"I'll use it if you come now"
Hiromi HARA (then coach) persuaded Naohiro ISHIKAWA with this "famous saying", as well as fresh talents such as Yasuyuki KONNO, Akira KAJI, and Teruyuki MONIWA. The semi-Brazilian representative trio of Lucas, Kelly, and Jean. Prominent college graduates such as Hitoshi SHIOTA, Mitsuhiro TODA, and Yoshiro ABE. Yoichi DOI and Jo KANAZAWA, who transferred from J1 clubs, were instant impact players. Ryuji FUJIYAMA and Satoru ASARI, who embody the spirit of Tokyo Gas. In addition, emerging talents from the academy such as Yuta BABA and Yohei KAJIYAMA, were rising stars. These forces came together, and the Blue and Red Army at that time was on the verge of enjoying their prime.
In the 2004 season, they won the Nabisco Cup, so it's no wonder they were eager for the league matches to begin. However, in January, just before the start of the 2005 season, their slogan "Hop, Step, Champ" did not lead to a league victory as expected.
Danilo, who was acquired with great fanfare, and the new formation of 4-3-3 failed to deliver. The team finished in 10th place, lower than the 8th place in the 2004 season. They were eliminated in the 5th round of the Emperor's Cup and failed to advance past the group stage in the Levain Cup. They were unable to achieve significant results in terms of performance.
There is a deep and long river between becoming a cup winner and accumulating points in the league throughout the season to raise the trophy. Tokyo has experienced firsthand the common sense of the football world. Looking back, how embarrassing it was to underestimate the slogan that we could win the league in one go.
But that's okay. The arrogant belief that we can do it too, in other words, the lack of youthfulness, is necessary to acquire the strength to do a big job. Tokyo, a young club that has learned its place in the vast ocean, fought with a renewed spirit after the possibility of winning was gone.
After sinking to 15th place with their 9th loss in the 22nd round match against Kashiwa Reysol, they finished an impressive 12 games undefeated. The matches against Verdy, where Paraguay's precious gem Sasa SALCEDO brought victories and draws with his goals, and Kawasaki Frontale are still fresh in memory, but the most memorable is the final round match against Cerezo Osaka.
Among the 5 teams that still have a chance to win, if they can maintain their 2-1 lead, they can achieve their first J1 victory. It was the 22-year-old Makoto IMANO, who symbolizes the young Tokyo, who shattered C Osaka's hopes.
Just before the end, Masashi Miyazawa's right corner kick was blocked by the opponent, but Yusuke Kondo's right foot shot was not given up by Imano and he flashed his left foot towards the ball that had spilled. He pierced the goal net. It was a moment when "Ima-chan" and Tokyo jumped for joy in a completely hostile environment and left their names in history as an unpredictable heel.
"Cerezo, who was in first place, had momentum and their front three were strong. But we wanted to show that we also had strength. I thought if they won the championship right in front of us, I would have regret in my heart for the rest of my life," said Imakuno. The crown rolled over to Gamba Osaka, who are rivals of C Osaka. Since then, C Osaka has never achieved a league championship."
After winning the Nabisco Cup for the first time last year and taking a new step forward, Manager Hara took responsibility for the poor performance and resigned. On December 3rd, the day Tokyo showed its determination by sending off their beloved coach, they realized the harsh reality and decided to forget about being the "Hop Step Champ" and instead focus on steady growth, making it a starting point for their aspirations.
Text by Wataru GOTO (Freelance Writer)
【25-year history】Special column is here
25-year history vol.1 Things that should not be forgotten
25-year history vol.2 The journey to the first title
