Omiya Ardija Football Club officially announced that they will hold a retirement match for Yuichi Kamata at Omiya Park Soccer Stadium on December 21st, fulfilling their promise to this meritorious goalkeeper. Kamata announced his retirement at the end of last season, and this retirement match will be the first in J.League history dedicated to a goalkeeper.
Kamata began his professional career with Kashiwa Reysol in 1998. Over 26 years, he made 266 appearances in the J1 League and 400 appearances in the J2 League, becoming a legendary figure in Japanese football.
The retirement match will feature a “Yuichi Kamata Friends” team, composed of players from his former clubs, facing off against a “Blue Alliance” team made up of U-20 World Cup and Sydney Olympics generation players. If the match is tied after 90 minutes, it will be decided by a penalty shootout.
Kamata, speaking about the retirement match, said, “It has been nearly a year since my last game. I am grateful to Omiya Ardija, Yokohama FC, and all the other parties involved for giving me the opportunity to step onto the pitch at Omiya Park Soccer Stadium once again.”
He also mentioned, “After I decided to retire following the 2023 season, Omiya Ardija promised to organize a farewell party, a retirement ceremony, and a retirement match for me. Now, one year later, they have kept their promise, and I express my heartfelt gratitude for this.”
Keeping the Promise: Omiya Ardija Officially Announces Retirement Match for Yuichi Kamata. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/football-world/keeping-the-promise-omiya-ardija-officially-announces-retirement-match-for-yuichi-kamata.html
