The daily life of a professional soccer player is like a continuous series of tests every day. Each player wears down their nerves daily, and only those who win the competition are allowed to stand on the pitch bathed in cocktail lights. Rikizo MATSUHASHI, the coach who selects them, says, "My position is difficult," and expresses it this way.
"Players who get to play are happy, and those who don't wonder 'why.' They see things from their own perspectives. There is always the premise that it must be fair, but not everyone is under the same conditions. In a world where that is the case, when thinking about how to seize a position, I believe it also connects to how one lives their life."
The commander spoke words that are important in a competitive society connected to the way of life.
"If you try to gain only positive things for yourself, such as happiness and a sense of accomplishment, your perspective becomes narrow. How you face that is important. That's where self-evaluation comes in. How you accept or reject others' evaluations reflects your own style. I believe that by staying true to how you want to be, you can mutually respect each other. It's not about thinking, 'He was like that, but how was I?' or 'I'm like this, but he's better...' Instead, it's about being yourself and moving forward that way. On top of that, you bring out your strengths. Even when you are not chosen, offering a helping hand might have been 'his' way."
The “he” that Coach Matsuhashi calls is the main character of this story, Keita ENDO. Before the match against Kawasaki Frontale in Sec. 14 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League EAST Group, he gave these words to Leon NOZAWA, who was starting for the first time in 7 games in his place.
"Everyone in the stands and on the bench is not your enemy. Because you are expected to perform, because you are loved by fans and supporters, you will also hear harsh words. I believe that is a much greater sign of expectation than those who hear nothing at all. Use that as your strength."
Nozawa, who made his first start of the season in Sec. 8 against Verdy, bit his lip, unable to meet the expectations of his selection. Heartless words that seemed to corner Nozawa, who let out a long sigh, also surfaced on social media. Endo reportedly reached out to comfort his junior.
"I thought I understood how harsh the public criticism against Reion was. In that situation, I wanted to support him when this chance came around. That's why I was thinking about how much I could praise Reion in the Kawasaki match."
In that match, Nozawa scored his first goal of the season. He said he had spent each day believing that his opportunity to play would come during this five-game stretch. Because he had put so much on the line, Endo's words deeply moved him.
"Among so many players, I know that I still lack both the level and the results. However, I believe I have weapons that other players do not have. Whether I can make use of them depends on myself. I think that continuing to work for the team will eventually come back to me, and I have always believed that the most important thing is to trust myself, hone my weapons, and express them. Of course, I wanted to play in matches, and I also thought about what kind of play I wanted to make when I was on the field. But, after all, reality won't change unless I take action. Since returning to Tokyo in January 2024, the difficult times have been longer. I have spent many days in a situation no different from the start of this season, so I believed that if I kept going, a chance would definitely come. I have been preparing every day just to seize that chance."
The moment of joy came in the 12th minute of the second half. Ryunosuke SATO made a vertical pass, and Keito SATO, who received the ball and faced forward, played a through pass. Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who broke through, carried the ball into the area, and Nozawa pushed the loose ball into the net with his right foot amid the scramble. Apologizing with hands together to NAKAGAWA, who ended up having his chance taken away, he was embraced and warmly congratulated by Endo, who rushed over from the bench.
Nozawa relied on Endo, even seeking advice from him during water breaks in the match.
"He gave me various advice, like asking how my current position was, suggesting that I shouldn't go out there, or that I could take a position a little further forward. A player like that is very important to me. He's a rival, but also a player I can respect. He was truly reassuring, and I am grateful."
Nozawa was grateful for the words full of love from a senior who was a bit sharp-tongued yet caring and supportive.
"I got a chance in the match against Verdy, but I couldn't fully seize it then. I think continuing without giving up led to the goal. Keita has been a player I've aimed for ever since he transferred to Tokyo. Not only defensively, but also in attack with crosses from the side and connections with teammates, he's a player who shows his strengths in various situations, and I've always learned a lot by watching him. When I play, I often come on as a substitute for Keita, and especially in the last match against Kawasaki, his words gave me confidence. I was happy to receive such words from a player I look up to, and Keita's presence was definitely significant."
Not only Nozawa, but also the players who have seized their opportunities have supported the good form this season. Coach Matsuhashi also smiles approvingly at the daily preparations of these players.
"I think it's about what else there is besides daily preparation. It's not enough for them to just prepare and release the energy they've built up. It's about how to fit yourself into the team as a piece. Not only the energy of anger and frustration but also the calmness, which is the opposite, is necessary. What is expected of you on a daily basis, and how you apply the view from the bench side to yourself. Because that kind of work is going well, I think you can make something happen when you play. Of course, the experience level is sufficiently high, but it's important that it doesn't decline when you actually play, and I think each individual is doing well, including in practice matches."
Endo himself said that he felt some impatience when looking at the squad before the start of this season. Amid that, he was one of the players who stuck to his own style.
"I thought, 'Are you serious?' Because there was Tawara Tsukida (Kota), and Ryunosuke, I thought this season was going to be intense. But precisely because of that, there were parts where I could stay focused. Without such competitors, I wouldn't improve myself, and since I was prepared for a fierce position battle from before the season started, I was able to deliver a satisfying performance, including scoring, in the opening match. I felt confident too, but for a while, Ryunosuke took my position, and he was showing a great performance there. However, I never doubted my own ability, nor did I ever think I was losing. In the end, I just thought I needed to produce results. Now, we are playing together, but when injured players return, fierce competition will await again. Even so, I have confidence that I am ultimately winning. However, I haven't yet performed overwhelmingly enough to say I've won the position battle, so I need to stay even more focused."
Ryunosuke felt the same way. Each of them challenged the days in Kodaira by directing arrows at themselves, and that is what has contributed to the strength of the current team.
"I never once thought about playing better than Keita-kun. The position won't open up unless I produce results. When I step onto the pitch, I focus on doing my job and consider the meaning of my presence, and I've stuck to that without wavering. Our playing styles have similarities, but each of us has completely different characteristics, and when we play together, we coexist well. It's not just me; because players in various positions can compete well, and because a healthy rivalry has been built in a good way, I believe that contributes to the current strength of the team."
Then, Nozawa expressed in the mixed zone after the Kawasaki match, "More players like myself need to emerge." He revealed the reason once again.
"We are a team that must win the championship, and I believe we are capable of winning it. However, we cannot compete with the same members all the time. We have a group of excellent players with both skill and achievements. When an irregular player like me suddenly joins such a group, a different kind of chemical reaction occurs, and having several players like that makes the team even stronger. Teams that have such a cycle are strong. Especially in the match against Kawasaki, I scored a goal and everyone was happy. I felt like we became one again, so if more players like me come out, the current players will also improve through synergy."
The manager has been quietly watching over the internal team competition this season. This also embodies Coach Matsuhashi's style.
"The competition among players, each with their own style, is somewhat scattered and uneven in a way. However, even though their characteristics differ, I believe that competition including those differences is good. If this is only words, it would just sound idealistic. Even so, when it comes to achieving the team's victory goal among players in the same position, I want them to think about what they can do to win, regardless of whether they play or not. It might sound idealistic. But I think it is very important. Giving advice to someone increases competitiveness, and if they acquire that, the player's value and performance might improve. Helping that player grow directly leads to helping the team win. It's good for the players, but as a coach, it's difficult. Naturally, I have no intention of choosing someone to be liked or not choosing someone to be disliked. I have my own style in that regard. I decide not only by myself but also by consulting with coaches, talking with players, and communicating. I think it’s good if the team becomes stronger in that way. I believe it’s important to build up not just for a moment or a short time, but continuously."
On the pitch in Kodaira, there are days filled with competition. It is also a world where players who envy others or try to undermine someone are naturally eliminated. Only the days spent confronting oneself can strengthen your back and broaden your world. Endo, who reached out to Nozawa, says, "I'm not the only one."
"Every day, because players in positions other than my own can also compete, in a way, even with a tough schedule, the players who get to play can fully engage in the match and express their intentions and feelings through their play, embodying a strong Tokyo team no matter who takes the field. Since each player thinks and works hard during daily practice, the team becomes stronger through healthy competition."
Then, Endo let out a "huff" laugh and, in full character, muttered this somewhat sarcastic remark.
"In a way, I believe I created a 'debt' with Tokyo at that time. If there is an opportunity to repay that 'debt,' I want to do so properly. I hope such a moment comes."
In the final round of the 2019 season, the man who blocked Tokyo's “dream” with the decisive third goal now scores a goal leading the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League to victory in blue and red. Such a world line would also be wonderful. The number 22, who won the competition, creates a happy ending.
That is also the reward waiting for the men who have survived the harsh daily life of professional soccer players.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
