[Match Information]
91st Emperor's Cup All Japan Soccer Championship Final
FC Tokyo 4-2 Kyoto Sanga F.C.
It took time for that wound to scab over and peel off. But 12 years later, Masato MORISHIGE says.
"That time was necessary."
In the final match of the 2010 J1 League, Kyoto Sanga F.C. lost 0-2 and were relegated to the J2 League. Immediately after the match, he said in a weak voice, "I'm sorry," and choked on his words. In his first year with the team, he struggled with injuries and his condition was not at its best, resulting in unnecessary fouls throughout the season. As a result, he received multiple yellow cards and disrupted the game. He was suspended for a total of four matches throughout the year, and was made acutely aware of the weight of his responsibility.
It was the team's first day of operation the following year. When I stopped by the interview area at the Koyama Ground, he spoke with determination.
"Relegation is my responsibility. I think I was the worst player of the year. I ruined the game with my mistakes and caused trouble for the team. I have to grow as a person from here on out."
That oath was the beginning. Changing the way to face football, setting daily goals for oneself. Repeating thorough preparation and spending each day carefully. "Humans have weak points. How do you fight and win against them? I have been desperately trying to do it within myself." It is through the self-discipline nurtured there that one will go on to achieve success.
Now, looking back on that day, when I became a man with a bitter expression on my face.
"I think it was necessary to take a moment and organize my soccer life. Without a doubt, my soccer style was created after that. It was a chance for me to face soccer as a player, think about daily preparations and care, and make them my own. By achieving success, my correctness was proven and I gained confidence in myself. From there, a good cycle was born where setting new goals after achieving results became a part of my life."
Emperor's Cup victory immediately after winning the J2 League. And to the ACL.
And now, here is the main topic of this column――. A nostalgic card will be held at the renovated sacred place, National Stadium. So, I decided to pull out the footage of the Emperor's Cup final on January 1, 2012 from the archives and watch it again after a long time.
AO-AKA STREET won the J2 League in 2011 and achieved their ultimate goal of returning to the J1 League. On New Year's Day of the following year, they stood on the National pitch. The opponent they faced in their quest for their first championship was none other than Kyoto, who had been relegated in the previous season's final round.
The final round of the first J2 match after the establishment of the J League has begun. I was first surprised by the commentary of Kenji Hasegawa, and then felt nostalgic when I saw many familiar faces in the footage other than the players. Before the match, the familiar chant of "National~ National~ Our National~ ♪" could be heard from the stands.
The match saw Kyoto take the lead in the 13th minute of the first half, and there was a worrying trend of "Is this how it's going to be against Kyoto?" However, just 2 minutes later, Yasuyuki KONNO equalized from a set piece, quickly bringing the match back to square one.
"Because I continued to hold onto my regret, I was able to come back and win without giving up even when we were behind."
And during the match, the broadcast will resume with footage of earthquake information. Immediately after, Tatsuya YAZAWA is brought down in the enemy's territory and earns a direct free kick. The distance to the goal is 30 meters. From the stands, there is a roar of support for Naohiro ISHIKAWA. He stands alongside COSTA in front of the ball and the two exchange a brief conversation.
"I was good at no-spin. I asked if he could move a little and do a Chung to the right front because it's easier to kick. There was also a distance, so there was no intention for Nao-san to aim. It was like saying, 'Well, I'll give it a shot'."
Hiroshima Minami made his professional debut and had a strong attachment to the National Stadium, which was also a holy ground for high school soccer.
"It was not a team that could compete for the championship nationwide, so it was just a dream. I admired it, but I thought it was a distant existence that I could not reach."
At that dream stage, Morishige swung his right foot vigorously. The bone on the top of his foot is larger than most people's, and if he hits the protruding part with a "bokotto" sound, the ball will fly with a curve. The commentator said, "The ball followed the Morishige call that could be heard from his back and went into the goal with a powerful strike without any spin."
After taking the lead with this superb goal, Lucas then dominated with two more goals to push Kyoto ahead. The repeated chants of "Ole" every time a pass connected, and the numerous support songs that still echo in my ears. All of it was a part of the good memories. When the final whistle blew, I embraced my teammates with a smile.
"After two years of struggling, we not only won the J2 championship, but also the Emperor's Cup. It was my first Emperor's Cup title as well. It was great to be able to celebrate with the fans and supporters after all the hard work we've put in."
After the award ceremony, Morishige appeared in the mixed zone and finished the surrounding interview, sitting down on the stairs. When asked, "Did you have such a shot?" he smirked and said, "I had it." Perhaps because he was able to give a reward to the fans and supporters who had made him sad, as it was his first time going to the AFC Champions League (ACL). Relief was evident in his expression. I can't forget that face. When I conveyed this, he said, "You're cheeky," and spoke like this.
"I was able to fight against Asian teams as a club in the J.League, not as a representative team, during that time. I also learned how enjoyable and exciting it was. Players, staff, and fans/supporters were able to experience it together. I think that was a big thing."
Rematch at National Stadium in 10 years and "Tokyo's current soccer"
Over 10 years have passed, and the two teams from that day will meet again at the National Stadium. Morishige was absent from the Gamba Osaka match on April 29, the first J1 league match at the new Japan National Stadium, due to injury. This time, standing on the pitch at the National Stadium will be the first time since the 2020 season's YBC Levain Cup final.
"Tokyo is strong when it comes to festivals. If the motivation rises, this team has been strong for over ten years. I don't know if that's good or bad. But in important matches and during festivals, the winning percentage is high."
12 years ago, I called myself the one who caused the J2 demotion with a sense of self-blame. I will never forget the pain of that day's wound. Jokingly, I said, "I've been doing it while relaxing so that I won't get caught," but I still spend my days with careful preparation. As the length of time accumulated, the number of memories we shared together also increased.
"I grew up in Tokyo. The fans and supporters who have been supporting me all this time have watched over me through good times and bad times. I feel like I need to accomplish something soon. I can't just sit back and relax. Showing my fighting spirit as a player will benefit the team and make people feel something when they watch. I don't want to forget that. I want to express the football that Tokyo is currently working on, plus something extra."
I'm not the type to openly talk about love. But when asked, I would say, "Love for Tokyo? I have more than anyone else. I've proven that in the past 13 years." And then, I would ask, "Have we become mutually in love?" The lingering feeling in the answer of "I don't know..." was filled with "things left undone."
The Emperor's Cup title that Morishige won for the first time in his career with Tokyo became the starting point for opening the way to Asia. There were both painful and saved matches. That's how the relationship with the blue and red was deepened. Soccer has a significant impact on life. I know that from my own experience.
So, how about Tokyo's football now?
"I think the most important thing for me is to continue to play soccer that I enjoy. I am the type of person who cannot continue if it is not fun. I am happy to be able to do something enjoyable. However, it is not just about having fun. Winning is what makes it fun. I want to continue to enjoy it for as long as possible, so I will continue to prepare well. The ball? I still want to kick it more."
Sometimes, I think I created an unapproachable atmosphere and focused too much on myself, as I was immersed in my daily life. But things have changed. Recently, the word "together" that I never used before has started to appear in my comments. As a 35-year-old with many scars and scabs, I think about the simple way to enjoy soccer. When I said "I want to enjoy it for as long as possible," I also heard the word "together" attached to it.
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
