"I wanted to repay everyone for their help with my performance, but it ended up being disappointing. I want to reflect on it and practice to be able to come back to this pitch."
May 6, 2023. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo match. The starting members for the game will be announced inside Sapporo Dome.
When the name Soma ANZAI was announced, cheers and applause erupted from the Tokyo supporters' stand.
In the northern land, Soma ANZAI, who made a "surprise appearance", suffered a crushing defeat of 1-5. He was completely beaten and his J1 league debut was not a glorious one.
Player Yasuzaki, who left a comment at the beginning with frustration in the mixed zone, left the stadium with the harshness of the J1 league and the professional world in mind.
Player Yasuzaki, who continued to move forward without stopping, using the frustration experienced in Sapporo as nourishment.
Upon entering this season, I participated in the January Okinawa camp and Miyazaki camp. In February, while still enrolled at Waseda University, I signed a professional contract one year earlier than planned, joining the team for the 2025 season. I feel the club's expectations and have stepped into the professional world earlier than expected.
Continuing to draw a steady growth curve as if responding to those expectations. Although he spent most of the first few games on the bench, he was given a starting position in the 6th round against Urawa Reds and showed his dynamic performance both in attack and defense. He started in 6 games, except for the 9th round against FC Machida Zelvia where he was suspended, and proved his abilities on the pitch, securing his position.
Time has passed, exactly one year since my J1 League debut, May 6th, 2024 season.
Sapporo match, which was the same date and same card as last season.
Player Yasuzaki, who is facing this match, said, "That game was a taste of rock bottom on the pitch and a very disappointing match. It's a great opponent to make you feel like 'Tokyo is different this season'. I want to show my growth through the results and take revenge after a year."
I could feel the intense desire for victory lurking in that gaze.
The Sapporo match, which was approached with great anticipation. Anzai, who played in the right wing position in this match, was involved in a scoring opportunity just 3 minutes into the first half. He ran alongside Nakagawa Teruhito, who made a run through the center, and received the ball near the box. He swung his right foot and took a shot, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. However, his proactive attitude in the attack was already showing results early in the game.
And the essence of it all is the involvement in both offense and defense that brings victory to the team.
In the 20th minute of the second half, Sapporo defender Anzai intercepted the ball after noticing a slight misplacement in the pass from the opposing team's deep position quick restart. Diego OLIVEIRA and Nakagawa passed the ball intricately, and Diego scored a goal. The comeback goal brought Tokyo their third consecutive victory, thanks to Anzai's quick decision-making that led to Sapporo's first win at home in 12 seasons.
A truly impressive performance of following through on one's words. The results show the progress made since last season.
After the match, player Yasuzaki responded as follows.
"On this day last season, I made my J1 League debut at Sapporo Dome and experienced an incredibly frustrating feeling. The bitterness I felt that day has been the driving force for me until today. I have never forgotten that game and the experience has been a source of motivation for me. It's not everything I have built up since that day, but it was a moment of fruition. However, winning this game is not the only thing in my soccer career. I want to use this as a new starting line and take one step at a time."
The future is a new landscape as a professional soccer player. May 6th became a memorable day to prove growth.
When I look back on my long football career from here, I will surely remember May 6th as a turning point.
Player Anzai's growth will push Tokyo to the next stage.
