"If you come now, I'll use it."
Manager Hiromi HARA at the time won over Naohiro ISHIKAWA with this "famous quote," along with fresh talents like Yasuyuki KONNO, Ryo KAJI, and Teruyuki MONIWA. A semi-Brazilian representative trio of Lucas, Kelly, and Jaan. Prominent university graduates such as Hitoshi SHIOTA, Mitsuhiro TODA, and Yoshiro ABE. Immediate impact players like Yoichi DOI and Kazuaki KANAZAWA who transferred from J1 clubs. Ryuji FUJIYAMA and Satoru ASARI, who convey the spirit of Tokyo Gas. Additionally, the new generation from the academy, Yuta BABA and Yohei KAJIYAMA, emerged, and these forces came together, bringing the blue-red army to the brink of celebrating their golden age.
After winning the Nabisco Cup in the 2004 season, it was only natural to be excited for the league matches ahead. However, just before the start of the 2005 season in January, the league championship was not achieved as per the slogan created for the new season, 'Hop, Step, Champ.'
Danilo, acquired with much fanfare, and the new formation of 4-3-3 failed to deliver. The ranking for the 2005 season ended at 10th place, below the 8th place of the 2004 season, with the Emperor's Cup reaching the 5th Round and the Nabisco Cup eliminated in the group stage. Overall, there were no significant achievements in terms of results.
There is a deep and long river between becoming a cup winner with momentum and accumulating points throughout the season to lift the trophy. Tokyo has learned the realities of the football world firsthand. Looking back, how embarrassing it was to have underestimated the slogan that suggested we could win the league all at once.
But that's fine. Without the arrogant belief that we can do it, in other words, without that youthful naivety, we cannot gain the resilience to take on big challenges. The young club Tokyo, having come to know its place in the vast ocean, has been able to fight with a sense of liberation since the possibility of winning the championship has disappeared.
After suffering the 9th defeat in the J1 League Sec. 22 match against Kashiwa Reysol and sinking to 15th place, the team finished an impressive 12 matches unbeaten. The goals scored by Paraguay's treasure Sasa SALCEDO, who joined midway through the season, in the matches against Verdy and Kawasaki Frontale are still fresh in memory, but the most memorable is the final match against Cerezo Osaka.
With five teams still in contention for the championship, maintaining a one-point lead of 2-1 would secure their first J1 title. It was the young symbol of Tokyo, 22-year-old Konno, who shattered C Osaka's hopes.
Just before the end, Masashi MIYAZAWA's right corner kick led to a right-foot shot by Yusuke KONDO that was blocked by the opponent, but Konno did not give up and struck the loose ball with his left foot. It pierced the goal net. It was a moment when "Kon-chan" and Tokyo, celebrating joyfully in a completely hostile environment, left their name in history as heels who did not read the room.
"Cerezo, who are at the top, had momentum and their three forwards were strong. But I wanted to show that we also have strength. I thought that if they won right in front of us, it would leave a regret in my heart for a lifetime," said Konno. The crown rolled over to Gamba Osaka, Cerezo's rival. Since then, Cerezo has never achieved league victory again.
Although they took a new step with their first Nabisco Cup victory last year, Coach Hara resigned due to poor performance. This December 3rd, when they showed their determination with a strike to send off their beloved mentor, marked a day when Tokyo, having learned the harshness of reality, would forget 'Hop, Step, Champ' and once again aim for steady growth.
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
[25 Years of Journey] Special Column Here
25 Years of Journey vol.1 Things Not to Be Forgotten
25 Years of Journey vol.2 The Road to the First Title
