It has been 10 years since I first pointed a recorder at Keigo HIGASHI.
At the time, he wore the number 10 jersey at the 2012 London Olympics and was on a roll, contributing to the team's advancement to the semifinals.
"I wonder if I will join the Japan national team and eventually go overseas."
I never doubted it. It was at that time when I made the decision to transfer from Omiya Ardija to FC Tokyo, my second career transfer.
From the 2013 season, he has been wearing blue and red sleeves and is one of the players who has heard many stories so far. However, now it has become a laughing matter, but at first he was very cautious and often spoke in a small voice during interviews. At that time, he may have intentionally tried to act tough.
"The media, the people around me, everything seemed like an enemy. Maybe I was just too sharp, even though that wasn't the case (bitter laugh)"
Perhaps because of that, even now when he jokes loudly, there is still a delicate trace of his former self. In the past 10 years, he has changed a lot. People might call that growth.
In May of the year he transferred, he was also selected for the Japan national team for the first time. However, he was unable to play there and his career with the national team has been distant since then.
Suffered a right thigh muscle strain, the first long-term absence since turning professional in August 2014. The diagnosis was a recovery time of approximately 6-8 weeks. Although he returned as planned after two months, he continued to make substitute appearances for the rest of the season while losing his regular position.
"I thought, 'This can't go on like this' for the first time."
At that time, I was stopped by coach Bruno Conca and asked, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Why doesn't Keigo put in his full effort during daily practice, when he works so hard during games?"
Poked in a sore spot, my words got stuck. Since that day, I've also tried changing my daily routine.
Originally, I wasn't the type to be interested in people. But when I started walking with my hands in my pockets, the scenery changed. The surroundings were overflowing with living textbooks. Looking at precedents, I add what is lacking and necessary techniques.
It was the Okinawa Kunigami Camp for the following 2016 season. "Is it okay if we walk?" I heard those words in a loud voice that couldn't be drowned out by the sound of the waves during the interview.
"Watch me, because I face soccer with all my might every day."
The oath of that day still continues. Furthermore, meeting good understanding people will accelerate its growth.
First match under coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI against "mentor" and "comrade"
In the 2018 season, when Kenta HASEGAWA became the coach of Tokyo, Tohru was placed at the center of the team.
Not flashy, but rather plain, but highly rated by teammates. Makes few mistakes and smoothly executes difficult plays. Since the "full effort declaration," has not slacked off in practice. Can't properly evaluate a player with both skill and dedication without kicking the ball together.
The sharp-eyed commander did not miss it.
"When I watched Keigo from the outside, I thought he was a more selfish player, but that was not the case at all. When I actually saw him play, I understood why he wore the number 10 for the youth national team. He's a good player."
From the second season of his appointment as manager, Hasegawa was highly praised and given the captain's armband and the number 10 jersey, and he led the team towards their first league title. Although they missed out on their first championship after losing to Yokohama F.Marinos in the final match, they achieved their best league result in club history by finishing second. Looking back, Hasegawa reflects on his relationship with his mentor that lasted until the 2021 season.
"Kenta has an unwavering aspect as a coach. Not only scoring and eye-catching plays, but also paying attention to things that don't show up in numbers and selfless plays. In meetings, he often picks out those things and evaluates them as "good". He was a coach who valued those overlooked aspects. The ability to build a team like that is truly amazing, and now that I'm looking at it from the outside, I realize it once again."
The coach who has been highly evaluated by both Higashi and the same is Kensuke NAGAI. He described the two top players, Diego OLIVEIRA, as "two signboards" and played a leading role in both offense and defense as "Kenta Tokyo". He was also a teammate who fought together in the London Olympics for Higashi and spent a lot of time in blue and red from the 2017 season to the summer of 2022 season.
"We had a good relationship even outside of the team, and we shared similar values. We both wanted to express 'for the team' through our play, so we respected each other."
Nagai was the one who supported the team as a shadow during the three seasons that Azuma led as captain.
"If Kensuke is here, the team atmosphere will improve. But that doesn't mean we'll flatter him. He's the type to acknowledge differences. He's easy to understand and doesn't lie... As Tokyo, I think he was a player we definitely couldn't afford to lose."
There was a hint of loneliness in his face as he spoke. His comrade returned to his former team last summer to follow coach Hasegawa, and quickly became an indispensable presence for Nagoya Grampus.
"Isn't Kensuke a symbolic presence of Nagoya right now? I think his dedication is highly valued within the team. He is considerate of those around him and runs for the sake of the team. He consistently provides support, even without scoring 15 or 20 goals a year, he contributes with assists. I think Kenta understands that, which is why he reinforced Kensuke."
Number 10 in blue and red says, "For the club, for the coach, for the fans and supporters."
A turning point is coming to the east, where I parted with good understanding people. I have also reached the age of 30 and entered a transitional period, losing playing opportunities in the early stages of the 2022 season. "This kind of time always comes. I think it's about how you face it," he said, gritting his teeth.
"I had the confidence that as long as I kept going, everything would be okay. Of course, there were tough times, but the only answer for me was to show it on the pitch. However, I thought deeply about how I should approach it."
I continued to work silently on the pitch. I took a deep breath and desperately searched for my place. Before I knew it, my position had dropped down and I was exploring new territory as an anchor.
And on the 13th of this month, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA left the team and Peter CKLAMOVSKI took over to turn things around. They faced Nagoya, where their former mentor and comrade is. They are a tough opponent competing for the J1 league title this season. Naturally, motivation is high.
"I thought the choice of 3-back was interesting. The base is similar to the various teams that Kenta has led so far, but there is a different flavor and individuality. I think 3-back is the best way to utilize the three players in the front line, and there are Yone (Takuji YONEMOTO) and Inagaki Sho in the midfield, and Langerak at the back. They are definitely strong."
Of course, there is no hesitation. "I think it will be a fierce battle on the pitch," he said, challenging head-on. However, Higashi said, "There are other things that are necessary right now," and continued.
"I don't really care about the position, and I don't have much attachment to it. Of course, I want to start, but I believe I can show something even if I come in later. I want to play for the team in the given position. The most important thing is to aim for victory and whether everyone can come together as one. That's why the recent (Levain Cup group stage final) match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. was enjoyable. In that match, everyone fought together as one. I had the thought of doing it for Mr. Takayoshi AMMA, who temporarily took command, but I think that the thought of doing it for the club, the coach, and the fans and supporters is necessary for Tokyo right now."
I have devoted all my energy for myself. It may be the answer I found after those days. And it's even more so because the people who taught me are my opponents. The blue and red number 10, Tsuyoshi NAKAMA, releases the power accumulated for the sake of teammates and the team on the pitch.
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
