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Team Index Albirex Niigata Kashima Antlers Omiya Ardija Avispa Fukuoka Shonan Bellmare Cerezo Osaka Consadole Sapporo Ehime FC Kawasaki Frontale Gamba Osaka Nagoya Grampus Gifu FC Mito Hollyhock JEF United Jubilo Iwata Yokohama Marinos Montedio Yamagata Urawa Reds Kashiwa Reysol Roasso Kumamoto Sagan Tosu Sanfrecce Hiroshima Kyoto Sanga Shimizu S-Pulse Thespa Kusatsu FC Tokyo Oita Trinita Vegalta Sendai Ventforet Kofu Tokyo Verdy Vissel Kobe Tokushima Vortis Yokohama FC | |
On Thursday November 23, 2006, as his Yokohama FC teammates were making the customary post-match bow to fans at Mitsuzawa Stadium, Shoji Jo inexplicably wandered away from the group, and was met at the sidelines by a man with a microphone. As the crowd held its breath, recognizing what was about to happen but not wanting to accept it, the ace striker of Japan's 1998 World Cup team cleared his throat, and then stood speechless with emotion for almost a full minute. As the pause lingered on, fans began shouting out words of encouragement, and thunderous "Joooohhh Sho-Ji" chants. At last, the Yokohama FC striker found his composure and began breaking the news to his fans. "I have decided that when this season comes to an end, I will end my life as a football player, and start working on a new career, in coaching. The season is not yet over, and (FC Yokohama) is fighting for promotion. So rather than say goodbye, I would like to say: 'Lets fight on and go to the J1, together '."
But Jo's dedication to football kept him going through the dark times, just as it had in the years of his golden youth. When his reputation had reached bottom, he accepted a spot at Yokohama FC -- at that time one of the weaker teams in the J2 -- and began a new career as a gritty, hard-working contributor who might have lost his star potential but who could still make valuable contributions to the team. Jo's hard work and determination were recognised by teammates and fans alike, and by 2005 he was named team captain in a squad that included more experienced and higher profile players, such as Kazu Miura and Motohiro Yamaguchi. In his final season, Yokohama FC topped the J2, and it was remarkably fitting that Jo was able to close his football career with a Division 2 title at Yokohama -- essentially reliving the most glorious moment of his career. Though Jo was criticised severely in the latter stages of his career, for his inability to find the net (at least following his knee injury and subsequent return from Spain), there is no question that he was one of the top stars of the J.League's first decade. He racked up double-digit scoring figures in each of his first six seasons (including 25 for the 1998 Marinos), and though his figures following the return from Spain fully justify his iconization as the "God of Impotent Strikers" (just five goals TOTAL in 2000, 2001 and 2002), after joining Yokohama FC he recovered a bit of the old finishing skill, scoring 10-12 goals and twice that number of assists in each of his last four seasons.
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