Strike while the iron is hot.
Iron that is hard and cannot be bent no matter what can be bent by applying heat. In other words, it is important to acquire this skill when you are young and have the ability to absorb knowledge.
However, there is a time limit to being "hot".
Even though it is exposed to fire, it does not bend as expected. Why is that? It is surely because the next shape cannot be clearly imagined.
But, I finally found it. I finally broke free.
In other words, that means it is that sturdy. Once it takes on a new form, it will surely become even stronger.
The form of Kyosuke TAGAWA.
He has been troubled by the meaning behind the root of trying to handle everything. When he unraveled the tangled threads of his worries, the answer was quite simple.
Yes, score points.
Yes, become a true striker.
It was good to have the experience of "struggling."
You can understand it well if you see that gritty shot.
In the 2021 season, during the home opener on March 6 against Cerezo Osaka, Tagawa was on the starting pitch.
Three days ago in the YBC Levain Cup group stage match against Tokushima Vortis at Ajinomoto Stadium, he seized the opportunity by capitalizing on the opponent's clearance mistake and scored with his left foot, demonstrating the "result." He wants to score at all costs in his first league start of the season. That feeling was emanating from his body.
It was the 9th minute of the second half, with a score of 0-1.
Near the center line, Masato MORISHIGE has the ball, and Tagawa raises his hand to appeal for a pass while moving from the inside to the outside. Although the ball was passed to the opponent, he changed his pace and sprinted towards the back pass direction. He induced a trap mistake from the opposing goalkeeper and bravely slid in to push the ball in.
"The moment I made the back pass, the pass was weak, so I thought I would just go with that momentum. That allowed me to successfully induce a mistake from the opponent. In the match against C Osaka and the previous Levain Cup match against Tokushima, the goals were due to the opponent's mistakes. But first and foremost, it's important to get into the area in front of the goal, and when I looked at the opponent's positioning during the Tokushima match, I instinctively thought the ball would spill around here, so I was ready to shoot."
It doesn't matter whether the goal is beautiful or not. A point is a point, no matter how it is taken. Whether it's a scrappy goal or an easy tap-in, it doesn't matter. It was a state of mind reached precisely because of the struggles endured.
"There weren't any major injuries in Tosu, and I didn't miss many matches. Coming to Tokyo and having the experience of 'struggling' was a good thing. Because of that, I can now play in matches feeling refreshed."
The 22-year-old Kyushu man spoke brightly.
Teenager Tagawa was on a smooth sailing path.
Progressed from the local club team to Sagan Tosu U-18. This coincided with the club's serious efforts to strengthen its "development" program, with training facilities and a youth-only dormitory completed. An ideal environment for growth. Started being called up to the U-16 Japan national team and was also registered as a second-category player with the team.
"The ground is right in front of the dormitory. The environment was also fulfilling, and everyone got along well with little hierarchy. There were injuries, but during that time, I was able to strengthen myself and improve my speed."
In their third year of high school, they became the driving force for promotion from the Saga Prefecture League to the Prince League Kyushu, and in the 2017 season, the club achieved promotion to the top team for the first time in six years.
With a height exceeding 180 cm and a speed of 6 seconds for 50 meters, and being left-footed, this 18-year-old with infinite potential has high expectations from coach Massimo FICCADENTI, and he will consistently get playing time starting from the second match of the season as a substitute.
"Professionals are all skilled, and the speed is completely different from when I was U-18. I was desperately trying to keep up. I didn't feel a huge gap, but there was a slight difference in quality. However, as I gradually got used to professional training and started to feel the results, I realized that I was able to play in matches because my level had improved."
A big stage with a leap in grade. I was a little nervous.
The memorable first goal in the league match was scored in the fifth appearance.
On April 8th, in the away match against Albirex Niigata, Tagawa, who was brought on in the last 10 minutes, broke free from a pass by Hiromu KAMADA and calmly scored with his left foot into the bottom left corner after shaking off the pursuing opponent.
"I remember. I just ran straight (laughs). But scoring in the bottom right corner from the left was a pattern I was good at. After that goal, I remember receiving a lot of messages from friends and acquaintances. It made me happy to know that everyone was watching."
His performance in the J-League was recognized, and in May, he was selected as a member of the Japan national team for the U-20 World Cup held in South Korea, along with Takefusa KUBO, skipping levels. He played the full 90 minutes in the group stage Sec. 3 match against Italy, contributing to the team's advancement to the knockout stage. However, the team lost 0-1 to Venezuela in the Round of 16 after extra time, which was a frustrating experience for Tagawa, who played in the latter stages of the match.
"(Being younger might have made me a bit nervous. I couldn't do anything in that tournament. I had participated in the J-League, but when I faced overseas teams, I realized my physical abilities were completely inadequate. It wasn't a setback, but I felt a sense of urgency that I couldn't continue like this. So after returning to Japan, I started to focus a lot more on my physical training."
In the first year, he made 24 appearances and scored 4 goals, which was a decent result. He continued to start in the latter part of the league season. In the second year, the team's performance did not improve, and despite the mid-season addition of Mu KANAZAKI and the big name from Spain, FERNANDO TORRES, he was unable to secure a starting position, but he felt fulfilled. He mentioned that he learned a lot from them.
"Kanazaki is putting his body on the line up front and running for the team, and I learned that this is what a forward has to do. There were also times when I played with Kanazaki in mind. Thales is dedicated in practice, and seeing that even top players in the world work this hard was inspiring."
Anticipation and nightmares
I have spent 5 years in Tosu since U-18.
It was comfortable. I had no complaints. However, on the other hand, I felt a sense of urgency for growth. That negative feeling that sprouted during the U-20 World Cup always lingered.
At that time, an offer came in from Tokyo. My heart raced. I was able to grow alongside a club that set the goal of league championship under the guidance of Kenta HASEGAWA.
"There was no hesitation. I was able to make a quick decision that I wanted to challenge myself honestly. I am prepared for the tough competition that awaits. I think it's important to be refined here."
I felt that the atmosphere of the club suited me as well.
"I felt that the older people really care about the younger ones, and that unity to fight together is amazing. I also want to be a strength for this team."
Since I joined a new team, I must demonstrate my abilities from scratch. Otherwise, I won't be able to break through the stronghold of forwards Kensuke NAGAI and Diego OLIVEIRA. Just like in my first year at Tosu, I first tried to keep up with everyone. Although I started from the bench, I was able to have an image of rising up.
In a certain match of the group stage of the Levain Cup, due to a lack of performance, coach Masaru HASEGAWA urged the players in the locker room at halftime, saying, "You have 15 more minutes, so give it your all!"
This year, Tagawa had a big event waiting for him. It was the U-20 World Cup, where he experienced frustration two years ago. This tournament, held in Poland, will kick off in May. Tagawa was also a leader of the team as an early-born U-6 player.
The first match against Ecuador ended in a draw due to my own goal, so I was highly motivated for the second match against Mexico. I contributed by scoring the team's second goal with a header from a right corner kick, leading the team to a 3-0 victory. The chances of advancing to the Final Round have greatly increased.
"During halftime of the match against Ecuador, Coach Masanaga KAGEYAMA motivated the team, which was feeling tense. As a result, in the second match, we became a completely different team, relaxed, and were able to enter the game well, fighting strongly for the ball. We were able to overwhelm Mexico."
There is no longer a physical difference like two years ago. If the team has regained its original form, there is nothing but anticipation. For myself and for the team.
I never thought a nightmare was waiting for me.
In the third match against Italy, Tagawa's movements were good again that day, including earning a penalty kick early on. However, in the 22nd minute of the first half, he broke away from a ball from the back and took a shot, injuring the back of his right thigh, and had to leave the pitch. After diagnosis, he was found to have a "right hamstring strain" and is expected to be out for 6 to 8 weeks.
Although they drew with Italy and secured their place in the Final Round, Tagawa will leave the team along with Hikaru Saito, who was also injured.
What is your image of a striker?
That might have been the entrance to the tunnel.
I returned to the team, but I found myself unable to help the team competing for the top spot. Although I was able to rejoin the squad in August, my form has not improved. I am unable to perform as I hoped. In the end, I finished the season as it was. In the league, I played 11 matches and scored 1 goal. That amounts to 247 minutes. If I had played the full matches, it wouldn't even be three games. More than those around me, I was frustrated with myself.
"To be honest, I was lost. My mind and body weren't in sync, and I could see that I wasn't energetic. While I thought I needed to do various plays, there were times when my feelings were wavering. Even though I tried to give it my all, my feelings just weren't following along."
I want to do it, but I can't seem to succeed. So, I can't see the answer to whether this is really okay.
He didn't want to show that he was struggling. He didn't consult anyone. He was struggling alone all the time. It was the same during the 2020 season, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 12, during the away match against Yokohama F.Marinos, he injured his left shoulder and was forced to withdraw again.
"Even if I get injured, I'm not the type to get depressed about it. There are areas where my skills and preparation are lacking."
It was a time to think carefully. During the matches, I focused on observing the movements of Nagai and the powerful foreign attackers. I did not neglect my strengthening training while also undergoing rehabilitation. I felt the effects of the pull-ups I worked on once the shoulder pain disappeared. It seemed like my body was getting into shape. Instead of only worrying about the exit of the tunnel, I directed my attention to what I could do in the present.
I felt like I saw a light.
The 2021 season training camp in Okinawa, approached with the expression "sense of crisis" deliberately spoken.
I had come to realize that what I should be doing is not about "various plays," but about "goals." Every time I shook the goal net during camp, that feeling grew stronger.
"I really felt that I was getting organized from the middle of the camp. I started to be able to score goals, and I felt like I was getting into a groove. Since the season started, I feel like I've been able to maintain that momentum."
Of course, I also play defense. If the ball is taken away, I will sprint back to my own half to win it back. There is no change in my willingness to do anything, but my mindset is completely different.
"I feel that because I keep going, it might finally pay off in the end. That's why I'm conscious of that."
Continuing to play means everything from defense to making runs behind the defense, to passing the ball and demanding a return. Goals, scrappy plays, and luck do not just happen. It has become something that can be recognized as the result of persistence. Being more aware of speed as a strong point. That is the image of a striker that one must establish for oneself.
Without a trace of hesitation, Kyosuke TAGAWA throws everything he has onto the pitch. It is like a blazing flame of blue and red.
Height/Weight: 182cm/72kg
Hometown: Nagasaki Prefecture
Career: Sagan Tosu U-18 → Sagan Tosu → FC Tokyo
Text by Toshio Ninomiya
text by Toshio Ninomiya
Photo by Kenichi Arai
photo by Kenichi Arai
