Stadium, Chōfu 19:03 Abe 51' (pen.) 28', 37' Yamamoto 72' Serginho Attendance: 19,214 Referee: M. Yamamoto

## Semifinals

Played on October 10 & 14.

Team 1 Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg Kashiwa Reysol 3–3 (4–5 p) Shonan Bellmare 1–1 2–2 (a.e.t.) Kashima Antlers 3–4 Yokohama F. Marinos 1–2 2–2

### First leg

[Kashiwa Reysol](/source/Kashiwa_Reysol) v [Shonan Bellmare](/source/Shonan_Bellmare)

10 October 2018 (2018-10-10) Kashiwa Reysol 1–1 Shonan Bellmare Hitachi Kashiwa Stadium, Kashiwa 19:04 Segawa 1' Report Kikuchi 9' Attendance: 5,665 Referee: M. Nishimura

[Kashima Antlers](/source/Kashima_Antlers) v [Yokohama F. Marinos](/source/Yokohama_F._Marinos)

10 October 2018 (2018-10-10) Kashima Antlers 1–2 Yokohama F. Marinos Kashima Soccer Stadium, Kashima 19:03 Inukai 90+4' Report Amano 77' Vieira 90+5' Attendance: 8,421 Referee: M. Matsuo

### Second leg

[Shonan Bellmare](/source/Shonan_Bellmare) v [Kashiwa Reysol](/source/Kashiwa_Reysol)

14 October 2018 (2018-10-14) Shonan Bellmare 2–2 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p) Kashiwa Reysol Shonan BMW Stadium, Hiratsuka 16:03 Ishikawa 28' Saka 93' Report Otani 70' Yamazaki 113' Attendance: 13,018 Referee: M. Tōjō Penalties Sugioka Yamasaki Umesaki Saka Kaneko Takayama Cristiano Nakayama Tezuka Esaka Suzuki Yamazaki

[Yokohama F. Marinos](/source/Yokohama_F._Marinos) v [Kashima Antlers](/source/Kashima_Antlers)

14 October 2018 (2018-10-14) Yokohama F. Marinos 2–2 Kashima Antlers Nissan Stadium, Yokohama 14:04 Vieira 20' Nakagawa 34' Report Doi 62' Serginho 70' Attendance: 12,979 Referee: M. Satō

## Final

Main article: [2018 J.League Cup Final](/source/2018_J.League_Cup_Final)

[Shonan Bellmare](/source/Shonan_Bellmare) v [Yokohama F. Marinos](/source/Yokohama_F._Marinos)

27 October 2018 (2018-10-27) Shonan Bellmare 1–0 Yokohama F. Marinos Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama 13:05 Sugioka 36' Report Attendance: 44,242 Referee: M. Kimura

## Top goalscorers

- *As of match played 27 October 2018*.[2]

Rank Player Club Goals 1 Sho Ito Yokohama F. Marinos 8 2 Shun Nagasawa Vissel Kobe 7 3 Hugo Vieira Yokohama F. Marinos 5 Hwang Ui-jo Gamba Osaka 5

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jleague-20171212_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jleague-20171212_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-jleague-20171212_1-2) ["2018J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"](https://www.jleague.jp/release/post-51918/) [2018 J.League YBC Levain Cup tournament format] (in Japanese). [J.League](/source/J.League). 12 December 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE | 2022 Stats"](https://www.jleague.jp/en/stats/goal.html?s=YLC).

## External links

- [Official site](https://www.jleague.jp/leaguecup/2018/) (in Japanese)

v t e J.League Cup Seasons 1992 1993 1994 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Finals 1992 1993 1994 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

v t e 2018 in Japanese football « 2017 2019 » League competitions Men J1 League J2 League J3 League Japan Football League Regional Leagues Women L.League Cup competitions Men Emperor's Cup (Final) J.League Cup (Final) Super Cup Women Empress's Cup (Final) Nadeshiko League Cup (Final) AFC competitions Men AFC Champions League Suruga Bank Championship Related to national teams Men Summary Women Summary Club seasons J1 League Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo Vegalta Sendai Kashima Antlers Urawa Red Diamonds Kashiwa Reysol FC Tokyo Kawasaki Frontale Yokohama F. Marinos Shonan Bellmare Shimizu S-Pulse Júbilo Iwata Nagoya Grampus Gamba Osaka Cerezo Osaka Vissel Kobe Sanfrecce Hiroshima Sagan Tosu V-Varen Nagasaki J2 League Montedio Yamagata Mito HollyHock Tochigi SC Omiya Ardija JEF United Chiba Tokyo Verdy FC Machida Zelvia Yokohama FC Ventforet Kofu Matsumoto Yamaga FC Albirex Niigata Zweigen Kanazawa FC Gifu Kyoto Sanga FC Fagiano Okayama Renofa Yamaguchi FC Kamatamare Sanuki Tokushima Vortis Ehime FC Avispa Fukuoka Roasso Kumamoto Oita Trinita J3 League Grulla Morioka Blaublitz Akita Fukushima United FC Thespakusatsu Gunma YSCC Yokohama SC Sagamihara AC Nagano Parceiro Kataller Toyama Fujieda MYFC Azul Claro Numazu Gainare Tottori Giravanz Kitakyushu Kagoshima United FC FC Ryukyu FC Tokyo U-23 Gamba Osaka U-23 Cerezo Osaka U-23 Winter transfers Summer transfers

v t e J.League Cup champions 6 titles Kashima Antlers 1997 2000 2002 2011 2012 2015 3 titles Tokyo Verdy 1992 1993 1994 FC Tokyo 2004 2009 2020 2 titles Júbilo Iwata 1998 2010 Gamba Osaka 2007 2014 JEF United Chiba 2005 2006 Kashiwa Reysol 1999 2013 Nagoya Grampus 2021 2024 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2022 2025 Urawa Red Diamonds 2003 2016 1 title Shimizu S-Pulse 1996 Yokohama F. Marinos 2001 Oita Trinita 2008 Cerezo Osaka 2017 Shonan Bellmare 2018 Kawasaki Frontale 2019 Avispa Fukuoka 2023

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [2018 J.League Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_J.League_Cup) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_J.League_Cup?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.