2004 J.League Division 1

The 2004 J.League Division 1 season was the 12th season of the J1 League. The league fixture began on March 13, 2004 and ended on December 11, 2004. The Suntory Championship 2004 took place on December 5 and December 11, 2004. The first ever J.League Promotion / relegation Series took place on December 4 and December 12, 2004.

Promotion and relegation

 * At the end of the 2003 Season, Albirex Niigata and Sanfrecce Hiroshima were promoted to J1
 * At the end of the 2003 Season, Vegalta Sendai and Kyoto Purple Sanga were relegated to J2.

Changes in Competition Formats

 * This was the last J.League Division 1 season to be competed in two stages (or two halves).
 * This was also the last J.League Division 1 season with 16 clubs. Next season division was expanded to 18 clubs.

Changes in clubs
none

Clubs
Following sixteen clubs participated in J.League Division 1 during 2004 season. Of these clubs, Albirex Nigata and Sanfrecce Hiroshima were newly promoted from Division 2.


 * Kashima Antlers
 * Urawa Red Diamonds
 * JEF United Ichihara
 * Kashiwa Reysol
 * FC Tokyo
 * Tokyo Verdy 1969
 * Yokohama F. Marinos
 * Albirex Nigata [[Image:Arrowupgreen.png]]
 * Shimizu S-Pulse
 * Jublio Iwata
 * Nagoya Grampus Eight
 * Gamba Osaka
 * Cerezo Osaka
 * Vissel Kobe
 * Sanfrecce Hiroshima [[Image:Arrowupgreen.png]]
 * Oita Trinita

Format
In the 2004 season, the league was conducted split-season format, 1st Stage and 2nd Stage. In each stage, sixteen clubs played in a single round-robin format, a total of 15 games per club (per stage). A club received 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. The club were ranked by points, and tie breakers are, in the following order: A draw would be conducted, if necessary. The club that finished at the top of the table is declared stage champion and qualifies for the Suntory Championship. The first stage winner, hosts the first leg in the championship series. If a single club wins both stages, the club is declared the season champions and championship series will not be held. Meanwhile, the last-placed (16th-placed) club must play Pro/Rele Series at the end of the season.
 * Goal differential
 * Goals scored
 * Head-to-head results


 * Changes in competition format
 * No direct relegation this year, due to expansion of Division 1 in the following season
 * Last-placed (16th placed) club plays Pro/Rele Series at the end of the season

Suntory Championship
Yokohama F. Marinos won the first stage and thus hosted the first game. They won the first leg by 1–0 thanks to Ryuji Kawai's goal. In the second leg, Alessandro Santos scored from the free kick in 76th minute to level the aggregate score. The clubs played in sudden death extra time, however neither club could break the scoreline. Yokohama upset the home club in the penalties winning them and series overall.

Best Eleven
* The number in brackets denotes the number of times that the footballer has appeared in the Best 11.