Overcoming challenges and daily effortsto surpass Scholz one day
DF 32 Kanta DOI
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?
In the 2025 season, after gaining playing opportunities but failing to deliver results in the first half of the league, the second half saw an increase in time spent warming the bench. For Kanta DOI, his third professional season was a year filled with frustration. However, what he learned during this time was the presence of Alexander SCHOLZ. While steadily working on physical transformation and other efforts, we delved into the thoughts of the young center back aiming to surpass his predecessors.
I have come to understand the weight of standing on the pitch wearing blue and red. That is precisely why I spend my days striving to continue standing in that place.
After being promoted to the top team for the 2023 season, Kanta DOI has steadily increased his appearances. In his third professional season last year, he initially secured playing opportunities, but after Scholz joined in June, he gradually spent more time on the bench. By the end of the season, he had appeared in only 21 league matches.
By continuing to stand on the pitch, all weaknesses and challenges were exposed. There are clear issues that became evident due to the many goals conceded.
"I had a few chances, but the issue with dealing with crosses still remains. I think it depends on how much we can improve in that area."
It is not something that can be mastered overnight. We are currently in the midst of tackling this challenge. Defense relies not only on instinct but also on experience and accumulation.
"I will continue to do what I need to do. If I keep practicing heading and strength training, I believe the results will naturally come. I want to focus on myself without looking around at others. Since heading opportunities are limited during team practice, the accumulation of practice after training becomes important. Recently, Goalkeeper Coach Yamashita has also been joining in. I want to keep working while relying on the support of various staff members."
Continuous effort does not betray. Although I am still in the process of physical transformation, I have gained 6 kilograms and my appearance is gradually changing. Above all, meeting the role model I aim to be has been a great learning experience for Doi. Since June, I have been watching Scholz with my eyes during practice.
"A player who is like a role model for me has arrived. In defense, he has excellent ability to sense danger in front of the goal and is always in the most critical spots. The number of passes that go through the gaps in attack is higher than mine even in practice. I need to keep challenging myself in that area and increase my success rate. I want to constantly take on such challenges."
It was probably because he felt such gazes. Scholz himself was also concerned about Doi, and during practice, they counted each other's mistakes to stimulate their playful spirit. Learning from a living textbook is ultimately to surpass it.
"I want to keep going, believing that by overcoming challenges, I will eventually get a chance. If I can show my effort properly from practice, Coach Riki (Rikizo MATSUHASHI) is watching. After that, it’s about how I can connect to results when the opportunity comes around. Since I’m a center back, even in practice matches, I want to focus first and foremost on keeping a clean sheet. On top of that, I want to make plays that create a difference in attack."
Doi said, "I want to keep going without stopping," and spoke of his hidden goal. Winning the league, which his father Yoichi DOI was unable to achieve, is a mission entrusted to him by his father. However, he said it would be meaningless if he could not experience that moment of joy on the pitch.
"To truly become a championship member, I have to surpass Scholz. If I keep playing on the pitch with this team, I will see what lies ahead. I want to work hard believing that taking a position in this team is the shortest path to everything."
There is a place connected beyond the days spent carefully. Believing in that, we overcome high walls.
Crushed by the pressure?
No, no, the fearless smile and bounce back is the姿 that a man inheriting Yoichi DOI's DNA should show.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
