2018 J.League Cup


The 2018 J.League Cup, or officially the 2018 J.League YBC Levain Cup, is the 43rd edition of the Japanese football league cup tournament and the 26th edition under the current J. League Cup format.
The winners earned the right to play against the winners of the 2018 Copa Sudamericana in the 2019 J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship.

Format

;Byes
;Group stage
;Play-off stage
After the play-off stage where eight teams are active, quarterfinals, semifinals and the final are played.

Group stage

Played between March 7 & May 16.

Tiebreakers

To determine the ranking of a group, teams with the same points are ranked by the following criteria:
  1. Points in the matches between the teams in question,
  2. Goal differences in the matches between the teams in question,
  3. Number of goals in the matches between the teams in question,
  4. Number of away goals in the matches between the teams in question.
  5. In case there are still two or more tied teams by the criteria above, re-apply them for only the tied teams. If the process does not classify teams anymore, see the following criteria.
  6. Goal differences in all group matches,
  7. Number of goals in all group matches,
  8. Penalty shoot-out
  9. Fewer disciplinary points,
  10. Drawing of lots.
To determine the best third-placed teams, teams with the same points are ranked by the following criteria:
  1. Goal differences in all group matches,
  2. Number of goals in all group matches,
  3. Fewer disciplinary points,
  4. Drawing of lots.

    Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Bracket

Play-off stage

In each tie of play-offs, quarterfinals or semifinals, away goals rule is applied for goals in the regular playing time, but not in the extra time.
Played on June 2 & 9.

Quarter-finals

Played on September 5 & 9.

First leg

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Second leg

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Semi-finals

Played on October 10 & 14.

First leg

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Second leg

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Final

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1
 Sho ItoYokohama F. Marinos
8
2
 Shun NagasawaVissel Kobe
7
3
 Hugo VieiraYokohama F. Marinos
5
3
 Hwang Ui-joGamba Osaka
5