Eleven years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, and a match between Vegalta Sendai and Iwate Grulla Morioka, both of whom are based in the affected areas, was held in Sendai City as a "reconstruction support match."

Eleven years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and on the 12th, a match between Vegalta Sendai and Iwate Grulla Morioka, both of whom are based in the affected areas, was held as a "reconstruction support match".



Before the match held at the venue, Yurtec Stadium Sendai in Sendai City, 11 children from Miyagi and Iwate each entered with the players and silently prayed for the victims of the earthquake.



In the 43rd minute of the first half, Vegalta was born in Sendai and finished the first half with a 1-0 lead by Yasushi Endo, who joined from Kashima Antlers this season.



In the second half, Grulla also shot aggressively, but it did not lead to a goal, while Vegalta won 3-0 with newcomer Masato Nakayama scoring goals in quick succession in the 22nd and 25th minutes. ..



About 7,200 supporters visited the stand and gave a big applause to the players of both teams who were able to do their best after the match.

Both supporters

Over 7,200 people came to watch this game.



Before the match, a female supporter from Vegalta Sendai said, "It's been 11 years since the earthquake yesterday, so I think today's match is even more different. I want you to liven up Tohoku with a hot match."



In addition, a man who is a supporter of Iwate Grulla Morioka said, "At the time of the earthquake, the coastal area of ​​Iwate Prefecture was not a place for soccer. I'm happy. "

Vegalta Sendai players

Masato Nakayama, who scored two goals at Vegalta Sendai, said, "I'm honestly happy that I was able to score points at home for the first time. I challenged the match with a strong desire to win the team absolutely. I will do my best to continue this kind of match every match. "



Yasushi Endo from Sendai, who scored the first goal, said, "I'm glad we were able to win at home while both teams were feeling good. I think it's best not to let everyone weather the earthquake, so that kind of match. And I was very happy with the result. "



In addition, 40-year-old Ryang Yong-gi, a captain who belonged to Vegalta at the time of the earthquake and returned to the team for the first time in three seasons, said, "The team as a whole knew the importance of this match, but the result was 3-0. I'm glad I got it. I think I've returned to the team because I was asked to be promoted to J1, so I'll do my best for that. "

Vegalta Sendai Director Harasaki "I'm definitely going to win"

After the match, director Masato Harasaki of Vegalta Sendai said, "It was an important match between the disaster-stricken areas that took place the day after the earthquake, and this match was the only match that the players were determined to win. He fought with all his heart. I want to thank the players for their preparation. "

Iwate Grulla Director Morioka Akita "If you can save with the power of sports"

After the match, Iwate Grulla Morioka coach Yutaka Akita said, "I've been to Miyagi, Fukushima, and Iwate 11 years before the Great East Japan Earthquake, but soccer has a lot of power, and if I could play something that gives me courage today. I sent out the players with the thought. I hope to save those who are in difficult positions due to the earthquake with the power of sports. "



Regarding the game, "The first half was very good and I think I was able to make it perfect until the end, but the goal just before the end of the first half echoed later. Sendai's technique, quality of movement, reaction to spilled balls, etc. It was 90 minutes when I felt the level was high. "