Kota Tokiwa, who took his first step as a professional in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 5 match against Shonan Bellmare, has maintained good form since the camp and finally got the opportunity to step onto the J1 League pitch, aiming for a starting position at the season opener. In post-match interviews, he calmly spoke about his position, emphasizing his contribution to the team's victory over his own J1 League debut, which was impressive. Behind this was the encouragement from coach Rikizo MATSUSHASHI, who lightened his heart. The wise words of the coach helped the troubled university graduate rookie to look forward, and Tokiwa faced his own mental challenges.
Kota Tokiwa was feeling anxious. He had not been promoted from the academy, and after going through Meiji University, he once again donned the blue and red this season. He steadily raised his evaluation from the pre-season camp, and although he made the bench for the opening match against Yokohama FC, he did not get any playing time. His eagerness was growing.
"I was included in the lineup for the opening match, but I couldn't play. The next day, I was too tense and ended up overdoing it."
The day after the match, I vowed to make a strong impression in the practice match against the Kanto University Selection while wearing the captain's armband and started in the lineup. However, perhaps due to impatience, my body stiffened, and I lost sight of the plays I should have been able to execute. The team also conceded 4 goals in the first half and lost 4-5.
What am I doing?
After the match, while sitting dejectedly on the pitch in Kodaira, I was approached by Coach Matsuhashi.
"Do not view yourself too highly or too lowly. You must evaluate yourself appropriately."
Saying that, the commander continued in a way that seemed to advise.
"If you look too highly upon yourself and get anxious, you will suffer from the gap between where you are now and where you think you should be. Conversely, if you underestimate yourself and look too low, it is meaningless even if there are things you can do. Let's try to objectively assess ourselves and distinguish between what we can do and what we cannot."
Those words removed Tokiwa's anxiety and lightened his body. Following that, he was left out of the bench members from the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 2 match against FC Machida Zelvia to the Sec. 4 match against Kashima Antlers. It wasn't that there was no frustration. Still, it may have been necessary time for Tokiwa. During that time, he faced himself.
"That word was significant. The camp started from scratch, and I steadily did what I could in my first year. I think that made me feel like I was close to being on the bench and possibly getting to play. From there, I returned to my roots and was able to approach it with the state and attitude that the coach calls 'neutral.'"
Director Matsuhashi, who has experience coaching teenagers in the academy, said, "I have often talked about such things with young players," reflecting on his interactions with Tokiwa.
"I don't think it's necessary to view things from the perspective of myself when things aren't going well. During the camp, I maintained a very good condition and was properly evaluated, having achieved a certain level, but when things don't go well, I tend to look down. I won't say that young players shouldn't worry, but if they can perceive it as something normal, they will be able to try again. That's what I wanted to convey. I believe it's important to see oneself not from above or below at times, but from one's own perspective."
Then, Tokiwa was once again on the bench for the Sec. 5 match against Shonan Bellmare on March 8, and made his J1 League debut as a substitute in the 28th minute of the second half. There he was, without hesitation, continuing to do what he could.
In the post-match press conference, when asked by reporters about Tokiwa's evaluation, Coach Matsuhashi commented, "Since the camp, he has been maintaining a good attitude and condition while showing promising play. As the season started, he has gradually started to find his rhythm, and although he hasn't had many opportunities to play until now, he has shown a very good performance towards being included in the squad. I believe he demonstrated that in the game. I hope he can use this match to take another step forward through the experience of playing."
Hearing that, Tokiwa disciplined himself and wound the screw again.
"I think the coach saw that I wasn't able to perform the plays I usually can and expressed it as 'there are ups and downs.' I realized that those ups and downs were influenced by my mental state. I understood that my impatience and looking down on myself too much were creating those waves, and it clicked for me, which was refreshing. However, just because I was seen in that way, I shouldn't become complacent. That comment made me feel relieved, but I believe it's not good to be overly anxious just because of my feelings. I have ambition and a strong desire to take a starting position. But I want to avoid getting anxious, not understanding my current position, and looking too high, thinking 'why is this happening.'
Do not repeat the same mistakes──. In the practice match against Sendai University the day after the Shonan game, I reminded myself to not think too highly or too lowly of myself. Coach Matsuhashi, who is watching over Tokiwai's significant changes, squints his eyes and says.
"As humans, it's natural to have desires, so I think it's normal to be aware of that. Young players, when things don't go well, tend to think they're in a slump. But they don't have enough experience to really call it a slump, nor do they know their maximum potential. They have so much room to grow from here, and only possibilities ahead of them. When they look at themselves from the highest point of that potential, they might feel like they can't do anything. But if they look up from below, they can only grow from there. I think that's a good perspective. I was often told the same when I was young. It can be discouraging, but it's natural to struggle. It's also important to realize that it's oneself who raises their own perspective as if they can do it. Even when I became a professional and naturally gained confidence, I still thought, 'No, I'm still at the bottom.' If you understand that position, the view will surely change."
Tokiwa neither looks up nor down, just faces forward. Coach Matsuhashi gave a gentle push on his back. From here on, it's only about moving forward. A bundle of possibilities has thus taken a strong first step as a professional.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
