Kenya striker Michael Olunga became the first African to be named the J-League's most valuable player on Tuesday after topping the scoring chart with 28 goals in 32 games for Kashiwa Reysol this season.
The 26-year-old became the eighth scoring leader to be named MVP, following in the footsteps of Yokohama F Marinos midfielder Teruhito Nakagawa, the 2019 MVP. Olunga is the first non-Japanese to win the MVP since Brazilian midfielder Leandro Domingues, then at Kashiwa, won in 2011.
The first division's Best 11 featured a record nine players from champions Kawasaki Frontale, who cruised to the silverware with four games to spare, faster than any club since the J1 adopted a 34-game schedule in 2005.
Up-and-coming midfielder Kaoru Mitoma, received 238 votes, the most in the Best 11 voting by J1 players and managers. The 23-year-old's 13 goals equaled the league record for a first-year pro. The 2018 MVP Akihiro Ienaga, 34, Hidemasa Morita, 25, and Ao Tanaka, 22, joined Mitoma in a four-man midfield.
Kawasaki captain Shogo Taniguchi, 29, teammates Miki Yamane, 27, Kyohei Noborizato, 30, and Jesiel, 26, formed the Best 11 back line with Jung Sung Ryong, 35, in goal. Olunga was paired alongside Kashima Antlers' Everaldo, 29, in the attack.
Cerezo Osaka defender Ayumu Seko, 20, was named the best young player, while Shonan Bellmare's 21-year-old midfielder Mitsuki Saito, who recently agreed on an 18-month loan deal with Russian side Rubin Kazan, was credited with scoring the goal of the season after scoring from just inside the opposition half against Vissel Kobe on Nov. 15.
Related coverage:
Football: J-League wraps up season of obstacles, new records
Football: Kenya forward Michael Olunga on fire in J-League this season
