The team, continuing preparations for the opening, launched a 21-day training camp in Okinawa on February 1 and returned to Kodaira to enter the final phase. What did the players, who will walk the same path as the new head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, feel from the coach's words and enthusiasm in Okinawa, and what changes did they show? A reporter who accompanied the entire Okinawa camp observed the players' new efforts and the potential of 'Matsuhashi Tokyo' that emerged from it.
The scenery of Okinawa, which I should have visited for interviews every year, looked a little different from the past few years. With the arrival of head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, we are approaching the 2025 season with a new structure. The 'prologue' before getting into the main topic must have been important. Perhaps the new commander first stimulated the players by reminding them of the original scenery from when each of them started chasing after a soccer ball.
There were many scenes where they talked about their commitment to each play and conveyed their mindset. They sought proactive behavior and encouraged growth. It seemed like a time for each player to reflect on the people they met and the words they heard while nurturing their own football philosophy. By spending such time, by the end of the camp, the new team's code of conduct was completely established.
Among them, significant changes were observed in the behavior of each player. A prime example is the extra training that began with Keigo HIGASHI and Kei KOIZUMI at the start of the camp. Kei KOIZUMI, who will turn 30 this season, expressed his desire to learn passing from "Keigo-kun," and this training started with him asking for guidance. In response, HIGASHI also gladly agreed.
"If the level of our rivals rises, it means I have to do more and it leads to my growth. It's uncool to say 'I don't want to' when someone asks me to teach them (laughs). That said, it's different from forcing them to practice just because I want to. The desire to learn is something that makes me happy. In that case, I will teach without holding back. If there is something I can teach from what I've learned, I want to share it, not just with Kei but with everyone. It's fun to do, and it also helps my own practice."
The two began to dedicate training time to floating middle passes that drop between the opponent's last line and the goalkeeper after the overall practice, collecting the balls. Player Higashi fully disclosed the passes he has worked on throughout his career and his views on soccer to Player Koizumi.
"I told Kei that it would be better to play soccer widely for 90 minutes. He is good at the details, so we need to make better use of the full pitch. From there, we can also play long balls and aim for the back. If we don't link that and always place the ball in good positions, we won't be able to kick it well. That's what creating the game is about, and I conveyed that in my own way. I don't know how much it resonates, though (laughs)."
As a result of our daily efforts, we are gradually starting to see results even in practical training. Utilizing Marcelo RYAN's speed, we began to create opportunities to pass the ball into the space behind the opponent's final line. Then, at first just the two of us in training, Kouta Tokiwagi joined in, and Takahiro KO also started to show up, expanding our circle. This made Higashi smile as well.
"For a holding midfielder, it's necessary to create plays. They also have mobility on top of that. If that is added, they can become even better players. At my age, it's difficult to increase mobility, but I have to refine other aspects and compete. So, I am talking to the midfielders about continuing this practice throughout the season."
If this circle continues to expand, the ripple effect will be tremendous. Not only will individual skill improvement be expected, but another byproduct is also anticipated. During this camp, Coach Matsuhashi has mentioned the phrase "Let's synchronize our timing" several times. This may be the solution.
For example, if a receiving player joins this practice, the number of players who can naturally create the same picture should increase. Diego OLIVEIRA, who retired from professional football at the end of last season, showed movements to target the back when the player from the East had the ball. However, when the player wearing number 10 is not on the pitch, that frequency suddenly decreases. While the mutual understanding and trust cannot be built overnight, it is essential to break down the opponent while maintaining possession and taking the initiative.
Player Higashi said, "It takes time to synchronize. It's difficult unless the awareness aligns with the second, third, and fourth players. We also need to understand each other's senses and characters, and we have to think. We need to observe the opponent and also make judgments about players who do not have the ball. Even if we connect closely for safety, the situation does not change. Passes with unexpectedness and passes that switch are important, and the number of players making the passes must also increase."
It was from here that I thought, 'Oh!' In fact, there were moments when player Higashi called out to those who remained for shooting practice at the end of the camp, seeking their cooperation, and created an impromptu drill menu involving multiple people. There are types like Yuto NAGATOMO and Masato MORISHIGE, who show a seeker-like presence with their backs, and there are also veterans like Higashi, who strengthen the team while involving many people. This camp reaffirmed that such individuals are also one of the assets that this club possesses.
To excite the viewers, it is best to plan while teasing each other's mischievous spirits with as many people as possible. This must have been one of the original scenes they have seen while chasing the ball. Player Higashi said with a motivated expression.
"I will do it. I need to raise awareness within the team and get everyone involved. The coach praised each of the plays I've been particular about during practice on the first day of camp. That might have made others aware as well. With Kouta and Yan (Takahiro KO) joining in like that, I could feel everyone's desire to learn. That made me incredibly happy. I hope this kind of thing continues to create a chain reaction from now on."
This is just one example, and the players have already begun to notice that various initiatives are becoming more active. Coach Matsuhashi has been watching these changes from the sidelines. When asked about the number of participants in that practice, which started with just players Koizumi and Higashi, and has "increased towards the end of the camp," the coach nodded and squinted his eyes.
"It's really increasing, isn't it? Through my various experiences, I believe that teams like that have a high potential to become strong. At first, there are many things to consider regarding how much we can accept something new. However, I really started to think that this is necessary. The moment that vector aligns, the number of people working together increases dramatically. Just that alone brings our thoughts and feelings closer together. It's the same in the game; when the visible route is blocked, we look for another route, but when everyone can make the same choice at the same time, I believe the ball will connect well. I think we have to do that over and over again."
The coach expressed these words at the conclusion of the 21-day Okinawa camp that started on January 12.
We have come to the point just before the scenery changes.
Can we deepen our commitment to each play and show a new perspective on the rolling ball? It depends on whether we can generate creative ideas. The countdown to the start of the 2025 season has begun. Coach Matsuhashi said, "It's not that something will begin in the opening match; it has already started. As long as they walk the path of their football lives, I hope they will pursue it until the end."
"There is a wonderful phrase from Kazushi KIMURA, whom I met during my time at Yokohama Marinos, which says, 'Soccer is always a pursuit.' That phrase has always been within me. I believe it is a phrase that has remained in the hearts of the players I played with at that time. Those at the top always continue to seek. That phrase struck me deeply. It still remains with me, and I want to continue to say it from time to time. I hope they will continue to pursue it in that way as well."
There is a future beyond our present. Each player chases the back of the person they want to become, continuing an endless chase. There is no limit to the desire to learn and grow.
The world of competition is never easy. However, if the soccer created from here has surprising and unexpected twists, then this "makura" can be called a great success.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
