Our Men have landed in Japan to take on Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who are currently sitting on the top of the ladder of the J1 League narrowly by one point.
They have played 34 matches and won 18 of them, drawing 11 of them. Throughout the campaign they have scored 66 goals and conceded 35.
This is who they are.
History
Sanfrecce Hiroshima was founded in 1938. The club is the joint fourth in most J1 League titles with three, the joint first in most top-flight titles (which includes the defunct Japan Soccer League, with eight, and the club with the most participations in Emperor’s Cup Finals, with 15.
The club was a former company team of Toyo Kogyo Soccer club and played in the semi-pro Japan Soccer League. The club was an original founder of the now-disbanded Japan Soccer League back in 1965. Sanfrecce dominated the JSL from the start, winning the title in four consecutive years.
The club was rebranded to Mazda SC, before becoming Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 1992, when the JSL became the JLeague. They were a founding member of both leagues.
In, 2002, Sanfrecce was relegated to the lower division, but for only one season, before being promoted back to the J1 League. They were relegated again in 2007, but won the J2 title the very next year to be promoted back once again.
In 2009, Sanfrecce finished within the top four, qualifying for the Asian Champion League for the very first time.
In 2012, Sanfrecce defeated Cerezo Osaka 4-1 to win their first ever J.League Division 1 title. They continued their dominance in 2013, winning the title once again.
In 2015, their winning ways continued as they finished first overall once again, which subsequently qualified them to represent Japan in in the 2015 Fifa Club World Cup. Sanfrecce finished third overall, beating Chinese side Guanzhou Evergrande in the third place match.
In 2022, the club had newly appointed German coach Michael Skibbe, who lead the team to become J.League Cup Champions, winning late against Cerezo Osaka.
Stadium
Sanfrecce are based out of Hiroshima and play their home matches at Hiroshima Soccer Stadium. The stadium has a site area of approximately 49,900 square metres, with the stadium itself having a capacity of 28,520. The white saddle roof has high arches that slope down, resembling the “wings of hope” that symbolises Hiroshima.
Current Season
In June of 2024, the AFC confirmed that Sanfrecce would participate in the inaugural 2024-2025 Champions League Two.
This season, they have been a dominating force in the league, sitting atop the table. With four games to go, they sit ahead by only one point.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima will be the toughest test yet of the AFC Champion League Two for our Sydney FC side.
Match Details
Sanfrecce Hiroshima v Sydney FC
AFC Champions League 2 Matchday 3
Hiroshima Soccer Stadium, Hiroshima, Japan
Kick Off: 9:00 PM AEST (8:00PM Local)
Broadcast Live: 10Play
