Urawa Reds of the Meiji Yasuda Life J1 League played against Gamba Osaka in the Emperor’s Cup quarterfinals on the 27th, winning 2-0. In the match held at Gamba Osaka’s home Panasonic Stadium Suita, the scene behind the away goals was talked about, but it seems that it had a positive effect on the mentality of the Urawa Reds players.
Panasonic Stadium Suita is named after the club color of Gamba Osaka, and the entire stadium is filled with blue seats. However, in this battle, the back of the away goals (3rd floor of the lower floor) and a part of the back stand were dyed red, and a banner with the words “PRIDE OF URAWA” was posted on the 5th floor of the upper floor. The atmosphere was just like that.
Urawa Reds, who received strong support from supporters, opened the scoring with a goal from former Danish U21 national team FW Kasper Junker (27) in the 10th minute of the first half, and midfielder Takahiro Sekine (26) marked an additional point just before the end of the first half. There was also a series of super saves by GK Shusaku Nishikawa (35), and he did not allow a goal against the powerful attacking team of Gamba Osaka and won 2-0. He has decided to advance to the semi-finals.
This Urawa supporter “Home Jack” was receiving a lot of attention on SNS, but Urawa Reds’ TD (Technical Director) Tsutomu Nishino is also responding. After the match, the TD said on his Twitter account, “I heard a voice from the players who went to the ground during the warm-up,’Wow!’. The stand dyed in red made me scream and scream. Everyone. Thank you for your hard work. ” There are many comments praising the atmosphere created by the supporters, such as “the seriousness of the supporters”, “really the best”, and “this sense of unity”.
Urawa Reds will face Cerezo Osaka in the Emperor’s Cup semi-final scheduled for December 12. In addition, if he wins against Cerezo Osaka, he will collide with the winner of Kawasaki Frontale vs. Oita Trinita at the New National Stadium.
