place match. In 2018, after Sanfrecce progessively trailing towards a J1 title, as it led the standings after Round 5, the club fell down to 2nd-place at the end of the season. The club saw Kawasaki Frontale win the league as Sanfrecce lost four of their last five league matches. In 2022, the club was relieved to experience another good season, under the management of newly-appointed German coach Michael Skibbe. Underrated by many because of the previous season, the club fought for the title at every competition it played until the very end. The Violas finished 3rd place at the J1 League, as runners-up to J2 club Ventforet Kofu in the Emperor's Cup final, and as J.League Cup champions. The J.League Cup was won in dramatic fashion against Cerezo Osaka, as the club managed to comeback from a 1–0 loss with two goals scored by mid-season Cypriot signing Pieros Sotiriou. Both goals came very late in the match, being scored at the 96th and 101st minute of the match, during the added time of the second half. For his efforts to make the team competitive at every competition Sanfrecce partook in, Skibbe won J.League Manager of the Year, the club's 4th Manager of the Year title. Kit and colours Colours The main colour of Sanfrecce Hiroshima is purple. Kit evolution Record as J.League member Key Pos. = Position in league Attendance/G = Average home league attendance † 2020 & 2021 seasons attendances reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic Source: J.League Data Site League history Division 1 (Japan Soccer League Div. 1): 1965–1983 (as Toyo 1965–1980, as Mazda 1981–) Division 2 (Japan Soccer League Div. 2): 1984–1985 Division 1 (Japan Soccer League Div. 1): 1986/87–1987/88 Division 2 (Japan Soccer League Div. 2): 1988/89–1990/91 Division 1 (Japan Soccer League Div. 1): 1991/92 Division 1 (J.League Div. 1): 1993–2002 (as Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Division 2 (J.League Div. 2): 2003 Division 1 (J.League Div. 1): 2004–2007 Division 2 (J.League Div. 2): 2008 Division 1 (J.League Div. 1): 2009–present Total (as of 2022): 51 seasons in the top tier and 7 seasons in the second tier. Honours As Toyo Kogyo SC and Mazda SC (amateur era) as well as Sanfrecce Hiroshima (professional era) League Japan Soccer League/J1 League Champions (8): 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 2012, 2013, 2015 J2 League Champions (1): 2008 Cups Emperor's Cup Winners (3): 1965, 1967, 1969 J.League Cup Winners (1): 2022 Japanese