Stadium
Completed in 2001 to mark the city's 50th birthday,
Toyota Stadium is a state-of-the-art football-specific ground
complete with a retractable roof. Earmarked as one of Japan's
venues for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, it was ultimately discarded
from the final list of ten. With the capacity to hold 45,000
spectators close to the action, the ground is said to be a
favourite among supporters and players alike. One of the group
matches will be played here during the tournament.
Club
Nagoya Grampus Eight, one of the founding members of the
12-team J-League in 1992, play many of their matches at the
futuristic Toyota Stadium. Although the Toyota-sponsored club have
not had great success in recent times, Grampus Eight, nicknamed the
Noble Barbarians, can count Arsenal's French coach Arsene
Wenger and former England striker Gary Lineker among the stars that
have walked through their doors.
