From the academy, via Meiji University, to the top team──. Another passionate player with blue and red blood has returned to Tokyo. Kouta Toki, who missed the chance to be promoted to the top team during his time at FC Tokyo U-18, has grown significantly both as a player and as a person in university. He has evolved from an anchor-type player to one who fiercely battles from box to box, working on his own updates while being conscious of his senior, Shuto ABE, who has followed the same path. With a strong love for Tokyo in his heart, he is determined to take on the professional world.
──First of all, welcome back.
Thank you.
──I joined after FC Tokyo U-18 and Meiji University. What changes do you think you have undergone in these four years?
First of all, I believe I changed significantly in terms of personal growth before even focusing on soccer. Until then, I was very particular and had a strong desire to play in a certain way, especially up until high school. However, playing solely based on my own style was not enough to reach the professional level. After entering Meiji University, I started listening to those around me and balancing my own convictions, working on becoming more flexible. Coach Daisuke Kurita (Meiji University Athletic Association Soccer Club) taught me to not overthink situations and to learn from the good qualities of others. Until then, I had built walls by thinking, "I can't do this." Instead of making such assumptions, I began to break down those walls and reconsider. I believe growing to have the mindset of "It's not impossible" was also a part of my development.
──What areas have you grown in your play?
The part where I feel I have grown the most is definitely the expansion of my range. This applies both to the area I move in and the area I observe. I entered thinking that my strengths were my stamina, ball challenges, and quick transitions, but Coach Kurita constantly guided me on the areas where I could showcase these strengths being limited, such as in tight spaces and box-to-box play. I have been very conscious of the range I move in, both in attack and defense.
──The trigger for such changes was largely missing out on promotion to the top team.
That's right. When I couldn't get promoted, I had decided that "I'm not this kind of player, so this kind of play is impossible." Then, when I couldn't get promoted, I realized I had to be able to play in various ways and bring out more of my own strengths.
──Before the season started, did you feel that there were aspects of yourself that were effective while participating in the top team's camp or training in Kodaira?
When I was a second-year high school student, I played in the J3 League with FC Tokyo U-23, but at that time I was overwhelmed and couldn't fully show my strengths. Through participating in camps and practices, I gained confidence not only in Meiji University's "Three Basic Principles" (work rate, ball challenges, transitions) but also in my ability to contribute offensively.
──The midfield in Tokyo is a highly competitive position. Have you considered other options?
From the time I was a first-year student and not playing in matches, Kazunori YOSHIMOTO, the scout in charge, came to see me, and I had no other thoughts at all. I believed that competing in Tokyo, in a high-level environment, and playing in matches there is what gives value as a soccer player, so I had no other options.
──As a professional, how do you want to shape your career from here?
I don't think university graduates are young anymore, and I consider that I was brought in as an immediate asset. The current team has a very deep pool of defensive midfielders, and I think there are many high-level players. However, without being intimidated by that, I want to showcase my strengths and aim to be in the starting lineup from the opening match. I also want to become a player who can lead Tokyo to the league championship as a central figure of the team. I am originally a defensive player, and I believe I am good at winning the ball in one-on-one situations, anticipating plays, recovering second balls, and taking the ball away from opponents. People who know me from my academy days probably imagine me as an anchor type, but I want to be a box-to-box player who moves intensely and contributes both defensively and offensively. I believe that winning the ball defensively is also the start of an attack, so when I win the ball, it means I have beaten one opponent. I want to maintain strong defensive intensity while also being a driving force in attack. I want to be a player who can decide matches with defense and also score goals to seal the game. It might be a bit greedy, though.
──Indeed, during my time at FC Tokyo U-18, I was a player who led the team with my voice and scored in crucial moments. I also have the desire to show the fans and supporters who have supported me since my academy days that kind of play again.
At Regista FC during elementary school, I was always told to focus on winning and never lose. Of course, there is a part where you enjoy playing soccer, but once you play, you have to have the mindset of never losing to the opponent in front of you, and the awareness of absolutely scoring here and now has always been instilled in me. I think that matched well with FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa and FC Tokyo U-18. I believe I have a strong competitive spirit or a sense of competition. I think I was able to show that since my academy days, and I want to prove that I can do it in the professional world as well.
──I think that my playing style is similar to that of my senior Shuto ABE, who followed the same path from the academy to Meiji University (currently at RWD Molenbeek). Do you aspire to succeed in Tokyo and make a name for yourself in the world like him?
Well, since entering Meiji University, Coach Kurita has constantly made me aware by saying things like, "If it were Abe, he would have done it this way," or "If it were Abe, it would have been like this." I've even been told, "Abe would have done it this way, but your play is still small." I've always been compared, so I am definitely conscious of it. However, I am myself, so while bringing out my own strengths, I want to become a player who can represent Tokyo and go global like senior Abe.
──Does having players you played with during your academy days make it easier?
That's right. Even when I went to camp, there were many players I met during my academy days, so I quickly fit in and it was easy to communicate. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and I shared a two-person dorm room during our time at FC Tokyo U-18. He was always participating in the top team's training, while I would come back from school and go to FC Tokyo U-18 practice. He was always ahead of me, so I definitely want to catch up and surpass him. He is a very important and significant presence to me, and I am conscious of that.
──Did you have any thoughts when Nozawa was selected for the Japan national team for the AFC Asian Cup 2023?
I immediately contacted them to say "Congratulations." However, in my heart, I was thinking, "I will never lose."
──Soma ANZAI, who played together at FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, has also made his debut ahead of schedule. How did you see that?
I entered the professional world a year earlier than from university, but I was not in a hurry. I truly feel like a member of the team, and I think my playing time is quite high within the team, so it is really motivating. Taishi as well, and many others who are doing very well ahead of me, are very inspiring, and it fuels my fighting spirit to definitely succeed myself.
I understand that players from the academy via university are struggling in the top team, and I also had considerable determination to jump into an environment where I didn't know what my chances of playing would be.
I have seen Shuto OKANIWA and Tsubasa TERAYAMA go on loan transfers and even not make it to the bench, so I think such possibilities might also happen to me. However, what to do when you can't play is something I learned at Meiji University. There are options to play in the J2 League or J3 League categories, but I believe that a professional career starting at the age of 22 doesn't last very long. I have the ambition to challenge myself in the J1 League from the start and absolutely win in the end. With determination, I always think that I will definitely succeed.
──A player who we hope will one day wear the captain's armband has returned to the blue and red. There is also a great expectation for the academy graduate to make his presence felt in the changing team.
Raised in FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa and then joined FC Tokyo U-18, I believe I have more Tokyo love and Blue-Red spirit than many other players. This season, we haven't achieved good results in the league matches, and it might be seen as a tough situation. However, I believe Tokyo definitely has the environment, players, and staff to reach the top. I want to show a presence where I can be a central figure aiming for that top.
──Kumatoriya Issei and Uchida Yosuke, who were classmates at Meiji University, will wear green uniforms. If we end up facing each other, it will probably be a match that ignites more passion than usual.
They both get along very well, so I said, "Are you really going?" (bitter smile). Since I joined Fukagawa, I have thought that I should not wear anything green. I have also been told this by Takashi HARA and Masato OTA. So, even now, I do not wear anything green. I always have that mindset, so I absolutely cannot imagine losing. I definitely want to win.
──I'm looking forward to reuniting with Mr. Okuhara and the people who took care of me during my academy days.
When I participated in camps and practice sessions, I was told "not yet". Even when I joined practice around summer, I was told, "I'll test how much better you've gotten at stopping and kicking." Mr. Okuhara skillfully guides me to bring out my motivation. I believe there are expectations included, so I want to meet those expectations and become someone even greater.
──When I talk to the academy staff, I really feel a sense of attachment and expectation. How do you want to respond to the expectations from the coaches involved?
Because it takes effort, maybe that's why I'm being noticed that way. I really did whatever I wanted in the academy. When it was decided that I couldn't move up to the top team, there were times I thought, "Then I won't go anymore." But if I hadn't joined Fukagawa, I wouldn't be who I am now, and if I hadn't had my U-18 days, I don't think I would have become a professional, so I want to express my gratitude for that. Also, given my height and not having high physical abilities, I believe that players like me can join and succeed in Tokyo's top team, not only giving hope to the academy staff but also to the players enrolled in the academy. To become that kind of player, I want to work hard from here and become a representative player of the academy.
──Finally, could you say a few words to the fans and supporters?
It has been the same since the FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa days, but I believe there is no other team that supports academy players as much as this one does. That is one of the factors that greatly strengthened my 'Tokyo love.' I am truly grateful to those who have supported me and want to meet their expectations. I am also determined to become a player who is supported even more, so I hope everyone will look forward to my development over the four years at university.
♢Kyota Tokiwa Profile
Date of Birth: April 9, 2002
Height/Weight: 173cm/70kg
Hometown: Katsushika, Tokyo
Career: FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa → FC Tokyo U-18 → Meiji University
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
