The final of the Emperor's Cup JFA 104th Japan Football Championship took place on 23 November 2024. The match was between Gamba Osaka and Vissel Kobe. Despite both clubs being based in the Kansai region, the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo was packed with 56,824 spectators.

The two clubs engaged in a closely contested competition, but it was Kobe who scored the decisive goal in the 64th minute through a well-executed attack that showcased their strengths, securing their second Emperor's Cup title.

The Emperor's Cup final was held at the Japan National Stadium on New Year's Day, from the 48th tournament in 1968 to the 93rd tournament in 2013, 46 times in total. I attened all of them at the stadium except the first two, since the 50th tournament. For many of us of my generation, the Emperor's Cup final was a New Year's tradition. There are numerous memorable matches, but perhaps the most treasured story comes from the final of the 63rd tournament in 1983.

In the match between Nissan Motor and Yanmar Diesel, Nissan emerged victorious, scoring two goals in the second half to secure a 2-0 win and claim their first major title.

That year's Nissan team represented the culmination of 10 years of coaching by Mr. KAMO Shu (who later became head coach of the Japan National Team). Mr. Kamo, then coach of Yanmar, joined Nissan as head coach in 1974 when the team was playing in the first division of the Kanagawa Prefectural League. Under his leadership, the team was promoted to the second division of the Japan Soccer League (JSL) in 1977, and then to the first division in 1979. Despite being relegated after two years, the team underwent a major shake up and was promoted back to the first division after just one year. The team then went on to finish second in the league in 1983 and carried on this momentum to reach the final of the Emperor's Cup. The team's offence, which featured young national team players such as Mr. KANEDA Nobutoshi, Mr. KIMURA Kazushi, Mr. HASHIRATANI Koichi, and Mr. MIZUNUMA Takashi, was simply unstoppable.

Yanmar, on the other hand, were coached by Mr. KAMAMOTO Kunishige, regarded as the greatest player in the history of Japanese football. He led the team as a player-coach that year, taking on the roles of head coach and “super-sub,” as seen in the semi-final against Nippon Kokan, when he assisted the winning goal.

It was reported in the media that Mr. Kamamoto would retire after the Emperor's Cup. Mr. Kamo could not ignore this report because he believed that Mr. Kamamoto's move to Yanmar after graduating from Waseda University in 1967 marked the start of his coaching career.

“I found it so inspiring to coach Kamamoto.... As his coach, I dedicated myself to aquiring expertise... ensuring that the player Kamamoto would heed my guidance. I was able to grow as a coach during the six years I spent with Kamamoto.” (Kamo Shu, “A Challenge to Modern Soccer,” Kodansha, 1994)

On New Year's Day, Mr. Kamo delivered the following instructions to the Nissan players during their pre-match meeting:

“One of our country's most accomplished players is retiring, and I would like you all to show your respect.... If he is substituted during the game, I would like you all to line up at the halfway line to see him off.” (Ibid)

Mr. Kamamoto did indeed come off the bench in the second half of this match, but Yanmar were unable to come from behind.

Following the match, Mr. Kamamoto was swarmed by the press in an attempt to obtain comment on his retirement. However, he declined to comment about his futuer and left the stadium. It was not until over a month later that he formally announced his retirement.

Mr. Kamamoto had decided a long time before that he would retire after the Emperor's Cup. He was determined to make the announcement after winning the final.

However, Yanmar lost the match, and Nissan claimed their first title.

“If I were to announce my retirement here, it would be the headline in the newspapers and on TV, and Nissan's accomplishment would be reduced to a small article.”

That was what Mr. Kamamoto thought, so he left without saying anything.

Mr. Kamo Shu and Mr. Kamamoto Kunishige. The mutual respect and casual concern they showed for each other were probably one of the most treasured legacies of the Emperor's Cup finals, which have been held over a hundred times.

Written by OSUMI Yoshiyuki (Football Journalist)

*This article was originally posted on the Japan Football Association Newsletter, “JFAnews,” December 2024 edition.

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