The steady days built up in the first year
The second act of the story is finally about to begin.
Kuryu MATSUKI swept the titles in the high school soccer world at Aomori Yamada High School and boldly stepped onto the professional stage. In his rookie year last season, he secured a starting position right from the opening match with his energetic play and established himself as a key player. Ultimately, he played in 32 matches in the J1 League and scored 2 goals.
Behind such a brilliant debut, what he has built up is a steady daily routine. After team practice, he continues to work on the basics of 'stopping and kicking' throughout the year, and if he has any questions, he asks his seniors or coaches. What drives him is an insatiable desire for improvement.
It was the final match of last season. Yojiro TAKAHAGI, who sought a place to shine at Tochigi SC last summer, visited to watch that match. After the game, Kuryu MATSUKI found TAKAHAGI chatting with his teammates and asked, "How was my play?" TAKAHAGI replied, "Don't ask me," and although a bit taken aback, he said, "I was watching from above, so I talked about this and that. I thought Kuryu's desire to improve was amazing."
Learning from Yuto NAGATOMO
Because he is a highly sensitive player, it must have been a continuous process of learning and realization. Spending time close to Yuto NAGATOMO, who had expressed a desire to "want to listen to stories" even before turning professional, was a "big deal," he continues.
"Even from a distance, they are an amazing person. Being able to see that up close for a year has been significant for me. It was a valuable year where I learned about their high level of awareness both during play and outside of it."
After a fulfilling year, I can say, "Both as a team and as an individual, we have grown this year. Although we haven't achieved visible results, I have deeply felt the importance of this season, and it has been a really good experience."
That intensity shows no signs of diminishing. In his second year as a professional, he expressed, "I have to teach my juniors various things since they have joined the team. The seniors who have led us until now have gone to different clubs, so I hope to lead the team as someone who had many opportunities to play last season. I want to maintain a more intense condition and mindset than the new players."
With that enthusiasm, the pre-season camp began to exude a sense of dignity. Leading the way for my eager juniors, who remind me of myself from a year ago, I have been rallying the team with the words, 'Follow me.' This season, I will carry the number 7 on my back.
"Wearing a young number also brings a sense of responsibility. Being entrusted with a single-digit number means you have to be a key player. This awareness has also been a source of motivation for me. When I wore number 7 during my time with (Aomori) Yamada, I performed well, so I personally hoped for number 7. If I think too much about the pressure of number 7, things won't go well, so I want to make it my own number."
Expectations for myself are already skyrocketing
The journey of growth does not stop. Since the middle of last season, I have been entrusted with set-piece kicking and have been working on extra practice with coach Yukihiko SATO. The results are clearly starting to show. As a new weapon for the team, I may attract attention this season.
It seems like they are only looking up, but they can firmly focus on their feet. That’s why they can draw an upward growth curve. Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA also does not hold back on praise, saying, "Sooner or later, they will be called up to the Japan national team."
The embodiment of ambition said this to himself as always.
"I definitely don't want to lose, and I believe that individual improvement is necessary to make Tokyo a better team. I want to contribute to that as well. I want to maintain a competitive mentality and live each day steadily."
And when asked about the expectations for the team and himself this season, he laughed and said, "I'm already very excited."
Nagatomo said to me, "You promised to go to the next World Cup with Kuu, right? Kuu is definitely going, so it's up to me now, isn't it?" I immediately replied, "Yes. Let's go together."
In Tokyo, it may be this kind of man who ignites the next Japan national team in the J-League.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
