It has been 10 years since I first pointed a recorder at Keigo HIGASHI.
At the time, he wore the number 10 jersey at the 2012 London Olympics and was on a roll, contributing to the team's advancement to the semifinals.
"I wonder if I will join the Japan national team and eventually go overseas."
I believed it without doubt. It was during that time when I made the decision to transfer from Omiya Ardija to FC Tokyo, my second transfer in my career.
One of the players who has been wearing blue and red since the 2013 season and has heard many stories. However, now it has become a laughing matter, but at first he was very cautious and often spoke in a small voice during interviews. At that time, he may have intentionally tried to act tough.
"The media, the people around me, everything seemed like an enemy. Maybe I was just too sharp, even though that wasn't the case (bitter laugh)"
Perhaps because of that, even now when he speaks loudly and tells jokes, there is still a delicate trace of his former self. In the past 10 years, he has changed a lot. People might call that growth.
In May of the year he transferred, he was also selected for the Japan national team for the first time. However, he was unable to play there and his career with the national team has been distant ever since.
Suffered a right thigh muscle strain, the first long-term absence since turning professional in August 2014. The diagnosis was a recovery time of about 6-8 weeks. Although he returned as planned after two months, he continued to make substitute appearances for the rest of the season while losing his regular position.
"I thought, 'This can't go on like this' for the first time."
At that time, I was stopped by coach Bruno Conca and asked, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Why doesn't Keigo put in his full effort during daily practice, when he works so hard during games?"
I was hit in a sore spot and lost my words. Since that day, I've also tried changing my daily routine.
Originally, I wasn't the type to be interested in people. But when I started walking with my hands in my pockets, the scenery changed. The surroundings were overflowing with living textbooks. Looking at precedents, I add what is lacking and necessary techniques.
It was the Okinawa Kunigami Camp for the following 2016 season. "Is it okay to walk?" I heard those words in a loud voice that couldn't be drowned out by the sound of the waves during the interview.
"Watch me, because I face soccer with all my might every day."
The promise made on that day still continues. Furthermore, meeting good understanding people will accelerate its growth.
First match under coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI against "mentor" and "comrade"
In the 2018 season, Kenta HASEGAWA became the coach of Tokyo and was placed at the center of the team.
Not flashy, but rather plain, yet highly rated by teammates. Makes few mistakes and smoothly executes difficult plays. Since the "full effort declaration," has not slacked off in practice. A player who cannot be properly evaluated for their technical skill and dedication without kicking the ball together.
The sharp-eyed commander did not miss it.
"When I watched Keigo from the outside, I thought he was a more selfish player, but that was not the case. When I actually saw him play, I understood why he wore the number 10 for the national team. He's a great player."
From the second season of his appointment as coach, Hasegawa was given the captain's armband and the number 10, and he led the team towards their first league victory. Although they lost to Yokohama F.Marinos in the final round and missed out on their first championship, they achieved their best league result in club history by finishing second. Looking back, Hasegawa reflects on his relationship with his mentor that lasted until the 2021 season.
"Kenta has an unwavering aspect as a coach. Not only scoring and eye-catching plays, but also paying attention to things that don't show up in numbers and selfless plays. In meetings, he often picks out those things and evaluates them as "good". He was a coach who valued those overlooked aspects. The ability to build a team like that is truly amazing, and now that I'm looking at it from the outside, I realize it once again."
The coach who has been highly evaluated by both Higashi and the same is Kensuke NAGAI. He described the two top players, Diego OLIVEIRA and "Kenta Tokyo", as "two signboards" and played a leading role in both offense and defense. He was also a teammate who fought together in the London Olympics for Higashi and spent a lot of time in blue and red from the 2017 season to the summer of the 2022 season.
"We had a good relationship even outside of the team, and we were players who shared the same values. We both wanted to express 'for the team' through our play, so we respected each other."
Nagai was the one who supported the team as the captain for three seasons, and was the one who supported them in the shadows.
"If Kensuke is here, the team atmosphere will improve. But that doesn't mean we'll flatter him. He's the type to acknowledge differences. He's easy to understand and doesn't lie... As Tokyo, I think he was a player we definitely couldn't let go."
There was a sense of loneliness in his face as he spoke. His comrade returned to his former team last summer to follow coach Hasegawa, and quickly became an indispensable presence for Nagoya Grampus.
"Isn't Kensuke a symbolic presence in Nagoya right now? I think his dedication is highly valued within the team. He is considerate of those around him and runs for the sake of the team. He goes for the second and third balls as if it were natural. Even if he doesn't score 15 or 20 goals a year, he contributes with assists. I think Kenta understood that and that's why he reinforced Kensuke."
Number 10 in blue and red says, "For the club, for the coach, for the fans and supporters."
A turning point is coming to the east, where I parted with good understanding people. I am also over 30 years old and entering a transitional period, and I lost my playing time in the early stages of the 2022 season. "This kind of time always comes. I think it's about how you can face it," he said, gritting his teeth.
"However, I had the confidence that if I kept going, everything would be okay. Of course, there were difficult times, but the only answer for me was to show it on the pitch. However, I thought deeply about how I should approach it."
I continued to work silently on the pitch. I took a deep breath and desperately searched for my place. Before I knew it, my position had dropped down one and I was pioneering new territory as an anchor.
And on the 13th of this month, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA left the team and Peter CKLAMOVSKI took over to turn things around. Nagoya, where his former mentor and comrade are, became their first opponent. They are a tough opponent who will compete for the J1 league title this season. Naturally, motivation is high.
"I thought the choice of 3 backs was interesting. The base is similar to the various teams that Kenta has led so far, but there is a different flavor and individuality. I think the 3 backs are the best way to utilize the three players in the front line, and in the midfield there are Yone (Takuji YONEMOTO) and Inagaki Sho, and at the back there is LANGERAK. They are definitely strong."
Of course, there is no hesitation. "I think it will be a fierce battle on the pitch," he said, challenging head on. However, Higashi said, "There are other things that are necessary right now," and continued.
"I don't really care where I play, and I don't have any particular preferences. Of course, I want to start, but I've come to believe that I can still make an impact even if I come on as a substitute. I want to play for the team in whatever position I'm given. The most important thing is to work towards victory and unite as one. That's why the recent (final group stage) match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. in the Levain Cup was so enjoyable. Everyone was united and fighting together. I had the thought of wanting to do it for interim coach Takayoshi Amma, but also for the club, the coach, and the fans and supporters... I think that kind of mindset is necessary for Tokyo right now."
I have devoted all my energy for myself. It may be the answer I found after those days. And it's even more so because the people who taught me are my opponents. The blue and red number 10 is rough and unleashes the power accumulated for my teammates and the team on the pitch.
Text by Yohhei Baba (Freelance Writer)
