Avispa Fukuoka have never won a major trophy. They’ve never even played in a cup final. But that is all going to change on Saturday when they walk onto the pitch at the Japan National Stadium for the J.League YBC Levain Cup final, streaming live on the J.League International YouTube channel.
Fukuoka now stand 90 minutes away from the greatest moment in club history, and their supporters are set to pour into Tokyo in droves to see arguably the biggest day in the history of Avi, but how did they get here?
Avi had a tough task from the very start of the competition, being grouped with strong sides Kashima Antlers, Albirex Niigata and Kashiwa Reysol. With a win, draw and loss in their first three matches, Fukuoka made the turn at the group stage in need of a strong finish and they got just that, winning their final three contests to top Group D.
Fukuoka got off on the wrong foot in the knockout stages, losing the first leg of their quarter-final tie to F.C.Tokyo, but they showed their resolve in the second leg. They came out flying in front of their home fans and got first half goals by Yuya Yamagishi and Itsuki Oda that led them into the next round.
Reiju Tsuruno and Wellington led Fukuoka with two goals apiece in the group stage and it was that duo that delivered in the semi-finals too. Tsuruno scored the lone goal a 1-0 first leg win over Nagoya Grampus, then Wellington scored five minutes into the second leg and that was all it took to push Avi through to the first cup final in club history.
Saturday is going to be a historic day in Avispa Fukuoka history and, with the way they’ve carved up the competition to get to this point, they are sure to bring plenty of confidence to the National Stadium. Now, they only hope to head back to Kyushu with a trophy in hand.
