HASEBE Makoto and UCHIDA Atsuto have both seen great success in Japan and Germany. Here we have conducted an interview with the two legends, who have led the Japanese football scene in the recent years, regarding their memories of the Emperor's Cup.

Interviewed online: 9 November 2020

──Both of you have won the Emperor's Cup. You must have many memorable matches.

HASEBE　Of course, the tournament final. Playing in front of a sell out crowd at the National Stadium on New Year's Day is just so special. It has this unique atmosphere that gives you a sense of elation, which is a priceless sensation. I remember staying at a hotel on the day before, watching “Ko-haku Uta Gassen” (annual singing contest broadcasted on New Year’s Eve), while preparing for the match.

UCHIDA　The fact that you play at the National Stadium on New Year's Day, makes it that much meaningful. Depending on the schedule, if you lose at the quarterfinals or semi-finals, you end up getting a shorter off season while being empty handed, and that is just a pity.

──In 2006, Kashima Antlers lost to Urawa Red Diamonds at the semi-finals 0-1.

UCHIDA　I played in that match.

HASEBE　Was that your first year turning pro?

UCHIDA　Yes it was.

HASEBE　Uchida and I played in both head-to-head matches at the J.League that season, but I did not play in the match against Kashima at the Emperor's Cup. I started in the quarterfinal match but missed the semi-final due to injury. I was used as a late substitute in the final as well.

UCHIDA　During that 2006 season, Kashima was not able to win against Urawa at the league matches nor the Emperor's Cup.

HASEBE　Urawa won the league title and the Emperor's Cup that season.

UCHIDA　However, Kashima won the league and the Emperor's Cup in the following year. (while laughing) Won the league title three years in a row until 2009.

HASEBE　I must admit that Kashia was strong. (while laughing)

──Mr. Hasebe has won the Emperor's Cup in 2005 and 2006 with Urawa Red Diamonds.

HASEBE　The title won in 2005 was the first Emperor's Cup title for the club, so I still remember vividly. The semi-final match against Omiya Ardija was also played at the National Stadium and I scored two goals in that match.

──Your second goal scored in overtime came after you showcased your spectacular dribbling skills.

HASEBE　Back then, I used to dribble up the field to create opportunities upfront. Now I am getting positioned more and more in defence. (while laughing)

UCHIDA　I scored a goal at the final. It was a match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2007. I scored the opening goal in a match where we won 2-0. It was a great shot.

HASEBE　Can you describe the shot?

UCHIDA　I broke through the right flank with a give and go, struck a right footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, and pierced the opposite side net.

HASEBE　Right footed shot… I remember that scene. That was a great shot. Winning the Emperor's Cup final while also scoring a goal must have given you a great start to the year.

UCHIDA　It sure did. It felt so good on my way home, especially because our off season started immediately following the match.

HASEBE　Did you go back to your parent’s home after that match?

UCHIDA　I drove straight to Shizuoka after that match. That Emperor's Cup where I scored and won the title, is perhaps one of the most memorable tournaments for me. Being able to cast our names in a prestigious tournament like the Emperor's Cup, is such an honour. The Emperor's Cup will hold its 100th tournament this year.

──It terms of history, it has a longer history than the domestic cup competition of the German Football Association (DFB), also known as the DFB-Pokal.

HASEBE　The Emperor's Cup and the DFB-Pokal are both played in a knock-out format, so many upsets are created. I remember losing in our first match while playing for Urawa. At the Pokal, teams from the lower categories are highly motivated for the tournament, so there are many giant killings at the tournament.

──Last year, the tournament final was held at the new National Stadium.

UCHIDA　Kashima reached the final but fell short from winning the title. I was on the bench, but did not play in that match, so that was disappointing.

HASEBE　How was the atmosphere like at the new National Stadium?

UCHIDA　It was great. You know that unique atmosphere you get at the National Stadium on New Year’s Day? That was still there.

HASEBE　Ah, I see.

UCHIDA　I think it was nearly a full crowd. I am getting disappointed just talking about that match.

HASEBE　That is what the Emperor's Cup is all about. (while laughing) With the tournament reaching its 100th edition this year, it has become a prestigious tournament, filled with history and tradition. As a player, being able to play on New Year’s Day is such a delight. It is an influential tournament within the Japanese society, so I hope it can show the power of football to the entire nation.

UCHIDA　First of all, I am hoping that the Emperor's Cup will be held safety under this current pandemic. With the Emperor's Cup final being played on New Year’s Day, I hope to see a match that can convey the beauty of football. A match that can make the kids want to become a football player and ultimately produce players that can thrive at the world stage.

This special interview will be published in the tournament’s official brochure.

Profile

HASEBE Makoto
Born: 18 January 1984, Shizuoka
Current club: Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
Caps and goals with Japan National Team: 114 caps, 2 goals
Joined Urawa Red Diamonds in 2002, won numerous titles with the club, including J1 League title, Emperor's Cup, J.League Cup, and AFC Champions League. Moved to Germany in 2008, won the Bundesliga title with VfL Wolfsburg in the 2008-09 season, and the DFB-Pokal title with Frankfurt in the 2017-18 season. Played as team captain in 81 matches for the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team), which is a the most in Japan National Team history.

UCHIDA Atsuto
Born: 27 March 1988, Shizuoka
Caps and goals with Japan National Team: 74 caps, 2 goals
Joined Kashima Antlers in 2006, helped the club win three consecutive J1 titles at the J.League and the Emperor's Cup. Signed for German side FC Schalke 04 in 2010. During his first year with the club, he helped the club make their first ever appearance at the UEFA Champions League and became the first Japanese player to play in the Champions League semi-finals. Also helped the club win the DFB-Pokal title in the same year. After returning to Kashima, led the club to win the AFC Champions League title in 2018. Retired as a player in August 2020, appointed as Role Model Coach, a title newly established by JFA, in September.

【1st Round】Wed. 16 September
【2nd Round】Wed. 23, Wed. 30 September
【3rd Round】Wed. 28 October, Wed. 11 November
【4th Round】Sat. 12, Sun. 13 December
【Round of 16】Sun. 20 December
【Quarterfinals】Wed. 23 December
【Semi-final】Sun. 27 December
【Final】Fri. 1 January 2021

Tournament Information