After claiming the right to play in J1 League*1, after beating 3rd placed Kyoto Sanga 2-0 in the playoff final, Tokushima Vortis became the first team ever from the Shikoku region to play in the top league in Japan. They are now training hard in order to stay in J1 League they had fought so hard to get in.
The name Vortis
Vortis was coined from the Italian word 'vortice', which means 'whirlpool'. In Naruto City, part of the club's hometown, you can see lively whirling tides at the Naruto Strait. The name was chosen to exhibit the dynamics of a whirlpool in the hope of swallowing up the whole audience in excitement by its power, speed and unity.
Every match, the team tries its best to engage its fans by giving their best. With players from Brazil and South Korea as members of its team, Vortis has been a force to be reckoned with.
See what Vortis members and coach have to say about being in J1 League! Click here to find out!
This is a special interview for Otsuka People Talk. The soccer coach and players are not Otsuka employees.
The team may have come from a small hometown but the passion is enormous
A leader and a coach loved by all
Vortis' continues to nurture future stars
Unlike any big budget teams that have the ability to acquire established soccer players, Vortis is a team that offers opportunities to those who were passed over. Because Vortis is a team that nurtures today's athletes to becoming tomorrow's superstars.
The Biggest Challenge
Coach Kobayashi promised his team to keep all original players and pointed out that it was extremely important for the team members to not get seriously injured. Another must is for the team to up its game by shortening their response times. He said J1 is totally different from J2. J1 team players have remarkable stamina and speed. And of course, fans' support and cheering them on live at the matches make all the difference!
For those who want to attend Tokushima Vortis matches, click here for the schedule.
- 1The J. League Division 1 or J1 League is the top division of Japan Professional Football League 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 association football league system. The second tier is represented by J. League Division 2 and J3 League or simply J3 is the third division of Japan Professional Football that has established a third-tier professional association football league in Japan starting 2014.