In the 2019 season, the speed star who prevented FC Tokyo's first victory changed his uniform from tricolor to blue and red. He says that what he has cherished is "enjoying soccer". What was impressive was that he was looking ahead to what comes after winning the first league title. What is it that Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who wants to make one more flower bloom, wants to achieve at FC Tokyo?
Q, Please tell us your honest thoughts when you received an offer from FC Tokyo.
A, Honestly, I didn't expect to receive such a hot offer. After hearing about the future and plans for the next few years from the strengthening department, I honestly wanted to contribute to that effort.
Q, Was there a decisive pick-up line?
A, There were no pick-up lines, but he passionately talked about his evaluation of my play and how I fit into FC Tokyo's playing style. I think that was a big factor.
Q: Did you have any criteria for making the decision to transfer from the team you have been with for 8 years?
There was also a milestone of turning 30, and I think there were some achievements that I left behind at Marinos. In terms of a new challenge, I also felt the need to give myself another stimulus.
Q: Did you consult with anyone before making your decision?
A, When I transfer, I try not to tell my teammates. In the end, it's my decision. I don't think talking to others will change my feelings, and I believe it's something I should decide on my own, so I didn't consult anyone.
Q, What was your image of FC Tokyo?
When we played against them, there were times when we felt like we were losing in terms of intensity. We felt that they were an aggressive team in those aspects. They have strong foreign players in the front line, so they are able to utilize that strength. In recent years, they have also been trying to break through with passing football, and in the match we played at Ajinomoto Stadium this year, there were moments where they created danger by connecting from the back. They are slightly different from Marinos, but in terms of breaking through, they have a similar style, so that left an impression on us.
Q, What is your impression of Ajinomoto Stadium?
A, I have a good impression of this stadium because I also score. As an enemy, though (bitter smile). As a player of FC Tokyo, I have the image that I can score next.
Q, by the way, you have been scoring this season, haven't you?
A, that's right. And I think it's a stadium with a sense of unity with the fans and supporters. The distance between the stands and the pitch is a little bit, and it's a similar shape to Nissan Stadium, but the cheers are reaching the players firmly, and the passion of the fans and supporters is also impressive.
Q, There was also a discussion earlier about FC Tokyo's soccer style.
A, I have the desire to do more and break through more. How to build up from the back, create numerical superiority, and break through in the opponent's territory. I believe I can raise my level even more, so I hope to contribute even a little in the final quality.
Q, the final third is definitely the challenge we must overcome. What kind of strength do you want to be?
When it comes to breaking through the final third, the quality of combination is also important. However, individual quality and the ability to break through are also necessary. It is also necessary to enter and break through with dribbling, and I want to add the experience and style that Marinos have been doing to Albert Puig Ortoneda's football. If I can add my experience to this team, I think we can score more goals. I also want to discuss and work on what kind of form we can create as a starting point for breaking through.
Q, where do you think the best position will be?
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 used to the feeling on the left. It is necessary to become a player who can play on both sides, and I still want to play as a winger.
Q, For fans and supporters in Tokyo, I think the image of the 2019 season that stood before the first championship is quite strong. What kind of year was it when you won the top scorer and MVP in that season?
A, personally, it was a season where I was able to play almost every game as a starter. I also got good results during that time. It was really exciting to compete with FC Tokyo for the championship until the final match, not knowing what would happen. It was also a long time since Marinos won the J-League championship, so it was a really great year.
Q, It may be strange to ask this, but what do you think made the difference in the outcome?
A, we were able to enter the final round with a overwhelming advantage in terms of points. I realized that just defending was not enough, and that point difference became the key in the end. That's why I want to increase Tokyo's points even more next season. I was reminded in the 2019 season that points become crucial in the final stages. I felt good about scoring, so I want to make FC Tokyo a team that can score not just 1 or 2 points, but 3 or 4 points. I believe we can become that kind of team, and I want to be a part of that strength.
Q, it seems like it will be fun if that happens.
A, In my mind, it is important to play soccer with joy. If I can score while playing soccer, it will be even more fun. I think that is the essence of soccer, and I have lived my soccer life that way so far, so I want to continue doing it with this team.
Q, After that, I suffered from injuries and I think the last two seasons were seasons with many worries. What were you thinking while kicking the ball?
A, I had a lot of muscle tears and muscle-related injuries, so I couldn't sprint at full speed. I was also worried about getting injured again, so I couldn't sprint at full speed because I was very conscious of my injuries. Especially in the season before last, I played with those thoughts in mind, so I couldn't perform well. However, from last season, I was able to dispel my worries and I hardly had any muscle injuries. This season, I was able to participate in games throughout the season, so I am determined to play as a starter in every game next season.
Q, What kind of future do you envision by changing the environment at this timing?
A, at 30 years old, I am already considered a veteran. I want to convey the joy of soccer and how to break down attacks to the younger players. I think FC Tokyo has its own style, so I want to improve the quality and make the team more capable of breaking down and scoring. I believe that is what experienced players should do. I am not the type to show with words. I want to show through my play, so I want to focus on my attitude towards practice, and pay attention to the details and quality of each pass. Of course, I think there are many differences between us and Marinos. However, I also think I am in a position to give advice to young and growing players based on my keen observations. Having won twice, I also want to show the mentality of a winner, how to approach a game, and how to face a game.
Q, Do you feel pressure because you have high expectations?
A, for me it's only fun. When I feel pressure, I don't have a good impression. I tried not to feel the pressure after winning the MVP in the 2019 season, but I think I still felt it somewhere in my body. That's why I want to prioritize having fun and not feel any pressure.
Q, Many fans and supporters are hoping for a comeback to the Japan national team, even if it means just one more flower blooming. What are your thoughts on that?
A, of course I have the desire to return to the national team. The strengthening department also told me that it is the club's philosophy to produce many Japan national team players from FC Tokyo. I still think I am at the age where I can aim for the World Cup in 4 years, so I want to stand on that stage as a representative of Japan and the people of the country. I think it will be a way to repay my family who has raised me until now. It is also a dream stage, and I will never give up. I want to become a player who can produce Japan national team players, and I think that will also make this team stronger. That is the point where I can bloom one more flower myself.
Q, Are you known for having a lot of routines, do you want to continue even if you change your environment?
A, I don't really know the players of FC Tokyo, so I don't know if they will forgive me for that (laughs). However, that is also my policy that I have to continue doing, so I will continue to do it at my own pace no matter what anyone says.
Q, I think I've talked about my feelings for Marinos in various places. Please tell us again about your feelings for the team you have been with for 8 years and your future goal of competing for the championship.
A, my honest impression is that 8 years felt both long and short. During that time, I was able to experience winning the league twice. I am grateful to Marinos for offering me a contract even after I suffered a serious injury during my fourth year of university. I feel like I was able to repay that kindness to some extent. Now, I want to give back that experience to FC Tokyo and it is also my mission. Marinos had a strong bond and a sense of family. I may not know everything about Tokyo yet, but I want to create that same sense of family here. It's not just about being in the starting lineup, but also about the subs and players on the bench all having a sense of unity and family, which will be the first step towards winning. I have realized how important that is through winning the league twice.
It's not good if even one person is missing, and everyone needs to share the same goal and dream. We all need to align with the same vector and match the passion for soccer that Coach Albert has. It's my job to create a sense of unity within this team. FC Tokyo has never won the league championship, and winning the league is a big goal for this club. Winning can change the team's atmosphere and make our next goal even bigger. First, we aim for the league championship and work together with a sense of unity to achieve our goals.
Q: Was the taste of winning exceptional?
A, the championship this season was exceptional. Since the starting lineup was not fixed for this season's Marinos, there were changes in players every game. The fact that different players were able to produce results even when they were substituted in, contributed to our victory. From next season, I will be a player for FC Tokyo. I believe it is important to express Coach Albert's style of football no matter who is on the field.
Q, Do you want to defeat the strong Marinos?
A, of course. From now on, they are our enemies so we want to go all out and score against Marinos by building up from the back. I also want to be seen as someone who has grown even just a little bit by the Marinos supporters.
Q, We have been talking about it earlier, but please tell us about the goals you want to achieve with this club.
A, as a team, we want to aim for our first league championship. In order to do that, it will be important to have a sense of unity and to be able to contribute to that. Personally, I want to play in every game... but with the increased number of substitution slots, it may be impossible. I plan to start in every game. I also want to improve my conditioning and maintenance even at the age of 30. That is something I want to make a goal and I believe that scoring 10 goals and 10 assists is something I need to do here. I think it will also help Tokyo win the championship.
Q, what will happen to the jersey number?
A, please look forward to it as I am thinking about various things (laughs).
Q, Now, please give a greeting to the fans and supporters in Tokyo as a business card substitute.
It is Teruhito NAKAGAWA who transferred from Yokohama F.Marinos. My goal is to lead FC Tokyo to their first championship, and I want to be a part of that effort in any way I can. I want to contribute not only with goals and assists, but also with my defense. I believe creating a sense of unity within the team is also my responsibility. From next season, I want to work together with the fans and supporters to showcase the family atmosphere of this team. I want to make victories at Ajinomoto and National Stadium even more special, and let's all work together as one team for the championship!
Text by Yohhei Baba (Freelance Writer)
