Led by a twist of fate to the blue and red, holding the honor of the J2 League Best ElevenGK 1 Hayate TANAKA
Introducing all the Blue-Red warriors participating in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League 2026 season in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What kind of thoughts do the players hold, and with what determination are they preparing to face the special half-season tournament and the year ahead?
Hayate TANAKA, who was selected for last season's J2 League Best Eleven, has made a determined transfer from Tokushima Vortis. The mentor he looks up to is Yoichi DOI, who once established an era as FC Tokyo's guardian goalkeeper. Guided by a strange fate, Hayate TANAKA, entrusted with the same number 1 jersey as his mentor, looks ahead to the future in blue and red.
Led by a strange fate that cannot be described simply as a step up from Tokushima Vortis, Hayate TANAKA donned the red and blue uniform.
"For me, that person's teachings are everything. I was taught from scratch about how to be a goalkeeper and how to be a person. That person is a legend of FC Tokyo. I want to work hard to perform well at this club and live up to that name."
The “that person” Tanaka refers to is Yoichi DOI, the “Iron Man” who was a member of the Japan national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany and appeared in a total of 230 J1 League matches for FC Tokyo. He received guidance from DOI, who was the goalkeeper coach in the youth development department from Verdy’s junior days and is still revered as a mentor. He inherited the spirit of the “blue-red legend,” including the mindset as a goalkeeper, playing style, obsession with victory, and the essential essence of a guardian deity, and has achieved great growth.
Tanaka, entrusted with the blue and red "Number 1" jersey that Doi wore for seven seasons starting from the 2001 season, flashed a fearless smile as if enjoying the immense pressure. The greater the pressure and tension, and the bigger the stage, the more his confidence grows, allowing him to consistently demonstrate the skills he has cultivated.
"I have had mental strength since my junior days, so I don't get negative. I am confident in my ability to play my game. I have always had a sense of being able to take advantage when other players become negative, so I am simply looking forward to playing matches on a bigger scale in the J1 League."
Even in situations where those around might feel intimidated, for Tanaka, it is nothing but a golden opportunity. His strong heart can truly be said to be "inherited from Doi."
Last season, he was one of only three players in the J2 League to play full-time in all 38 matches. The number of goals conceded was the lowest in the league at 24, and he ranked proudly first in both total clean sheets and goalkeeper save percentage. He was unquestionably selected for the J2 League Best Eleven. In addition to his overwhelming shot-stopping ability, he also possesses build-up skills that allow him to be involved in the attack from the back, which he considers his strength, perfectly matching the style advocated by head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI.
South Korea national team player Kim Seung-gyu, U-23 Japan national team player Masataka KOBAYASHI, and U-20 Japan national team player Wataru GOTO are all competing for a regular spot, and he has no intention of backing down. "I am really looking forward to the matches. I truly have a strong desire to contribute to this club's title victory," says Tanaka.
There is no hesitation. The 'Number 1' is full of confidence, brimming with hope, and their heart beats higher than anyone else's.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Yuji Matsuoka (Chunichi Sports)
