The quarterfinals of the Emperor's Cup JFA 102nd Japan Football Championship will take place on Wednesday 7 September. Here we interviewed ABE Yuki and OKUBO Yoshito, who ended their playing careers at the end of last season, about their memories of the Emperor's Cup and what they are looking forward to in this year's tournament.

○This interview was conducted online on 2 August 2022

――You two are close friends, and coincidentally both decided to hang up your shoes at the same time. How did you both feel when you heard about each other's retirement at the end of last season?

ABE　I thought you were going to keep playing for a couple more years?

OKUBO　I probably could have still played if I wanted to, but I suddenly thought I had enough. I thought you were the one who was going to play for another year.

ABE　I had been telling my family for two or three years that I might retire soon, and when I finished the 2020 season, I didn't have the same enthusiasm to continue on as I did in the past. That's one of the reasons why I made the decision, even though I still had the desire to continue playing. Did you feel like you had done it all?

OKUBO　Right. I thought I did enough and was ready to move on. When you get to this age, you don't have the same mentality as when you were younger.

ABE　Did you talk to your family?

OKUBO　No, I didn't discuss it with them. If I didn't tell them I was retiring, I would have continued next year, so I decided on my own and then told my family.

――The Emperor's Cup JFA 101st Japan Football Championship was the final competition for both of you.

OKUBO　My last match came in the semi-finals against his Urawa Reds, and the match took place at Saitama Stadium 2002, which is a very memorable venue for me. I used to get heckled a lot there. But when I heard the final whistle, I was actually pleased to end my career there.

ABE　In my case, I hadn't played any of the cup matches after the third round, so my last match was a league match. It was great to see our team win the title, but I would have liked to have faced him on the pitch one last time.

――The Emperor's Cup in which you two faced each other on the pitch was the 96th edition, in the fourth round, on 12 November 2016. The match took place at Todoroki Athletic Stadium and the first goal was a penalty kick scored by Mr. Okubo.

OKUBO　I don’t remember that goal, but I do remember that the match went into penalties.

ABE　The score was tied 3-3 after overtime.

OKUBO　I only remember about the shootout. I was the first spot taker and scored.

ABE　You too? I was also the first spot taker. My first attempt hit the post, but I was allowed to retake my shot because the goalkeeper moved too early, and I managed to convert my second attempt.

――I have the impression that you two are both good spot takers.

ABE　Have you always took your spot kicks like that?

OKUBO　No, I actually changed it during my career.

ABE　He has a typical forward mentality. I like to have fun in those situations, thinking of ways to trick the opposing goalkeeper. Those shootouts in a knockout tournament has a very unique and tense atmosphere.

――Both of you have competed in the Emperor's Cup since you were teenagers and played in many matches. What is it about the Emperor's Cup that makes it so special?

OKUBO　The final is on New Year's Day, so the players who lost prior to the final will be watching the matches on TV when they go home for the holidays. It is quite fascinating to be able to play knowing that you are being watched by so many people. You will understand when you stand on that pitch, it's a great feeling to start the year with the Emperor's Cup final.

ABE　The Emperor's Cup is a tournament that decides the best of the best among the many football teams participating from all over the country, including high schools and universities. Only two of those teams get to play in the final, so obviously it's a special place. I have always watched the final on New Year's Day on TV since I was little. Even after I became a professional player, I always wanted to be on that stage.

――However, this year's tournament is scheduled differently. Instead of New Year's Day, the final is scheduled for 16 October at Nissan Stadium.

ABE　With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ taking place in November/December, it is inevitable that the schedule has to change.

OKUBO　It is refreshing to see the final being held in October.

――The tournament has already reached the quarterfinals and has been whittled down to the top eight. Cerezo Osaka, Vissel Kobe, and Tokyo Verdy, all of whom Mr. Okubo used to play for, are still in the competition. Can you give us an outlook for the remainder of the tournament?

OKUBO　It would be exciting if the J2 side, Tokyo Verdy, can stir up the competition. Cerezo Osaka lost in the semi-finals last time out, so I hope they make it to the final this year. Vissel Kobe are struggling in the league, but I think they have a good chance of winning the cup. I hope all the teams do well. By the way, did Urawa lose?

ABE　They lost in the third round to J2 side, Thespakusatsu Gunma…

OKUBO　That is what makes the Emperor’s Cup so interesting.

ABE　Looking at their recent form, Cerezo Osaka are an interesting team to watch out for. I hope Vissel Kobe, where my former Urawa teammates MAKINO Tomoaki and YURUKI Koya play for, will also do well.

OKUBO　With former Emperor's Cup winners Kashima Antlers and Kyoto Sanga FC still in the hunt, along with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who have been showing great form in the league, it's hard to say who will win this year's competition. It will be interesting to see how these teams do from here.

*This special interview between the two is published in the tournament programme available for purchase at the match venues.

Emperor's Cup JFA 102nd Japan Football Championship

【1st Round】Sat. 21, Sun. 22 May [Backup date: Mon. 23 May]
【2nd Round】Wed. 1, Wed. 8 June
【3rd Round】Wed. 22 June [Backup date: Wed. 29 June]
【Round of 16】Wed. 13, Wed. 20 July]
【Quarterfinals】Wed. 7 September［Backup date: Wed. 28 September］
【Semi-Finals】Wed. 5 October
【Final】Sun. 16 October

Tournament Information