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.
Work for DAZN on J-League, NPB, NFL, Serie A, La Liga.
Vissel Kobe. Sumo. Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Jets. Mets. Rangers. Norwich City.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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. 📚
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
The employee who portrayed popular mascot Tsubakuro since 1994 died back in February.
March 13, 2025 at 1:53 PM
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.
The employee who portrayed popular mascot Tsubakuro since 1994 died back in February.
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
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
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
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)
Weeknight matches never really attract a huge amount of fans in the ACLE in Japan, but the Yokohama FM fans who were in attendance were treated to a good performance today. League form has been poor but they're flying in ACLE. Shame about the attendance. #ACLE
March 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Weeknight matches never really attract a huge amount of fans in the ACLE in Japan, but the Yokohama FM fans who were in attendance were treated to a good performance today. League form has been poor but they're flying in ACLE. Shame about the attendance. #ACLE
This morning I watched the FC Tokyo v Shonan game and honestly, Bellmare can count their lucky chickens they walked away with a point. FC Tokyo had so many good scoring opportunities & had they had a clinical finisher...it probably ends 3-0. Awful conditions in Tokyo though. Gif summary ⬇️ #jleague
March 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
This morning I watched the FC Tokyo v Shonan game and honestly, Bellmare can count their lucky chickens they walked away with a point. FC Tokyo had so many good scoring opportunities & had they had a clinical finisher...it probably ends 3-0. Awful conditions in Tokyo though. Gif summary ⬇️ #jleague
Motoki Hasegawa take a bow my friend! Cracking strike to get Niigata back on level terms against Verdy.
March 8, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Motoki Hasegawa take a bow my friend! Cracking strike to get Niigata back on level terms against Verdy.
What a start to the season for Akito Suzuki BTW. Named captain at just 21 years of age, and not only did Shonan make their best start in J1 history (3 straight wins) but he's scored 3 in four games and been leading by example. Really excited to see his development. Huge future. #鈴木章斗 #湘南ベルマーレ
March 7, 2025 at 11:50 AM
NPB season starts soon. Yakult may be without Tetsuto Yamada for the start.
"If he is fixed for three weeks, he will need time to recover. Of course, I want him to be there (for the opening game), but I hope he will recover properly and come back in good condition."
#つばめ #東京ヤクルトスワローズ
"If he is fixed for three weeks, he will need time to recover. Of course, I want him to be there (for the opening game), but I hope he will recover properly and come back in good condition."
#つばめ #東京ヤクルトスワローズ
March 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
NPB season starts soon. Yakult may be without Tetsuto Yamada for the start.
"If he is fixed for three weeks, he will need time to recover. Of course, I want him to be there (for the opening game), but I hope he will recover properly and come back in good condition."
#つばめ #東京ヤクルトスワローズ
"If he is fixed for three weeks, he will need time to recover. Of course, I want him to be there (for the opening game), but I hope he will recover properly and come back in good condition."
#つばめ #東京ヤクルトスワローズ
Just the two games for me this weekend with ACLE commitments this week and next week (Yokohama FM game).
FC Tokyo v Shonan Bellmare
Cerezo Osaka v Nagoya Grampus.
Looking forward to that FC Tokyo game and hopefully seeing Maki Kitahara, who became the youngest player to ever play J1 (15!!).
FC Tokyo v Shonan Bellmare
Cerezo Osaka v Nagoya Grampus.
Looking forward to that FC Tokyo game and hopefully seeing Maki Kitahara, who became the youngest player to ever play J1 (15!!).
March 6, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Just the two games for me this weekend with ACLE commitments this week and next week (Yokohama FM game).
FC Tokyo v Shonan Bellmare
Cerezo Osaka v Nagoya Grampus.
Looking forward to that FC Tokyo game and hopefully seeing Maki Kitahara, who became the youngest player to ever play J1 (15!!).
FC Tokyo v Shonan Bellmare
Cerezo Osaka v Nagoya Grampus.
Looking forward to that FC Tokyo game and hopefully seeing Maki Kitahara, who became the youngest player to ever play J1 (15!!).
Couple of injuries confirmed for Verdy. Kaito Chida out for around 6 weeks with a torn hamstring tendon and Goki Yamada will be out for around 8 months with an injury to the complex ligament and meniscus in his left knee. #東京ヴェルディ
March 6, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Couple of injuries confirmed for Verdy. Kaito Chida out for around 6 weeks with a torn hamstring tendon and Goki Yamada will be out for around 8 months with an injury to the complex ligament and meniscus in his left knee. #東京ヴェルディ
Tough break for Hiroshima, Tolgay Arslan has returned to Germany to receive treatment on his knee. There is no set timetable for him to return to Japan right now, and there is fear he could be out longer than first anticipated. He was injured in the match against Yokohama FC. #サンフレッチェ広島
March 6, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Tough break for Hiroshima, Tolgay Arslan has returned to Germany to receive treatment on his knee. There is no set timetable for him to return to Japan right now, and there is fear he could be out longer than first anticipated. He was injured in the match against Yokohama FC. #サンフレッチェ広島
Needed that win and new arrivals in the worst way.
March 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Needed that win and new arrivals in the worst way.
Great to see Kobe back to winning ways and in impressive fashion as well. Gwangju didn't have a single shot on target and Yamakawa/Thuler absolutely dominated at the back. Hirose, Ide, Ogihara were all outstanding but Osako was back to his brilliant best with his link up play and finishing.
March 5, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Great to see Kobe back to winning ways and in impressive fashion as well. Gwangju didn't have a single shot on target and Yamakawa/Thuler absolutely dominated at the back. Hirose, Ide, Ogihara were all outstanding but Osako was back to his brilliant best with his link up play and finishing.