FC Tokyo 1-2 Omiya Ardija

This weeks football matchup will take us halfway around the globe to Tokyo, where FC Tokyo took on Omiya Ardija in the final match of the 2007 J-League Season. For information sake, Urawa Reds took the Championship AGAIN this season and surprisingly, Yokohama FC will be relegated. Much to the shigrin of many of Mrs. Architectureandfootballs friends.
Before the match recap, let me first say that having never actually been to a premiership OR MLS match, this was a great event. Very exciting being surrounded by a positive attitude and excitment for a football match, even though both teams had nothing more than pride to play for, and the stadium was, to be fair, little more than half full. But a beautiful stadium it was, and many great photos, videos and memories will be kept with me from that day.

So, to the good stuff. The first half had little to offer. Both teams started off tight and nothing was really created on either end. Then in the first 10 minutes of the second half (consequently when mrs. architectureandfootball and i were still out buying souvenirs) two goals were scored, one for each side, opening up the match immensely. The first was for FC Tokyo and was a great individual play to create an open shot just inside the box and he put it over the keepers head with great force. The equalizer came just 5 minutes later on something of a comedy of errors by the FC Tokyo defense and Ardija basically put the ball into an open net. For the rest of the half chances were had on both sides, the majority going to Tokyo. I would have to guess Tokyo had 60% of the ball but could not get the go ahead goal.
Then, in the 88th minute, Ardija took advantage of yet another poor defensive play when Leandro easily dribbled past two defenders and then the goalie and easily won the match. They were ecstatic, as was the great travelling support, and even though it meant little to either team, the emotion of the moment was thick, and from behind me, a man sitting with his wife and small child continually lambasted his defense saying "have pride" and "where is your pride?"
Then after the match the team lined up on the center line and the coach gave a speech basically apologizing for the teams poor season. I was blown away. Then the team took a lap around the stadium and each section cheered them and they bowed to everybody. It was a great gesture and something you would never see in America.
So although Tokyo was shambles on the day, and I have seen better matches played by college teams, I am now a lifelong FC Tokyo fan, and hope that next season they can at least begin to climb the table and help build the league up to a higher standard.