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.
2013 The dream becomes reality. 20 years at the National Stadium
【Match Information】
2013 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup / Group B Sec. 6
FC Tokyo 2-1 Albirex Niigata
2013 J-League Division 1 Sec. 23
FC Tokyo 2-3 Sagan Tosu
There were two special occasions at the Japan National Stadium during the 2013 season.
The first match was against Sagan Tosu in the 23rd round of the J1 League on August 28th. As the International Olympic Committee (IOC) general meeting (to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina) on September 7th, where the host city for the 2020 Olympics will be decided, was approaching, Tokyo Dorompa lit the Olympic flame before the match as part of the Tokyo Olympics bid event. It was a moment where the mascot of Tokyo took on the responsibility as the J-League club of the capital city, lighting the flame at the same torch used in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
The next match will be Albirex Niigata on May 15th in the 6th round of the Nabisco Cup group stage. This stadium, where the official match between Verdy Kawasaki and Yokohama Marinos, the opening match of the J-League 20 years ago, was held on the same day of May 15th, also gathered attention as a memorial match.
And above all, the players themselves were highly motivated. On May 15, 1993, Naohiro ISHIKAWA and Chun Son LEE, who were watching the pitch from the stands, started in the game. And ISHIKAWA, who grew up with a strong attachment to the J-League, scored the opening goal as part of the J-League generation. Although the game ended with a 1-1 tie, Hirotaka MITA's goal put them ahead, so ISHIKAWA's goal was not the deciding one. However, everyone present celebrated ISHIKAWA, who "has it at National Stadium".
"When I scored a goal, I had a strong feeling that the ball would come to me, and I was able to concentrate and score. (Is today's goal special?) It is special. Even if I am told to shoot again, I cannot do it, and I cannot do it in that (special) atmosphere. It is a special goal for me, a big win for the team, and I think it will be a new start for the J-League."
After the match, Ishikawa said, "May 15, 20 years ago, was the day my dream turned into a reality. Remembering my memories of when the J-League started on that stage, I entered the game with an overwhelming feeling of 'it was the best'."
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
