My Furthest Away Day Journey At A Moderately Inconveniently Positioned Former World Cup Stadium

At first of this month I used to be wanting on the Futbology (an app for floor hoppers) after I seen somebody had been to Miyagi Stadium. Not solely that however he had really seen Vegalta Sendai in motion relatively than Mynavi Sendai Women workforce or Sony Sendai FC * who generally play there. I used to be considerably stunned as Vegalta play their dwelling video games on the Yurtec Stadium however subsequent analysis informed me that new turf was being laid there so dwelling video games can be performed at Miyagi Stadium till the top of June.

This non permanent change of dwelling might be not perfect for almost all of followers however as somebody who has lengthy wished to go to there it was music to my ears so I splashed out on a Shinkansen (bullet practice) to Sendai which being 325 kilometres away made it my furthest ever away day, and naturally the costliest one too!

The rationale for my curiosity was merely the truth that it was one of many stadiums used within the 2002 World Cup which Japan co-hosted with South Korea. While Yurtec Stadium could be very centrally situated in Sendai metropolis, Miyagi Stadium is a little bit of a trek and desires a brief practice trip from Sendai to Rifu through a change at Iwakiri. That isn’t actually an issue however Rifu station continues to be 3.5 kilometres away from the stadium and there are not any shuttle buses. There are some relatively costly ones from Izumichuo for 2500 yen return or for 3000 yen from Sendai station.

Having arrived at Rifu station at about 11am, there have been nonetheless a few hours until kick off so I made a decision to take the 45-50 minute stroll (some native buses do go close to the stadium) and maybe surprisingly I wasn’t the one one as a couple of dozen others additionally did likwise because it was a pleasant sunny day albeit just a little windy. It additionally meant we may see the numerous bollards lining the road main within the route of the stadium. These concrete posts have footballs on high of them and commemorate the stadium’s use for 3 World Cup video games again in 2002.

It hosted a few group matches; Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-1 while Sweden and Argentina performed out a 1-1 draw. The larger match in these components was undoubtedly the Spherical of 16 match the place Japan had been crushed 1-0 by Turkey to finish the house nation’s hopes of development.

 

The stadium was additionally used for six ladies’s and three males’s soccer matches on the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic video games, and that too is talked about on the aforementioned concrete stumps in addition to an info board exterior the stadium.

Earlier than going inside although I took just a little detour to Gathering Sq. and Grande 21 Water Tower commentary deck however sadly the latter appeared completely closed. Indicators warning of bears and snakes within the space meant I used to be on no account tempted to sneak in because it did appear doable.

I needn’t have nervous about getting my distant photographs of the stadium as only a quick stroll away was one other commentary deck made from wooden that featured a couple of photographs of the stadium which opened in March 2000 that means I used to be there just about 25 years after that event.

 

My curiosity on this explicit stadium was additionally as a consequence of its structure.

The stadium roof, which covers two-thirds of the seats, is meant to evoke photographs of legendary warrior and chief Date Musamune’s (the lord of the Sendai Area) cresecent-moon-bearing helmet which helped to present him a fearsome repute within the seventeenth century.

     

The stadium’s capability is just below 50,000 however as exepcted it was removed from full which by no means seems to be too good in footage when there are millions of empty seats.

 

As soon as I’d taken my seat I made a decision to test in on Futbology and was actually shocked to see that my primary German pal (and fellow Kashiwa Reysol supporter) Benny was there too! We instantly exchanged messages about how and why we had been there however sadly we had been sat on reverse sides separated by the Vegalta ultras who had been in positive voice as kick off approached.

 

Particulars of this J2 match will stay as transient as ever with Jubilo Iwata taking the lead on 23 minutes through a penalty which was cooly slotted dwelling.

It obtained worse for the house aspect on 38 minutes when an outstanding glancing header ended up within the high nook. 

Simply as half time was approaching I realised I may most likely stroll around the concourse to fulfill up with Benny so set off to fulfill him for a chat. I additionally obtained to see the stadium from some totally different angles within the course of. The ultras had been sat within the blazing sunshine however my seat within the stands was lined and even just a little bit chilly.

 

Vegalta Sendai had been out of the traps shortly within the second half and performed properly creating many possibilities however the ball simply wouldn’t go in because the Jubilo aim lived a charmed life because of a mixture of goalkeeper saves, defensive blocks and the body of the aim.

They ultimately obtained a aim again on 67 minutes with a header from a nook. Sport on!

Simply three minutes of regular time had been left when Vegalta obtained a deserved equaliser. It’s usually mentioned that groups are at their most susceptible simply after scoring, and that was definitely the case right here as Jubilo went straight up the opposite finish and snatched victory. Nonetheless, I used to be already on my journey again to Rifu station at this level so sadly didn’t see these objectives which was a disgrace however I can stay with lacking such motion today as wants should, and I simply couldn’t afford to overlook the three:30 pm practice to Sendai.

Closing Rating: Vegalta Sendai 2-3 Jubilo Iwata

It was an entertaining match and I’m glad I’ve ticked this stadium off my bucketlist. I definitely don’t intend to make a behavior of such costly day journeys however I could also be tempted to do one thing comparable for my ultimate stadium used within the 2002 World Cup. 9 down and one to go. The remaining one is used very irregularly so I’ll properly must bide my workforce for visiting Nagai Stadium in Osaka and finishing the set.

*  Plainly Sony Sendai FC had been withdrawn from the JFL (4th tier) by the Sony Group on the finish of final yr, after 56 years of existence.

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