[ad_1]
In 2023 I went to twenty soccer matches in Japan which was double what I did the yr earlier than. While I’m extremely unlikely to attend 40 this season (not that I wish to!) I ought to no less than equal final yr’s tally. It’s actually been a robust begin (by my requirements!) with 10 beneath my belt already. That complete up to now consists of 9 completely different grounds (together with three I’d by no means been to earlier than) in 5 prefectures to see soccer in six competitions so not a foul combine.
A couple of of those have had their very own weblog posts however the majority of them weren’t actually thought of to be worthy of a solitary put up so I’ve collated them into this rankings checklist. It’s actually not one to be taken too significantly because it’s based mostly on a combination of event, climate, individuals I met, the stadium and perhaps even the soccer itself! For the document, I’ve loved all of them in numerous methods.
10. NTV Beleza 0-1 INAC Kobe Leonessa @ Ajinomoto Discipline Nishigaoka, Kita-ku (Tokyo), eighth January – One thing all the time has to return final. This wasn’t horrible or something however as this stadium is the closest one to the Tokyo Fox World Operations Centre, going to matches right here these days actually does really feel like an in-and-out job with not one of the regular issues which make up a match day expertise.
9. JEF United Chiba Women 1-0 Mynavi Sendai Women @ Ichihara Seaside Stadium, Ichihara (Chiba-ken), seventh January – Not recreation in any respect and it appeared destined to be a goalless draw till the house staff grabbed a late winner. This was my first match of 2024 and it was good to go to a brand new stadium within the firm of my buddy Marcus.
8. AS Elfen Saitama 2-1 Nojima Stella @ Kumagaya Athletic Stadium, Kumagaya (Saitama-ken), tenth March – One other stadium that I’d by no means been to, and the climax of an awesome time out within the native space. The Saitama followers made a little bit of a noise which isn’t all the time the case within the WE League which has slowly, however certainly been rising in reputation since its inception in 2021. The primary half wasn’t so good however issues improved within the second interval with an awesome equaliser and the winner was scored instantly from a nook!
7. Criacao Shinjuku 1-2 Sony Sendai @ Ajinomoto Discipline Nishigaoka, Kita-ku (Tokyo), twenty eighth April – One other journey to my native floor and the ambiance was the very best it’s ever been with a bunch of passionate Shinjuku followers in superb voice. I sat on the entrance row for the primary time and obtained to see the gamers up actual shut from a perspective I hardly ever get to expertise.
6. Azul Claro Numazu 0-1 Fukushima United @ Ashitaka Park Stadium, Numazu (Shizuoka-ken), third Could – I all the time attempt to get to a recreation within the Japanese Golden Week vacation annually and this one was the simplest to get to from our base in Izu. There have been a couple of good probabilities for either side in a mildly entertaining recreation. Every staff hit the body of the objective earlier than a late objective gained it for the away aspect.
5. Urawa Purple Diamond Women 1-1 INAC Kobe Leonessa @ Urawa Komaba Stadium, Urawa (Saitama-ken), third March – An explosive begin to this top-of-the-table WE League conflict with two early targets however, despite the fact that have been some good probabilities, the tally sadly couldn’t be added to. This was additionally memorable for me as I cycled all the way in which there which is the furthest I’ve ever gone in such trend for a match.
4. Tokyo Verdy 1-1 Kashiwa Reysol @ Ajinomoto Stadium, Chofu (Tokyo), seventh April – Some extent apiece was most likely a good end result. The house aspect have been higher within the first 45 minutes however Reysol have been on prime within the second half till Verdy awakened in extra time. It’s all the time nice to satisfy up with buddies at a few of these video games and that was actually the case right here.
3. Kashiwa Reysol 1-1 Kyoto Sanga FC @ Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium, Kashiwa (Chiba-ken), twenty fifth February – Regardless of the disappointingly predictable finish to the soccer which was fairly lacklustre at instances, the horrible drizzly rain all afternoon did assist to creating this match stay longer than regular in my reminiscence. The pre-kick off restaurant close to the bottom combining soccer, Star Wars, tasty and interesting-looking meals, and a very distinctive rest room actually helped to propel this match day up the rankings! Extra particulars right here.
2. Aries Tokyo 3-2 Tokyo United @ ZOZO Park Honda Soccer Space, Mihama-ku (Chiba-ken), nineteenth Could – The brand new Tokyo Derby as these two fifth tier groups confronted off in opposition to one another for the primary time ever. This floor (not truly in Tokyo!) was one I’d wished to go to for some time because the Honda pertains to the previous Japanese worldwide and never the corporate! Drizzly rain was a characteristic once more however my spirits have been raised after assembly a fellow Englishman who I chatted to all through the match which was very nice. The sport was truly fairly good too. Extra particulars right here.
1. Yokohama F. Marinos 2-1 Al-Ain @ Nissan Stadium, Yokohama (Kanagawa-ken), eleventh Could – No shock I assume that this showpiece event got here out on prime. It was a improbable ambiance and there have been many probabilities all through an eventful recreation which finally noticed Marinos take a slender benefit into the away leg. That will not have gone so nicely however this house match won’t be forgotten!! Extra particulars right here.
Click on right here to learn ‘TF High 10……Soccer Match Day Experiences In 2023 (Half 2)’
Click on right here to learn ‘TF High 10……Soccer Match Day Experiences So Far In 2023 (Half 1)’
Click on right here to learn ‘TF High 10……Soccer Match Day Experiences In 2022’
[ad_2]