The request this time was for a column about Yasuki Kimoto's roots. Born in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, he attended the prestigious Shizuoka Gakuen High School and went on to play professionally after graduating from Fukuoka University. His background gives the impression of a true soccer enthusiast. However, during the interview that began with a casual conversation, words that were far from his profile were spoken.
"I think the reason I have come this far is because I don't have any unnecessary pride or desires. The national team? I have never even thought about it once. I can't say that I have worked harder than others, and I haven't slacked off either, but I have just been diligently doing what I can."
The comments were so selfless that I unintentionally blurted out "a rare type". It must have made him feel uneasy, so Kimoto said.
"I've always thought that my personality doesn't fit in this world. Even my high school coach told me that I don't have the personality for a professional."
The beginning of that soccer life was like this.
Two different environments that became turning points
"Originally, I wanted to play baseball."
Due to the influence of my father, who played baseball, I came to like catch ball before lifting. However, my older brother, who is two years older than me, was more interested in soccer than baseball. As the middle child of three siblings, I reluctantly started kicking the ball, saying, "To not trouble my parents." In first grade of elementary school, I was forcibly placed in the Fujimidai Soccer Sports Boys' Club, where initially there were no classmates, and I laughingly say, "There was a long period of time when I hid and didn't practice for a year." From the following year, classmates gradually started to gather and I began to join the practice.
The first position was a forward who said "scoring goals was fun", but he didn't have any particular preferences and also played in the midfield for the selection team.
"I will continue to do my best wherever I am appointed. My stance of being okay with any position remains unchanged."
Following my older brother's footsteps, I entered the prestigious Shizuoka Gakuen Junior High School, which offers a seamless education from junior high to high school. My parents told me, "Since you entered the school through soccer, continue playing until high school." I candidly reveal my thoughts at that time.
"(In high school) Did you have any intention of becoming a professional? Not at all. At first, I was thinking of quitting soccer in high school. There were players like Oshima (Ryota/Kawasaki Frontale) and my classmates who were practicing with J-League clubs, and the level was really high. I thought it would be impossible for me, so I didn't have the idea of aiming for it."
There were "two turning points" that led Komoto to turn professional. The first came in the summer of his second year of high school. He was promoted to the top team of Shizuoka Gakuen High School as a defensive midfielder, but his playing time was limited due to the presence of Ryota Oshima and Yukihiro Hoshino (who retired from Gainare Tottori in 2019). At that time, he was recommended to convert to center-back, as there were many injured players and a shortage of options in that position. He accepted the recommendation without hesitation.
"He didn't say no, he said he would do it. I was able to use my footwork skills and I happened to enjoy practicing headers. And Seigaku was unique. I wasn't specifically told about defense, but if I passed the opposing forward as a center back, I would be praised. Even if I lost the ball and conceded a goal, I was told that it was good that I took the challenge. I felt the fun in that. If I had been told too much, I might have shrunk back. So I think it was a good environment."
The water of such traditional schools also matched. I stretched my skills freely and grabbed the center back position in my third year of high school. I also contributed to the runner-up in the National High School Comprehensive Sports Tournament in the summer, and the following year I entered university with a soccer recommendation. I chose Fukuoka University, the powerhouse of Kyushu, as my destination for further studies. The trigger was an invitation from Coach Makoto Inui. Half-jokingly, I said with a wry smile, "Honestly, I do feel a bit deceived," and continued.
"Kan-san told us that we are aiming for Barcelona and that we need players who can connect from behind like you. But when I actually went there, the ball was flying in the air. At that time, I really thought I was deceived. However, I think that choice turned out to be good in the end."
When I told Coach Inui about it, he said, "I don't remember the exact words of the persuasive line at that time. But I was grateful that you came right away without hesitation," and he chuckled.
Unintentionally, this decision becomes the second turning point that opens up the path to becoming a professional. A soccer style completely opposite to what was expected... A completely changed living environment after leaving home... In the midst of all that—.
"Honestly, I was confused."
It was a series of hardships when I first entered school. Coach Inui also said, "There is a story that everyone remembers from that time," and spoke like this.
"You must have had worries and confusion. When you came to practice, you always had a very gloomy face. So, I kept telling Kimoto, 'Fix that gloomy face.' Our expectations were 100%, but you always looked down. So, I told you to do something about that face before playing soccer. It took about six months."
Although it took time for him to establish himself as a key player, he was able to become a member of the top team. It must have been a challenging year for him, as he struggled with the difference between his free and attacking style of play that he had cultivated and the style of Seigaku. However, unlike other players who were left behind and struggled with the gap between their high school style of play, Kimoto gradually began to adapt to the style of Fukuoka University. Kimoto had the willingness to listen and learn in order to overcome his daily struggles.
"When I was a first-year student, I was scolded every day, and at that time I really thought about it every day. Even if I did what I learned at Seigaku, I couldn't play in matches, and I thought it would end like this. But in the midst of my worries, I was able to think that I had to adapt to Fukudai's soccer while keeping the good things I had learned so far. That's how I was able to change little by little. I think there were also players who couldn't be accepted because of their pride. I don't know if it's good or bad, but I didn't have any pride."
The only hope of a man with a calm mind at all times
The power accumulated over one year blossoms in the second year of university. He can play at a high level as a center back and a defensive midfielder, and his ball control skills are accurate. In addition, his ability to adapt to any style of play has come to fruition. In his second year, he emerged as a key player on the main stage and was also selected for the All-Japan University Selection. It is unthinkable for J-League scouts to overlook Kimoto. In the winter of his second year, the scout from Cerezo Osaka approached him and said, "We will be watching your future performances."
"I gradually started to become aware of (becoming a professional) and thought that if I worked hard for the next two years, I could make it."
Still, without stretching too far, he continued to grow steadily and draw an upward growth curve with his feet firmly on the ground. He continued to excel as a key player for the next two years. In his fourth year, he won the Kyushu League undefeated and received the MVP award in the Denso Challenge Cup. And he successfully secured an official acquisition offer from C Osaka. Even Coach Inui was impressed by his growth.
"I was originally the type to underestimate myself and was too humble, saying 'I still have a long way to go.' I became necessary and started playing as a key player in just two years. It was a story that was rarely seen in Fukudai history, where a player who was told to 'change that gloomy face' received the MVP award at the Denso Cup. I might have been a material that would never see the light of day if I hadn't come to university. But I rolled into Fukudai, played in matches, and adapted to strength and speed. I think I became a player suitable for the pros in the end. Even if I meet him now, he never boasts, saying 'I'm a pro.' I've never heard him bragging" (Coach Inui).
Photo provided by Yasuki KIMOTO
Fukuoka University has produced a variety of players with unique and edgy personalities, including Kensuke Nagai. Among them, his seemingly selfless character was also a remarkable individuality. The mentor who watched over him for four years describes his charm like this.
"There is no big jump or shrinkage. It seems like I'm not thinking about anything with a poker face, but I'm actually thinking. It's difficult to use the players behind when there are waves. In order to continue fighting in J1, you need stability both physically and mentally. You can't respond if you can't do smart positioning against faster and bigger foreign players. The evaluation at 18 years old is useless. I will build myself from what I can see. That type is rare. If unconventional attacks are Nagai's added value, then not deviating greatly is his added value. Before I knew it, Kimoto's achievements became number one among the players we produced. Maybe only in the first six months after entering university, I deviated greatly. After that, I carefully searched for ways to survive and found the answers. I have never demanded such a play from Kimoto."
That's what Kimoto himself proved. "Even when I couldn't play in the games, I was able to practice with a calm mind without rotting. I think that's also my personality," he said. Since turning pro, he has continued to adapt to any coach or tactics, taking time for it. He has also won titles with C Osaka and Nagoya. In order to achieve that, Kimoto's reliable and stable play, where he can be trusted, was indispensable.
And, although I didn't expect much, there is one thing I want to accomplish.
"I have won the Levain Cup twice and the Emperor's Cup, but I have never won the league championship. Winning a title makes me very happy and it becomes a lifelong memory. I started to think that I want to win the league title by winning these two titles. I want to level up even more for that."
And so, what I need now is――.
"I think it's about leadership. The coach also tells me to express my emotions. There are many veteran players, but it's not enough to just follow them. It's also important to bring the team together. Each person has their own strengths, so I want to think about how to lead the team in a way that suits me."
It clicked in my mind. "It's rare." There are not many players who can remain calm and detached without any waves. The group photos of the titles I have won so far have always been in the inconspicuous corner. Yasuki Kimoto should be the main player of the team soon. His journey, which he has built by having the desire of being selfless, made me think so.
Text by Tadashi BABA (Football Writer)
