Felt growth steadily in the rookie year
Shining with his strong left foot at Ajinomoto
FW 88 Taiyo YAMAGUCHI
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?
After a rookie year where he overcame injury setbacks and gained confidence, Taiyo YAMAGUCHI enters his second professional season. Having experienced his league debut and selection for the youth national team, he aims to further excel by leveraging his strengths. Determined to overcome the professional challenges he faced last season, he is ready to make a clear impact with his strong left foot.
The 2025 season, his first as a professional, was one in which he expected more from himself than anyone else. Taiyo YAMAGUCHI got off to a good start in Okinawa. In the team's first external match, a practice game against Meio University, he scored two goals. However, after sustaining a minor injury in the latter half of the camp and switching to a different training menu, he was injured during activities with the U-22 J.League Selection in the JFA/J.League Post-Youth Match. He was diagnosed with injuries to the right ankle anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and deltoid ligament, with an estimated recovery period of about 8 weeks.
This slow start had an impact. Because I couldn't make an impression during early spring when the lineup was gradually being finalized, it took a certain amount of time before becoming a full member of the team.
"From around the end of summer, I gradually felt my own growth and was able to achieve results. Although I wanted more playing time in the final stages, it ended up being a somewhat frustrating season with only two matches."
On August 10, 2025, he made his first bench appearance in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 25 match against Kashima Antlers, and made his long-awaited J.League debut in Sec. 34 against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. In Sec. 36 against FC Machida Zelvia, he stepped onto the pitch at Japan National Stadium. This was the result of steadily improving his condition, but in the latter half of the season, he also felt the thickness of the barrier posed by his seniors, as he was unable to achieve anything beyond that.
"Those who become professionals have some kind of weapon. So, I thought if I could demonstrate my own strengths, I would be able to play in matches. Although there are various types, everyone is undoubtedly of high quality, and I was always thinking about how I could compete against them."
At FC Tokyo U-18, he was always on the field, towering at the front line as a powerhouse with height, strength, and scoring ability. However, in the top team, each player has their own sharp strengths, making it difficult to stand out. It was obvious that the conclusion would be, "For young players to join the team, they must showcase their strengths at some point to be given an opportunity."
The conclusion drawn is to further sharpen the instinct in front of the goal. "I believe I have an unmatched sense for sniffing out opportunities when making plays that dive into the goal area," he said, explaining that whether it's moving into crosses or bursting out for through passes, the ability to consistently position oneself to score in front of the goal is a unique strong point.
The determination to showcase that strength on a big stage is well prepared. In the tense match against Machida, the intensity of the fans and supporters, which cannot be felt in practice games, was felt throughout the body, and the sense of responsibility as a professional outweighed the tension.
Last November, he also participated in an England expedition as a member of the U-22 Japan national team, where he deeply felt the need to raise his everyday standards. At the "place to aim for," Japan National Stadium, and Ajinomoto Stadium, he will strike with his proud left foot──.
Towards that goal, number 88 is striving to shine brighter each day like the sun.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Masaru Goto (Freelance Writer)
