With powerful dribbling breakthroughs and free-running that slices through enemy territory, Kosuke SHIRAI adds a strong accent to the attack of "Rikizo Tokyo" from the right side. Armed with overwhelming stamina and speed, he has become a key presence supporting the blue and red backbone in both offense and defense, but his journey so far has not been smooth. Gratitude towards Shonan Bellmare, the team that opened the path to his professional career, the career he has steadily built while experiencing setbacks, and the big dream he continues to hold in his heart—.
The protagonist of this story is a bit different from the superheroes found in comics and movies. However, he embodies the essence of a dedicated and incredibly cool hero. You are Kosuke SHIRAI, and this is the story of his career.
During his time at Osaka Toin High School, he caught the eye of a scout from Shonan Bellmare who was there to watch his classmate Genta MIURA (currently with Gamba Osaka). He earned a contract after participating in training after the summer, but due to issues with the registered player quota, his destination in his first year as a professional was Fukushima United FC, which was then part of the JFL.
"This is the club that made me a professional soccer player, and I wasn't sure if I could have become a pro if Shonan hadn't signed me. I am truly grateful. Even though the roster was already full, they expressed their desire to sign me, and I ended up going on loan to Fukushima in my first year. Still, I thought it was an opportunity and jumped in."
If I were in Aesop's fable 'The Tortoise and the Hare', I would be the 'tortoise'. However, my only competitor has always been myself. I jumped into the professional world with a glimmer of hope. 'I could only do my best. I played earnestly, but there were still many things I lacked as a player. So, I set aside my big dreams for a moment and chose to tackle the challenges in front of me one by one.' My career as a professional soccer player, which started without knowing right from left, has been built step by step, cherishing each small progress.
I knew that was the shortcut to success. It takes more time than others. But I won't give up. I will see it through until I can do it. I believed that if I grit my teeth, I would see the light. What supported me there was the foundational experience that flowed through Shirai.
"I was the big fish in a small pond during middle school, the type who was making a name for myself in the local club. At that time, I thought I was the best, but when I entered high school, I realized that I couldn't compete at all. There were many times I felt I didn't know enough about soccer. I still think that sometimes. However, the experience of overcoming that setback step by step has always lived within me. Because of that, I was able to correct my mistakes and succeed repeatedly, whether in good times or bad."
I felt that when my nose was broken, it was an opportunity. I could see what I was lacking, and I worked on it again. It's tough, but the fact that I want to overcome it makes me realize that I have grown, and that is something I find enjoyable in my life. So even if it's painful, I can approach it positively and tackle it. Before I knew it, I had entered my 13th year as a professional.
When was that milestone?
When asked that, Shirai murmured, "Turning point..." and paused for a moment. He experienced transfers from Shonan to Ehime FC, and then to Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. After finding his place as a wing-back and steadily building his career, he said that the turning point of fate suddenly arrived.
"During my time in Sapporo, I was once asked by the Japan Football Association to submit my passport as a 'candidate for the Japan national team.' When I was informed by the team, I thought, 'There is a possibility.' I may only be brushing against the Japan national team, but I decided to build my career with that in mind. I played as a wing-back in Sapporo, but I wanted to play as a side-back, and CHO Kwi Jae, the coach at Kyoto Sanga F.C., understood that and I began to challenge myself. From there, various things started to move, and the small things I built up since high school are still connected to this day."
Just like when I turned professional, a thin thread of possibility hung before me. The big dream that I had supposedly tucked away when I turned professional suddenly appeared right in front of me. I believed in it. However, I did not change my pace. It was precisely because Shirai had faced himself to the point of losing consciousness that he could view himself objectively. At that time, the formation of the Japan national team was a four-back, and he felt that the possibility lay in being a "side back rather than a winger." From there, he aimed to transition to a side back and built his career in Kyoto and Tokyo.
This season, I changed my main position back to wing-back. There was no hesitation because I found a place that I am "most skilled" at, which is also with the Japan national team. In the opening match of this season, I scored the team's first goal, and I feel that the moments I can enjoy in life are increasing more and more.
"I can feel that the quality of awareness towards each daily practice is increasing day by day. When that improves, what I can see during practice changes, and each day's practice becomes different. After experiencing being a side back and then returning to wing back, my perspective, ball control, and movement have changed. There have been more situations where I no longer perceive pressure as pressure. I have also come up with more ideas to evade effectively, and the fear when the opponent closes in has diminished. I have that kind of feeling. It might just be that I'm in good form, but if I can make this a reproducible thing, even though I'm currently 30 and will turn 31 this year, I still feel that I can continue being a football player."
In a competition for a fixed position with Shirai, Yuto NAGATOMO, who aims to participate in the FIFA World Cup for the fifth consecutive time, was unexpectedly told, "You have really improved, haven't you?" Those words resonated.
"There are people who watch and understand, and I realize that. Especially, Yuto has been one of my favorite players since a long time ago, so I was incredibly happy."
Even if praised by an admired figure, there is no "rabbit" of complacency. Surely, the people of Shonan who know Shirai from the starting point will notice his journey so far and the tremendous effort he has put in. He joyfully spoke of their reunion.
"I am proud to be able to compete against Shonan again as a player from Tokyo. I want to show my growth clearly. Since it was over 10 years ago, I don't know if there are people who remember. However, I believe there are certainly some who do, so I want to show solid play."
How much closer have we come to the big dream of the Japan national team?
Shirai said, "It's really embarrassing to say this, but" multiple times. However, he expressed his thoughts directly in words.
"Realistically, the probability is really very low. Still, if I can first secure a starting position on this team, produce solid numbers, and help the team win, I believe there is still a chance. It's embarrassing to say it out loud, but I still... I think there is a possibility. It's quite small, but I want to refine my play and make an impact as soon as possible. Time is really running out. I'm not sure if I have a year or two left, but I see it as a competition. It's really embarrassing, but I want to do my best. I have my sights set on it."
Still halfway there. I asked how he feels about his life so far. Then, the diligent 'turtle' groaned, 'Hmm...'
"I think, 'That guy really worked hard.' That's really how I feel. I don't think anyone thought a player like this could play in Tokyo. That's probably the first thing that comes to mind."
Kazuo SAITO also sang, 'In the end, which side won again?' While no one knows the goal he is aiming for, by the time he arrives, breathless, the paper streamers... I don't know what will happen. But I want to tell someone about that story when I get home tonight.
Kosuke SHIRAI is the protagonist of such a story.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
