A boiling heat deep within the heart evokes vivid bitter memories.
I asked Teruhito NAKAGAWA, "I want to hear about the away match in Sec. 19 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Kyoto Sanga F.C."
Then, he muttered quietly, "The 0-3 match, huh..." and spat out, "Well, it was a match with nothing in it."
At that time, the team had suffered consecutive defeats against the Urawa Reds and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, plunging into the worst situation. Reflecting on the previous match against Hiroshima where they fell victim to the opponent's high press, they approached the Kyoto match with a plan to "kick the ball into the space behind the opponent rather than trying to connect passes as a team for 10 to 15 minutes, and then build up from there."
The game proceeded according to that plan, and from just past the 15th minute of the first half, we tried to carefully connect passes. However, due to even more intense pressure from Kyoto, there were continued periods where we simply kicked the ball forward easily.
"During that period, when we tried to connect passes, the ball was taken away, which led to conceding goals. The defensive line was trying to play it a bit more safely without forcing connections. So, although there was an intention to connect passes, in the end, we ended up using long balls."
As a result, time passed while remaining on Kyoto's turf, and they could not find a way out until the end. The match ended in a complete 0-3 defeat.
"It was the last game of the first half of the league, but the trial and error was still ongoing. I think it's accurate to say that the sense of distance between players and the balance of positioning were honestly not at all in place."
It was after that match. As the players, who were about to lower their heads, tried to lift their faces, a passionate chant of "We're always with you" repeatedly echoed from behind the away goal. Nakagawa stopped the captain, Kei KOIZUMI, who was about to line up and greet, and urged, "Kei, listen."
"I remember urging Kei to listen to the voices of the fans and supporters until the very end. They are always fighting alongside us, and of course, there is the feeling that we have to live up to their expectations. I was also largely searching for what kind of movements would be effective as a shadow, but my condition wasn’t improving, or rather, my sense wasn’t good. But after hearing the voices of the fans and supporters, I personally felt that first and foremost, I have to fight with my heart."
That scene was etched into my eyes and pierced my heart sharply.
From there, the team strengthened its squad during the special transfer window in June by adding Kim Seung-gyu, Sei MUROYA, Alexander SCHOLZ, and Motoki NAGAKURA. They also switched to a four-back system, breaking out of the bottom, and the team’s situation is gradually improving.
"To be honest, having Mikiki join has made it easier up front. I think there are various factors, such as the combinations between players and changes in the system."
Nakagawa said, "But," and as a premise, he said that the feelings he realized that day in Kyoto changed his play. Number 39 continues.
"I think my playing style changed because of the sense of urgency that I have to put my fighting spirit front and center. I was constantly thinking about how to express my presence to the team and the fans and supporters when we couldn't win."
The reason we have been able to pick up points in the summer battles, which were extremely tough last season, is that the things we have been building up through hardship are beginning to take shape.
"New players have also joined in the back, and switching to a four-back has made things a bit smoother. Stability is also starting to emerge. I think there are various factors, but whether in the three-back or four-back system that we have continued to use, the emphasis on neutralizing the opponent and making them move is gradually starting to bear fruit."
However, in the last two matches, they narrowly lost to Kashima Antlers, and in the previous match against Shonan Bellmare, they conceded a goal near the end to be caught up and missed out on victory. With a string of injuries, the situation in the squad is tough, but if they can secure a win in this Kyoto match for the first time in three games, they should be able to ride the rising momentum again. Nakagawa voices this growing anticipation.
“It’s the same for every match, but by winning, everyone gains confidence, and the team naturally improves. When we’re losing or dropping winnable games, it’s easy to fall into a negative spiral. I think we’re gaining confidence and, little by little, starting to enjoy playing this style of soccer.”
The passion received on away ground has yet to be fully returned. This matchweek, Kyoto will likely reclaim the top spot with their high-intensity soccer and come to Ajinomoto Stadium brimming with confidence. The cool-headed man preparing to face them ignited a fire with the words he uttered before the rematch.
"We just have to return what was done to us. Isn't that the passion? I said the same thing before the Urawa match, but we lost 0-3, so we have no choice but to repay that debt with results. That's the world we live in, and we have to play with that kind of passion."
Repaying the debt from that day.
"Responding to that passion" is when it has been accomplished.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
