TOKYOism

In Tokyo, which has embarked on a transformation, Azuma was unable to increase his playing time in the first half of the season. The turning point came in the second half when he was used in the anchor position. As coach Albert Puig Ortoneda works to instill his envisioned style in the team, Azuma played a significant role in an unfamiliar position. As he finishes his 10th season in Tokyo, what does this man feel about the season of transformation and what does he envision for the future?

View from the new territory anchor

Q, in recent years, Keigo HIGASHI has repeatedly emphasized his desire to win and stated that winning is his top priority.
A, if you don't start with that as the basic premise, it's the professional world. I don't think our direction that Tokyo is aiming for is wrong, and we will continue to pursue it in the next season and beyond. I also think that further work will be necessary for building our style.

Q, Did you feel a change in your style during your first year as coach under Albert, different from your time as coach under Kenta Hasegawa, former coach (current Nagoya Grampus coach)?
A, I think the style is completely different now. Of course, it's not about which style is right or wrong. One thing for sure is that from 2022, what we are aiming for has started to change and we are in the midst of challenging new things. I'm sure that the team as a whole has increased the time to settle the ball and the so-called possession rate has also increased compared to the first half of the season. The coach's goal is to hold onto the ball firmly and also to "the best defense is offense", so there have been games where the style they are aiming for has been clearly shown as a team performance. However, it is still unstable.

Q, The development of being able to carry the ball forward through the anchor player, Higashi, has definitely increased.
A, of course, the opponent's position and system alignment are different in every match, and it is also a position that has a big impact. However, the opportunities to smoothly carry out the game have definitely increased. The challenge for next season is the accuracy of attacking after entering the enemy's territory. I think it's the strategy for the area known as the "last 1/3" to the opponent's goal. Of course, in playing soccer, this is the most difficult theme to conquer.

Q, this season, when he started playing as an anchor, player Higashi said, "When I was young, I was a top player. In terms of meaning, the anchor is similar to moving in sync with the surrounding allies in all directions."
First of all, the anchor touches the ball many times and plays with various players. I naturally like that kind of play. Even when I played as a top player, I was the type to receive a lot of balls and create rhythm, which was my job. As a top player, you also need to make movements to jump forward. Also, I will make moves to use my teammates as decoys. Those movements are not present in the anchor position. Instead, I played with the image of using my consciousness and power in defense.

Q, Is East player, who is currently an anchor, not involved in playing in high areas very often? When watching the previous attack, do you have a perspective like "If it were me, I would attack like this"?
A, there are times when you look at it even when you are playing in the game. Honestly, playing soccer, that area (enemy goal front) is the most fun. People who are watching also expect what kind of play will come out in that area. The position and role I am playing now is the stage of the process until I take the goal. Personally, I feel it is fresh and interesting. Certainly, when I was playing as a top player, I was not a player who scored 10 points a year, but I was good at moving my teammates to score goals and leading chances. I think it would be interesting if players who are currently playing in Tokyo's attacking position also have such movements and make the game more interesting.

Q, it feels like my field of vision and awareness have expanded beyond my own territory in this new territory called "anchor".
A, I can see with an open mind and I can also objectively see the team in a positive way. On the other hand, for example, when I am playing as an anchor and it becomes a defensive situation, it was a discovery for me to be able to read the opponent's intentions of where they want to pass or where they want to move. When it comes to defense, it is important to be able to understand the enemy's emotions and feelings. I think while defending, "Oh, they're coming there, they want to pass there" (laughs).

Keigo HIGASHI and Tokyo from now on

Q, It has been 10 years since I came to FC Tokyo in 2013. How do you feel about the end of your career? Of course, I still want you to keep playing (laughs).
I want to play up to the first line. For me now, it's about playing for the title in Tokyo. On the other hand, the club that raised me, Oita Trinita, is also special and I am very grateful. Of course, I also have a strong sense of gratitude for Omiya Ardija, but my feelings for Oita, where I started as a soccer player, are strong. This is because the battle in Tokyo is the most important thing for me now, and I want everyone to understand that. I spoke honestly because it's no use lying here. This is just what I personally think, and I don't know if I will return to Oita in the future, as it also depends on the situation of the other club. Three years in the youth team, and one or two years as a professional. Now that I'm older, I realize that those times were really important.

Q, What do you want to achieve here, East player, in this ongoing challenge, as it is not good to make Tokyo fans and supporters feel lonely (laughs)?
There is only the league title. We won the Levain Cup, but I think the club, players, and fans/supporters are only looking at winning the league (title).

Q, In order to realistically achieve victory and win the league, what is your view on Tokyo's current football style and way of fighting?
One thing I think about while playing is that the style of football is different for Massimo (former coach FICCADENTI) era, Kenta era, and current coach Albert. It is natural for coaches to have different styles. However, the final result is determined by the small details. No matter what direction or style you have, if you are scored on a set play or lack focus in a crucial moment, you will never win. I think that is the level of discussion. There are many styles of football, but in order to aim for victory, it is essential for any team to have a strong focus on those details. That is something that each player must strive for. I can feel that Kawasaki Frontale and Yokohama F.Marinos are not just about their attacking and flashy appearance, but they also fight with a strong focus on the details in crucial moments. There is no room for carelessness. I think that is what turns into strength in a match. Style is important. But it is not the only thing that determines the outcome of a match.

Q, East player is responsible for conveying that to the team.
A, young players often don't have that kind of awareness. I was the same. If every team could do it easily, everyone could experience winning. But in the past few years, I have felt the intensity and fear of the moment when the game is decided. I want to play at that level again. It's a battle for the championship. It's similar to what Kenta-san said, "Pay attention to the details." Without that, you can't win just by building a style. How can we increase the number of players who raise their individual awareness? When it comes to winning, I think the current awareness of Tokyo players is not enough.

Q, Kenta's sensitive experiences from his time are also alive in himself as a Tokyo player, and the team must also inherit that.
A, that's right. During Kenta's era, even though we paid attention to every detail, we couldn't win the league. Of course, it's possible that we still didn't pay enough attention, but if we aim for the championship from here, the young players should feel a sense of crisis and if the team can come together and have a good atmosphere, we will become a good and strong team. That's what I think.

Q, although player Higashi is no longer the captain, his perspective on soccer and competition remains unchanged regardless of his title.
A, I want to win, really. In the past, it was enough if my own play was good. Now, I am doing it to win. So I ask the people around me to do the same. Play soccer to win. That is the biggest motivation. So honestly, the style doesn't matter (laughs). Winning in Tokyo. That's all that matters.

Q, now, Keigo HIGASHI's victory celebration is exhilarating. It's because he thirsts for victory.
Because the taste of one win is strong. As a result, the damage from losing is also significant. In order to win, we need to stack one win after another. With that one win, we were unable to reach the top in the 2019 season. It all comes down to one play, attention to detail. That's what I believe.

Text by Yuki Nishikawa (Ergolasso)