You Don’t Need to Visit Dortmund for a Taste of the Yellow Wall
July 17, 2015
Kashiwa Reysol’s Supporters Are Among the J-League’s Fiercest
By Dan Stelly | Photo via sprmbrs41
Tenants: Kashiwa Reysol
Location: Kashiwa, Chiba
Capacity: 15,900
Opened: 1985
Just under 6,000 miles from Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion lies Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium and Japan’s very own yellow wall. Though the Chiba-based ground would hold less than a quarter of Germany’s most famous supporters, the venue’s tight quarters and vocal fans make for one of the J-League’s toughest away trips.
It also helps that hosts Kashiwa Reysol are currently one of Japan’s fiercest contenders. After suffering relegation in both 2006 and 2010, the club stormed back to win the 2011 J-League title, represent Asia at the Club World Cup, and collect two domestic cups in ensuing seasons. With any more success, Kashiwa may have to consider a third stadium expansion after renovations in 1995, when the side played its inaugural J-League campaign, and 2009.
Note: Each week, we highlight a new stadium, from Old Trafford and the Camp Nou to Rhyl FC’s 3,000-seat Belle Vue ground. If you’d like to have this feature (along with other dispatches from the soccer universe) delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our weekly bulletin.
