The Football Club wins the first undefeated championship and eighth championship, the first in two years
In the final game of the Kanto University Football League Division One held at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka on Sunday, November 17, the Football Club beat Ryutsu Keizai University by 4-1 to win the league title without losing in 22 matches (15 wins, 7 draws) for the first time in the league’s history and win the championship for the eighth time, the first in two years.
In the 38th minute, the opening goal was scored by KONNO Nobuhiro (1st year, School of Business Administration) but the team conceded an equalizer from a corner kick in the 68th minute. In the 71st minute, they conceded a penalty kick from a handball, but their sub captain and goalkeeper KAMBAYASHI Go (4th year, School of Commerce), who is unofficially confirmed to join Cerezo Osaka, stopped a shot, saving a goal.
After this, in the 79th minute, forward NAKAMURA Sota (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics), who is unofficially confirmed to join Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scored his team’s second goal with a diving kick. Meiji University’s Football Club, whose momentum was unstoppable after that, scored in the 84th minute with a shot from midfielder KUMATORIYA Issei (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics), who is unofficially confirmed to join Tokyo Verdy, and in the 90th minute, just before the end of the game, defender SUMI Seiga (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics), scored securing a 4-1 win. The Football Club won the match in Meiji style that boasts the most points in the league, winning the championship for the eighth time, the first in two years, and the first time in its history without losing a game all season.
In the 38th minute, the opening goal was scored by KONNO Nobuhiro (1st year, School of Business Administration) but the team conceded an equalizer from a corner kick in the 68th minute. In the 71st minute, they conceded a penalty kick from a handball, but their sub captain and goalkeeper KAMBAYASHI Go (4th year, School of Commerce), who is unofficially confirmed to join Cerezo Osaka, stopped a shot, saving a goal.
After this, in the 79th minute, forward NAKAMURA Sota (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics), who is unofficially confirmed to join Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scored his team’s second goal with a diving kick. Meiji University’s Football Club, whose momentum was unstoppable after that, scored in the 84th minute with a shot from midfielder KUMATORIYA Issei (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics), who is unofficially confirmed to join Tokyo Verdy, and in the 90th minute, just before the end of the game, defender SUMI Seiga (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics), scored securing a 4-1 win. The Football Club won the match in Meiji style that boasts the most points in the league, winning the championship for the eighth time, the first in two years, and the first time in its history without losing a game all season.
Captain NAKAMURA Sota wins Top Goal Scorer and Top Assist Player, and is also selected for the league’s MVP
Captain NAKAMURA Sota (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics) recorded 12 goals and eight assists this season, winning Top Goal Scorer and Top Assist Player for the second time in two years. It is the first time in history that one player has won two awards for two consecutive years.
Captain NAKAMURA Sota becomes the first player in history to win two awards for two consecutive years
(Photo: Meidai Sports)
Five players were selected for the Best Eleven
The following five players were selected for the Best Eleven: defender OZAWA Haruki (2nd year, School of Political Science and Economics), midfielder FUJIMORI Shota (3rd year, School of Political Science and Economics), sub captain and midfielder TOKIWA Kyota, who is unofficially confirmed to join Tokyo Verdy (4th year, School of Law), midfielder SHIMANO Rei (3rd year, School of Law), and captain and forward NAKAMURA Sota (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics).
The Football Club will continue to aim to win the 73rd All Japan University Football Championship (Intercollegiate Championships), which begins on December 7.
≪Japanese version≫