The J.League on Friday announced the appointment of former Tokyo Verdy manager Yasutaro Matsuki as tournament ambassador of the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J.League Championship.

Matsuki’s Verdy side, in its previous incarnation of Verdy Kawasaki, won the 1993 and 1994 Suntory Championships against Kashima Antlers and Sanfrecce Hiroshima respectively.

“This is a year or reform and new challenges,” said J.League chairman Mitsuru Murai. 

“There will be various aspects of the Championship that require improvement, and I hope that Mr. Matsuki will give us his objective opinion.”

“I’m here to share the joy of football with as many people as possible,” added Matsuki. “I want to share the emotions of the players who are out on the pitch.

“Winning the Championship means appearing in the FIFA Club World Cup and AFC Champions League. 

“There are plenty of reasons for the players to be motivated, and I hope they’ll show us a historical fight on the pitch.”

The penultimate round of the regular MEIJI YASUDA J1 League season on Saturday will play a key role in deciding which teams progress to the championship play-off.