Roasso Kumamoto (ロアッソ熊本, Roasso Kumamoto) is a professional Japanese association football club based in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. The club competes in the J2 League, the second tier of the Japanese professional football league system. Its home matches are played at Egao Kenko Stadium.
History The club's origins trace back to the establishment of the NTT Kumamoto Soccer Club in 1969. Over the decades, it underwent several transformations, eventually becoming Alo's Kumamoto. The modern incarnation, Roasso Kumamoto, was officially founded in 2005 with the clear ambition of becoming a J.League club. The name "Roasso" is a portmanteau of the Italian words "rosso" (red) and "asso" (ace), signifying the club's primary color and its aspiration to be an elite team.
Roasso Kumamoto was admitted to the Japan Football League (JFL), the third tier of Japanese football at the time, in 2006. After a strong performance in the 2007 season, finishing as runners-up, the club was promoted to the J2 League in 2008, where it has primarily remained since.
A notable period in the club's history was the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, which caused significant damage to the region and the stadium. Despite the challenges, the club demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuing to play their matches and serving as a symbol of hope and recovery for the local community.
Stadium Roasso Kumamoto plays its home games at the Egao Kenko Stadium (えがお健康スタジアム), located in Kumamoto City. The multi-purpose stadium, also known by its former name, Kumamoto Athletics Stadium, has a seating capacity of approximately 32,000 spectators.
Club Identity
- Colors: The club's primary colors are red and black, prominently featured in its crest, kit, and merchandise.
- Mascot: Roa-kun, a mythical creature inspired by local folklore and embodying strength and determination, serves as the club's official mascot.
- Supporters: Roasso Kumamoto enjoys strong local support, with a dedicated fan base in Kumamoto Prefecture. Matches against other teams from the Kyushu region often generate particular interest.
League Status Roasso Kumamoto currently competes in the J2 League, aiming to achieve promotion to the top-tier J1 League while fostering local football talent and contributing to the community through sports.