July 23 (The Japan Times) - Nagoya Grampus Eight star Dragan "Pixy" Stojkovic celebrated his final game at the end of a 20-year professional football career with a 3-0 win over Tokyo Verdy 1969 on Saturday night, the final day of the J. League Division One first stage, at Tokyo Stadium.
"I'm very, very proud that I've
played in Japan, in the J.
League. For me and my
family, it's unforgettable,"
Stojkovic said afterward.
"I'm proud of leaving the pitch
with a win today. When I
started in 1981 (at Yugoslav
League club Radnicki Nis), it
was a 2-1 win. Today, it's a
3-0 win. It's nice to start with
a victory and finish with a
victory."
Brazilian forward Ueslei
struck two minutes into the
game and Yasuyuki
Moriyama knocked in a
header in the 42nd minute,
giving Nagoya a 2-0 lead at
halftime.
But the highlight of the game
came in the 56th minute.
Stojkovic intercepted a pass on the right side of the box and
back-passed the ball with his heel to Ueslei, who wrong-footed
Verdy goalkeeper Kenji Honnami. Ueslei then slotted the ball into
the empty goal, sending the sold-out crowd of 43,335 into a frenzy.
On seeing the Brazilian's shot find the net, Stojkovic, who has set
up numerous goals for his J. League side over the last seven years,
pumped his fist in his trademark manner.
Stojkovic, playing his 184th league game for Nagoya, went on to
deliver several tricky passes and sent some penetrating through
balls to his teammates to create a few last good scoring chances - all part of his artistic repertoire that has entertained the Japanese
fans.
At times, the 36-year-old didn't forget to show his frustration at
poor calls by the referee.
When Stojkovic took corner kicks, thousands of flash lights of
cameras from the fans sparkled throughout the stands. The fans,
most of whom were in red, Grampus' team color, kept chanting
"Pixy Ole!" throughout the match. As the game wore on, their
chants only grew louder.
"I've always had strong support from our supporters. From the
bottom of my heart, thank you very, very much and I will never
forget you for the rest of my life," Stojkovic said to the fans in a
speech after the game.
Amid deafening chants, Nagoya's Yugoslav star walked around the
pitch, carried by his goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki part of the way.
"It was difficult for me to concentrate on the game for 90 minutes
today because this was my last game. It's a sad moment at the
same time."
Asked what he will do next, Stojkovic said he would like to spend
time with his family, which was the reason for his retirement. He
said he wants to be a "good father" for his family, who have stood
by him. "They deserve to have me now," he noted.
Stojkovic played for Radnicki Nis from 1981-86, Red Star
Belgrade (1986-90), Olympic Marseille (1990-91), Verona
(1991-92), and Marseille again (1991-94) before coming to
Nagoya in 1994.
He was the Yugoslav League MVP in 1988 and '89 and the J.
League MVP in 1995. He played in the World Cup in 1990 and
1998.
