SHOWTIME [2026 Nara Club 8th, Matchday 18 vs Toyama]

Before we knew it, we reached the final matchday of the Centennial Vision League.
It was a match where we welcomed Kataller Toyama, who had already secured 1st place in WEST-A, to our home ground.

Whether the legend we witnessed there was a coincidence or destiny,
I cannot say.

Even so, it must have become one of the matches that every Nara supporter will never forget for the rest of their lives.
First of all, I am happy to have been a witness to it.

Now, let's look back on that excitement and that joy.

SHOWTIME

The score changed about 30 seconds into the match.
Shota Tamura broke through on a pass from Arata Yoshida and took a shot, which was blocked by the rushing goalkeeper.
However, Kunitake picked up the loose ball and scored the opening goal with a lob into the empty net.

While I still couldn't believe this scene was actually happening,
the score changed again just 3 minutes in.

Shota Tamura's lob shot hit the goalkeeper, but,
as if to symbolize how much he is currently loved by the goal, it was sucked into the net.

That the goal rush was reality,
that '2-0 is a dangerous score,' and that we still couldn't feel at ease with Nara Club's defense this season,
it was a goal that woke me up from the dream in two ways.

Even so, in the 15th minute,
we broke through the opponent's press with a build-up from our own half,
and Shota Tamura, who broke through on a through ball from Morita, fired a low-driven shot.
The hot line that exploded following the Niigata match produced the third goal.

Once it reached this point, it was ours.
The game turned into a sequence where we aimed for counters while not allowing them to score, with Okuda's leadership shining in defense.

We were able to go into halftime with a 3-0 lead, and then onto the second half.
Once again, the score changed early on.

A long ball from our own half resulted in a scramble at the landing spot,
and the ball chose Shota Tamura once again.
A beautiful, arcing shot pierced the near post.
Hat-trick achieved.

I couldn't help but hold my head in my hands.
Is this really a dream...?

Incidentally, Shota Tamura had lost his grandfather the day before. I take my hat off to his professionalism in being able to deliver his best performance despite that.
And a hat-trick on a day like that is something out of a manga.

After that, we were pushed back quite a bit by Toyama and brought back to reality, but thanks to some super saves by Marc, we held them to one goal.

And with Ikoma's goal in the 88th minute, the frenzy reached its peak.
When I saw Ikoma turn toward us and grab the emblem, I almost cried.

The final score was 5-1, the same as the Kanazawa match.

Shota Tamura's awakening, the explosion of counters,
definitely finishing chances even with few shots,
the essence of Daikoku's football was displayed better than at any other time this season.

However,
whether this will work against J3 teams or opponents who sit deep,
that a massive loss was possible depending on the form of the defense,
that the early goal rush was just a fluke,
or that it was a dead rubber match for Toyama who had already secured the top spot,
could all be said.

Even so, I think the words of fulfillment from Morita and President Hamada at the home final match ceremony say it all.

I reached the final matchday still wondering whether Daikoku's Nara is heading in the right direction or not.
But it was a victory that made me want to believe in them.

The two playoff matches will be against clubs with J1 experience, first Oita, then Yamagata or Matsumoto.
If we can win through this, we should be able to say that facing J2 teams won't be a problem.

We who defeated Tokushima and Toyama can definitely do it.
There is nothing to fear.

I won't be able to go to the two playoff matches in person, but
regardless of the results, I pray that the final two matches we can fight with this team will be ones without regrets.

I plan to write a separate summary of this season and my aspirations for next season after the playoffs are over, so look forward to that.

To the Kataller Toyama supporters

Kataller Toyama is,
actually one of the clubs I personally like.

The first reason for that is the presence of former manager Michiharu Otagiri.

With only a few days having passed since he was dismissed from Toyama, he took on the difficult job of a managerial change caused by the previous manager's scandal,
firmly captured the hearts of the players,
faced the club and the matches sometimes passionately and sometimes calmly,
and showed us the hope of promotion until the final matchday.

I really loved that 'Ota-san'.

Because of that, I wrote a note when he stepped down, and I received many reactions from Toyama supporters as well.
It made me realize how incredibly loved he was and what warm supporters they are.

The second reason is the chant 'Let's take the victory and go home'.

This is a chant I fell in love with when I went to watch Fujieda vs. Toyama in the 2017 season.
*I grew up in Shizuoka and am a Shimizu supporter by trade, but I have also gone to watch Fujieda several times.

Back then, I didn't know many chants from other clubs, but the lyrics filled with the spirit of supporters, such as 'We are here' and 'Our city', felt fresh.

...Having said that, I had almost forgotten this chant until recently, but I was able to remember it during this match against Toyama.
It was very moving to be able to hear it again now that I have grown as a supporter since then.

Also,
from the perspective of a Shimizu supporter, I feel a personal connection to Toyama due to the presence of President Hidari-tomo,
and the fact that players like Kawai, Nishibe, and Okubo have been taken care of there.

Well, after the match, all of us Nara supporters did a Kataller Toyama call.
One reason was that the Toyama players bowed to us, but

it was a call filled with the wish that they would conquer the J2/J3 100-Year Vision League, while also praising Kataller Toyama, the champions of the WEST-A group.
(That is what the call leader said)

As Nara Club,
in order to finish this tournament in the best possible position,
and to seize promotion next season and fight Toyama again,
we will do our very best.
(All I can do is support them)

I have talked about my own mysterious love for Toyama,
but thank you for reading this far.