The man's determination to regain his dazzling spirit
"Get me in the groove"
FW 39 Teruhito NAKAGAWA
Introducing all the Blue-Red warriors participating in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League 2026 season in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What kind of thoughts do the players hold, and with what determination are they preparing to face the special half-season tournament and the year ahead?
Teruhito NAKAGAWA spent the season feeling he contributed to the team but was not satisfied with his own statistics. His play receiving the ball in intermediate positions was sharp, and he also mentioned that he has a sense of improvement. At the same time, he has not forgotten his pride as a point scorer. Balancing both, Teruhito NAKAGAWA is filling his heart with fierce determination as he prepares for the new season to excite the stadium.
In the summer of the 2025 season, when FC Tokyo faced the crisis of relegation to the J2 League, Teruhito NAKAGAWA was undoubtedly one of the key players who turned the difficult situation around, leaving a strong impression in people's memories. In Sec. 15 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, which became a critical battle to avoid relegation, the team achieved a convincing victory against Yokohama F.Marinos with remarkably dynamic soccer, thanks in no small part to the dedicated play of the player wearing number 39.
Nakagawa, who was once renowned as a right-side attacker, mainly played as a shadow or one of the two forwards last season. He focused on plays that facilitate the team's attack. He said, "I learned how to receive the ball in the shadow position after we switched to a 4-4-2 formation," and functioned as a key player by dropping from the front line to the midfield to receive the ball, enhancing the fluidity of both players and the ball.
"When I drop back to the defensive midfield position, I can receive the ball. I was hoping that would create a good cycle, so I consciously tried to touch the ball deliberately, and not just drop back but also add my strength of making runs behind the defense."
The two forwards take positions by swapping back and forth with a "pulley movement." The high-quality combination shown by Nakagawa, Motoki NAGAKURA, and Sato Yoshimasa was important both in terms of spreading to the entire team trying to receive the ball between the lines and in their role as tactical leaders.
However, what we really want to expect from Nakagawa is not only his contributions to the team’s play but also the kind of joyous goals that bring victory, like the winning goal in Sec. 24 against Urawa Reds. In the 2025 season, he played 1492 minutes in the league and scored 2 goals. Of course, he himself is not satisfied with these numbers.
"I might have been too focused on the whole team and ended up being too quiet as a player. The forwards have repeatedly said that numbers are important, and I think that's ultimately what matters. Goals like the one against Urawa are crucial, especially during a time when a win is desperately needed. Since we lost the away game of the same match with a comeback, pushing forward with that kind of determination is also important. While working on Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI's soccer style, this season I want to not only be the team's lubricant but also show a more aggressive attitude toward scoring goals than ever before."
If Teru scores a goal, the stadium's energy will instantly change and the momentum will surge. In official matches where Nakagawa has scored for FC Tokyo, the record is an impressive 10 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. He himself has the mindset of "If I score, we won't lose." That is why this season he has regained his wild playing style and strengthened his determination to attack the goal.
"I want you to get me fired up. This season, I'm going all out."
When asked to call on fans and supporters for the season opener, Nakagawa responded like this. The energy in the stadium rises, and Teru meets those expectations. That goal further raises the stadium's voltage. This synergy will surely lead Tokyo to the top.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Masaru Goto (Freelance Writer)
