In the 2019 season, the speedster who prevented FC Tokyo from winning their first championship changes his uniform from tricolor to blue and red. What he values most is "enjoying soccer." What was impressive is that he is looking beyond his first league title. What does Teruhito NAKAGAWA want to achieve at FC Tokyo as he aims to "bloom once more"?
Q: Please tell us your honest thoughts when you received the offer from FC Tokyo.
A, honestly, I didn't expect to receive such a passionate offer. After hearing about the future plans from the management, I genuinely wanted to contribute to that effort.
Q: Was there a persuasive line that made the difference?
Although there were no pick-up lines, he passionately explained the evaluation of my play and how my style fits FC Tokyo's playing style. I believe that was a significant factor.
Q: When transferring from the team you have been with for eight years, were there any criteria for making your decision?
A, there was also the milestone of turning 30, and I believe I had some achievements left with Marinos. In terms of a new challenge, I felt the need to stimulate myself once again.
Q: Did you consult with anyone when making your decision?
A, when I transfer, I try not to tell my teammates. In the end, it's something I decide for myself. I don't think talking to others will change my feelings, and I believe it's something I should decide based on my own thoughts, so I didn't consult anyone.
Q: What kind of image did you have of FC Tokyo?
A, based on the image when we faced them, there were times when we were also outmatched in terms of intensity at the ball. I felt they were an aggressive team in that regard. Their attack benefits from having strong foreign players up front, which I believe they are utilizing well. Additionally, in recent years, they have been attempting to break down defenses with passing football, and there were moments this year at Ajinomoto where they created danger by connecting play from the back. While their style is slightly different from Marinos, the way they break down defenses left a strong impression on me.
Q: What kind of impression do you have of Ajinomoto Stadium?
A, I have scored goals, so it is a stadium that leaves a good impression. As an opponent, though (laughs). Next, as a player for FC Tokyo, I have a personal image of being able to score goals.
Q: By the way, you are scoring again this season, right?
Yes, that's right. I also think it's a stadium that has a sense of unity with the fans and supporters. There is a bit of distance between the stands and the pitch, which is similar in shape to Nissan Stadium, but the cheers definitely reach the players, and the passion of the fans and supporters is impressive.
Q: As mentioned earlier, what about FC Tokyo's soccer style?
I believe we can do more and break through more. It's about building up from the back, creating numerical superiority, and how we can break down the opponent's defense once we enter their territory. I think we can raise our level even further, and I hope to contribute in any way I can to improve the quality in the end.
Q: The final third is indeed a challenge that we must overcome. What kind of support do you think you can provide in this regard?
Regarding breaking down in the final third, the quality of combinations is also involved. However, individual quality and the ability to break through are also necessary. It is important to enter that space and break through with dribbling, and I want to add the shape that Marinos has been practicing to Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's style of football. If I can add my experience to this team, I believe we can score more goals. I also want to discuss how we can create various shapes that can serve as the starting point for breaking down in the future.
Q: What do you think is the best position?
I have always played on the right side, but since last season, I have also been playing on the left, so I am gradually getting a feel for the left side as well. It is necessary to become a player who can play on both sides, and I still want to play as a winger.
Q: For the fans and supporters in Tokyo, I believe the image of the 2019 season, which stood in the way of the first championship, is quite strong. What kind of year was that season, in which you also won the top scorer and MVP awards?
A, for me personally, it was a season where I was able to play almost as a starter throughout the season. Along the way, the results also came. It was really exciting because we were competing for the championship with FC Tokyo until the final match, and we didn't know how it would turn out. It was a really good year for Marinos as it had been a while since we won the J-League championship.
Q: It may be strange to ask this, but what do you think was the deciding factor in the outcome?
In terms of the number of goals, we were able to enter the final match with overwhelming advantageous conditions. I thought that just defending wouldn't be enough, and the difference in the number of goals became the key in the end. That's why I want to increase Tokyo's goal count even more next season. I was made painfully aware during the 2019 season that the number of goals becomes crucial in the final moments. I felt good about scoring, so we need to make FC Tokyo a team that can score not just 1 or 2 goals, but 3 or 4. I believe we can become that kind of team, and I want to be a part of that strength.
Q, that sounds like it will be fun.
A, I value having fun while playing soccer. If I can score while having fun, it becomes even more enjoyable. I believe that is the essence of soccer, and since I have lived a soccer life like that so far, I want to continue doing that with this team.
Q: After that, you struggled with injuries, and I think the last two seasons were challenging for you. What were you thinking about while kicking the ball?
I had a lot of hamstring strains and muscle-related injuries, which made it difficult to do full sprints. I was also very conscious of getting injured again, which prevented me from sprinting at full effort. In particular, during the season before last, I played with that mindset and couldn't deliver good performances. However, since last season, I have been able to dispel those anxieties, and muscle-related injuries have almost disappeared. This season, I was able to be involved in matches throughout the season, so I am determined to start in every match next season.
Q: At this timing, what kind of future do you want to envision by changing your environment?
I am 30 years old, which is already an age where I can be called a veteran. I want to convey the joy of soccer and how to break down defenses to the younger players. I believe FC Tokyo has its own style, and I want to raise that quality to become a team that can break down defenses more effectively and score more goals. I think that is what experienced players should do. I am not the type to show things with words; I want to demonstrate through my play. Therefore, I want to focus on my attitude towards practice, the details of my awareness, and the quality of each pass's accuracy. Of course, I think there are various differences compared to Marinos. However, I believe I am in a position to give advice to younger players and those who are rapidly developing. Having won the championship twice, I want to show the mentality of a winner, how to approach matches, and the attitude to take into games.
Q: Since you are carrying great expectations, do you feel pressure as well?
A, I can only look forward to it. I have the impression that feeling pressure is not very good. I tried not to feel the pressure after winning the MVP in the 2019 season, but I think I felt it somewhere in my body. That's why I want to prioritize enjoying it, so I don't feel any pressure.
Q: Many fans and supporters are hoping for your return to the Japan national team, meaning they want to see you shine once more. What are your thoughts on that?
Of course, I have the desire to return to the national team. I was told by the strengthening department that it is the club's philosophy for many players from FC Tokyo to emerge as members of the Japan national team. I still believe I am at an age where I can aim for the World Cup in four years, and I want to stand on that stage as a representative of Japan and its people. I think that would be a way to repay my family who has raised me. It is also a dream stage, and I absolutely do not want to give up. I believe that producing players for the Japan national team will surely strengthen this team, so I want to become such a player. I think that is the point where I can bloom once more.
Q: It is known for having many routines, but do you want to continue even if the environment changes?
A, I hardly know the players of FC Tokyo, so I'm not sure if they will allow that (laughs). However, that's also my policy that I have to continue doing, so no matter what is said, I intend to keep going at my own pace.
Q: I believe you have talked about your feelings towards Marinos in various places. Please share your thoughts again about competing for the championship with the team you have been with for eight years.
A, my honest impression is that eight years felt both very long and very short. During that time, I was able to experience two league championships. I had a serious injury during my senior year in college, and despite that, Marinos offered me a chance, which I am grateful for. I believe I was able to repay that debt to some extent. Now, I want to give back that experience to FC Tokyo, and that is my mission. Marinos had a strong sense of unity and a family-like atmosphere. I still have things to learn about Tokyo, but I want to create that family feeling here as well. It's important for everyone, not just the starters, but also the substitutes and those not on the bench, to have a sense of unity and family, as that will be the first step towards winning. I realized how important that is through my experiences of winning twice.
It is not acceptable to be missing even one person; everyone must share the same goal and dream. Everyone needs to align with the same vector, and we must combine our passion for the style of football that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA aims for. I want to create a sense of unity in this team, and I believe that is my job. FC Tokyo has never won the league championship, and winning the league is a significant goal for this club. By winning, the atmosphere of the team will change, and our next goals will become even greater. First, I want to aim for the league championship and do what needs to be done with a sense of unity.
Q, was the taste of victory that special?
A, this season's championship was exceptional. This season, Marinos did not have a fixed starting lineup, so someone was swapped out in every match. The fact that different players were able to deliver results contributed to the championship. Starting next season, I will be a player for FC Tokyo. I believe it is important to express Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's style of football, regardless of who is on the field.
Q: Do you want to defeat the strong Marinos?
A, of course. From now on, we are enemies, so I want to go all out and score against Marinos by building up from the back. I want the Marinos supporters to think that I have grown even a little.
Q: As mentioned earlier, please tell us the goals you want to achieve with this club.
I want to aim for our first league championship as a team. To achieve that, having a sense of unity will be key, and I hope to contribute to that strength. Personally, I plan to start in every match... although with the increased substitution rules, it might be difficult to play the full 90 minutes. I want to focus on my conditioning and maintenance as I turn 30. I aim to set that as a goal, and I believe that scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists is something I must achieve here. I think that will also help Tokyo win the championship.
Q: What will the jersey number be?
A, I'm thinking about various things, so please look forward to that (laughs).
Q, then please give a greeting as a business card to the fans and supporters in Tokyo.
I am Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who transferred from Yokohama F.Marinos. My goal is to lead FC Tokyo to its first championship, and I want to contribute to that in any way I can. I aim to contribute not only through goals and assists but also in defense. I believe creating an atmosphere that fosters team unity is also part of my job. Starting next season, I want to emphasize the family-like feeling of this team together with the fans and supporters. I want to make victories at Ajinomoto and the National Stadium something special, and let's all work together as one team to achieve the championship!
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
