Wanting to enrich his life, he left Europe and found a place in faraway Japan. Alexander SCHOLZ keeps the vow he made to himself at a turning point in his career and continues to stand on the pitch to this day.
"I want to chase a rolling soccer ball and someday travel all around the world."
He arrived beyond such a dream. In Japan, which enriches both his life and work with the feeling of being "the best in the world," he is now truly enjoying soccer from the bottom of his heart.
Such Scholz is giving a great boost to the red and blue. Until now, fast vertical attacks have been FC Tokyo's exclusive specialty. The impression has been more of a group of specialists, and looking back at its history, many speed-proud players have been listed. However, now the aim is not to specialize in honing a single tactic, but to become an all-rounder who can compete in every arena. To walk that path, a generalist like Scholz was indispensable.
"I believe the main reason I fit well in Japan is because our mentalities matched. I think the compatibility between the Japanese mentality and my own mentality was good. One of my strengths is consistency, and the fact that I don't make mistakes and can always play at a high level without change is something that Japanese people respect. Personally, rather than trying to show myself off, I have focused on bringing out the best in the players around me. For example, players like Sei MUROYA, Hayato INAMURA, and Rio OMORI performing well around me is a sign that I am also playing well."
Tracing back its roots, what emerged was the perfect compatibility with "Rikizo Tokyo." Scholz's playing style, always connected with the ball, has brought calmness and stability in build-up to the team. He himself says he is a natural-born defender. Seeing his versatility, it wouldn't be surprising if he had been used in various positions in the past. However, he shook his head and said, "I like my position," expressing his commitment to it.
"I have always played as a center back. I believe one reason I was able to establish my current playing style is that the view I have seen in soccer has remained unchanged. I started playing soccer when I was about 2 years old. Since then, I have freely continued to play with the ball. For me, soccer has always been something that exists with the ball. That connects to my current playing style. When learning soccer, I have always wanted to train correctly and appropriately, and I don't really like practice that is just for fun. I have always preferred practice with structure, like tactics and systems. That’s why I think I fit well with Japanese soccer. Because my playing style is also organized, I perform better playing in a well-organized team."
I loved the view from my favorite spot. Because I loved it, I kept exploring and improving. When such a player put on the blue and red jersey last summer, he quickly became an indispensable part of the team's tactics.
This season, FC Tokyo has completed 11 matches in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League EAST Group, sitting in 2nd place with 23 points. With 16 goals scored and 8 goals conceded, both figures rank 2nd, just behind the top Kashima Antlers. Looking back on this steady progress, they express confidence, saying, "I believe the path and destination are correct," showing a sense of achievement.
"First of all, the team has improved. We have been able to earn more points, lose fewer matches, and accumulate more victories. Looking at the content of the matches and the quality, each player has been able to consistently deliver good performances. The manager and coaching staff have also continuously worked to improve the team. Defensively, we have become more aggressive, and although not every time, we have been able to apply high pressing. Because of that, I feel that everyone's starting position in defense has become higher. As a team, we focus on scoring from long-range and short-range counters after winning the ball, but to truly become a top team, I think we need to hold the ball and control the game more."
Along with the growth of each individual, the team has challenged itself to adopt a 'can-do-anything style.' While circulating ball possession and recovery, they sometimes attack the goal quickly in a vertical manner. Based on a high line and high press, they are not afraid to get gritty and physical in front of their own goal. Because they are on the right path, they strive to pursue even greater perfection.
"Last season, Kashiwa Reysol was very strong. Especially when they had the ball, the opponents struggled to take it away, and they demonstrated their strength. The champions, Kashima, have a different kind of strength. However, I believe our strength lies in being able to play in various styles and ways. To become champions, we must be able to score goals from set pieces. If we can do that, I think the team will improve even more."
An indispensable and versatile player for the team, known as a “reliable workhorse,” has shown remarkable durability, being the only player on the team to have played full-time so far this season. The reason why the dependable Scholz strongly wishes to continue standing on the pitch lies within his career.
In Belgium, where I spent seven years, it was at Club Brugge, which I joined in January 2018.
Although he was with the team for only about half a season, it was also the period in his career when he was furthest from playing in matches. From joining and warming the bench, he felt each day of facing himself was endless. Even so, he swallowed his sighs and followed the correct process step by step. At times, he sought advice from coaches and used the time to review the structure of his own play.
And I vowed to myself.
"The next time I start, I will never return to the bench again."
The firm resolve I promised myself at that time has never wavered even now.
"I want to play at this level for as long as possible, and when I see MORISHIGE (Masato) and NAGATOMO (Yuto), I feel like I can still do that."
It is said that being unable to leave the best place has also greatly influenced his career. Having fallen in love in Japan, he spends a honeymoon period with the perfect match, the blue and red. After enjoying those days, he says, "It's tough," and continues like this.
"Since I was young, I had the desire to travel around the world as a soccer player. But then, I found this incredibly wonderful place called Japan. It's the best in the world. Since I found the best, there's no reason to leave. In life and as a work environment, you can't find a place as amazing as this anywhere else in the world. However, before returning to my home country, I might have to live in a country where life isn't as rich as in Japan. Life and work in Japan have been so fulfilling that if I return to Denmark now, the gap might be too big... (laughs)"
Just like life, the journey continues. However, the final destination for Scholz, who wears the blue and red, is already decided. "Right now, I'm thinking about leading Tokyo to the top. But after that, let's see what happens." The view from the summit reveals the next destination. That is the adventure Scholz has been pursuing, a life dedicated to football.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
