Ikoma FC Nara, rejuvenated under the leadership of former Japan international forward Ryuji Haraguchi (46) as president and aiming for J.League promotion, has moved within one win of its first-ever Emperor’s Cup appearance.
The team secured a 2-0 victory over Asuka FC, a fellow Kansai Division 1 side that competed in the JFL last season. The win sets up a final match on August 1 against J3 club Nara Club, which sits two divisions above Ikoma.
The first half was scoreless, but Ikoma broke through in the 73rd minute when defender Ryo Saito (26) scored, followed by a stoppage-time goal from midfielder Hikaru Tai (23). The opening goal came from a free kick that former J.League striker Ken Tokura (39) headed into the path of Saito, who nodded home. Tokura, a veteran brought on as a substitute in the 59th minute, made an immediate impact.
Ikoma’s manager and former Japan defender Kazumichi Takagi (45) praised the experienced forward: “We had already discussed bringing him on in the second half, and it’s impressive that he delivered the result.” Looking ahead to the final against Nara Club, Takagi vowed an upset: “Our challenge is how much we can run. There’s still time from now, so we want to improve our level through league matches.”
Nara Club’s manager Masashi Daikoku (46) is a former teammate of Haraguchi’s at Gamba Osaka and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, one year his junior. Both rose to become Japan international forwards and maintain a close relationship, both personally and professionally. It has been 27 years since they first played together at Gamba Osaka in 1999, and now a fateful confrontation awaits—this time as club president and manager.
Ikoma, which has assembled many professional-contract players including Tokura, currently sits fifth among eight teams in Kansai Division 1 after two matches (one win, one loss) since the season started in April.
