David Wyatt-Hupton
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davidwh.bsky.social
David Wyatt-Hupton
@davidwh.bsky.social
Mainly here to talk about J-League. Posting the latest news & rumours. I love Japanese football ⚽

Work for DAZN on J-League, NPB, NFL, Serie A, La Liga.

Vissel Kobe. Sumo. Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

Jets. Mets. Rangers. Norwich City.
Does anyone have any good Substack recommendations?

Topics I'm looking to subscribe to and have an interest in:

📚 Book Recommendations
🎞️ International Films
🇯🇵🗡️ Japanese history
🧱 20th century European history
⚾ Tokyo Swallows
🪷 Buddhism or Shintoism

#substack
November 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I'm not sure how many I've been to but I'd put the estimate around 60-70, somewhere around there.

Johan Cruyff Arena is my favourite. Atmosphere is amazing, the retractable roof was pretty innovative when the stadium opened in the 90's, use of green energy. Just a great stadium.
WAIT

Stop doomscrolling and answer this fun question

How many soccer stadiums have you been to and whats your favorite one?
November 19, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Kazuma Okamoto posted to the MLB today. As a NY Mets fan I would absolutely love to have him at the hot corner despite my reticence to cheer for anything connected to the Yomiuri Giants, but my gut says that he ends up in Boston or Seattle. #NYM
November 19, 2025 at 2:42 PM
There's always drama in the J-League. After being accused of having an affair in a women's weekly magazine, Hideomi Yamamoto has paused all team activities according to Ventforet Kofu's website. He's played over 640 official matches for Kofu and is seen as a legend there. In 🥵 💦 now.
November 19, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Kobe have announced that David Aizawa will be joining the team next season from Hosei University. He's a big lad at 196cm (6'4) and 94kg (207lbs). Apparently there was a bidding war for his services from plenty of J1 clubs, but he chose Kobe. It was an area we needed to focus on. #Kobe #Vissel
November 18, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Big changes for Urawa coming. Not only is the job status of Maciej Skorża up in the air with some rumours linking him with a move back to Poland. But the team have announced that Marius Høibråten & Thiago Santana will be leaving at the end of the season. Club is going to look a lot different in 2026
November 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I'm a Kobe fan, and in no way do I want to lose him. But...I think it's probably time for Taisei Miyashiro (宮代 大聖) to make a move to Europe. 15 goal involvements while playing deeper this season, nothing left to prove in J1. Germany would suit him, lower tier Premier League Club would too.
November 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Nagoya have announced that Kasper Junker will leave the club at the end of the season with his contract expiring. Injuries have hindered him over the last two years, only played in 14 games this season (1 goal). But he helped Nagoya win the Levain Cup last season and scored 16 J1 goals in 2023.
November 18, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a managerial hire by Norwich City. Never did I think sitting 23rd in the Championship we'd be able to entice someone who's won 5 major trophies and managed in the Champions League. What a statement hire. Time to turn it around. #NCFC
November 18, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Just finished 'There are rivers in the sky' by Elif Shafak. Really enjoyable read that touches on some difficult subjects both historically and issues we face today. I really struggled with the Zaleekah storyline and found myself skim-reading some of those at the end, but well worth reading. 📚
November 14, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Urawa fans were quiet in the stadium today, a silent protest about their form, and they were treated to a 3-0 loss against Sanfrecce today, a game where they were completely outplayed, out coached and out fought. Do wonder if Maciej Skorza will be back next year, media and fans turning on him in 🇯🇵.
November 9, 2025 at 8:21 PM
J1 race going to the wire. Kashima were poor in the first half but their second half intensity was outstanding. Then Kashiwa come through with a narrow 1-0 win over Nagoya to stay a point behind with 2 to play. Its between those two now, Sanga and Kobe can mathematically catch-up, but it's unlikely.
a soccer player drinking from a bottle with the word lixy on his jersey
ALT: a soccer player drinking from a bottle with the word lixy on his jersey
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:04 AM
It's been far too long Bkuesky! How's everyone doing?
November 7, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Just when you think someone is going to pull away in the J1 race for the title they get pulled back in. This is without doubt one of the best Championship races in J1 history. I obviously want to Kobe to win it but with the top 6 teams being separated by TWO points, it's just too hard to call.
August 29, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Here's one thing I've not liked. Started the season with optimism, but the Swallows are the worst team in the league by far. No hitting, no pitching, no speed and dodgy defense.
July 3, 2025 at 5:29 PM
It's been far too long BlueSky! Work has been kicking my ass recently with the CWC commitments but now we're into the latter stages I'm hoping to have more time. Also absolutely thrilled with the Kobe comeback this year. Despite missing out best players for huge portions of the season.
July 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
That Kawasaki/Yokohama FM game was great for the neutral but also exposed why neither of these teams will challenge this season. Yokohama showed great grit to come back but have no game management skills to see it out. Kawasaki always looks good going forward but shocking defensive effort. #J1
April 9, 2025 at 12:12 PM
A very fortunate goal by Erik got us the win on Wednesday, but we're still not creating a great deal of chances. Erik is gaining a reputation of being in the right place at the right time since he arrived on loan from Machida. 3 goals in 3 games for him for Kobe. #VisselKobe
April 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Outstanding pitching display by Ogawa today. Swallows take both games they could play (one cancelled due to rain) against Hiroshima and you can feel a little momentum in the building. Yamada is back, Murakami is getting there and we still have Avila, Lambert and Baumann to come in terms of pitching.
April 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
As a Swallows 🐦 fan that opening series against the Giants was difficult. Pitching staff, defense and hitting were all poor, situation hitting even worse. But without Murakami, without Yamada and without Shiomi, we're short right now. Hopefully back on track against the Carp 🎏 on Tuesday. #NPB
March 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
With the NPB season starting on Friday my focus will shift to baseball at work, at least for the first couple of weeks as we get going. But I'm looking forward to J1 being back. I don't find Japan's qualifying games all that exciting, it's largely too easy for them now.
March 26, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Absolutely vital 3 points there.

First half we were excellent, moved the ball between the lines well and Erik took both goals very well.

Second half we struggled to create anything, struggled to hold the ball and Shonan got the ball in too easily.

Still, we batted to the end for the win. #Kobe
March 16, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Nice way for the Swallows to confirm they'll be revealing their opening day pitcher tomorrow.

The employee who portrayed popular mascot Tsubakuro since 1994 died back in February.
March 13, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Pedro Avila held his introductory press conference in Tokyo today as new pitcher of the Swallows. A great signing who will helpfully hope us climb out of the basement. We have the bats, now we may have the arms to compete. "my changeup is my weapon" #TokyoSwallows
March 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
It's taken a few hours for this to sink in and for me to compose my thoughts. Heading to Gwangju with a 2-0 lead only to lose 3-2 on aggregate is unacceptable for a team who want to be regarded as the best team in Asia. Not a single player can leave that stadium thinking they played well. (1/3)
March 12, 2025 at 5:46 PM