1997 J.League

The 1997 J.League season was the fifth season of the J.League. The league began in April 12 and ended in December 13. For this year, the league was contested by 17 teams. Kashima Antlers won the 1st stage and Júbilo Iwata won the 2nd stage. Júbilo won the J.League title after winning both matches in the Suntory Championship.

Clubs

The following seventeen clubs participated in J.League during the 1997 season. Of these clubs, Vissel Kobe was the only newly promoted team from Japan Football League.

• Avispa Fukuoka
• Bellmare Hiratsuka
• Cerezo Osaka
• Gamba Osaka
• JEF United Ichihara
• Júbilo Iwata
• Kashima Antlers
• Kashiwa Reysol
• Kyoto Purple Sanga
• Nagoya Grampus Eight
• Sanfrecce Hiroshima
• Shimizu S-Pulse
• Urawa Red Diamonds
• Verdy Kawasaki
• Vissel Kobe
• Yokohama Flügels
• Yokohama Marinos

Personnel

Foreign players

Standings

Second stage

Key

• PLD = Games Played
• W = Games Won - 3 points for a win
• OTW = Games won in overtime - 2 points for overtime win
• PKW = Games won by penalty kicks after overtime played - 1 point for a win
• OTL = Games lost in overtime - zero points for overtime loss
• PKL = Games lost by penalty kicks after overtime played - zero points for a penalty loss
• GF = Goals scored for
• GA = Goals conceded
• GD = Goal difference - GF - GA = GD

Suntory Championship

Top scorers

Awards

Individual awards

Best Eleven