Q3: Consistency Through and Through

Godai Hiroshima has managed to stay consistent throughout Q2, which has both staff and fans pleased with their current standing. They have played in a multitude of close matches with a variety of teams, their largest success perhaps being a 2-2 draw against current #1 seed Hyōgo Tajima-ushi FC in which Ono, Eikichi scored the game tying goal in the 91st minute.

"We were not really expected to compete with them. They beat us by a fair score the first game, but we came out playing in front of a ferocious crowd," Ono said. "When I scored in the 91st minute, the crowd absolutely erupted. I have never played in front of, or heard anything like it. We sold something like 29,600 tickets for that game. For a first year team to come that close to selling out that big of a stadium, it was something special. We made it worth it".

Godai Hiroshima had a Q2 record of 4-3-6, just two points less than their Q1 record, and moved up one spot in the standings to 12th. The top three scorers on the team at Q3 are:
Kosami Okada - 13
Figo de Sequeria - 7
Jamie de Brito - 7

Not only have the scorers been performing, so has young goalkeeper Ronaldo Conceição who has a 7-4-10 record with five clean-sheets, and a .746 save percentage. He is currently fifth in the league with saves having 129.

"I'm getting a lot of work, but that is fine with me. No one expected the team to compete this hard, I for one am glad to be a part of it," said Conceição. When asked about how the native of Portugal is liking Japan he responded "It is very interesting. Very neat. Very different from my homeland. It is something to get used to. But when I am on that soccer pitch, it is like I am right at home".

Coach Aki Hayashi is looking like a smart man with two-thirds of the season over. His contract is due to run out at the end of the year, but if his team keeps performing at this level in their inaugural season, he is sure to get an extension. "Here is to hoping the team finishes strong, and a long stay at the helm of FC Hiroshima!" Hayashi was quoted saying after the team's biggest win this season, 7-2 versus BYOND.com.

One last thing to note is that 'Zoom Zoom Field' has finished construction for the year with a current capacity of 30,000. Plans for further construction in the off-season have yet to be unveiled.

Speaking of the stadium, we hope to see you at Zoom Zoom Field for Godai Hiroshima's next home game on 4/5 Vs #16 FC Tokyo Drift (5-4-17).

Q2: Off to a solid start

Godai Hiroshima has had a stronger start out of the gates than most fans would have expected. They did struggle against some of the elite teams in the league, losing 6-0 to last year's champion Robots, however also tied some very competitive teams such as Kagoshima 0-0. FC Hiroshima's first thirteen games was highlighted by a 1-0 win on the road against rival club Takenaka. FC Hiroshima finished with a Q1 record of 5-2-6 while being a -7, and sitting in 13th place.

Kosami Okada, the captain of Godai Hiroshima has proven himself as an elite goalscorer this season with ten goals already. "We have been having a strong year," said Okada. "We have to keep fighting hard if we want to finish in the middle of the pack. In such a strong league that is a good goal to set for ourselves".

The top three scorers on the team at Q2 are:
Kosami Okada - 10
Figo de Sequeria - 3
5 tied with - 1

Head coach Aki Hayashi commented on his team's performance thus far by saying "Everyone is doing a solid job from goalkeeper to forward. I am extremely pleased to see every man putting in his best effort as that is exactly what I had asked of my team. Even players coming in off the bench, and backup goalkeeper Izumo Sho have had a key impact on this team's success. We have to keep pushing forward and striving for excellence. Being currently 13th is a huge success as a first year team in such a competitive league".

One more thing to note is the ever expanding stadium of FC Hiroshima. Chances are that if you have been to Mazda Stadium (better known as 'Zoom Zoom Field'), you have seen construction. Chances are if you came back to the next game, the stadium appeared magically larger. Construction crews are at the site day and night expanding the stadium due to the ever popular Godai Hiroshima ticket sales. The stadium currently seats 24,500 people. Rumor has it the goal for the end of the season is for the stadium to seat at least 30,000 people.

We hope to see you at Zoom Zoom Field for Godai Hiroshima's next home game on 3/23 Vs #15 Misawa Vypers (3-4-6).

Q1: Season 9 Preview

With season 9 approaching fast, Hiroshima has been very busy with off-season signings, and training camp. There has been very little but football on both the staff, and players' minds alike. As they prepare for the season opener, the team realizes the energy they are instilling into the city, but also realizes the pressure that comes with that. Many Godai Hiroshima fans have been showing up to training camps to watch the players show off their skills, and are excited about the upcoming season.

Head coach Aki Hayashi named Osami Okada, a 31 year-old Japanese born player, team captain immediately after signing him. Hayashi commented:

"Okada is the type of player we want to lead this team. He is a native of Hiroshima and already has formed a positive relationship with the fans. It was a no-brainer to pick up this talented veteran to lead our team through its first season. Some argue a few of the foreign players we signed have better leadership skills and more talent, but until they get adjusted to the new city and language, we have a great captain and ambassador in Okada".

The team made nine free agent signings in total, while shipping away Masashi, and both Motohashi brothers to Hyōgo Tajima-ushi FC. You can look forward to see the following players suit up in red and gray this season highlighted by hot goalkeeping prospect, Ronaldo Conceição:

26 year old - Izumo Sho (Japan) GK - $201,000 p/y 1-year
31 year old - Kosami Okada (Japan) F - $226,000 p/y 3-year
20 year old - Ronaldo Conceição (Portugal) GK - $651,000 p/y 5-year
30 year old - Figo de Sequeira (Portugal) F - $301,000 p/y 4-year
27 year old - Rigoberto Marmolexo (USA) D - $95,623 p/y 3-year (+$81,001)
28 year old - Jarvis Gallardo (USA) M - $228,000 p/y 3-year
26 year old - Jaime de Brito (Portugal) F - $128,000 p/y 3-year (+$101,239)
25 year old - Moises Francisco (Portugal) D - $90,000 p/y 3-year (+$61,777)
29 year old - Marco Hugo (Portugal) D - $95,000 p/y 3-year (+$33,233)

*Signing bonus amounts are in brackets

Head coach Aki Hayashi commented on the signings, and addressed the depth chart.

"I figure we fixed our weak defensive starting lineup by making three big defense signings. We brought in an experienced midfielder to help the boys along. We brought in, by our standards, three solid forwards who are all capable of putting the ball in the back of the net. We've tooled around with different formations, but with our three signings at forward, compared to only one at midfield, you are likely to see us in a 4-3-3 to start the season. We also can't forget we signed a 20 year old Portuguese goalkeeper to a 5-year contract. He is the franchise goalkeeper we went out looking to sign this season and we expect him to continue his development. He will be our starting keeper over Izumo Sho. We have depth, but I'll be the first to admit that it is weak. We will fix that in the off-seasons ahead".

Godai Hiroshima's season opener is against FC Workman on 3/8. FC Workman finished thirteenth in the J-League last season. Hiroshima's home opener is versus last year's J-League champions, the Giant Robots. Tickets are still available. Here are the first five league games on Godai Hiroshima's schedule:

3/8 @ FC Workman #13
3/9 Vs Giant Robots #1
3/10 Vs Butterflies of Death #15
3/11 @ Hyōgo Tajima-ushi FC #2
3/12 @ Glen Allen Death Touch #14

Finally, the captain's and coach's outlook on the season. Here is what 31 year old captain Kosami Okada had to say:

"Well, the season is finally here. I'm honored to be leading this team as captain in the inaugural season. It will be a job of tremendous pressure but I believe myself, and this team will handle the pressures just fine. It will be tough as a first year team in a prestigious league in its ninth season, but we will fight hard. On behalf of the team I promise my native city of Hiroshima that we will fight, and put in our best efforts every game. You may not see us win every game, but we'll be in it till the end". When asked, Okada denied that the speech was previously rehearsed saying it was just "natural charisma".

"Lets be realistic here" stated head coach Aki Hayashi. "Not a lot of these players are going to be acquiring a starting position next season, or even sticking around to see a second season of professional soccer. I don't mean to sound like an ass, but that's the life of an expansion club. We have to constantly develop and move forward. There is only one way to keep your spot on this team, and that is to produce. I send out that challenge to all my players hoping that they will meet it, and do their best. With that being said I honestly do not have a clue where we will finish in the season. I would like to at least finish in the top fifteen of the league in order to say we competed in a great league during our first year as a team".

Godai Hiroshima and the Mazda Motor Corporation look forward to seeing you at Hiroshima Stadium on 3/9 to cheer on your team against the Giant Robots!

Hiroshima Accepted Into World 80 J-League

The day long awaited for by players and fans alike has finally come. Godai Hiroshima was finally accepted into the Professional Japanese Football League in association with World 80. Rookie head coach Aki Hayashi, was signed to a 1-year contract, and commented on the work that still needed to be done before the season opener on 3/8.

"We were expected to be officially accepted into this league and it has finally happened. Now the hard work begins. We had a exhibition series loss to Takenaka, but that was a growing experience as it highlighted some of our needs. Right now our biggest concern is probably defense. We have some guys on the weaker end of the spectrum, and it would be nice to bring in some top guns. In the next couple days, the first round of signings should be complete, and we hope by then our team will already be shaped into a stronger force than it currently is."

When asked about any hot prospects the team had, Hayashi replied "We currently have a young team. I don't think anyone is going to develop into the next big thing, but they will certainly get better. We're also scouting a couple of 18 year olds who we may try to get under contract this season."

Finally, when asked about season expectations for this 1st year squad in a season 9 league he said "We hope to make a name for ourselves. We don't want to be taken lightly. We will work hard and hopefully it will pay off. If we get our signings I think we'll field a competitive team. It is always a good goal to aim for the middle of the pack in year one. The J-League is very prestigious and it will be tough to move up in the standings".

Stay tuned for the first quarterly article, a season 9 preview which will go over free agent signings, schedules, and both coach and captain outlooks.