Finally, on April 29th (Fri, holiday), Tokyo will have its first J-League match at the new Japan National Stadium.
At the National Stadium before the renovation, we have played many official matches since our first year in the J-League. There were memorable super plays and impactful events. Since winning our long-awaited title, Tokyo has won all titles at the National Stadium, symbolizing the deep connection between Tokyo and the National Stadium.
Our National Stadium.
Before taking a new step at the National Stadium, let's look back at the footprints and memories we have left at the previous National Stadium with photos from that time.
2009 Final. The story of 7 and 8.
[Match Information]
2009 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Final
FC Tokyo 2-0 Kawasaki Frontale
I cannot forget the tears of frustration that I saw while gathering the voices of joy.
It was also part of the story of numbers 7 and 8. Satoru ASARI and Ryuji FUJIYAMA. They have walked together as each other's support from the Tokyo Gas Soccer Club. In the 2009 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, which was their last year in Tokyo, the team won their second championship in 5 years.
It was right after the final round. As Asari headed towards the national parking lot, he was stopped. At first, he spoke as usual, saying "I think the team has matured more than five years ago. The way we played was also suitable for a team competing for the championship..." However, there was something slowly welling up inside him. He couldn't continue his words and the forced smile was no longer there.
"I wanted to stand there with Mr. Fuji."
My heart still tightens every time I remember that faint trembling voice and that expression.
In the second year of the Jofuku regime, the team matured with each game. By the end of summer, it was surprising to hear the usually cautious Yuhei TOKUNAGA say, "I don't feel like we can lose to anyone." The team had an unbeatable aura. However, gradually, things started to fall apart. Cabore, who had struck fear into opponents with his lightning speed, left the team to move to the Middle East as a parting gift for the team's advancement to the Nabisco Cup final. In addition, there was an unfortunate accident where top scorer Naohiro ISHIKAWA was sidelined with an injury. The pre-match predictions for the final round were not particularly favorable for Kawasaki Frontale.
In the midst of all this, the club announced the departure of Fuyama, who had been a key figure since its establishment, and the retirement of Asari. Asari's playing time had been greatly reduced due to the rise of rookie Takuji Yonemoto, but this decision was also influenced by the fact that "we had the Nabisco final and we wanted to announce our retirement early and bring momentum to the team together with Fuji-san" (Asari).
However, Asari will also be excluded from the final round's bench lineup. On the day before the match, Asari crossed the fan service zone and headed straight to the dressing room. There, Fujiyama, who was alone with Asari, decided to wear the uniform of his sobbing teammate in front of him and compete in the final the next day.
The final round, where various thoughts are intertwined, opened with a brilliant middle shot by Rene, who has not only shown his play since before turning professional, but also his daily attitude and goals. The irregular trajectory that flew out of his right foot with all his strength bounced off Eiji Kawashima's hand and pierced into the goal net.
After that, they withstood Kawasaki's fierce attack and in the 14th minute of the second half, "National Hero" Hirayama scored an additional goal and held on to win.
At the joyous award ceremony, Mr. Tokyo (self-proclaimed) will take the stage in the number 7 uniform. This is also one of the episodes that shows their strong determination.
Asari, who retired, voluntarily gave his long-held number 7 to Yonemoto. Despite having rivals for his position every year, he quietly accumulated 13 years of active career through diligent efforts without complaining. It may have been Asari's only selfish request to the club in the end.
At that time, Yone was extremely embarrassed, but when he remembers proudly talking about this later, his heart becomes warm again. The fact that he inherited the jersey number from his predecessor's wish is the only example in FC Tokyo's history.
Text by Yohhei Baba (Freelance Writer)
