Ryoya OGAWA prepared for his journey and flew to Portugal.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE is no longer by my side, chasing after me. But I still hold onto my goals that I want to achieve. Someday, I dream of standing side by side and surpassing him.
The chase between the two continues.
The lineage of side backs that Kashiho, who grew up in blue and red, has seen. With gratitude in his heart, he runs towards becoming the best side back in Japan.
Q: What is the image of Tokyo's side back that Kashiho, a player who aims to be the best side back in Japan, has in mind?
When it comes to side backs in Tokyo, there is an image of the Japan national team. As for playing style, there may not be a specific form. Yuto Nagatomo, Kosuke Ota, Sei Muroya, and Ryo Yasuda each have their own strengths and characteristics. However, everyone has a special weapon. It is because of these outstanding weapons that they are selected for the Japan national team. I also want to develop my own weapon and make up for any weaknesses.
Q, please tell me the timing and background when player Yoshifu was converted from an attacking position to a side back position.
I have played various positions, but the first time I played as a full-back was in middle school. I originally liked attacking, so I strongly felt, "Why do I have to play as a full-back?" and I couldn't really like it at that time. Even after I switched positions in my second year of high school, I always thought that I shouldn't neglect the attacking aspect, which is my strength. I want to fight there, and I have confidence that I can fight. How much can I differentiate myself from others in attack? Can I lead the team to victory? That's the part I want to compete in as myself.
Q: Is there anyone who has had the most influence on you so far?
My older brother, who played soccer, was the closest and my first idol to me. It was always said by my parents that I should be grateful to those around me, which is something that is taken for granted.
Q, that is also the origin of Yoshifu's kindness in his heart.
A, my family is much kinder than me. My father is also very kind to me.
Q, maybe it's because I've been treated kindly that I can be kind to others.
A, I really think so. It may be thanks to the kindness I received from my family.
Q, Speaking of gratitude, it is also a word that Nagatomo has continued to mention since his rookie days.
A, I have always cherished those words. In playing soccer, it is extremely important to show gratitude to the referees, respect for opponents, and appreciation for the fans and supporters who cheer us on. This may be a personal impression, but players without a sense of respect will not last before becoming professionals. It is that important, and I believe that it is not just about playing soccer, but also about doing other things.
After turning professional, the kind role model Ryoya OGAWA, who always cared for me, always listened to me with concern, asking "How was today's practice?"
Q, Ogawa is often misunderstood as being light or frivolous, but perhaps it was because he had those feelings that he was able to realize his true essence.
A, Ryo-ya is very reliable. Certainly, I had the same impression at first, but I quickly realized. I noticed that he was watching me properly. "He is completely different from what everyone thinks," I felt that way since I participated in practice in high school.
Q: I heard that Ogawa-san would give you encouragement when things weren't going well.
When I was in my third year of high school, I participated in practice and was able to play in the top team's matches. However, during my first year as a professional, there was a period of about three months where I couldn't play in the matches even though I was on the bench after the league resumed. It wasn't that I didn't have the motivation, but I was thinking too much and things weren't going well. During that time, Ryo-kun would always ask me after practice, "How was today's practice?" He would listen attentively to my stories about "this isn't going well" or "nothing is going well." We often played together on the left side during practice, and for example, during exercises where the attack starts from the full-back, I was missing all the balls to the back during the period when things weren't going well. Once I made a mistake, things wouldn't go well at all and it would continue. At times like that, he would advise me to "just kick it without thinking." Ryo-kun was always there to talk to me when I was really troubled. He is truly a kind person.
Q, it was strange why the reserved player Yoshinori was able to ask questions actively to his seniors.
When I first joined the practice, the relationship between Hirokazu and Ryouya was really good, so I was able to join without feeling nervous. I think it was because of that, I didn't have to hold back with the two of them. It's strange, but I was able to blend in smoothly. Even when I was on the bench, I never once thought "make a mistake" towards Ryouya. When Ryouya made a good play, it actually motivated me, thinking "I saw a good play". I think it's because I've always tried to learn from Ryouya's good points. Even during the game, there were always discoveries about what to do in these kinds of situations. There was also a sense of rivalry, but it was always with the single-minded desire to study and learn.
Daily lessons and advice from Yuto NAGATOMO, who knows the world, and lightened my heart. "I have confidence that I can learn from these seniors without fail."
Q, By the way, what kind of conversation are you having with Nagatomo?
A, I listen to various discussions every day regarding mental aspects, technical aspects of soccer, including interpersonal relationships and positioning. The most impressive thing is the way he carries himself. Even just watching from the side, I think it's amazing. I think he could succeed in any world he goes to. I see everything from his behavior in matches, practices, and the training room.
Q, there must be a lot to learn for player Yoshifumi in aiming for the world, right?
A player who has experienced the top level in the world, so there is a lot to learn. Recently, I have been playing in a league of that level, so it is grateful to be able to hear from someone who knows the real situation, such as what kind of meals young players overseas are having.
Q, where does that learning attitude and ambition come from?
A, Tokyo's fullbacks are probably the best players at the national team level. Being here guarantees growth, and there is also a desire to surpass this person. There is also a belief that we can learn from these players without a doubt, based on the achievements left by the seniors.
Q: Ryota Ogawa also mentioned that he often imitated player Ota.
I started by watching how Ryoya-kun was doing things and trying to imitate him, and then I tried to make it my own. Personally, I often get mentally down or lose my rhythm and end up dragging it into the next day. But Ryoya-kun was good at switching his feelings even when the team wasn't doing well. It's the opposite of me, but even when the team situation is bad, Ryoya-kun doesn't bring a bad atmosphere to practice. That's what I learned the most, or rather, something I didn't have. I want to become like that too, and Ryoya-kun also told me, "Don't think too much. Try to think more easily."
Q, just having my feelings put into words like that made me feel lighter.
A, yes. And, watching Ryoya-kun behave like that, I started to think that there is also this way of doing things.
An original weapon that no one else has, polished for the player suitable for the blue and red side back. The goal is to be known as "Tokyo's side back, Kashiho".
Q, and please tell us about your determination as the new left-back for Tokyo, as Ogawa has transferred to Portugal.
A, "When it comes to Tokyo's fullbacks, I don't think I can play in a way that everyone thinks, 'Kashifu is the one.' First of all, I have to play in a way that makes people think that. My ideal is to be a fullback that everyone finds interesting. It is essential to be able to defend, but also to show differences in attack compared to others. Whether it's in vertical movement, game control, or crosses, anything is fine. I want to be a fullback who has unique characteristics and can make a difference compared to others."
Q, Ota met coach Popovic and started kicking free kicks for the first time. He polished it to become his unique weapon. Ogawa also said that he practiced 100 free kicks every day in high school. Do you want to become a set piece kicker, not just crosses?
A, I kicked free kicks and corner kicks in several matches this year. Yuki-san (Yukihiko SATO Coach) also asked if I could kick them, so I want to try kicking them myself. I still don't have confidence, though. Crosses have also become one of my weapons as Yuki-san and Tetsu-san (current Kyoto Sanga F.C. Head Coach) have been watching and helping me. I am grateful to Yuki-san and Tetsu-san, and it is one of the weapons I want to polish more and more.
Q: The number 6 in Tokyo has been worn by players Yasuyuki KONNO, Ota, Ogawa, and also by players from the Japanese national team. Do you hope to wear it someday?
A, I understand that the number 6 in Tokyo has been worn by amazing players. I don't know if it will be this season or next season, or when it will be. If I feel like I am a suitable player, I might want to wear it. However, right now, I think it is more important to become a suitable player for Tokyo as a side back, rather than the jersey number. If I can achieve that and feel like I fit the role, then I would like to wear it.
Q, I think it's time to stand on my own when the player who was chasing my back is no longer here.
A, now that there are no more players to look up to, this is where the real competition begins. Even though Ryoya is gone, there's Yuto, Junya Suzuki, Hotaka Nakamura, and Okaniwa. I don't think there are any vacant positions, and the competition will only get fiercer. From here on out, it's about how many results we can produce. It's also important for the team to achieve results, so we need to be ambitious. That's something I've been lacking the most, so I want to focus on the numbers of goals and assists.
The journey to the promised stage continues. A reunion with the Japan national team, a competition to surpass the backs that I want to overtake. "I've always wanted to surpass them with all my heart."
Q: Do you still want to compete with Ogawa in the future?
A, Ryo-kun went abroad first, but I want to meet again in a higher level place. First, I think it's about contributing to Tokyo and how much results I can produce. I'm only thinking about that. If I work hard there, I can naturally reach such a place. If I can meet again there, there is nothing happier than that. It's also one of my goals, so I definitely want to make it happen.
Q, and do you want to surpass it someday?
Because I have always wanted to surpass myself, I left for overseas even though I am still far from achieving that goal. Since that goal is not yet finished, I definitely want to achieve it someday.
Text by Tadashi BABA (Football Writer)
