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.
International Titles Brought by a Man Who Knows the World in 2010
[Match Information]
Suruga Bank Championship 2010 TOKYO
FC Tokyo 2 (4PK3) 2 Liga de Quito
In 2010, FC Tokyo participated in the Suruga Bank Championship (currently known as the "J.League Cup/Copa Sudamericana Championship"), as the winner of the 2009 Nabisco Cup (now known as the "YBC Levain Cup"). Although the tournament was still relatively new, being only in its third year, it held great significance for Tokyo.
From the time of its establishment, the club had a mission to "someday compete in Asia and the world" as the capital's club. Participation in international friendly matches such as Real Madrid and AS Roma, as well as the Fan Acuña Cup during the training camp in Spain, were efforts based on that ambition and aspiration.
J-League official international matches are a great stage to compete with the world. The opponent, Liga de Quito, is a team from the capital of Ecuador, and it was also a "capital showdown" for the international title between the cup winners.
Midsummer at home, National Stadium. Tokyo actively attacked, utilizing Naohiro Ishikawa's speed and Sota Hirayama's height, resulting in a closely contested match. They conceded a goal in the 29th minute, but just 5 minutes later, Sotan Tanabe surprised the goalkeeper of LIGA DE QUITO with a mid-range shot, and Hirayama ran in to kick the loose ball into the net.
In the 63rd minute, a penalty kick was given to Liga de Quito, allowing them to take the lead again. Tokyo dominated the ball, centered around midfielder Masato MORISHIGE, against a defensively strong Liga de Quito, but they were unable to convert their chances and time passed. The atmosphere of a likely defeat hung in the air.
However, his natural "never give up spirit" is also demonstrated here. In the second half additional time, Hirayama competes and Masashi Oguro fiercely catches up with the ball that spilled behind the opponent's defender, and shoots a technical shot with his left foot.
The match was brought to a penalty shootout by a striker with a unique sense of scoring, with a truly decisive blow.
With Shuichi Gonda's performance in the penalty shootout, we were able to outperform Liga de Quito and win the club's first international title.
Speaking of Daikoku, he is a striker who has played for Grenoble and Torino FC in the past and is known worldwide. By the way, when he joined Tokyo for the first training camp, he brought his own coffee machine and was welcomed with some surprise.
I can't help but feel that it conveyed to me what it means to have a world-class mindset and be a true professional, even including such small episodes.
Text by Yū Fujiwara (Freelance Writer)
