With the teaching of "Number 1" in mind, the player wearing jersey number 1 has taken a new step forward──. The guardian nurtured by Yoichi DOI, who brought the first title to the blue and red, now stands in front of the blue and red goalmouth.
This season, goalkeeper Hayate TANAKA, newly joined from Tokushima Vortis in the J2 League, made his first appearance after the transfer in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League 100-Year Vision League Sec. 11 match against FC Machida Zelvia on April 1st, contributing to a 3-0 shutout victory. After this memorable match, he said thoughtfully, "It was fun."
"What I thought after it ended was that many unpredictable things happen in the J2 League. There were fewer chaotic situations."
After turning professional with Tokushima in the 2022 season and going through five seasons, he spoke about his J1 League debut, saying, "I think it took some time," and added more words.
"When I was confirmed to join, Tokushima was in the J1 League. However, at the same time as joining, they were relegated to the J2 League. I decided to join Tokushima hoping to play on the J1 League stage, so in that sense, it ultimately took five years. Looking back now, regardless of whether I played in the first year, I believe every season had meaning."
The meaning was found not in the big saves shown at the 29th minute of the first half and the 3rd minute of the second half against Machida, but in the play that came at the 13th minute of the second half.
Hayate TANAKA made his professional debut on March 12, 2023, in the Meiji Yasuda J2 League Sec. 4 match against Verdy. However, they suffered a 0-2 defeat in that game. At the 32nd minute of the second half, from a direct free kick slightly left of the center of the goal, he momentarily looked away preparing for a cross ball and was caught off guard, allowing Kajikawa to directly shake the net. Overcome with frustration, he collapsed on the pitch with his arms and legs spread out, looked up at the sky, and bit his lip.
It was a direct free kick from a position that brought back those bittersweet memories. Without taking his eyes off Soma, who set the ball, he firmly caught the shot with both hands.
"There were two direct free kicks, and I definitely thought they would aim for both. According to the team's theory, we were told to set up either two walls or one wall with another one placed a little further away, but there we placed three walls. I think Soma also knew it was my J1 League debut match. I painfully learned from Kajikawa in Tokushima, and I also saw the scene where Kimura scored a direct free kick in the opening match against Yokohama F.Marinos. Hints are scattered everywhere. I have approached various goalkeepers' mistakes as if they were my own."
Because there is no turning back, the proof of growth shone in a single play that remains in the cherished memory lane. Right after joining, he asked Shota YAMASHITA, the goalkeeper coach, "Can I watch all the goals conceded by FC Tokyo last season?" and reviewed all of them on video. Furthermore, from the start of this season, he has diligently checked every goal in all matches of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League. Hayate TANAKA's high defensive organization ability is a skill made possible precisely because of such a vast archive of memories.
"For goalkeepers, how they find meaning in conceding goals and internalize it is what leads to the next step. I believe that is everything. In that sense, I often talk with Wataru GOTO. Conceding goals is important, and it contains lessons for the future. I want to continue that approach, and including Masa KOBAYASHI, they all have wonderful potential and a bright future awaits them. Therefore, I want them to use every goal conceded in practice as a hint."
One of the reasons I decided to join Aoaka was the desire to "try playing football under Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI." I experienced that football for the first time in an official match for 90 minutes.
"It's fun to play, and this season we have Inamura (Hayato), Kento HASHIMOTO, and Alexander SCHOLZ. There are many players who can share the same image and draw the same picture in key moments. I have also sought that myself. I feel fortunate to be able to play in such an environment. However, matches keep coming one after another. There will always be times and situations where the ideal we pursue and what is required in the game differ. In those moments, we make the best choices. Since they entrust me with those ideas, I can play with confidence and feel a sense of fulfillment."
Last season, he achieved clean sheets in 19 matches in the Meiji Yasuda J2 League, conceding the fewest goals in the league and was awarded the J2 League Best Eleven. However, at his new club, he has remained on the bench since the opening. Even so, he has continued to fight alongside the team. This was something he learned from Yoichi DOI during his time in Verdy's academy.
"I have always been told not to do it together with the field. When the team is doing well, you have to look for a trigger that might cause it to go bad, and when the team is doing poorly, you must not hang your head together with them."
That teaching still lives on today. That is why both the team's successes and failures have been etched into his mind. It is said that the reason he was able to devote himself to making Sei MUROYA play positively, even though he rarely played forward in his own half during the match against Machida, was because of that.
"Even when I wasn't playing in matches since my time in Tokushima, I have always been working on developing a sense of what was good and what was not good about the team. I have continuously worked on what would be beneficial for the team and what should be done for the goalkeepers of this team. Because I have participated in matches with that mindset, I did not feel like it was my first match in a long time at all. This is a task I have been doing all along. In that sense, I have been able to experience an exciting daily life with this team. Whether in defense or attack, this team has many successful examples, which has helped me expand my own repertoire. I am having good days."
Another reason for joining the blue and red was the daily friendly rivalry with the active South Korean national team player Kim Seung-gyu. Beyond that, he is trying to discover a new version of himself.
"After the match, I heard various comments from reporters and friends comparing me to him, but I believe there is nothing for me to say about that. I am simply focused on my own growth, and there are many hints in his play that I want to absorb. I want to keep learning and, above all, continue to prove my value for the team to win the championship. I want to keep living with that unchanged."
Wearing the number 1 jersey that Toi carried on his back, he protected the blue and red goal. While indulging in that emotion, he said, "I purely feel that the back of that person is still far away."
The legend he respects as his "master" spent careful days in Tokyo and wore the Hinomaru at the age of 30 in 2003. Hayate TANAKA will turn 27 this year.
The indomitable guardian Yoichi DOI is strict with his students. However, he said.
"Hayate may still have many things he lacks. But he knows what he is lacking. Besides, he has had the look and presence of a goalkeeper that can't be taught since long ago."
The day will come when we can once again see the blue and red number 1 standing in front of Japan's goal.
The game against Machida might be the first step toward that dream. Because he aims to be "Japan's best goalkeeper," he said, "I will definitely go," and continued like this.
"There is something I still remember from what Mr. Doi taught me. Even if you progress from 1 to 10 today, there might be a moment when you suddenly jump to 20 and see something new. You might feel like you've grown or grasp an amazing sense of achievement. But the next day, I was told not to start suddenly from 10 again. Instead, return to 1 and progress from 1 to 2, so you can see the same scenery again, and to continue that process every day. This is something I have valued the most, even when I went to university. This time, the result happened by chance, but I think it’s back to 1 again. Including the way I approach football, which I cherish, I want to start again from 1 to move forward once more."
Never forget your original intention. To see new scenery, you will continue to spend your days steadily and carefully.
The number 1 on his back taught him 'starting over again,' revealing Hayate TANAKA's professional pride.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
