Indescribable joy and heartfelt sobbing. In the 2022 season, Teruhito NAKAGAWA went through tumultuous times.
In February, he scored the team's first goal in the opening match against Cerezo Osaka, and marked the last goal in the final match against Vissel Kobe in November. He led Yokohama F.Marinos to their first league victory in 3 seasons. And after the friendly match with AS Roma (Italy) at the Japan National Stadium at the end of November, which was also the "Yokohama FM Last Match", he shed tears without hesitation and bid farewell to the fans and supporters.
I tried to confront my former team directly before the first match against them.
"What is Yokohama FM?"
I had imagined phrases like "my favorite team" or "like a family" but after a brief silence, a different answer came back.
"The club that saved me, right?"
Revealing the reason with gratitude.
"I injured my right knee in my fourth year of university, and it was a kind of injury that I couldn't help even if there were no offers, but I still pursued it from my second year of university, and the scouts came to the training ground many times and offered me a contract. So, 'Marinos is the club that saved my soccer career,' I think that is the most understandable expression."
At that moment, I made a vow in my heart.
"The greatest gratitude to Marinos is winning the league."
The days of overcoming long and arduous rehabilitation and playing fiercely should have begun for that.
However, the reality was harsh. In his rookie year of the 2015 season, he only played in 2 league matches and 1 Emperor's Cup match, and his position within the team did not change much in the 2016 season. In the summer, he made the decision to go on loan to FC Machida Zelvia in the J2 League, and after the end of the season, he returned to Yokohama FM once, but in the middle of the 2017 season, he went on a training journey to Avispa Fukuoka, which was then in the J2 League. After spending three seasons with a sense of unfulfillment, he entered his fourth season with determination.
"When I came back in the 2018 season, I decided 'I will definitely not go on a loan this season.' No matter how I am treated, even if I cannot play in the matches, I will stay and complete the year with Marinos, I will see it through. Even if I couldn't get involved in the matches, I had the intention to transfer to another team on a permanent basis for the next season."
Then, fate begins to move in a good direction. Recognized by coach Ange POSTECOGLOU, who took office in the 2018 season, he gradually increased his playing opportunities and established himself as a regular starter in the second half of the season. In the 2019 season, he was positioned as a key player and became the protagonist of the league championship for the first time in 15 seasons. He played in a career-high 33 matches and scored a career-high 15 goals, winning the top scorer and also the J-League MVP and Best Eleven. He swept the individual awards.
From there, I suffered from injuries again for two seasons and experienced "difficult and frustrating" times. However, I completely recovered in the 2022 season, saying, "I gained the strength to persevere and overcome obstacles in difficult times." "I have experienced major injuries and times when I couldn't play in games, but I continued without giving up and was able to see the best scenery once again." After achieving my second league championship, I felt a vague and bubbling up of thoughts and emotions that I had been thinking about since before the final match.
"If I had stayed with Marinos, maybe I could have won more championships and increased the number of titles, including cup competitions. But I felt that it was a good time to make a move. It's a good timing and a good way to end my time with Marinos."
Half a year has passed since the decision was made with unwavering determination. Life has taught me that there are ups and downs, and the "club that saved me" has allowed me to experience the bitter and the sweet as a professional soccer player. And now, I am finally going to compete against them. Nakagawa is calm before this "exciting match". There is no sign of nostalgia or sentimentality.
"Of course, I love Marinos, but I have to love the team I am currently with the most. I am already immersed in Tokyo. I decided to do it for Tokyo, so I will fight with the blue and red spirit. I love Tokyo that much, and I came with that level of determination. Marinos is now the enemy. I think I won't be able to play well at all if I have a fluffy feeling, so I have the intention to defeat Marinos."
There was only one moment when the expression relaxed while listening to the conversation leading up to the Yokohama FM match. The topic came up about the "players who are looking forward to the matchup." While prefacing with "I got along well with various players, so there isn't anyone special," as expected, the name came up here.
"Keebo (Takuya KIDA) is thinking of going for a shave (laughs). Even now, we occasionally go out for a meal and when I say, 'I'll come at you with a bang,' Keebo also says, 'I'll come back at you in reverse' or something like that. I want to have a fierce battle without getting injured."
Finally, I also heard the thoughts of the Tricolor fans and supporters who are looking forward to the reunion.
"I would like to win and go to greet, but regardless of the outcome, I will go and it is courtesy to go with a smile even if I lose. Anyway, it would be great if I could show that I am doing well."
While saying so, he added with a mischievous and determined expression, "But, I still want to win. I want to win." It was a very Nakagawa-like expression.
Six months after the tearful farewell, when Nakagawa won against Yokohama FM at home stadium Ajinomoto, he truly became a shining figure in blue and red.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golazo, FC Tokyo Correspondent)
