Chiba 1–0 in the final, earning promotion to 2013 J.League Division 1, returning to the top tier after a 5-year absence This time, however, their top tier stay lasted only one season. In 2015 they were further relegated to J3 League after losing in the promotion playoffs to Machida Zelvia on December 6, becoming the first major trophy winner to be relegated to the third tier. The club immediately gained promotion back to J2 League by winning the J3 League title in 2016. In 2018, after finishing as runner's up in the J2 League in 2018, Oita Trinita gained promotion back to J1. After finishing 18th in 2021, Trinita would be relegated back to J2 League, but in the background of that, the club made a Cinderella run to the Emperor's Cup Final. Just 1 week after the confirmation to be relegated, they defeated defending Emperor's Cup champion Kawasaki Frontale in stunning fashion in the semis; after the game was tied 1 all, Trinita won 4–5 on penalty kicks. They ended up losing to Urawa Red Diamonds in the final, giving the Reds their eighth Emperor's Cup title. The club will play its second consecutive season at the J2 League on 2023. Location The club's home town is the city of Ōita, but the club draws support from the entire Ōita Prefecture. Stadium The club's home ground is Resonac Dome Oita, also known as the "Big Eye", which was one of the venues built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The club practices at its adjacent football and rugby field, and Ōita City Public Ground. Record as J.League member Key Honours League J2 League Champions: 2002 J3 League Champions: 2016 Kyushu Soccer League Champions: 1995 Cups J.League Cup Winners: 2008 Players Current squad Type 2 Type 2 Out on loan Club captains Cui Daewoo (1999) Tomohiro Katanosaka (2000) Tetsuro Uki (2002–2003) Sandro (2004) Takayuki Yoshida (2005) Takashi Miki (2006–2007) Daiki Takamatsu (2008–2010) Masashi Miyazawa (2011–2013) Kazumichi Takagi (2014) Daniel (2015) Satoru Yamagishi (2016–2017) Akira Takeuchi (January – August 2018) Kenji Baba (August – December 2018) Yoshinori Suzuki (2019–2020) Shun Takagi (2021) Hokuto Shimoda (2022) Tsukasa Umesaki (2023–present) Coaching staff For the 2023 J2 League season. Managerial history Kit evolution References External links Official Website J.League clubs Football clubs in Japan Association football clubs established in 1994 Japanese League Cup winners Sports teams in Ōita Prefecture 1994 establishments in Japan Japan