A young point getter from the academy has achieved promotion to the top team, aiming to become a great striker. Taiyo YAMAGUCHI, who expresses a desire to be a reliable presence like Diego TABA, sets his sights on both personal growth as a player and the club's dream of winning the league. His greatest weapon is his exceptional scoring sense. What are his feelings as he prepares to embark on a significant challenge after overcoming injuries, and what vision for the future does he hold in his heart?
──FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi won the Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-15) in their third year of junior high school.
I had never participated in a national tournament since elementary school, so I was really incredibly happy to win the national championship in my last summer of middle school. I had the desire to eventually move up to the top team since then.
──I heard that you were conscious of being promoted to the top team from U-15 Musashi, but what were your thoughts about your future at the time you were promoted to U-18?
First, I thought about immediately participating in the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League and getting involved in national team activities. In my first year of high school, I couldn't quite get involved with the Premier League members, but in my second year, I was able to play in matches, and I feel like I got on track from there. For me, the year as a second-year high school student, where I scored 10 goals in the Premier League and made achievements with the U-17 Japan national team, has given me confidence.
──And the promotion to the top team has been officially decided.
3I got injured right after becoming a third-year student, and for a while, I felt anxious, thinking, "Honestly, what will happen?" However, I was happy to have my efforts recognized, which led to my promotion.
──What did you gain from the Japan national team activities by age group?
In the national team, the surrounding players are quite skilled, which increases the variety of movements after receiving a pass. It also increases what I can do myself, and since foreign players excel in physicality, being strong or fast, it has been a really good experience in terms of how well I can compete with them.
──You will dive into the professional world right after graduating from high school. How do you feel about that?
Since I graduated from high school, I have always had the desire to perform as a professional right away. This time, by being promoted to the top team, I have been given the chance to take on the challenge I have been hoping for, so I just want to take on this opportunity to the fullest.
──You have already participated in top practice matches, what kind of impact does it have?
I was really happy to be able to play with players like Diego TABA, whom I have watched since I was little. The intensity and speed are completely different from U-18, so I experience a kind of fatigue that I haven't really felt before, but I can feel that my level is improving in those areas.
In the J League YBC Levain Cup, Divine OTANI, who is a junior belonging to the U-18 team, scored a goal. How did you feel about that?
At that time, I was injured and could only watch the matches, so I just had the feeling of wanting to "get back on the field as soon as possible." Since we play the same position, I felt frustration, but more than that, my desire to "stand in that place as soon as possible" grew stronger.
──Parts that are helpful for the top team.
U-15I have been watching Diego since the Musashi era, so being able to see him up close was a great learning experience. His movements in front of the goal, including shooting, are on a completely different level. It was very informative. Moreover, I think Diego has an incredible sense of trust. It's like, 'He will definitely score.' I believe that in order to gain that kind of trust from those around me, I have no choice but to deliver results.
──What are the strengths of player Yamaguchi?
I believe my strength is scoring in front of the goal. In addition to shooting, I am also good at holding up play and creating space in the front. Regarding my sense of scoring, I have developed that sense by playing in a way that combines with my teammates and predicting where the ball will land.
──The top team will start in January 2025, and the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League will kick off in February. What kind of adjustments are you envisioning?
I think the only way to appeal is to perform well in the January camp, considering that I will be playing in the matches soon. As a forward, I have to produce results in terms of scoring. My goal for next season is to be seen as a forward who can score as quickly as possible while aiming to get on the field and help the team win.
Do you have a strong desire to excel at Ajinomoto Stadium?
I have received passionate support since my academy days, and it really feels like a dream to be able to be seen by more people at Ajinomoto Stadium. I want to score goals in front of many fans and supporters and celebrate together with everyone.
──Do you have any numerical goals?
I want to score as many points as possible, as quickly as possible, without specific numbers.
There are many rivals. How do you plan to compete as a rookie?
I think that I still haven't had my play and strengths recognized, so I need to be more proactive than the other players around me to make that clear. I believe that unless I do more than the players at the top, I won't be able to make my appeal.
Is there anyone you are conscious of not wanting to lose to?
There are players of the same age who have already gone overseas, and there are also players like Tokuda from Kashima Antlers, who scored the J1 Monthly Best Goal in the top team of a J club. First of all, I want to catch up to them.
If I were to name the players I want to compete against in the J-League.
This is Takai from Kawasaki Frontale. He has also made his debut for the Japan national team and has won the Best Young Player Award at this season's J.League Awards, so I want to compete against him and win.
──The players we aim for, including those overseas.
This is Karim Benzema. He is capable of doing his job well in front of the goal, and when he played alongside Cristiano at Real Madrid, he demonstrated versatility not only by scoring but also by creating chances, so I take inspiration from that.
We will be challenging the top team in blue and red, which boasts a thick layer of players.
They are all players worth referencing, but if you are only referencing them, you won't surpass them. If you can fight here and become able to play in matches, I believe you will become a player who can compete anywhere. Although they are my teammates, I think the experience of winning against such amazing players to get to play in matches can only be gained here.
──What would you like to be called by fans and supporters?
"Sun".That's all there is to it.
I think there are expectations for you to lead Tokyo from here. What kind of player do you want to become?
Although Diego TABA is not very tall, it is truly impressive that he has played the role of a relied-upon forward for many years. I want to become a presence like that, and I believe that as long as I score goals, we won't lose matches. I want to achieve solid results and become a player who can contribute to the club's goal of winning the league.
♢Taiyo YAMAGUCHI Profile
Date of Birth: August 18, 2006
Height/Weight: 183cm/79kg
Hometown: Saitama.S
Career: FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi → FC Tokyo U-18
Representative history: U-17 Japan national team
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
