KOBE (Kyodo) -- While individual quality and Japan's current standing in world football played a part in Vissel Kobe's successful title defense, their manager's uncompromising stance proved decisive as they became the sixth side to win back-to-back J-League championships.

Manager Takayuki Yoshida's talented, dogged and pragmatic side made a stuttering start but were the most consistent across the year, hitting their stride at the business end of the season when their closest rivals faltered after losing key players to overseas transfers.

"We took the season on as the holders, and everyone came analyzing us and strongly determined to beat us. Overcoming those things means being the real champion," said Yoshida, who took over in the summer of 2022 for his third tenure at the club and saved them from relegation that campaign.

He has overseen the club's shift from a side inspired by Barcelona's possession-based style, centered around European stars, to one mostly Japanese but still with vast overseas and national team experience.

Underlining his self-belief, the manager was brave enough to leave out Andres Iniesta almost entirely for the first half of last season, before the Spanish superstar's departure from the club.

The core of the squad has remained the same under Yoshida, with former Japan internationals Yuya Osako, Yoshinori Muto, Hotaru Yamaguchi, Gotoku Sakai and Yosuke Ideguchi bringing a level of European experience unrivaled in the league.

The average age of the starting 11 was among the oldest in the league, but Yoshida's stringent approach meant there was no chance of his team getting outrun.

With new acquisition Taisei Miyashiro chipping in 11 goals, only behind 13 from Muto and level with the league's 2023 joint top scorer Osako, they have added more sources of goals and successfully alleviated the burden on the veterans as they claimed both the league and the Emperor's Cup.

Yoshida emphasized the foundation of their success, however, was everyone giving their all while staying on the same page.

"I set thorough standards and do not use those who cannot meet them," he said. "The scorers tend to get picked up, but our strength is everyone running and working hard."

"We have clear ideas of what to do in attacking areas, where to position ourselves when defending, and variation in chasing down the opposition too, with all able to paint the same picture...Those who cannot understand it can't play my football and ones that can't run yards won't be playing either."

The age of their key players meant they were not targeted by European clubs. In contrast, title rivals Sanfrecce Hiroshima lost their marksman Yuki Ohashi to Blackburn and Machida Zelvia sent dribbler Yu Hirakawa to Bristol City, both over the summer, and found themselves scraping for replacements.

With much of Japan's top talent heading to Europe when given the opportunity, Kobe, for the time being, hold the advantage in not having their squad depleted midseason.

"I've been saying for the two-and-half years that we'll change the J-League's standard in our way, and it's giving us wins," Yoshida said. "Whatever the club says, I win it with my football. It's proving correct, as I'm winning."

Muto offered a glimpse of the team's spirit under Yoshida, which brought them the title when their focus could have shifted toward how their rivals were faring.

"No one had information about the other games (on the final day) whatsoever," he said. "That thoroughness helped us win ours so emphatically. He has ingrained in us that must-win mentality."

(By Morichika Nakamoto)