Encounter with Kosuke OTA
This is a story born from a chain of kindness. Among the many episodes in Tokyo, it can be called one of my top ten favorites. I would like you to join me for a little while in a lovely story about Ryoya OGAWA, who will soon depart for Portugal, and the heartwarming left-back he left behind in blue and red.
Ryo entered the professional world in 2015 from Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School. Looking back on that time, he said, "I was praised in high school soccer and had some misunderstandings."
"So, I didn't think I could beat (Kosuke) Ota, but I thought I could at least make it to the bench and occasionally play in the game."
However, that faint hope was easily shattered. Throughout the year, there was never a chance to play in an official match, and I felt really down. But above all, I realized the difference in our levels. After experiencing the gap between me and Kosuke, I thought there were many things I needed to do. Before I knew it, I found myself naturally watching Kosuke's plays during practice and always following him around. Furthermore, I asked him about anything that caught my attention.
"I imitated Hirokazu-kun anyway. Because we were both left-handed and had similar characteristics. I often watched him during practice, and we also did crossing practice together after practice. Hirokazu-kun was also kind. If the upperclassmen had said, 'Why do I have to teach you?' I think it would have been tough."
What did you think of Ryo's actions at that time? Hirokazu says this:
"It may seem strange to get along with a rival who plays in the same position as you, but I have been fortunate to have kind seniors since I was young, and I have been able to play freely. Whether it was at Yokohama FC or Shimizu S-Pulse, there were countless talented players. I was able to absorb various things and grow by sticking with such seniors. Because of that, regardless of rivals, I wanted to convey my experiences and have a good relationship with all players. I have a personality that cannot rely on my peers, and I think that's similar to how I get along with my seniors. Maybe that's also part of my charm."
And then, a chance comes to Ryo as well. In his second year as a professional, Hirokazu moved to Vitesse in the Dutch first division, and he made his first appearance in the AFC Champions League, overlapping with Yuichi KOMANO's injury, who was competing for a regular position. He also increased his playing time in the league matches, but he didn't feel satisfied with his performance.
"I was desperate to keep up. I was always on the edge, trying not to make mistakes or disrupt the flow of passes. There were times when I didn't understand, so I just ran with all my might. Looking back now, I think Naotake HANYU and other seniors covered for me and helped me move around so I could play comfortably."
The following year, when Kousuke returned to Tokyo from the Netherlands, he was once again relegated to the bench. However, he continued to push himself, telling himself, "If Kousuke-kun had been here, I wouldn't have been able to play in my second year," and chasing after his back once again, just like he did in his first year as a professional.
Recently, I realized that Ryouya's footsteps, which Koukai has been chasing after, have become a little louder.
"When I came back from the Netherlands, Ryo also had established his own playing style and was able to play with confidence. Seeing him play in the game, I could see his playing style and the angle before taking a corner kick. That made me happy."
However, even though they recognized each other as rivals, Ryoya continued to do the cross training with his teammate, just like in his first year. They also often went out to eat together in private. They remained each other's biggest rivals and good senior and junior teammates.
'6' Genealogy
It was a turning point in his fourth year as a professional. Ryo increased his playing time with each passing year from here on.
"I gained confidence in my fourth year. When Kousuke-kun returned, I felt a difference. Even with Kousuke-kun, I gained confidence that I could still play in the game. It was different playing in the game without Kousuke-kun."
Ryo's success meant that Kousuke's playing time would decrease. However, Kousuke still says.
"When I uploaded a picture of us together on SNS, I would sometimes get comments or messages from fans and supporters asking, 'Aren't you upset about losing your position?' Before we were competing for the same position, I actually really liked Ryoya OGAWA as a person. We spent a lot of time together even outside of soccer. Of course, it was frustrating when I was on the bench, but I never wanted to see Ryoya make a mistake or play poorly. I wanted to continue our relationship of pushing each other to be better and I believed that by sharing our experiences, I could also grow as a player. I think it was a really simple and good relationship. We would have passionate discussions about soccer and we respected and motivated each other."
Their relationship continues even now, after Kosuke left Tokyo in the summer of the 2019 season. Ryoya has always written "Kosuke OTA" in the section for respected players, and has continued to hold feelings of gratitude and respect.
"I always treated him the same way. It made me happy and grateful. That's why I also interacted with him frankly. I think it's because of Hirokazu's big heart."
From the 2020 season, Ryoya took over the number 6 that Kousuke had worn. "It's not that I absolutely wanted to wear it. But if it became an empty number and someone else wore it, I would really hate that. So I said I wanted to wear number 6 myself." This story didn't end here, or rather Ryoya didn't let it end. He didn't just take over the number 6. After the caring Kousuke left, it was none other than Ryoya who took the lead in taking care of his juniors.
"Since I was at the bottom, I was always taken out to eat. I was loved by my seniors more than enough. I wanted to continue that. I don't want to create a wall for my juniors in the first place. I may have created a wall for my seniors myself, but I may have jumped over it without realizing it. It's dangerous to be friendly with my seniors and create a wall for my juniors (laughs)."
After saying that, I started practicing with Kashif BANGNAGANDE, a left SB who was promoted from FC Tokyo U-18, and answered any questions, just like I was once given the same opportunity.
At first, Yoshifumi was reserved, but he changed after experiencing Ryo's kindness. "He has something that I don't have, so I feel like it would be a waste not to ask him about it. At first, I was hesitant, but when I first joined the top team for practice, both Hirokazu and Ryo spoke to me in a friendly manner. That's why I was able to become more proactive in talking to them. I really think it's thanks to the two of them."
Kazufumi and I push each other to improve, and Ryoya was selected for the first time to represent Japan in March 2021. Hirokai was so happy as if it was his own achievement when he heard about it.
"I was really happy when I received the call, both when I got my jersey number and when I joined the national team. I had said that I wanted to wear number 6 and join the national team, and I'm glad I was able to follow through on that. Also, I remember him talking shyly about being kind to Yoshifu. Soccer players may have their own individual worlds, but it's not fun if we don't talk to each other and recognize each other as rivals, or if we don't teach anything to younger players. I'm glad Ryo also felt that way."
Where you should be
And, with preparations in order, Ryouya made the decision to fly out into the world. It was to open the door to his dreams.
"When I was a child, when it came to soccer games, it was always about the national team. So when I dreamed of becoming a soccer player, the image I always had was of a Japan national team player. When I found out I was going to join FC Tokyo, I was extremely happy. But it was a little different from what I had imagined. When I was first selected for the Japan national team, I felt like my dream had come true. When I stepped onto the pitch in the game against South Korea, I felt like I had become the player I had always imagined. I have always admired and wanted to become a player who can play at the center of the Japan national team and also overseas."
In mid-June just before that, Kousuke and Ryouya reunite. They go out to eat after a long time and the junior who sat knee-to-knee with them seemed a little reliable.
"When I told him to do his best, he would always say 'I'll do it' with a shy smile. He has been practicing crosses and I think he can be more aggressive if it's Ryo. He has been known for his defensive skills due to the team's situation, but he always said he wanted to overlap and cross more. I told him to become a more attacking full-back in Portugal. Because I know he can do more."
Ryo asked him, "Do you want to wear number 6 for Yoshifu?" The answer was only kind.
"I wonder if being pushy is annoying. But if you want to wear it, I'd be happy."
Surely, the consideration and kindness that Ryo left behind at this club will be passed down to the next generation.
Goodbye Tokyo, what do you think as we face the beginning of today? What do you feel as we welcome a new beginning?
Farewell greetings are not suitable for expressing my feelings of regret. Here, there was Ryoya OGAWA, who was a bit cheeky and full of energy when he first became a professional.
"When I joined, I'm sure the seniors were confused too. They probably thought, 'This is a different atmosphere from the usual juniors who come to Tokyo.' At first, it seemed like they thought I was a cheeky guy. But the seniors in Tokyo were kind to me. They went along with whatever I said and taught me everything. That's why I am who I am today. I am truly grateful and joining FC Tokyo was not a mistake. I am where I am now because of the many seniors and coaches who have been involved. I really feel blessed. But I've never said or thought that I love FC Tokyo. What should I say...? You don't tell your family that you love them, right? FC Tokyo has become the place where I belong and it has become natural. I will become bigger over there. Wearing the national team uniform is a goal that I must not lose sight of."
Oh, yeah, there was a player who used to joke around and say "I'll play for Real Madrid someday" during his first year. I feel like he's somewhere out there. I've been surprised by his potential, but at the same time, I feel like I haven't seen his true seriousness yet. If I had to give him some words, it would be like this.
"Become big, kind-hearted Gentleman Boy"
Text by Tadashi BABA (Football Writer)
