Finally, on Apr 29 (Fri, Holiday), Tokyo will play its first J-League match at the new Japan National Stadium.
At the National Stadium before renovation, we have played many official matches since our first year in the J.League. There were memorable super plays and impactful events. Since achieving our long-awaited title, Tokyo has won all titles at the National Stadium, symbolizing the deep connection between Tokyo and the National Stadium.
Our National.
This is TOKYO.
Before taking a new step at the National Stadium, let's look back at the footprints and memories left at the previous National Stadium with photos from that time.
2004 Rainy Derby. Stabbed, Kajiyama's Blow
[Match Information]
2004 J-League Division 1 2nd Stage Sec. 3
FC Tokyo 1-0 Verdy 1969
That one swing was the hope of Tokyo.
When I write about my early days as a fledgling freelance writer, I can't help but feel my own aging as I reach middle age. In my twenties, after every game, I would go out to eat with my senior colleagues. It was a happy time, with endless conversations about soccer and silly things. (What I'm doing now hasn't changed.) And there was always one player whose name would come up.
And, I also heard this story from then coach Tetsu NAGASAWA.
"When I drink wine with Hiromi HARA, we often end up talking about him. He says, 'I want to see players like him succeed in Europe.'"
Surely, Tokyo supporters must have had the same experience of discussing and talking about the same player. That's how interesting Yohei KAJIYAMA is, making you want to talk about him.
August 29, 2004. The rain poured down at the Japan National Stadium, the stage of the Tokyo showdown (by the way, at that time, it was not officially called the Tokyo Derby). Number 23 unleashed a remarkably powerful strike.
In the 43rd minute of the second half, which was tied 0-0, substitute Kajiyama received the ball outside the area. He must have still had the words of manager Hara in his ears, urging him to "score soon (in the league)". As soon as the path opened up to his right, he confidently swung his right foot and sent the ball flying like an arrow into the top left corner of the goal. The opponent's goalkeeper could only stand still in amazement at the sharpness of the shot. This was a joyful first goal in the J1 league for Kajiyama.
Super goal on the first day of the year. No, not only in the away game victory in the Nabisco Cup against Kashima Antlers (April 29th), but also in the thrilling middle shot against the strong Spanish team Deportivo (August 1st). There is no reason not to be excited about the emergence of such a rookie.
The journalist Masakazu Takahashi, who was in charge of Tokyo Chunichi Sports and FC Tokyo at the time, had this to say about his first impression of Kajiyama when we had such conversations together multiple times.
"For some reason, time seemed to flow slowly there. Even though it looked like it was stopped, it somehow dribbled past smoothly. I remember Mr. Hara often talked about wanting him to become a player like (Juan Carlos) Valeron, who had a similar atmosphere and appearance."
He was often called "null" or "pervert," words that are not typically used to describe a soccer player. That was also his unique personality. Kajiyama, who carried someone's dream, suffered from many injuries and took off his spikes in 2018.
I'm sure neither we nor the person himself would have thought that we would walk the desired career. But there is no player who can talk as much as he does. This number of characters is not enough to cover it all. Sorry, can I have another draft beer please?
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
