The "hard-working genius" is back and pushing his own weapon to the forefront.
MF 18 Manato SHINADA
Introducing the all-blue and red warriors who will challenge the 2024 season in a special content. What are the players thinking and what kind of determination are they facing as they approach the opening? The players' stories are filled with club love, thirst for titles, aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill──. Manato SHINADA, who returned from a loan to Ventforet Kofu, once again wears the "blue and red number 18". In the new season, the hard-working genius is determined to push his own weapon to the forefront.
The coaches involved have praised Manato SHINADA as a "hardworking genius". The form of that hard work is about to change a little bit.
Last season, I experienced my first transfer in my 6th professional season. Although I had an injury in the middle, I left a record of 20 games and 2 goals in the 2023 Meiji Yasuda J2 League at my temporary transfer destination, Ventforet Kofu. In addition, I played one game in the Emperor's Cup and two games in the group stage of the AFC Champions League. Considering that my record in the previous 5 seasons was only 20 games in J1, it must have been a valuable experience.
"It was a competition with players who have experience with the Japan national team and those who have already earned the trust of the coach in Tokyo. It was a constant battle to change something about myself."
Such efforts were taken for granted. "But in Kofu, we often talked about how to present ourselves," he said. There were players who had lived as professionals even though they were not standing in glamorous places. By interacting with them, differences were born in the preparation for the game and the way of approaching practice.
At Kofu, I have continued to make unrelenting efforts as before. At a certain moment, I received advice from my teammates, "It's important not only to think about how to approach it, but also how to show it." With those words, I realized that I had been too caught up in what I lacked. That's why I started to face the player image of Manato SHINADA once again.
"I think it starts with a kick. Even if it's a little difficult, I have to show my bold side and try. While sticking to showcasing my strengths, I want to keep trying even if I fail multiple times. I want to maintain that attitude."
Pass freely with both feet from left and right. Read the intricacies of the game and dominate the pitch. Regain that feeling once again. Because I have experienced the outside world, I realized that the best environment for that purpose is in the place I returned to. There are coaches who know their own progress and great rivals as well.
"There are also parts where I have lost sight of my strengths. People I have known since the past also give me advice from the outside, so I want to regain the self I had in U-15 Fukagawa and U-18. The number of players of the same generation in the Japan national team has increased, so I am motivated to not lose to them. I want to keep playing in matches and experience the thrilling battle for the championship at the end. I want to make that a normal thing in the future, so I am also looking forward to challenging myself there."
Wearing the number 18, which he has carried since his academy days with the desire to make it his own, on his back once again. At the end of his journey to find himself, which he began as a diligent and hardworking player, he will surely bloom his own colored flower.
text by Tadashi BABA (freelance writer)
