Ahead of the 96th Emperor's Cup All Japan Football Championship, the “returning-the-cup” event was held before the J1 League match between Gamba Osaka and Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 30 July. ENDO Yasuhito, the former champions Gamba Osaka’s captain, handed the cup back to MATSUZAKI Yasuhiro, JFA’s Standing Member of Executive Committee.

Regional matches will start from 27 August across Japan, and the final, which takes place on the New Year’s Day, will be held at Suita City Football Stadium, the home of Gamba Osaka. Without any doubt, Gamba Osaka are determined to play for this final and win the third consecutive title, which none of the teams have ever done it before. 

It has been 52 years since the last final was held in the Kansai area in 1964. The last final held in Osaka was in 1960. 

Players' Comment

ENDO Yasuhito, Captain (Gamba Osaka)
Without any doubt, any team participating in the Emperor’s Cup are highly motivated, since winning the title means that they qualify for the AFC Champions League. High-level matches are expected in this competition. We know that going through to the final will not be easy, but we will play with pride as the defending champions.

In addition, we have the chance to get the title for the third consecutive year, which we failed to do so in 2010. Considering that the final will be held in our home stadium Suita City Football Stadium for the first time, we will be playing with the highest motivation amongst all the competing teams. Using this motivation to our advantage, we will attain the best result and become the top team of the Emperor’s Cup.