INAC Kobe came from behind to beat Hiroshima in the opening match, as former Japan international midfielder and president Abe Hiroyuki (阿部浩之), who took office this month, celebrated his first match with a victory while also speaking with an eye to the club’s future growth. Attendance was 4,183, up from last season’s opening match.
In the opening round of the newly launched WE League season, defending champions INAC Kobe came from behind to beat Hiroshima. President Abe Hiroyuki (阿部浩之) took charge from the front for the first time since taking office in June, marking his debut with a victory. He shared the celebration with sponsors and others, emphasizing that victory was “everything” while also stressing the club’s efforts ahead.
Attendance was 4,183, more than 1,700 higher than at last season’s opening match. From a management perspective, President Abe Hiroyuki (阿部浩之) looked ahead to increasing attendance in the future, saying, “This has become the benchmark. I want to keep increasing it. Even this is too few.”
Drawing on his experience playing for Gamba Osaka and Kawasaki during his career, President Abe Hiroyuki (阿部浩之) expressed his desire to strengthen relationships with sponsors and grow the organization. Regarding the fact that he marked his debut with a victory, he praised how quickly it had come while saying that he intended to put the necessary structure in place for future matches.
In light of these points, the first victory since taking office has come to be viewed as the “benchmark” for the new regime. President Abe Hiroyuki (阿部浩之) is expected to strengthen operations on the ground while pursuing both higher attendance and improved team performance.