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.
2013: Dreams become reality. The National Stadium after 20 years.
[Match Information]
2013 J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup / Group B 6th Match
FC Tokyo 2-1 Albirex Niigata
2013 J.League Division 1 Matchday 23
FC Tokyo 2-3 Sagan Tosu
There were two occasions in the 2013 season when the Japan National Stadium became a special stage.
The first match was against Sagan Tosu in the J1 League Sec. 23 on August 28th. Prior to the September 7th International Olympic Committee (IOC) General Assembly (to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina) where the host city for the 2020 Olympics will be decided, Tokyo Dorompa lit the Olympic flame as part of a Tokyo Olympics bid event before the match. It was a moment where the mascot of Tokyo took on the responsibility as the capital's J-League club, using the same Olympic flame that was used in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
The next match will be against Albirex Niigata on May 15th in the 6th round of the Nabisco Cup group stage. It is also worth noting that this stadium hosted the official match between Verdy Kawasaki and Yokohama Marinos, which was the opening match of the J-League 20 years ago, on the same day, May 15th. Therefore, this match has attracted attention as a memorial match.
And above all, the players themselves were motivated. On May 15, 1993, Naohiro Ishikawa and Chun Son Lee, who were watching the pitch from the stands, started in the match. Ishikawa, who grew up with a strong desire for the J-League, scored the opening goal. Although it was not the winning goal as the match ended in a 1-1 draw and Hirotaka Mita scored the winning goal, everyone present celebrated Ishikawa, who "has it at Kokuritsu".
"When I scored the goal, I had a strong desire for the ball to come to me, and I was able to concentrate and score. (Is today's goal special?) Yes, it is. Even if I am told to shoot again, I can't do it, and I can't 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 this. May 15, 20 years ago, was the day when dreams turned into reality and became a goal. Playing on the stage that was the goal, Ishikawa entered the game while recalling his memories of when the J-League started. He had an expression of indescribable joy and said, "It was the best."
Text by Katsu GOTO (Freelance Writer)
