I remember when I first went to Japan in 1994. I found an old TV in the "O-gata gomi", plugged it in, and the very same night I was watching a Verdy's game, with Kazu, Takeda and Ramos on the field. I never got to like Verdy because they had the McDonald's logo on their shoulder, and I hate McDonald's (not politics: it just tastes bad--to me!); however, I remember in awe the stadium filled by ten-thousands of people chanting and wawing green flags... What a crowd they used to have!!! So, it was very depressing to see them playing in front of 2000 people last Saturday. To be honest, I don't even know if they were playing at home or on a neutral ground; however, 13 years ago they would have filled any stadium in Japan... Now, it were only desert stands... ***sigh*** I wish Japanese fans return to stadiums, not only in Niigata and Urawa, all over the country. The J-League used to have an amazing crowd... where are they now? If you have any thought about the above, or any memory of early J-League years, please post them in this thread.
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... you're right, its really sad i remember last season Cerezo played against Fukuoka and only ca. 5000 fans were at Nagai Stadium. The same at Marinos, where are the fans along the pitch? the real fans are always behind the goal, but nobody sits along the lines.
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... ] you must be sniffing angel dust. J. League has one of the best crowds in East Asia. I wish K League had better attendances man, so sad when you see 3 guys celebrating in a 50 000 + capacity stadium LOL
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... True, as a fan base; however, data show that the number of soccer players is in growing constantly. Stadiums are safe, tickets are cheap... I still don't get it! Isn't the National team ALWAYS sold out?
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... Please, read my post more carefully. I am not interested in comparing with other countries. I am just saying that where 13 years ago there were 60,000 fans, now there are 2,000.
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... Well, putting that game on a Wednesday night in a rainstorm out in Chofu which is way west of anything convenient is gonna kill your numbers. Hell, Consadole/Avispa got 2100 for a neutral game in Nishigaoka. Verdy is a tough one to use as an example because they did everything wrong later in their tenure. The move from Kawasaki to become the second team in their own building really killed them on two fromts and helped to establish Kawasaki Frontale and FC Tokyo. The retread/quick fix merry go round that they did until relegation didn't help matters and now they have a name instead of a coach.
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... That is true; however, many other clubs that were used to capacity crowds are now struggling. In 1994, and also 1995, as far as I remember, most games were sold out!
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... from mod I am leaving this post as a memory of Windows Vista, and to let you know that in the end he has been red-carded. In case you wonder, all the deleted post above contained baseball players images. You know, the guys with trousers who can't play when it rains. However, WV was not kicked out because of this (annoying, btw) exploit; but because of racists comments against Koreans in another thread. Racism and blatant ignorance are not toleraded here. I know he will be back again with another nick, but -be sure!- I am watching him. Please DO NOT ANSWER TO HIS PROVOCATIONS, and report in private to me. By know you better believe that I am dead serious about keeping him out of here. amen
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... Chiba's new Stadium is nearly sold out on many games if im right in the 3 games this season always around 15,000 people were at Fukuda Denshi (capacity: 18,500) here it was (or nearly): last season against Marinos picture from: http://pompeygory2.blog-city.com/
Yeah, Doha. Another pregnant memory... And from those ashes, Japan went on to three consecutive World Cup, beside dominating the scene in Asia.
the miracle of Doha The agony of Doha lol what happened to that iraqi player who scored the goal? can someone post clips of the game!
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... Mmmmhhh... Not sure here. Actually, back in the day, so many J-League games were broadcasted on TV...
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... I remember watching games of the 1994 first half of the season simultaneously, on different channels. It was before pay-tv. Only there were (long) commercials in-between the game. I remember once Shimizu scored twice during the commercials in the same half...
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... Well, early J-League was a bubble; also it should be considered how they got some very famous names: Littbarski, Lineker, Schillaci, etc. However, back in the day the NT was rather pathetic, and the level of the Japanese players was quite low. The game, overall, is much better now; and more kids play soccer... So, I still wonder.
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... national team is more loved i suppose, its like the opposite of england English people love their league but they don't love their national team as much as they love their league. i can see that there are more japanese kids playing football but i think more of futsal, oh well at least Urawa make a big crowd
Re: I wish it could be 1994 again... damn i was only four years old then, what a and what contrast to j-football now...they should make the j league look grand and yeah, make a big deal of it, or even pay the media big bucks to put it as a headliner LOL, nah jokes