It was the most troubled decision of my life. The midfielder, who returned to his hometown of Tokyo, expressed a goal he absolutely wants to achieve at the cost of his career. To see a new landscape with this club, Kei KOIZUMI put on the blue and red uniform.
Q: First, please tell us how you felt when you received an offer from FC Tokyo.
A, I was honestly happy when I received the offer. I was approached by a team from Tokyo, the capital city. I am glad to be recognized and it boosted my confidence. However, I have experienced transfers several times before, and to be honest, this was the most difficult decision. It might have been the toughest dilemma in my life.
Q: What was the deciding factor for that decision?
A, one of the deciding factors was that I myself had never won a title before. FC Tokyo has won cup titles before, but has never won a league title. I heard from the club that while clubs from capital cities around the world have experienced league championships, Tokyo has not yet won the leagueand I felt a sense of challenge there. I thought that if I joined here and won a title, I might be able to etch my name into FC Tokyo's history. I also have a strong desire to win the league before I retire. Another big reason was that the only players I knew were Keita YAMASHITA, who played for Sagan Tosu last year, and Leandro from my Kashima Antlers days. I am from Adachi Ward in Tokyo, but I am not very familiar with the area. I am at the best age as a player now, and I thought this would be my last chance to take on a challenge in an unfamiliar place. Those two were the reasons I decided on this transfer.
Q: Have you consulted with anyone?
A, TeammatesI couldn't say much to my teammates, but I consulted a lot with Ryota NAGAKI, my teammate from my time at Kashima, who is now with Nagoya Grampus.
Q: I am from Adachi Ward, but have you had any involvement with FC Tokyo so far?
A, I had the experience of participating in practice when I was a third-year high school student. I was allowed to join the practice and the practice matches, but at that time I was not able to secure an offer, so I went on to Albirex Niigata. I am from Tokyo and grew up in Tokyo, but until now I had little connection. However, I think this time the timing was right and I had the opportunity.
Q: Please tell us your impression of FC Tokyo from an outsider's perspective.
I have the impression that there are many good players with national team experience. Also, I thought that the 2022 season was a year in which the club, under the direction of Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, became part of the MIXI, Inc. group and is taking on various challenges.
Q: What impression do you have of Ajinomoto Stadium?
A, although it is not exclusively for soccer, I have the impression that it is a large and nice stadium. It was a challenging place for away players as well, and the excitement when a goal was scored was quite intense. It still feels a bit strange that this will become our home stadium from now on, but once it starts, I want to experience and feel many things.
Q: What impression do you have of the soccer style?
A, even from the outside, I felt that with the change of coach, the team values ball possession more. However, I believe they are not only focusing on holding the ball but also on the intensity of play. Even during matches, such voices came from the players themselves. I thought they were seeking those aspects.
Q: Looking back on your career so far, you progressed from the Yokohama F.Marinos youth academy to Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School. Can you tell us about that journey?
A, I was unable to move up to the youth team and felt quite frustrated. At that time, I was looking for a high school strong enough to beat the Marinos Youth, and since Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School was strong and within commuting distance from home, I chose it as my next step.
Q: I think there were also encounters there. There was also Ryoya OGAWA (currently belonging to Vitoria Sport Clube in Portugal) who is a year below. What was your relationship like?
A, because of Ryo, I was often forced to shave my head (bitter laugh). However, although he was one year younger, he was involved with our generation and also played in matches. Even back then, he had high physical ability.
Q: Since I moved to Portugal this summer, there has been a change, but did you want to play in the same team again?
A, well. I think it would have been interesting if we could have played on the same team. However, this is something that depends on timing, so there are parts that cannot be helped. I believe he is also chasing his dreams overseas, so personally, I want to fully support him in that.
Q: How do you feel about playing in your hometown of Tokyo?
A, I lived in Kyushu for a year and a half and have now returned here. Although it was a short time, I do feel like I have come back. After all, there were differences between Kyushu and Tokyo, even though they are both in Japan. When I played away games at Ajinomoto Stadium, my family often came to cheer for me, so I think they are happy.
Q: As you are approaching the best age as a player, what kind of career do you envision for the future?
A, I really want to win a title. I want to have at least one trophy in my career. FC Tokyo has won cup competitions, but they have never won the league, which resonates with my own aspirations. So, I decided with a focus on winning the league together. I believe that if we become champions, we will see a different perspective, and I want to keep that constantly in mind.
Q: Looking back on your career, you have been utilized in various positions. Is there a position you want to compete in here?
A, honestly, when I was in my early twenties, I had a position where I wanted to play. However, after I started playing with Nagaki, whom I met during my time at Kashima, my perspective changed. Watching Nagaki play as a defensive midfielder, right back, or side half, I felt that he was playing wherever he was needed for the team to win. His dedication to fighting for the team in whatever position he was entrusted with looked really cool to me. Since I was a similar type of player, I felt that I had to become this kind of player, and I started to want to be like that. After meeting him, I no longer had such a strong attachment to a specific position. I believe it’s about what I can do when I’m entrusted with a role. I do have my own thoughts on the position where I can perform best, and others have mentioned it to me as well. Even so, no matter where I play, I believe I just have to fight for the team to win.
Q: What is necessary to play in various positions?
A, you must never lose in one-on-one situations or in the intensity of play. I believe this is definitely important for any position. If you don't let that drop, you naturally get a sense that you can perform well anywhere. There was a time when I felt it would be difficult if I could show intensity as a defensive midfielder but not as a side back. Now, I believe that as long as I don't lower my intensity wherever I play, my strengths will come out both in attack and defense.
Q: What is the one thing you absolutely do not want to lose?
A, I believe that winning the ball is my specialty. As a professional, I have always fought in that area, so if I can't win the ball there, my strengths diminish. I want to continue valuing that going forward.
Q: Please tell us if there have been any changes you could make by joining this team.
A is not the type to shout out specially, so he wants to show it through his play. There are many young players in Tokyo, so he wants to demonstrate a high level of play intensity and create an atmosphere that this level of effort is necessary. He aims to clearly show this not only in matches but also during practice. He believes that this is something that must be demonstrated.
Q, then please give a message to the fans and supporters.
As I mentioned in my joining announcement comment, I will exert the maximum strength I currently have for FC Tokyo to win the title. I would be happy if you could support me in that. I am a player from the generation called mid-career. Since there are many young players in this team, I want to do my best to have a positive influence on the club not only in matches but also in daily training.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
