Urawa Red Diamonds
Encyclopedia
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's football league, J. League Division 1. One of Japan and Asia's best supported teams, the club has been able to boast the highest average crowds for thirteen of the J-League's twenty season history. In 2008
J. League 2008
The 2008 J. League Division 1 season is the 44th season of the top-flight club football in Japan and the 16th season since the establishment of J1 League. The season began on March 8 and ended on December 6....
the team attracted an average gate of over 47,000 in all competitions, which included one game at the smaller Komaba stadium, the highest in both Japan and Asia
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
as a whole. The club moved in 2001
J. League 2001
The 2001 season was the 9th season since the establishment of the J-League. The league began on March 10 and ended on November 24.At the end of the season the second stage winner Kashima Antlers won the Suntory Championship against Jubilo Iwata who won the first stage.-Clubs:Following sixteen clubs...
to the newly built Saitama Stadium, and were able to accommodate a sharp increase in crowd numbers between 2003 and 2006; a period rich in silverware
Silverware (sport)
Silverware is a sporting term used to describe trophies awarded to winning players or teams.In English football, silverware is used to describe one of the cup trophies or the championship trophies awarded for winning one of the leagues...
. Its hometown is the city of Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
in Saitama Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Saitama.This prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and most of Saitama's cities can be described as suburbs of Tokyo, to which a large amount of residents commute each day.- History...
, but its name comes from the former city of Urawa
Urawa, Saitama
was a city in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, until it merged into the city of Saitama together with two other cities, Omiya and Yono, on May 1, 2001. In 2003, the former area of Urawa became Urawa-ku, Midori-ku, Minami-ku, and Sakura-ku, which are wards of the city of Saitama...
, which is now a part of Saitama City.
History
Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
established a football club in 1950 and in 1965
1965 in Japanese football
-National team:-Players statistics:...
it formed the Japan Soccer League
Japan Soccer League
, or JSL, was the top flight soccer league in Japan between 1965 and 1992, and was the precursor to the current professional league, the J. League. JSL was the second national league of a team sport in Japan after the professional Japanese Baseball League that was founded in 1936...
along with today's Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
is a Japanese association football club in the J. League Division 1.-Club name:The club name is a portmanteau of the Japanese numeral for three, San and an Italian word frecce or 'arrows'...
, JEF United Ichihara Chiba
JEF United Ichihara Chiba
is a Japanese professional football club that plays in J. League Division 2. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city had joined Ichihara, Chiba as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East and Furukawa Electric-...
, Kashiwa Reysol
Kashiwa Reysol
is a J. League Division 1 team. Its home town is Kashiwa, Chiba, about an hour northeast of Tokyo.-History:Founded in 1940 as Hitachi, Ltd. Soccer Club in Koganei, Tokyo, the team was a founding member of the Japan Soccer League...
, Cerezo Osaka
Cerezo Osaka
is a J. League Division 1 association football team. The team name Cerezo means cherry tree in Spanish, which is also the flower of Ōsaka city....
and three other clubs who have since been relegated to regional leagues.
Mitsubishi first won the JSL championship in 1969, as a break in Mazda/Sanfrecce's dominance (and also with the fact that Toyo were in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, competing in the Asian Club Cup); their runs up the first division were sporadic but steady until the 1980s when they fell into the Second Division. In 1990 they were promoted as JSL 2 champions, and thus were ready when the J-League implementation began in earnest.
Mitsubishi were the first Japanese club to complete a domestic treble
The Treble
The term treble or Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season. Honours usually considered to contribute to a treble are the top-tier domestic league competition, domestic cup competitions, and continental tournaments; although this depends to...
, when in 1978 they won the title, the Emperor's Cup
Emperor's Cup
, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
and the Japan Soccer League Cup
Japan Soccer League Cup
The Japan Soccer League Cup was the original league cup for clubs in the top levels of Japanese football before the creation of the J. League and its cup. The cup was first played in 1973, but did not become an annual tournament until 1976....
.
The club has enjoyed mixed fortunes since the J-League advent. The club finished bottom of the league for the first two seasons of the J-League with an average crowd of under 15,000. In 1999 they suffered relegation to the second tier of Japanese football yet again. The team has since improved in form in recent years, starting with a 2003 victory in the Nabisco Cup
J. League Cup
J. League Cup is a Japanese football competition organized by J. League. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to...
.
In 2006
J. League 2006
The 2006 J. League Division 1 season was the 14th season since the establishment of the J. League. It began on March 4 and ended on December 2.-Promotion/relegation:* At the end of the 2005 season, , ,and were promoted to J1....
Urawa clinched their first professional league title by defeating runners-up Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...
3–2 on December 2 before 63,000 supporters. This came after two close calls in the previous two years. In 2005
J. League 2005
The 2005 season was the 13th season since the establishment of J. League. It began on March 5 and ended on December 3, followed by promotion/relegation series matches on December 7 and 10.-Promotion and relegation:...
, they finished 2nd, one point behind champions Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...
. In 2004
J. League 2004
The 2004 J. League Division 1 season was the 12th season of the J1 League. The league fixture began on March 13, 2004 and ended on December 11, 2004. The Suntory Championship 2004 took place on December 5 and December 11, 2004. The first ever J...
, they finished 3rd in the First Stage and won the Second Stage. Having qualified for the two-match J. League Championship
J. League Championship
The J. League Championship was a two-legged championship series which determined the season champion for the first 12 J. League seasons excluding the 1996 season. In the early years, the J.League seasons were divided into two halves, the first and second stages, and the champions of each stage...
decider, they lost on penalty kicks to Yokohama F. Marinos
Yokohama F. Marinos
is a Japanese association football team that participates in the fully professional J. League Division 1; the top Japanese professional football league. Having won the J-League title three times and finished second twice, they are one of the most successful J-League clubs. The team are based in...
.
Urawa were back to back Emperor's Cup
Emperor's Cup
, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
winners in 2005 and 2006. Winning the title for the first time since establishment as a professional team, they defeated Shimizu S-Pulse
Shimizu S-Pulse
is a professional Japanese association football club. Located in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, S-Pulse currently competes in the J. League Division 1 . Formed as recently as 1991, S-Pulse are one of the youngest professional teams in Japan, but are among only five to have competed in...
2–1 on January 1, 2006, and retained the title in 2007 with a 1–0 win over Gamba Osaka. This win also completed a league-cup double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
. In the 2007 tournament they were defeated at the first hurdle by J2 outfit Ehime F.C.
Ehime F.C.
Ehime F.C. is a professional football club based in Matsuyama, the capital city of Ehime Prefecture of Japan. After winning the JFL championship in 2005, the club now plays in J. League Division 2. Ehime F.C. is one of only four J. League clubs whose names simply consist of a place name and "F.C."...
.
In 2007, despite a seemingly unassailable lead of seven points with four games remaining, Urawa picked up only two points from their final four games. This run included losing at home to Kashima Antlers; the team who would leapfrog Urawa on the final day of the season to claim their fifth J. League title. Following their capitulation in the fourth round of the Emperor's Cup to J2 outfit Ehime F.C.
Ehime F.C.
Ehime F.C. is a professional football club based in Matsuyama, the capital city of Ehime Prefecture of Japan. After winning the JFL championship in 2005, the club now plays in J. League Division 2. Ehime F.C. is one of only four J. League clubs whose names simply consist of a place name and "F.C."...
, Urawa had to be content with their 2007
AFC Champions League 2007
The 2007 AFC Champions League was the 26th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 5th edition under the current AFC Champions League title....
Asian Champions League title. Urawa recorded their first international title after overcoming Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian team Sepahan F.C. 3–1 on aggregate. The victory made them the first Japanese side to win the title since the competition was reorganised from the Asian Champions Cup in 2003. In the Club World Cup of the same year, Urawa became the first AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
team to finish in third place, beating Tunisian Étoile Sportive du Sahel
Étoile Sportive du Sahel
The Étoile Sportive du Sahel is a sports club from Sousse in the Sahel region of Tunisia, known primarily for its football team. The club also has sections for handball, volleyball, basketball, judo and wrestling...
side on penalty kicks in the third / fourth place play off.
In 2008, Urawa attempted to win their second consecutive Asian Champions League Title and progressed to the semi finals where they were defeated by fellow Japanese and J-League rivals Gamba Osaka 3–1 on aggregate.
International affiliation
The club is also notable in that former FeyenoordFeyenoord Rotterdam
Feyenoord is a Dutch professional football club located in Rotterdam. Along with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord is one of the "big three" clubs in the Netherlands. These three clubs and Utrecht and Roda JC are the only clubs never to have been relegated from the Dutch first division...
midfielder Shinji Ono
Shinji Ono
is a Japanese football player, who plays as a midfielder for Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan.Known as Tensai, Japanese for "Genius", from his youth days, Ono is one of the biggest stars in Asian football, known for his vision, technique and superb passing...
began his professional career playing for Urawa. Ono returned for the 2006 season for a second stint with the club. Urawa is affiliated with German club FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, whose nickname is also "The Reds". Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Karl-Heinz "Kalle" Rummenigge is a German former football player.He had his greatest career success with German club Bayern Munich, where he won the Intercontinental Cup, the European Cup, as well as two league titles and two domestic cups.A member of the German national team, Rummenigge won the...
, the chairman of the FC Bayern Munich, announced that "We have been looking for clubs which have potential ability, management stability and cordial confidence. We could fulfill the desire to affiliate with this great club, Urawa Reds." Some other foreign clubs, such as Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....
, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo , also known as Flamengo and familiarly as Mengão, is a Brazilian sports club based in the Flamengo bairro, Zona Sul, Rio de Janeiro, best known for its professional football team...
, VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
, Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Feyenoord and Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
, visited Japan and played friendly games at the Saitama Stadium.
In August 2004
2004 in football (soccer)
The following are the association football events of the year 2004 throughout the world.-Events:*5 January – Manager Mark Wotte leaves Dutch club Willem II Tilburg and becomes technical director at Feyenoord Rotterdam....
, Urawa appeared in a pre-season four-team friendly tournament, the Vodafone Cup, at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, the home of Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. The Japanese club, missing key players, lost their first game 5–2 against the Argentinian side Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
. The second fixture against the hosts, Manchester United, was called off due to a massive electric storm. Some 800 Urawa fans had travelled to the game and were later compensated.
Stadium
Urawa Komaba Stadium
is an athletic stadium in Urawa-ku, Saitama, Saitama, Japan. It accommodates 21,500 spectators.- Usage :The J. League football club Urawa Red Diamonds currently use this stadium for lower profile home matches while in the 2005 to 2007 J...
as its home stadium. Due to the increasing popularity of the matches, Saitama City, owner of the stadium, expanded the seat capacity some times. The team used Ōmiya Park Soccer Stadium
Omiya Park Soccer Stadium
is a football stadium located in Ōmiya-ku, Saitama city, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It is the home stadium of a J.League club Omiya Ardija.Since May 14, 2007 it has been called for the naming rights.-History:...
until the works were complete. In spite of the poor performance of the team, the stadium was filled with faithful supporters, drew an average audience of twenty thousand people.
In October 2001, Saitama Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Saitama.This prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and most of Saitama's cities can be described as suburbs of Tokyo, to which a large amount of residents commute each day.- History...
built new soccer-specific Saitama Stadium in Saitama city. This stadium was used as a venue for the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
. After the World Cup the club has gradually increased holding its home games in Saitama Stadium and in 2003 the stadium was formally designated as the home stadium. In 2008, only two games were held at Komaba Stadium.
Facilities
Urawa Reds has used Ohara City Field for its training. In addition to this facility, the club opened the Redsland in 2005, which have three grass fields, one artificial turfArtificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
field, one baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
field, futsal
Futsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
fields and tennis courts. The Redsland is opened to the public and club members can use the facilities at relatively cheap fees.
Rivalries
Urawa Red Diamonds has a local derbyLocal derby
In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two, generally local, rivals, particularly in association football...
with Omiya Ardija
Omiya Ardija
is a professional football club which play in the J. League Division 1, and are based in Ōmiya-ku in Saitama, Japan. Its "hometown" as designated by the league is the whole of Saitama city, which is shared with neighbours Urawa Red Diamonds...
, from Omiya-ku, Saitama
Omiya-ku, Saitama
is a ward of Saitama city, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It is in the Greater Tokyo Area and about 25 km north of central Tokyo. Ōmiya-ku is surrounded by Nishi-ku , Kita-ku , Minuma-ku , Urawa-ku , Chūō-ku , and Sakura-ku of Saitama city.Ōmiya-ku is the most active commercial and business centre in...
city. The derby first took place in the JSL Second Division in the 1989–90 season
Japan Soccer League 1989-90
-First Division:Nissan won a second title, spurred by increasing links between the team, its parent company and their hometown, Yokohama. Fujita Industries and Hitachi were relegated.-Second Division:...
, and it wouldn't take place until the 2000 season when Urawa was relegated to the second tier again. In 2003 the formerly separate Omiya and Urawa cities merged to become Saitama city
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, and since 2005 the derby became a top flight fixture after Omiya was promoted.
During the JSL years and into the 1990s, Urawa's main top flight rivals were JEF United Ichihara Chiba
JEF United Ichihara Chiba
is a Japanese professional football club that plays in J. League Division 2. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city had joined Ichihara, Chiba as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East and Furukawa Electric-...
and Kashiwa Reysol
Kashiwa Reysol
is a J. League Division 1 team. Its home town is Kashiwa, Chiba, about an hour northeast of Tokyo.-History:Founded in 1940 as Hitachi, Ltd. Soccer Club in Koganei, Tokyo, the team was a founding member of the Japan Soccer League...
, both now based in Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
. Because of their former parent companies' headquarters being all based in Marunouchi
Marunouchi
Marunouchi is a commercial district of Tokyo located in Chiyoda between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. The name, meaning "inside the circle", derives from its location within the palace's outer moat...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, the three clubs were known as 丸の内御三家 Marunouchi Gosanke ("Marunouchi Big Three") and fixtures between them were known as Marunouchi derbies, although the term is falling out of use as they are now based in different prefectures and rarely play home games in Tokyo stadiums.
Rivals further afield include Kashima Antlers
Kashima Antlers
are a Japanese professional association football club playing in the J. League Division 1. Antlers is derived from the city name, Kashima, which literally means "deer island"....
, F.C. Tokyo, Yokohama Marinos, Kawasaki Frontale
Kawasaki Frontale
is a J. League Division 1 association football club. The team is located in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo. Their home stadium is Todoroki Athletics Stadium, in Nakahara Ward, in the central area of Kawasaki.-History:...
, and, even farther away, Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...
. Old JSL championship rivalries with Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
is a Japanese association football club in the J. League Division 1.-Club name:The club name is a portmanteau of the Japanese numeral for three, San and an Italian word frecce or 'arrows'...
, Cerezo Osaka
Cerezo Osaka
is a J. League Division 1 association football team. The team name Cerezo means cherry tree in Spanish, which is also the flower of Ōsaka city....
and Shonan Bellmare
Shonan Bellmare
are a Japanese professional football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 2. The team is located in Hiratsuka, in the west of Kanagawa Prefecture; their home stadium is Hiratsuka Athletics Stadium in Hiratsuka. The name Bellmare is derived from the Latin "bellum" for "war" and "mare"...
have ebbed down as those clubs had nadirs in the second tier.
Women's and Amateur Teams
The club also has women's and amateur teams.- Women's: Urawa Red Diamonds – Ladies in L. LeagueL. LeagueThe L. League is the top flight of women's association football in Japan. It is the women's equivalent of the J. League, but not professional. However, some individual players are professional.The league conssists of two divisions: division 1 has the nickname and division 2...
Division 1 - Amateur: Urawa Red Diamonds – Amateur in Saitama Prefecture League Div. 1
Record as J. League member
| Season | Div. | Tms. | Pos. | Attendance/G | J. League Cup J. League Cup J. League Cup is a Japanese football competition organized by J. League. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to... |
Emperor's Cup Emperor's Cup , commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League... |
AFC Asian Football Confederation The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are... |
FIFA FIFA Club World Cup The FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000... |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | - | - | - | - | Group Stage | Semi-final | - | - | - |
| 1993 | J1 | 10 | 10 | 11,459 | Group Stage | 2nd Round | - | - | - |
| 1994 | J1 | 12 | 12 | 18,475 | Quarter-final | 3rd Round | - | - | - |
| 1995 | J1 | 14 | 4 | 19,560 | - | Quarter-final | - | - | - |
| 1996 | J1 | 16 | 6 | 24,329 | Group Stage | Semi-final | - | - | - |
| 1997 | J1 | 17 | 10 | 20,504 | Quarter-final | 4th Round | - | - | - |
| 1998 | J1 | 18 | 6 | 22,706 | Group Stage | Quarter-final | - | - | - |
| 1999 | J1 | 16 | 15 | 21,206 | Quarter-final | 4h Round | - | - | - |
| 2000 | J2 | 11 | 2 | 16,923 | 1st Round | 4h Round | - | - | - |
| 2001 | J1 | 16 | 10 | 26,720 | Quarter-final | Semi-final | - | - | - |
| 2002 | J1 | 16 | 11 | 26,296 | Final | 3rd Round | - | - | - |
| 2003 | J1 | 16 | 6 | 28,855 | Winner | 3rd Round | - | - | - |
| 2004 | J1 | 16 | 2 | 36,660 | Final | Semi-final | - | - | - |
| 2005 | J1 | 18 | 2 | 39,357 | Semi-final | Winner | - | - | - |
| 2006 | J1 | 18 | 1 | 45,573 | Quarter-final | Winner | - | - | - |
| 2007 | J1 | 18 | 2 | 46,667 | Quarter-final | 4th Round | CL | Winner | 3rd Place |
| 2008 | J1 | 18 | 7 | 47,609 | Group Stage | 5th Round | CL | Semi-final | - |
| 2009 | J1 | 18 | 6 | 44,210 | Quarter-final | 2nd Round | - | - | - |
| 2010 | J1 | 18 | 10 | 39,941 | Group Stage | Quarter-final | - | - | - |
Key
- Tms. = Number of teams
- Pos. = Position in league
- Attendance/G = Average league attendance
Domestic Competitions
Mitsubishi (Amateur era)- Japan Soccer LeagueJapan Soccer League, or JSL, was the top flight soccer league in Japan between 1965 and 1992, and was the precursor to the current professional league, the J. League. JSL was the second national league of a team sport in Japan after the professional Japanese Baseball League that was founded in 1936...
Division 1- Champions: (4) 1969, 1973, 1978, 1982
- Japan Soccer LeagueJapan Soccer League, or JSL, was the top flight soccer league in Japan between 1965 and 1992, and was the precursor to the current professional league, the J. League. JSL was the second national league of a team sport in Japan after the professional Japanese Baseball League that was founded in 1936...
Division 2- Champions: (1) 1989/90
- Emperor's CupEmperor's Cup, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
- Winners: (4) 1971, 1973, 1978, 1980
- JSL Cup
- Winners: (2) 1978, 1981
- Super CupJapanese Super CupThe Japanese Super Cup or is an annual one-match football competition in Japan organised by J. League and the Japan Football Association . This competition serves as the season opener and is played between the J. League Champions and the Emperor's Cup Winners of the previous season...
- Winners: (3) 1979, 1980, 1983
Urawa Red Diamonds (Professional era)
- J. LeagueJ. LeagueThe or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
Division 1- Champions: (1) 2006J. League 2006The 2006 J. League Division 1 season was the 14th season since the establishment of the J. League. It began on March 4 and ended on December 2.-Promotion/relegation:* At the end of the 2005 season, , ,and were promoted to J1....
- Runners-up: (3) 2004J. League 2004The 2004 J. League Division 1 season was the 12th season of the J1 League. The league fixture began on March 13, 2004 and ended on December 11, 2004. The Suntory Championship 2004 took place on December 5 and December 11, 2004. The first ever J...
, 2005J. League 2005The 2005 season was the 13th season since the establishment of J. League. It began on March 5 and ended on December 3, followed by promotion/relegation series matches on December 7 and 10.-Promotion and relegation:...
, 2007J. League 2007The 2007 J. League Division 1 season was the 15th season since the establishment of the J. League. The season began on March 3 and ended on December 1.-Promotion and relegation:* At the end of the 2006 season, , , and were promoted to J1...
- Champions: (1) 2006
- J. LeagueJ. LeagueThe or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
Division 2- Runners-up: (1) 2000
- Emperor's CupEmperor's Cup, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
- Winners: (2) 20052005 Emperor's CupThe 85th Emperor's Cup was held between September 17, 2005 and January 1, 2006. The tournament was won by Urawa Red Diamonds. The J. League Division 2 clubs qualified automatically to the third round, while the J...
, 2006Emperor's Cup 2006The 86th Emperor's Cup had been held between September 17, 2006 and January 1, 2007. The previous season's winners Urawa Red Diamonds defended the Cup and completed the league-cup double.-Schedule:-First Round:-Second Round:-Third Round:...
- Winners: (2) 2005
- J. League CupJ. League CupJ. League Cup is a Japanese football competition organized by J. League. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to...
- Winners: (1) 2003
- Runners-up: (3) 2002, 20042004 J. League CupThe J. League Cup 2004, officially the Yamasaki Nabisco Cup 2004, was the 29th edition of Japan soccer league cup tournament and the 12th edition under the current J. League Cup format. The championship started on March 27, and finished on November 3, 2004....
, 20112011 J. League CupThe 2011 J. League Cup, also known as the 2011 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup for sponsoring purposes, is the 36th edition of the most prestigious Japanese soccer league cup tournament and the 19th edition under the current J. League Cup format...
- Super Cup
- Winners: (1) 2006
- Runners-up: (1) 2007
Continental
- AFC Champions LeagueAFC Champions LeagueThe AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
- Winners: (1) 2007AFC Champions League 2007The 2007 AFC Champions League was the 26th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 5th edition under the current AFC Champions League title....
- Winners: (1) 2007
International
- FIFA Club World CupFIFA Club World CupThe FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...
- Third Place: (1) 2007
Current Squad
As of August 28, 2011Out on loan
Managers
| Manager | Nat. | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Takaji Mori Takaji Mori is a Japanese former football player and manager. Mori played for Japan at the 1968 Summer Olympics.-Awards:* Japan Soccer League Best Eleven: ' 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975-References:... |
1993 | |
| Kenzo Yokoyama Kenzo Yokoyama is a retired Japanese football player. Yokoyama also coached the Japan national team between 1988 and 1991.-Career:Yokoyama was born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan in 1943. After graduating from Kawaguchi High School and Rikkyo University, he played professionally in the Japan Soccer League for... |
1994 | |
| Holger Osieck Holger Osieck Holger Osieck is a German football coach and current coach of the Australian national association football team. Prior to the Australian role, he most recently managed J.League club Urawa Red Diamonds, where he won the 2007 AFC Champions League. He served as an assistant coach of West Germany... |
1995-96 | |
| Horst Köppel Horst Köppel Horst Köppel is a German football manager and former player, who last worked as Head coach for FC Ingolstadt 04.-Player:* UEFA Euro 1972 winner.* European Cup runner-up: 1977.* UEFA Cup winner: 1975, 1979.... |
1997 | |
| Hiromi Hara Hiromi Hara is a retired Japanese football player. He currently serves as technical director for the Japanese national football team.-Playing career:After graduating from Waseda University in 1981, Hara joined Mitsubishi Heavy Industries F.C. as a forward.Between 1978 and 1988 Hara played 75 games for the... |
1998-99 | |
| Aad de Mos | 1999 | |
| Yasushi Yoshida | 1999 | |
| Kazuo Saito | 2000 | |
| Kenzo Yokoyama Kenzo Yokoyama is a retired Japanese football player. Yokoyama also coached the Japan national team between 1988 and 1991.-Career:Yokoyama was born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan in 1943. After graduating from Kawaguchi High School and Rikkyo University, he played professionally in the Japan Soccer League for... |
2000 | |
| Tita | 2001 | |
| Pita Edvaldo Oliveira Chaves Edvaldo Oliveira Chaves, best known as Pita is a former association footballer in offensive midfielder role, currently works as General Manager by Desportivo Brasil.- Career :... |
2001 | |
| Hans Ooft | 2002-03 | |
| Guido Buchwald Guido Buchwald Guido Ulrich Buchwald is a German former football defender and manager.The best game of Buchwald's career was probably the final of the 1990 FIFA World Cup when he effectively marked the skilled footballer, Diego Maradona, earning him the nickname "Diego"... |
2004-06 | |
| Holger Osieck Holger Osieck Holger Osieck is a German football coach and current coach of the Australian national association football team. Prior to the Australian role, he most recently managed J.League club Urawa Red Diamonds, where he won the 2007 AFC Champions League. He served as an assistant coach of West Germany... |
2007-08 | |
| Gert Engels Gert Engels Gert Engels is a former German football player and current coach of Mozambique.- Career :He commenced his professional playing career with lowly SG Düren 99 and later joined Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Niederau... |
2008 | |
| Volker Finke Volker Finke Volker Finke is a German football manager and former player. He managed SC Freiburg from July 1991 to May 2007. This made him the longest-serving manager in the history of professional football in Germany... |
2009-10 | |
| Željko Petrović Željko Petrovic Željko Petrović is a retired Montenegrin footballer and was the technical coach of Feyenoord Rotterdam in the 2004/2005 season.-Club career:... |
2011 | |
| Takafumi Hori | 2011- |
League history
Excepting two seasons in which they were in the second tier, Mitsubishi/Urawa has always competed in the top flight, thereby being the second club in terms of top flight seasons total after JEF United Ichihara ChibaJEF United Ichihara Chiba
is a Japanese professional football club that plays in J. League Division 2. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city had joined Ichihara, Chiba as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East and Furukawa Electric-...
.
- Mitsubishi (Amateur era)
- Division 1 (JSL and JSL Div.1) : 1965-66, 1988-89
- Division 2 (JSL Div.2) : 1989-90
- Division 1 (JSL Div.1) : 1990-91, 1991-92
- Urawa Red Diamonds (Professional era)
- Division 1 (J. League) : 1993-99
- Division 2 (J. League Div.2) : 2000
- Division 1 (J. League Div.1) : 2001-
- Top Scorer: Masahiro FukudaMasahiro Fukudais a former Japanese football player. He was a forward but sometimes played in the midfield.-Club:After studying at and playing for Sagami Institute of Technology High School and Chuo University, he joined Mitsubishi Motors in 1989 and started to play for their football club that played in the...
with 152 goals