In the 2019 season, the speedster who prevented FC Tokyo from winning their first championship changes his uniform from tricolor to blue and red. What he values most is "enjoying soccer." What was impressive is that he is looking beyond his first league title. What does Teruhito NAKAGAWA want to achieve at FC Tokyo as he aims to "bloom once more"?
Q: Please tell us your honest thoughts when you received the offer from FC Tokyo.
A, honestly, I didn't expect to receive such a passionate offer. After hearing about the future and the plans for the next few years from the management team, I sincerely wanted to contribute my strength.
Q: Was there a persuasive line that made the difference?
A, there were no pick-up lines, but he passionately praised my play and said that my style fits FC Tokyo's playing style. I think that was a major factor.
Q: When transferring from the team you have been with for eight years, were there any criteria for making your decision?
There was also the milestone of turning 30, and I believe I left some achievements at Marinos. In terms of a new challenge, I also felt that I needed to give myself another stimulus.
Q: Did you consult with anyone when making your decision?
A, when I transfer, I try not to tell my teammates. After all, it's a decision I make myself. I don't think talking to others changes my feelings, and I believe it's something I decide based on my own thoughts, so I didn't consult anyone.
Q: What kind of image did you have of FC Tokyo?
A, from the image when we played against them, there were times when we lost in the intensity of ball challenges. I felt they were an aggressive team in that aspect. In attack, they have a strong foreign player up front, so I think they make good use of that strength. Also, in recent years, they have been trying to break down defenses with passing football, and even at Ajinomoto Stadium where we played this year, there were moments when they built up from the back and created dangerous situations. Although slightly different from Marinos, their style of breaking down defenses was similar, so that left an impression on me.
Q: What kind of impression do you have of Ajinomoto Stadium?
A, I have also scored goals here, so I have a good impression of this stadium. Although, as an opponent (laughs). Next, as an FC Tokyo player, I naturally imagine being able to score goals.
Q: By the way, you are scoring again this season, right?
Ah, that's right. Also, I think it's a stadium that has a sense of unity with the fans and supporters. The distance between the stands and the pitch is a bit wide, which is similar to Nissan Stadium, but the cheers definitely reach the players, and the passion of the fans and supporters is impressive.
Q: As mentioned earlier, what about FC Tokyo's soccer style?
A, I believe we can do more and break down the opponent's defense more. Building up from the back to create numerical superiority and entering the opponent's territory, how we break them down. I think we can raise our level even more, so I hope to contribute even a little in the final quality aspect.
Q: The final third is indeed a challenge that we must overcome. What kind of support do you think you can provide in this regard?
Regarding breaking down the final third, the quality of combinations also plays a role. However, individual quality and the ability to break through are also necessary. In addition to that, it is important to break through by dribbling, and I want to add the style and experience that Marinos have to Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's football. If I can season this team with my experience, I believe we can score more goals. I also want to discuss and work on how to become the starting point for breaking down the defense and what kind of shapes we can create moving forward.
Q: What do you think is the best position?
A, I have always played on the right side, but since last season I have also been playing on the left, so I am gradually getting a feel for the left side as well. It is necessary to become a player who can play on both sides, and I definitely want to play as a winger.
Q: For the fans and supporters in Tokyo, I believe the image of the 2019 season, which stood in the way of the first championship, is quite strong. What kind of year was that season, in which you also won the top scorer and MVP awards?
A, for myself, it was a season where I was able to play as a regular starter almost throughout the season. Along with that, the results followed. We competed for the championship with FC Tokyo until the final matchday, and it was really exciting because we didn't know what would happen. It had been a long time since Marinos won the J.League, so it was truly a great year.
Q: It may be strange to ask this, but what do you think was the deciding factor in the outcome?
A, we entered the final matchday with an overwhelmingly advantageous position in terms of goals scored. I thought it wasn’t enough to just defend, and that goal difference became the key in the end. That’s why I want to increase Tokyo’s goal count even more next season. The importance of goals in the final stage was made clear to me during the 2019 season. I felt glad that we were scoring goals, so we need to make FC Tokyo a team that can score not just 1 or 2 goals, but 3 or 4 goals. I believe we can become such a team, and I want to be a part of that strength.
Q, that sounds like it will be fun.
A, for me, enjoying playing soccer is very important. It becomes even more fun when you can score while enjoying the game. I believe that is the true essence of soccer, and since I have lived my soccer life that way so far, I want to continue doing that with this team as well.
Q: After that, you struggled with injuries, and I think the last two seasons were challenging for you. What were you thinking about while kicking the ball?
A, I had many hamstring strains and muscle injuries, so I couldn't do full sprints easily. Also, due to the anxiety of possibly getting injured again, I became very conscious of injuries and couldn't sprint at full power. Especially, in the season before last, I played with those feelings, so I couldn't deliver good performance. However, from around last season, I was able to dispel those anxieties, and muscle injuries have almost disappeared. This season, I was able to participate in matches throughout the season, so I am determined to start in all games next season.
Q: At this timing, what kind of future do you want to envision by changing your environment?
A, I am 30 years old, which is an age where I am considered a veteran. I want to convey the joy of soccer and how to break down defenses to the younger players. I believe FC Tokyo has its own style, and I want to raise the quality to create a team that can break down defenses more effectively and score more goals. I think this is what experienced players should do. I'm not the type to express myself with words; I want to show through my play. I want to focus on my attitude in practice, attention to detail, quality, and the precision of every pass. Of course, there are many differences compared to Marinos. However, I believe I am in a position to offer advice on small insights to young and rapidly developing players. Having won the championship twice, I want to demonstrate the winner's mentality, how to start a match, and the attitude to take into games.
Q: Since you are carrying great expectations, do you feel pressure as well?
A, for me, it is nothing but enjoyment. I have the impression that feeling pressure is not very good. After winning the MVP in the 2019 season, I tried not to feel the pressure afterward, but I think I was feeling it somewhere in my body. That is why I want to prioritize enjoying it, so I do not feel any pressure.
Q: Many fans and supporters are hoping for your return to the Japan national team, meaning they want to see you shine once more. What are your thoughts on that?
Of course, I have the desire to return to the national team. The strengthening department also told me that producing many Japan national team players from FC Tokyo is the club's philosophy. I still believe I am at an age where I can aim for the World Cup four years from now, so I want to stand on that stage as a representative of Japan and as a representative of the people. I think that would be a way to repay my family who has raised me until now. It is also a dream stage, and I absolutely do not want to give up. I believe that producing Japan national team players will surely lead to strengthening this team, so I want to become that kind of player. I think that is the point where I can bloom once again myself.
Q: It is known for having many routines, but do you want to continue even if the environment changes?
A, I hardly know any players from FC Tokyo, so I don't know if they will forgive me for that (laughs). However, that is also my policy that I must continue to follow, so no matter what is said, I intend to keep going at my own pace.
Q: I believe you have talked about your feelings towards Marinos in various places. Please share your thoughts again about competing for the championship with the team you have been with for eight years.
A, my honest impression is that eight years felt very long yet short at the same time. During that period, I was able to experience winning the league twice. When I was a senior in university, I suffered a serious injury, but Marinos still offered me a contract, and I am grateful for that. I believe I was able to somewhat repay that kindness. Now, I want to give back that experience to FC Tokyo, and I see that as my mission. Marinos had a strong bond and a family-like atmosphere. Although I still have things to learn about Tokyo, I want to create that same family feeling here. Not only the starters but also the substitutes and players outside the bench—all of us having a sense of unity and family is the first step toward winning the championship. I realized how important that is through experiencing two league titles.
No one can be missing, and everyone must share the same goal and dream. Everyone has to be aligned in the same direction, and we need to unite our passion for the style of football that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA aims for. I want to create a sense of unity within this team, and I believe that is my job. FC Tokyo has never won the league title, and winning the league is a major goal for this club. Moreover, winning the championship will change the team's atmosphere and make the next goals even bigger. First, we aim to win the league and work together with a sense of unity to do what needs to be done.
Q, was the taste of victory that special?
A, winning the championship this season was especially meaningful. This season, the Marinos did not have a fixed starting lineup, so someone was rotated every match. The fact that different players delivered results also contributed to the championship. From next season, I will be a player for FC Tokyo. I believe it is important to express Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's style of football no matter who plays.
Q: Do you want to defeat the strong Marinos?
A, of course. From now on, since we are opponents, I want to go all out and build up from the back to score against Marinos. I want Marinos supporters to think that I have grown even a little.
Q: As mentioned earlier, please tell us the goals you want to achieve with this club.
A, as a team, we want to aim for our first league championship. To achieve that, having a sense of unity is key, and I hope to contribute to that. Personally, I plan to start every match... although playing full time in all matches might be impossible with the increased substitution slots, I intend to be in the starting lineup for all games. I also want to improve my conditioning and maintenance now that I’m 30 years old. That is a goal for me, and I believe scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists is something I must accomplish here. I think that will also help Tokyo win the championship.
Q: What will the jersey number be?
A, I am thinking about various things, so please look forward to it (laughs).
Q, then please give a greeting as a business card to the fans and supporters in Tokyo.
A, I am Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who transferred from Yokohama F.Marinos. My goal is to lead FC Tokyo to its first championship, and I want to contribute to that goal in any way I can. I aim to contribute not only with goals and assists but also defensively. I believe creating an atmosphere that fosters team unity is also part of my role. Starting next season, I want to emphasize the family feeling of this team together with the fans and supporters. I want to make victories at Ajinomoto and the National Stadium truly special, and let's all work together as one team to strive for the championship!
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
