Enduring the relentless cold rain, he kept shooting repeatedly with the pendulum motion. The players who participated in the Scotland match finished their practice early and headed for interviews. However, having unexpectedly fallen behind in this national team activity and finally arriving at his first practice in Europe, he had a special training session waiting after the regular training. It was a one-on-one session with Coach Hiroshi NANAMI, with the cooperation of goalkeepers Keisuke OSAKO and Tomoki HAYAKAWA, all under the watchful eye of Manager Hajime MORIYASU.
After finishing the long and intense extra practice, the 19-year-old appeared in the interview area and, slightly relaxing his serious expression, answered with a smile, "It was fun."
Ryunosuke SATO aims to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 from Aoaka. His big goal is to appear in the World Cup as a teenager. He was called up as the only domestic field player for the European expedition, which will be the last activity before the main tournament member announcement. Regarding this national team activity, he left a comment saying, "The most important thing is to demonstrate and give my best qualities in this last chance."
After completing Sec. 8 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League EAST Group on March 22, we departed Japan on the 23rd. We planned to head to Glasgow, Scotland via London to participate in the Japan national team's European expedition. However, due to feeling unwell at the transit point, we separated from the national team. After a rest day in London, we moved to Glasgow the next day, but continued to miss team practice sessions thereafter.
Finally, I was able to join the team meeting the day before the Scotland match. I focused on recovering my physical condition by doing machine training at the gym and moving my body. Although I was behind schedule since the start of activities, I was able to join the long-awaited practice during the training two days before the England match, which was the first practice day in London.
This European expedition can be said to be the "final selection" stage for this tournament. While aiming to make the team by a comeback, it ended in a departure that cannot be regretted enough. There may never have been a time in the past when I wanted to kick the ball this much. That is why the desire to shine in the place of the Japan national team, which I have finally returned to, must have become even stronger.
In the mixed zone after practice, the words "It's a fortunate situation to still have matches remaining" expressed a genuine joy for having the chance to make a final appeal.
On the first day of joining the team, the training on the 29th involved wearing bibs and mainly playing as the right inside half in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Although the menu included recovery exercises, he also fully participated in tactical training. Then, after the overall practice, the intense "pendulum shot" training with Coach Nanami reflected the coaching staff's aim to rapidly improve condition, including the entire team's cooperative system, and it can be said that there were high expectations. It also seemed like an effort to be ready in time for the England match.
"The team is cooperating to put extra load on me to improve my condition, so I want to meet those expectations. I want to make the best preparation for the England match. The team played a very good game from the first half (against Scotland), and it made me want to play there even more. I also felt that I have to do much more to be able to step onto the pitch," he said, looking down at his feet and reflecting on his own growth.
The dream held since childhood, the responsibility as a Japan national team member, and the attitude of enjoying soccer. It seems that various feelings were conveyed on the pitch on the first day of the joint training camp.
"The days spent as a national team player even during practice are special, and there is so much to gain. In that sense, I really wanted to value today's practice, and I also feel that it is not something to be taken for granted. I think it was a good training session."
The match against England at Wembley Stadium has sold out in advance by the 29th. The game against the strong team ranked 4th in the FIFA rankings and considered one of the favorites to win the tournament is expected to be filled with a crowd of 90,000. It is inevitable that his joining the training has been delayed so far, making it uncertain whether he will get playing time. Since this is an important game that also serves as a simulation for the tournament, it may be difficult to use him considering his condition.
However, even so, we can only do our best and wait for fate. A comeback is in order. "This is an important match for the team, but personally, I want to focus more on myself and, if given the chance to play, I want to give my all. I want to connect this opportunity to the future in any way possible," he said, solidifying his resolve for the future after a slow start.
At the end of the mixed zone interview, I briefly remarked to him, who had an impressive smile during practice, "It looks like you had fun," and he responded with a smile, "I had an absolute blast." Cherishing that feeling and appreciating that it is not something to be taken for granted, I hope he shines brightly on the pitch.
Hoping that the game at the "holy ground" proud of the birthplace of soccer will become the stage where his dream is woven.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text and Photos by Tomoo Aoyama
