SC Sagamihara’s Road to J2: The Unseen Dedication of Yuji Senuma and Yuzo Iwakami

DeNA Co., Ltd. has taken over the management of SC Sagamihara, with Kazuyuki Toda as the manager. The team aims to return to J2 under coach Yuki Starf, who will implement the “Energy Football” strategy from June 2024. Hayato Maino, a reporter for the soccer magazine “El Golasso,” shares his insights on the team’s journey.

The Turning Point: Senuma’s Counterattack

SC Sagamihara secured two consecutive wins against FC Imabari in Round 29 of J3, re-emerging into 6th place and within the promotion playoff range. During their six-game winless streak, the dedication of captain Yuji Senuma and vice-captain Yuzo Iwakami stood out. Their contributions on and off the pitch were significant, earning praise from former manager Kazuyuki Toda and coach Yuki Starf.

Senuma’s professional attitude and leadership were evident, even when he was not in the starting lineup. His former manager acknowledged his positive influence on young players, while coach Starf praised his captaincy and leadership, saying, “He is the most professional player I have ever played with.”

The Impact of Senuma and Iwakami

Senuma and Iwakami’s dedication was instrumental in the team’s turnaround. Their experience and leadership helped to motivate the team, both on and off the pitch. As the team continues its journey to J2, the contributions of these two players will be crucial in achieving their goal.

About the Author

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Hayabusa Maino

Born on December 15, 1995, in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. After graduating from university, he worked as a freelance writer in Nagoya. He focuses on reporting on Nagoya Grampus and Nagoya Oceans. From 2021, he moved to Kanagawa Prefecture and covers Shonan Bellmare and SC Sagamihara for the soccer magazine “El Golasso.” He belongs to Universale Co., Ltd.