Finally, on April 29th (Fri, holiday), Tokyo will play its first J-League match at the new Japan National Stadium.
At the old National Stadium, we have played many official matches since the first year of J-League membership. There have been memorable super plays and impactful events. Since achieving the 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 on the footprints and memories that have been left at the previous National Stadium, along 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 became their last year in Tokyo, the team achieved their second victory in five 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 the game was suitable for a team competing for the championship..." However, there seemed to be something gradually welling up inside him. There were no words that followed, and the patched-up smile was no longer there.
"I wanted to stand in that place with Mr. Fuji."
Every time I remember that faint trembling voice and that expression, my heart still tightens.
In the second year of the Jofuku regime, the team matured with each game. By the time summer passed, it was surprising to hear Yuhei Tokunaga, who is usually cautious, say, "I don't feel like we can lose to anyone." The feeling of invincibility was in the air. However, gradually, the gears started to malfunction. Cabore, who had instilled fear in opponents with his astonishing speed, transferred to the Middle East as a parting gift after the team's advancement to the Nabisco Cup final due to team circumstances. Additionally, Naohiro Ishikawa, who had been scoring goals prolifically, suffered a long-term injury. The pre-match reputation for the final round was not particularly high for Kawasaki Frontale.
In the midst of all this, the club announced the departure of Fujiyama, a long-standing contributor since its establishment, and the retirement of Asari. Asari's playing time had been greatly reduced due to the rise of high school rookie Takuji Yonemoto. While this had an impact, there were also the feelings of the two, saying "Because of that Nabisco final, we announced the retirement early and have been discussing how the two of us, Fujisan and I, can bring momentum to the team from here" (Asari).
However, Asari was also excluded from the bench lineup for the final round. On the day before the match, when he was informed of this, Asari crossed the fan service zone and headed straight to the locker 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, where various emotions intertwine, started in the 22nd minute of the first half with a brilliant mid-range shot from Yonemoto, who has not only shown his play since before turning professional, but also his daily attitude, which has been his goal. The irregular trajectory that flew out from his powerful right foot bounced off Eiji Kawashima's hand and pierced into the goal net.
After that, we withstood Kawasaki's fierce attack and in the 14th minute of the second half, Shun HIRAYAMA, also known as "National Kan," scored an additional goal and held on to win.
At the joyous award ceremony, Mr. Tokyo (self-proclaimed) takes the stage in jersey number 7. This is also one episode that shows their strong determination.
Asari, who retired, voluntarily passed on the number 7 jersey that he had worn for many years to Yonehara. Even though rivals came to 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 act to the club in the end.
When I remember that Yone, who was completely embarrassed at that time, proudly talked about this later, my heart becomes warm again. The fact that the jersey number was inherited by the predecessor's wish is the only example in the history of FC Tokyo.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
