There are short yet warm words that have accompanied Go HATANO throughout his life. Before he knew it, they had become invaluable life lessons for him. Perhaps, this is the secret behind HATANO's smile, which always tries to entertain someone.
"Enjoy everything with a smile"
Every morning before going to school or heading out to practice my beloved soccer, I was called that. The voice belonged to my grandfather Kazuo, who said, "Since we were a single-mother family, he truly raised me as a father figure."
"He always said that to me before I went out every day. I have lived my daily practice and life with those words engraved in my heart. I have great respect for my grandfather and am truly grateful."
There have been tough times and painful moments. When I couldn't seem to smile properly, my grandfather's words would suddenly come to mind. It was the same this season as well.
He had been warming the bench for a long time since the start of the league matches. So far, he has only appeared in two J.League YBC Levain Cup matches. The time waiting for his chance continued. During that period, the team went winless in eight league matches.
"It was probably around after the Levain RB match against Omiya Ardija ended. For that one or two months, even though I thought 'If I played, I could help the team win,' there was a frustrating feeling of not being able to step onto the pitch. I have been focusing on my mindset and preparation so that I can perform well when I suddenly get to play in a match."
He said so, but honestly admitted that his feelings fluctuated. Even so, he recalled his grandfather's words and approached training with a positive attitude.
"When I step onto the pitch, I can't help the team win if my mentality is that low. Even when talking with Yuto NAGATOMO, Masato MORISHIGE, and Keigo HIGASHI, they told me, 'The chance will definitely come.' I have always tried to keep a positive mindset. I always have the desire to represent FC Tokyo and join the Japan national team. I have constantly trained with that goal in mind. Holding that motivation in my heart, I have endured and kept going."
Goalkeeper coach Shota YAMASHITA has been watching over such scenes closely.
"While supporting Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, he has continued to do what needs to be done. During practice, he gave advice to Masataka KOBAYASHI and Wataru GOTO, shared his own experiences, and maintained good communication."
The two met when Hatano was in the first year of junior high school, and their relationship has been long. At that time, Coach Yamashita was in his second year after graduating from university and had just begun his coaching career as a goalkeeper coach for both FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi and Fukagawa teams. Recalling 14 years ago, he said, "Go has always seen his mother giving her full effort, and even back then, I thought he was a player who truly values his family."
This season, Go HATANO has consistently tried to stay positive, but there was a reason for his restless feelings. His grandfather had fallen ill and was bedridden. Go HATANO said, "This might be a personal matter and not something I should talk about," before revealing his hidden feelings.
"I've been feeling unwell for about a month, but I had the desire to show my grandfather me standing on the pitch. That's why I was able to keep going no matter what."
With the sole desire to encourage my grandfather, I gritted my teeth and kept going. The news of his passing arrived on May 3rd, the day of the Albirex Niigata match. Right after securing a 3-2 victory, I jumped on the Shinkansen and returned to Tokyo alone. I cannot express the look on Go HATANO’s face as he hurried through the mixed zone, always wearing a smile no matter what.
"He passed away on the day of the Niigata match. The team won, but I was more frustrated because I really wanted to be on the pitch."
The anticipation grew even stronger. Coach Yamashita revealed, "When I see the warm-ups before and after the Niigata match and the players' condition after the game, personally, I believe that to further elevate Go's abilities, as well as to raise Taishi and the young goalkeepers to the next level, we must not miss the moment when Go can deliver his maximum performance."
At the coaching staff meeting ahead of the next match, everyone shared their opinions, and it was decided to use Go HATANO in the upcoming match against Vissel Kobe.
"I have always thought he is a top-class player who can effectively use long balls across the entire J.League. It was effective against Kobe's four-back formation, and it was also an opponent where his strengths and energy could easily be showcased, especially with the increased number of crosses." (Coach Yamashita)
Go HATANO himself noticed during midweek training that the position of the magnets on the whiteboard was different from usual, and said he thought, "Maybe just a possibility." As the match day approached, it started to feel more real. Amidst the rising tension, he tried to stay as usual.
On the day of the match, Coach Yamashita said, "I'm counting on you." Thorough preparations were not neglected. Before the match, he told Teruhito NAKAGAWA, "I will kick hard towards the goalkeeper, so if you come on midway, please run with the intention to aim for it."
Demonstrated stability from the start with shot-stopping and handling crosses. Provided calm coaching that supported the team from the back line. As time passed moment by moment, neither side gave an inch, and the whistle for full time was about to blow with the score still goalless.
However, a dramatic turn of events awaited just before the end of the match.
The moment Kobe's attack crossed the goal line was not missed. Hatano quickly restarted with a "Here it is" and kicked the ball vigorously forward. The ball stretched rapidly and was sent in front of the opponent's goal. Nakagawa, trusting this, received it and swung his left foot. Although this was blocked by Kobe's goalkeeper, Soma ANZAI picked up the rebound and pushed it into the goal with the outside of his right foot. This time, it seemed that Kobe's player used his body to escape with a corner kick.
However, VAR support came in here, and after the referee's on-field review, a penalty kick was awarded for handball. Marcelo RYAN firmly kicked the opportunity that came at the last moment into the left side of the goal.
The first consecutive wins of the season achieved in the league matches. Go HATANO played a key role both offensively and defensively. After scoring the winning goal, he shared his joy with Nozawa, who stood in front of the bench and expressed admiration by saying, "I witnessed the greatness of Go HATANO," embracing each other in celebration.
"Taishi, Masa, and Wataru all said, 'Nice one, Goh!' It would be great if we could all improve together, compete with each other, and lock down Tokyo's goal. A goalkeeper must be calm and steady. I want us all to protect Tokyo's goal. I always want to be the one who ends up smiling in the end. I want to keep fighting with that mindset. To do that, even if one or two fingers get broken, I want to keep protecting the goal. I want to keep going with that determination until it pays off."
When the long whistle sounded, Go HATANO looked up at the sky of Ajinomoto Stadium and smiled warmly.
"I wasn't able to have people see me actually playing at the stadium. Although I was one match late, I believe he was surely watching over me from heaven. I really wanted him to see it with his own eyes, but that was due to my lack of ability. From here on, I want to keep delivering good news. I believe he will continue to watch over me forever. I want to keep showing that kind of attitude from now on."
Upon returning to Tokyo last season, he decided to get married and welcomed a new family member. His proposal words were, "Please keep smiling by my side from now on. I will cherish you for life." Saying this shyly, he continued.
"I thought I might cry, but my wife was laughing beside me."
Go HATANO, who welcomed his life partner, said, "Of course, I want to enter the field together when we have children, and I want to continue playing actively enough to stand on the pitch with them. I want to keep working hard for Tokyo and also win titles. Next, I will aim to take those." He also expressed his determination to increase the things he must protect from now on.
And this match against Kobe was the first league game where he entered the field holding his eldest son, who was born last year.
"Family is a huge presence for me. Without them, I might have fallen into despair and run away. Thanks to my wife's support, I can live at home without stress. In terms of diet, I have lost 5 kg since the camp, and my body moves better. There is a reason I have to fight. There are things I will not compromise on. For something—whether it’s for myself, the team, or my family—I have my reasons. For the people I want to make happy, I will keep fighting. For that, I want to strengthen my heart."
When the eldest son grows a little older, I will surely send him off with these words when he goes out.
"Enjoy everything with a smile"
Good fortune comes to the laughing gate──. My grandfather's teaching will continue to be a family motto, staying close to the smiling Go HATANO family.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
