This season, being able to compete for the title until the final stages has become a great motivation for me. In recent seasons, we haven’t been involved in the title race for the Emperor's Cup or the league, which made me feel a sense of loneliness, and I believe it made the fans and supporters feel the same way. That’s why I’m truly happy to be able to compete in this situation now.
If we were in the opponent’s position (FC Machida Zelvia), having lost the recent match, their determination for the Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round would surely be immense. I believe that, above all, it is crucial for us to surpass that fighting spirit with our own mindset.
We have a fairly clear image of Machida's attacking characteristics and intentions from last week's league match. They aim for the goal more directly and are a team that attacks sharply, not only strong in aerial duels. They also have a wide variety of set-piece plays, so even greater concentration and preparation to repel them as defenders will be required.
In the 2011 season, we won the Emperor's Cup. I don't clearly remember the details from back then, but that season we competed in the J2 League, won the championship, and secured our return to the J1 League for the following season. Although we achieved the result of winning the J2 League, there was a sense of regret and frustration over being relegated in the 2010 season, and at the same time, a strong feeling of gratitude toward the fans and supporters who continued to cheer for us unwaveringly throughout the year.
That is precisely why there was undoubtedly a strong desire throughout the entire team to repay the fans by winning the Emperor's Cup and to present them with a title. Looking back now, I feel that at that time, the feelings of the fans and supporters and those of us players became one, creating an indescribable great power.
That is precisely why we want to firmly seize the opportunity to advance to this Semifinal Round. Aiming for the championship, we are determined to win without fail. There is a world of difference between winning and being the runner-up. We absolutely do not want it to end with a 'That was close' feeling. Both as a team and as individuals, the view we see when we reach that point is completely different.
We must understand what it truly means for FC Tokyo to win a title. The last time the team claimed a title was the 2020 season Levain Cup. There are not many players on the current team with that experience. Winning a title is something that leaves a lasting memory and, at the same time, is incredibly difficult. Right now, at this very moment, there is an excellent opportunity to realize that and accumulate it as experience. This will undoubtedly become a great asset both individually and for the club FC Tokyo as a whole.
We won last week’s league match, but the result of that game has no bearing on this match. Both we and Machida are focused solely on winning this Semifinal Round and stepping onto the stage of the Final Round. I believe it will be a very tough match. Everyone on the team has a strong mindset of "putting everything into this one game," and that feeling comes through in the atmosphere and communication during our daily training.
As long as we step onto the pitch wearing the FC Tokyo emblem on our chest, we have the responsibility to fight until the very end. I believe the team that wins the Semifinal Round is the true winner of this series of matches.
