Ryoya OGAWA prepared for his journey and took flight to Portugal.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE's back that was chasing is no longer by my side. However, the goals I want to achieve are still firmly in my grasp. I dream of the day when I can stand beside him and surpass him.
The chase between the two is still ongoing.
The lineage of full-backs that Yoshifumi, who grew up in blue and red, has witnessed. With a heart full of gratitude, he runs towards becoming the best full-back in Japan.
Q: What is your image of a side back in Tokyo, as Kafumi, who aims to be the best side back in Japan, thinks?
Q: When it comes to Tokyo side backs, there is an image of the Japan national team. Regarding playing styles, there may not be a single defined form. Yuto NAGATOMO, Kosuke OTA, Sei MUROYA, and Ryoya each have their own unique strengths and characteristics. However, they all possess special weapons. It is precisely because of these outstanding weapons that they have been selected for the Japan national team. I myself want to continue developing my own strengths while addressing my challenges.
Q: Please tell us about the time and circumstances when Kafumi Yoshifusa, who played in an attacking position, was converted to a side back.
A, I have played various positions, but the first time I played as a side back was in junior high school. Since I originally liked attacking, I strongly felt, "Why do I have to play as a side back?" and I didn't really like it at that time. Even after I fully switched positions in my second year of high school, I thought I shouldn't lose the attacking aspect, which is my strength. I want to fight there, and I was confident that I could. How much can I make a difference in attack compared to others and lead the team to victory? That is the part I want to compete in.
Q: Is there anyone who has influenced you the most so far?
My older brother, who played soccer, was the closest and my first role model. Although it was something natural from my parents, I have always been told to be grateful to those around me.
Q, that is the origin that connects to the kindness of player Yoshifumi.
A, my family is much kinder than I am. My father is also incredibly kind to me.
Q, perhaps it's because I've been treated kindly that I can be kind to others.
A, I truly believe that is the case. It may be thanks to the kindness I received from my family.
Q, Speaking of gratitude, it is a phrase that Nagatomo has continued to express since his rookie days.
A, I have always cherished those words. In playing soccer, for example, gratitude towards referees, respect for opponents, and appreciation for the fans and supporters who cheer us on are extremely important. It might be a personal impression, but players without a sense of respect disappear before becoming professionals. It is that important, and I believe it's not just about playing soccer alone.
After turning professional, the kind role model Ryoya OGAWA, who always cared for me, would always ask, "How was today's practice?" and listened to me attentively.
Q: Player Ogawa is often misunderstood as being light-hearted or frivolous, but perhaps it was because he had such feelings that he was able to realize the essence.
A, Ryo-ya is reliable. Certainly, I also had that image at first, but I quickly realized otherwise. I noticed that he was truly paying attention. From the time I joined practice in high school, I felt, "He is completely different from the person everyone thinks he is."
Q: You mentioned that when things weren't going well, player Ogawa encouraged you.
A, when I was in my third year of high school, I participated in practice and was able to play in the top team's matches, but in my first year as a professional, after the league resumed, I was on the bench but couldn't get playing time for about three months. It wasn't that I lacked motivation, but I overthought everything and nothing went well during that period. At that time, Ryoya-kun would almost always ask me after practice, "How was today's training?" He sincerely listened to me when I said things like "This isn't going well" or "Nothing is going well." We often ended up on the left side together during practice, and for example, during drills where the attack starts from the fullback,during that difficult period, I kept missing all the balls played behind the defense. Once I made a mistake, nothing went well and it kept happening. At times like that, he advised me, "Just kick without thinking." Whenever I was really struggling, it was Ryoya-kun who always reached out to me. He is truly a kind person.
Q: I was curious why the reserved player Yoshifumi was able to actively ask questions to his seniors.
A, when I first joined practice, the relationship between Kosuke and Ryo was really good, so I was able to join without feeling nervous. I think it was because of that that I never felt hesitant around the two of them. It's strange even to me, but I was able to blend in smoothly. Even when I was on the bench, I never once thought "make a mistake" about Ryo. When Ryo made a good play, I actually thought, "I got to see a good play," and it motivated me. I think it's because I was always trying to learn the good points from Ryo. Even during matches, I always discovered things like how to act in certain situations. There was a sense of rivalry, but it was always driven by a desire to study and learn.
Daily lessons from Yuto NAGATOMO, who knows the world, and advice that lightens the heart. "I am confident that learning from these seniors is the right choice."
Q: By the way, what kind of conversations do you have with player Nagatomo?
A, I hear various stories every day about mental aspects and technical parts of soccer, including interpersonal skills and positioning. The most impressive thing is the mindset. Even watching from the side, I think it's amazing. When I see this person, I feel like they could succeed in any world, whether it's in matches, practice, or behavior in the training room. I think this while observing everything.
Q: As Kafumi Yoshifusa aims for the world, there must be many things to learn.
A, having experienced the top level in the world, there is much to learn from him. He has been playing in leagues of that level until recently, so I asked him about the kind of meals young overseas players have, and it is valuable to hear stories from someone who knows those realities firsthand.
Q: Where does the attitude of learning and the desire for improvement come from?
A, the side backs of Tokyo might be the most representative-level players. Being here definitely allows for growth, and there is also the desire to surpass these players. From the achievements left by the seniors, there is also the conviction that learning from these people is undoubtedly the right path.
Q: Player Ogawa also mentioned that he often imitated Player Ota.
A, I started by watching how Ryo-ya-kun does things and imitating him, then tried to make it my own style. Personally, when I get mentally down or out of form, I often carry it over to the next day. But Ryo-ya-kun was good at switching his mindset even when the team really wasn’t doing well. He’s the complete opposite of me, but no matter how bad the team situation was, Ryo-ya-kun never brought a bad atmosphere into practice. That was the biggest lesson for me, something I always felt I lacked. I want to be like that too, and Ryo-ya-kun also told me, “Don’t overthink things so much. Try to take it easier.”
Q: Just being able to put my feelings into words has lightened my heart.
Ah, yes. Also, watching Ryo-ya act like that made me realize that there are other ways to do things.
An original weapon that no one else has, polished to be a player worthy of the blue-red fullback. The goal is to be known as "When it comes to Tokyo's fullbacks, it's Yoshifumi."
Q: Please tell us about your determination as the new left-back for Tokyo after player Ogawa's transfer to Portugal.
A, honestly, I don't think I've been able to play in a way that makes everyone think, "When it comes to Tokyo's side backs, it's Yoshifu." First and foremost, I need to play in a way that makes people think so and that I can proudly say myself. My ideal is to be a side back that everyone thinks is interesting. Being able to defend is a given, but I want to show a difference from others in attack. Whether it's up and down movement, game control, or crosses, anything is fine. I want to be a side back who has unique characteristics and can make a difference from others. That's the kind of side back I want to be.
Q: Player Ota met Coach Ranko POPOVIC and started taking free kicks for the first time. He polished it into his unique weapon. Player Ogawa also mentioned that he practiced 100 free kicks every day during high school. Besides crosses, do you want to become a set-piece kicker?
A, this year as well, I have taken free kicks and corner kicks in several matches. Coach Yuki (Yukihiko SATO) also said he wanted to see if Yoshifu could take them, so I want to try kicking them myself. I’m not confident yet, though. Coach Yuki and Coach Tetsu NAGASAWA (current head coach of Kyoto SANGA F.C.) have been watching my crosses all along, and it’s becoming one of my strengths. I am grateful to Coach Yuki and Coach NAGASAWA, and it’s one of the skills I want to polish even more.
Q: The number 6 for Tokyo has been worn by Yasuyuki KONNO, Ota, and Ogawa, who are players of the Japan national team. Do you hope to wear it someday?
A, I understand that Tokyo's number 6 has been worn by some amazing players. I don't know if it will be this season or next season, or when exactly. If I feel that I am a worthy player, I might want to wear it. But right now, I think it's more important how much I can become a suitable player as a side back for Tokyo rather than the jersey number. If I can achieve that and feel that I have become a player who suits the number, then I would like to wear it.
Q: I think it's time to stand on my own now that the player I was chasing has disappeared.
A, with the player I have looked up to until now gone, this is where the real challenge begins. Even though Ryoya is no longer here, Yuto, Junya SUZUKI, Hotaka NAKAMURA, and Shuto OKANIWA are still here. I don't think the position has opened up, and the competition will become even fiercer. From here on, it will be about how much results we can achieve. Results will also become important for the team, and we need to be more ambitious. That has been what I have lacked the most until now, so I want to focus on the numbers for goals and assists.
The journey to the promised stage continues. Reuniting with the Japan national team, it's a competition against those I want to surpass. "I have always wanted to seriously surpass them."
Q: Do you want to continue competing with player Ogawa in the future?
A, Ryo-kun went abroad first, but I want to reunite at a higher level. First, I think it's about contributing to Tokyo and seeing how much I can achieve. That's all I think about. If I put my full effort into that, I will naturally reach such a place. If we can reunite there, nothing would make me happier. That is also one of my goals, so I definitely want to make it happen.
Q, and do you want to surpass it someday?
A is someone I have always seriously wanted to surpass. Although I have not been able to surpass them at all yet, they have gone abroad. That goal is not finished yet, so I definitely want to achieve it someday.
Text by Kohei Baba (Football Writer)
