, commonly known as Okinawa SV (沖縄SV, Okinawa Esufau) is a Japanese football club based in the cities of Tomigusuku and Uruma, which are located in Okinawa Prefecture. Okinawa play in the Japan Football League, Japanese 4th tier of league football.
History After leaving SC Sagamihara and retiring from professional football, former Japan national team international Naohiro Takahara decided to setup a new club in Okinawa. The main part of the club's identity comes from two overseas clubs, in which Takahara played in during his career. The name of the club was inspired by Germany's Hamburger SV, which influenced Takahara to found the club as Okinawa Sport-Verein (a German term meaning "sports club"). The kit's colours and its design are inspired by Argentinian Boca Juniors, who have used blue and yellow colours in their kits since 1907.
Takahara set himself as president, manager-player and captain, helping the Kyushu-based club to start from the bottom of Japanese football. In their first year, on 2016, Okinawa SV played in the third division of the Okinawa Prefectural League in a successful debut season, going undefeated while also scoring 123 goals, and only conceding a single one. The Okinawa Football Association opted to give the club a free pass to join the 1st Division of the Prefectural League. In their second season, Okinawa SV achieved another promotion, now to the Kyushu Soccer League.
On 27 November 2022, Okinawa SV was promoted to JFL for the first time in their history. They were assured of promotion after defeating FC Kariya by 4–0 in their last match in the Regional Champions League final round. Okinawa SV just needed 6 seasons to jump from the 3rd division of Okinawa Prefectural League to the national stage, in Japan's 4th division.
On 2 December 2023, Okinawa SV managed to stay in JFL after defeating Vonds Ichihara by a score of 2–1 in 2023 JFL promotion relegation play-off due to finishing in 15th and last place.
Stadium After playing at Okinawa Kincho Football Center in 2022, Okinawa SV played all home matches at Tapic Kenso Hiyagon Stadium in JFL for 2023 season after announcement of the full schedule on 10 February 2023.
League and cup record (x,y) in column D denotes number of win and lost in shootout. ChampionsRunners-upThird placePromotedRelegated League Emperor'sCupSeason Division Pos. P W (PK) D L (PK) F A GD Pts Attendance/G2016Okinawa PrefecturalLeague (Div. 3, North)1st9 9 0 0 123 1 122 27 Did not qualify2017Okinawa PrefecturalLeague (Div. 1) 2nd 9 8 1 0 64 4 60 25 2018KSL2nd 18 16 (0) 2 74 12 62 48 20191st 18 17 (0) 1 64 7 57 51 2nd round20201st 4 3 (1) 0 12 2 10 11 Did not qualify20211st 18 16 (1) 0 (1) 78 8 70 51 2nd round20221st 20 19 1 0 75 5 70 58 2nd round2023JFL15th 28 7 5 16 18 38 -20 26 298 Did not qualify2024 9th 30 11 8 11 52 44 8 41 3811st round2025 8th 30 12 7 11 39 41 -2 43 307 2nd round2026–27TBD 30 TBD
Key
Emperor's Cup record
Honours +Okinawa SV honoursHonour No. YearsOkinawa Prefectural League12016Okinawa Prefectural Football Championship (Emperor's Cup Okinawa Prefectural Qualifiers)52019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025Kyushu Soccer League32019, 2021, 2022Japan Football League Cup12026
Current squad
Coaching staff Position Name Chairman Naohiro Takahara Manager Rei Onogi Analyst and Goalkeeper coach Hiroki Teraoka Physical coach Shota Asano Trainer Ryoma Sunabe
Kit evolution Home kit - 1st
Away kit - 2nd
References
External links Official Site Official Facebook Page Official Twitter Account