The 2025 season brought many inspirations and lessons, including the first selection to the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team). Experiencing standards and speeds different from the J.League, he confronted his current position and strengthened his desire for further growth.
On the other hand, the league season was a year that brought both a sense of achievement and challenges regarding the results. Tawara Tsukida takes all of these experiences as nourishment, firmly resolving to compete at a higher level.
Response and challenges, and beyond that――.
Q. How do you look back on the 2025 season?
A, I think it was a season where I had many opportunities and chances to grow. Among them, the most significant event for me was being selected for the Japan national team in June, which was an invaluable experience above all.
Q. What specific experiences did you gain from your activities with the Japan national team?
A. I felt a level of play quality that I cannot experience in the regular J.League. This includes the high quality of the players who were also selected for the Japan national team, as well as the level of the opponents we faced. I strongly felt the difference. Experiencing the speed of play, decision-making, and everything else differently from before became a trigger for me to want to grow even more from here. In particular, I felt that the play quality of Takefusa KUBO and Hiromu KAMADA stood out even among the national team members, and I also felt the difference in level between us in terms of ball touches and the quality of the passes they provided.
Even outside of practice, while communicating mainly about soccer with several players, there was also talk about "challenging overseas." However, I myself have not yet achieved significant results in Tokyo. The desire to firmly demonstrate results as a Tokyo player and to contribute to the team grew even stronger at that time.
Q, There were memorable plays such as the goal against Gamba Osaka in Sec. 12, but I don't think it was a satisfying season for player Tawara Tsukida.
A, looking back at the results based on my own goals, I achieved about 50 percent. Since my first year promoted to the top team, I have gradually gained confidence in dribbling breakthroughs and attacking moves against J1 League players. Regarding this season, I have been working on improving my defensive positioning and intensity. While I was able to accomplish some of these aspects to a certain extent, I am not satisfied at all with not being able to deliver results or numbers as a forward, especially since I set a goal of "5 goals and 5 assists."
Q. Is there a match from this season that left a strong impression on you?
A, of course, the match against G Osaka held at Japan National Stadium left an impact as I was able to score from a dribble breakthrough, but personally, the two matches that stand out are Sec. 18 against Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Sec. 27 against Kyoto Sanga F.C. The heavy losses as a team and my personal frustration at not being able to contribute at all with plays leading to goals left a very strong impression. Regarding the Kyoto match, I felt confident on the pitch with vertical breakthroughs and challenges, so it was especially frustrating not to be able to contribute in the final moments.
Q. I think both as a team and individually, the first half of the season was a tough time. How do you feel about the connection with your teammates?
A, basically, I tend to think for myself about how to tackle problems, so I don't often go to other players for advice repeatedly, but I had many conversations about soccer with Takahiro KO. We talked about how to receive the ball at the timing I require, and I also received advice on the timing to break behind the defense and movements before receiving the ball.
Q: Earlier, you mentioned that the achievement level was 50 percent. What do you think is lacking to raise that figure to 70 or 80 percent?
A, first is the accuracy of crossing balls. I want to focus more on this. After breaking through the side on my own, if the crosses from there lead to goals, the number of assists will naturally increase. By overcoming this challenge, I believe my sense of achievement will also improve.
The key is to consistently deliver high performance and good play in every match. I believe this goal is the most difficult. Even on a global scale, only a very few players can achieve this, and personally, I think only Lionel Messi comes close. In every match I play, I want to challenge myself to "maintain good play on the pitch for even one more second."
Q. It seems you have a strong desire to contribute as someone who creates scoring opportunities.
A, of course, scoring goals is necessary, but considering the role of my current position, I believe that contributing to the team through assists rather than aggressively going for goals is what is expected of me.
Q, We look forward to further progress in the 2026 season.
A, I am currently in the rehabilitation period aiming to recover from my injury, but I want to prepare thoroughly for the next season. I will do my best to express satisfying play on the pitch.
