As soon as I’d visited Sapporo Dome for the primary time again in 2015, my sights had been then set on the subsequent most interesting Japanese stadium that was used within the FIFA World Cup of 2002. 9 years later and that dream was lastly realised however was the match I noticed reside becoming of the event and my presence?!
It was 22 years in the past that Japan and Korea co-hosted the largest soccer match on earth. As a lot as I received into that World Cup, I’ve to confess that I wasn’t actually conscious of this explicit stadium in Oita till just a few years after I’d moved right here. It performed host to 2 group matches (each 1-1 attracts between Tunisia and Belgium, and Mexico and Italy) and one Spherical of 16 match the place Senegal beat Sweden 2-1 in additional time.
5 years in the past, this stadium was once more within the highlight on the world stage because it was used for 5 Rugby World Cup matches within the month of October with a few them being the quarter finals that includes between England and Australia, and Wales and France. That was once I actually began to suppose severely about visiting this futuristic-looking stadium however then Covid_19 quickly got here alongside and the thought received placed on maintain for just a few years.
Again on the finish of June I flew to Kyushu for 3 days of journey round a trio of prefectures which started in Oita. As soon as I’d visited the samurai district of Kitsuki and a few different locations, it was time to make my technique to the Oita Massive Eye Stadium identified nowadays as Resonac Oita Dome. Getting there takes a little bit of effort because it entails taking a particular matchday bus from Oita station which is kind of a standard factor at many out-of-town stadiums. Nevertheless, this one value 440 yen and took about 35-40 minutes which is the longest I’ve ever skilled. There wasn’t even any site visitors congestion to justify such a period both!
My 1st sighting of the stadium after disembarking from the bus
Because the bus was closing in on the stadium I observed a tower within the park close by so determined to analyze within the identify of getting a uncommon aerial-like shot of the stadium’s great structure. After strolling for about ten minutes in the wrong way to the remainder of the group I lastly situated the construction. It was a superb choice and I used to be delighted that it was attainable to climb it freely with out one other soul in sight.
With kick off getting ever-closer I made my means again over to the stadium for a fast go searching among the exterior.
This futuristic wanting stadium was designed by famend Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa who was chargeable for the Toyota Stadium (residence of Nagoya Grampus) in addition to dozens extra wonderful-looking buildings. Oita Massive Eye Stadium opened in Might 2001 at a value of 25 billion yen ($168 million).
It does have a retractable dome roof utilizing a wire traction system nevertheless it was truly damaged when this match passed off again on the finish of June. Had it been working correctly then it might properly have been closed because the circumstances had been drizzly! I used to be fairly glad by that information because it allowed me to see the inside in the way in which I wished.
If you happen to suppose I’ve been speaking quite a bit concerning the stadium itself and previous occasions there, then that’s as a result of this J2 match actually was fairly dire. Little or no of be aware occurred through the 90 minutes.
Solely within the final ten minutes or so did the 2 groups get up and attempt to truly rating.
The next evening’s match at Sagan Tosu was situated only a few minutes stroll from the closest station. Had that been the case for this match in Oita then I’ll properly have left a lot earlier because the motion on the pitch was terrible. Fortunately the ambiance and the stadium itself helped to make up for that.
Of the ten stadiums used within the 2002 World Cup, I’ve now been to eight however with the opposite two getting used very irregularly (Nagai Stadium in Osaka and Miyagi Stadium) it might be troublesome to finish the set. I’ll attempt although.
Closing Rating: Oita Trinita 0-0 Ventforet Kofu
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