Jubilo Iwata's unprecedented sweep of both J. League stages was eagerly anticipated by at least one former player.
Dunga, Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning team captain, played for the Division One club over four seasons from 1995 and helped infuse the team's Japanese players with his fighting spirit.
In 1997, Dunga was named the J. League's Player of the Year after leading Jubilo to victory in the second stage and capturing the overall title. The following year, he helped the team win the first stage as well as the Nabisco Cup.