A friend asked me to provide some reasons as to why FCR is great, I ended up going much deeper, but I hope that anyone who reads this appreciates my responses.
Alright, so you asked me for my opinion as to what has happened to make FCR so good, so here it goes.
FCR started out brutally in their fist year in J2 (2014). FCR finished W8D10L15 with a goal differential of -19 and it was just bad football in terrible temperatures. Some matches would finish with score lines of 7-1 against Zelvia or getting pounded 6-0 by the under-22 J League team which was just embarrassing. 2015 was slightly better but it was truly the year of 2016 that was a turning point for FCR.
2016 began what I would call the “Ryukyu Renaissance.” We had key elements on the squad; Tanaka, Park and Tomidokoro coupled with the managerial change from Noshirio Satsukawa to Kim Jong-Song that really began the drive up and out of the J3.
FCR would finish with a winning record and a positive goal difference. Granted it was 46 scored and 46 conceded for a goal difference of 0 but for the first time ever, FCR became competitive and the matches became meaningful. There was even one point in the season where FCR had a chance to go top of the table for the first time in their history against a strong Akita side. FCR was awarded a very late penalty, in the 3rd minute of stoppage time which meant the PK would be the last play, and Tanaka stepped up to the spot as the leading FCR goal scorer on the season. Unfortunately, his shot was saved as he really didn’t get any power behind it and the game ended in a draw. I was so distraught from the loss that I couldn’t leave my seat in section S as I just couldn’t believe what happened considering we almost were top of the table for a day. My friends thought it was funny but this is what it means to be a true fan, you feel every loss and relish every win, you are as much a part of the team as the players and management and if FCR wants to achieve the lofty heights of J1 and the Asian Champions League, then they better start to plant and nurture these feelings for their fans.
2017 was the year that we started the push to the J2 but J3 teams failed to notice that FCR was for real, and that they were to be taken seriously. Everything was positive for the boys that year; winning record, positive goal differential and better performances on the pitch. FCR still made mistakes but these were lessons that needed to be learned if they wanted to succeed. FCR would also start to set the standard for performances at home as the undefeated at home streak began in September and is still intact to this day. One side note, Tomidokoro was just on another level that year, his FKs and goals were breathtaking. If you haven’t seen them then you need to Google these games. At the very least, Google the September 30 2017 match.
2018, nothing more needs to be said. Here are some things the “Bengara Boys” achieved that season. Scored 70 goals resulting in a +30-goal difference, dropped points in only 6 games the entire season, didn’t lose a single match at home all year. Early on there were some struggles on defense, most notably when we drew against the Tottori and Osaka after conceding late goals in what was largely considered statement games. I’m sure my cursing and ranting in English played no part in FCRs success that year but strangely enough the boys went on a tear after I lost my cool.
There was a point in the 2018 season in which the boys were just unbeatable, I mean, watching them week in and week out you could see that this was a team of destiny and no one was stopping them on their journey. Literally, as an FCR fan, you could sit down to watch a match and know the boys were going to score, and win. They lost at then end of April that year and wouldn’t lose again until mid-September. The just demolished everybody along the way to the J3 title.
November 3rd 2018. This is one of the most special days in FCR history. It is the culmination of hard work by the team, excellent front office and coaching management and of course commitment by the fans. 8,500 Okinawans showed up to witness history. I must add this, with all due respect to the Golden Kings and their impressive achievements, football is the world sport and it is massive here in Asia compared to basketball. There is the Asian Champions League, not on par but just as important, as the UEFA Champions League, and I’ve personally attended several of these games in Korea to know that football is king here in Asia.
Back to the date of immortality, the boys came out firing and nothing that Thespa could do would stop FCR from lifting the J3 trophy that day. I recall watching that match with friends and just stating that I hoped that FCR would score early, which they did, as well as score often, which they also accomplished. The match was out of reach by the 70th minute and it was an amazing feeling to watch the team you love, with the community of people you love, win a very important match and lift a very important trophy. I cried, I will not lie, it was an emotional moment because so much that I’ve already written about was tied into this one single glorious moment. The heartaches, the heat, the bad football, the almost moments of glory and the bitter defeats, all of it led up to the J3 Championship. But, if you are satisfied here, then you are mistaken, there is always more to achieve. I think sometimes that those of us who’ve played sports, at any level, feel that we can never be complacent and always need to achieve more and never appreciate all that we have right now. At the end of the day this is FCR and not some psychoanalysis by me so the bottom line is trophies and glory mean everything and I am along for the ride.
Finally, to your initial question as to what makes FCR great. First, the owner of this team deserves so much credit for his actions and patience. He has witnessed this team achieve unbelievable heights with unbelievable low attendance levels. Please, I implore all of Okinawa, come watch this beautiful football team in a great stadium with great people. If Okinawa doesn’t show up now to support FCR, you may as you’ve always suspected, be relegated to an afterthought by the people of “mainland” Japan.
Second, the players are amazing and should be treated as such. I have never once seen an FCR player out in town but you better believe if I have that opportunity that not only will I thank them, I’ll serenade them with my own special chant. People of Okinawa, these are professional athletes and human beings, give them your support, recognize their achievements and lift them up because they will do so much for you in return. I hope to see an FCR player out in town one day.
Third reason is the fans of FCR. Hiroaki is an example to us all and was so deserving of the honor to touch and lift the J3 trophy this past season. The man is the spirit and soul of this team and is someone I am so honored to call my friend. I’m grateful his English is far better than my Japanese and he bleeds Bengara Blood like no one on island. There are also the loyal fans that show up each and every week including the road games like our FCR family in Kanto! The Ryukyu Girls, wow do I miss them. Besides their obvious beauty they are very approachable and nice women who are very passionate about FCR and made every match great – bring them back! This team has such a massive opportunity to solidify itself amongst all Okinawan’s, here and abroad, and we need all of you to get behind the boys.
Finally, and the most special reason to me is this; we are all FCR. Put aside all of our differences that others may say exist or try to create, I am here standing shoulder to shoulder with my entire Okinawa family for one cause and that is FCR. I may only speak a little Japanese but I have been woven into the fabric of Okinawa society for 10 years and I want nothing but the best for everyone here and that means having a top-notch football squad. FCR has provided so many memorable moments in my life but here are a few for the readers. 1.) Watching them lift the Okinawa prefectural tournament trophy with my daughter and getting to take part in the team photo was awesome, 2.) 90 minutes of pure intensity in which we almost went top of the table versus Akita on a PK, 3.) watching the boys draw against Oita (almost won BTW) on the road on a televised game on Sky Sports back in 2016 at Camp Nou with Hiroaki (pre-DAZN) was outstanding followed by 4.), watching the inaugural 2017 game at the same bar and FCR earning a draw was also awesome. 5.) Tailgating with my American friends in the parking lot, 5.) Players autographs and meeting the heroes of Okinawa, 6.) the current winning streak the boys are keeping intact started on my birthday, 7.) my son – who was a miracle for my wife and I – was born in the same season that FCR became J3 Champions, 8.) The J3 Championship, 9.) The road match versus Omiya was out of this world and crazy I was so lucky to be there, and finally 10.) for every new memory and experience that is out there, join me, join us as FCR, you won’t regret it.
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