Vegalta Sendai's late win over Kawasaki Frontale gave the J. League a memorable story line on its return to action on Saturday, but the mere fact that soccer was back on the menu was the real victory.
Coming back from a six-week layoff in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the feeling of pride and unity was palpable as Vegalta visited Todoroki Stadium with a sizeable traveling support intent on savoring every moment.
Dreadful weather did its best to dampen events, but there could be no extinguishing the drama when Jiro Kamata popped up to ram an 87th-minute header past Kawasaki goalkeeper Rikihiro Sugiyama in front of a delirious away end.