TOKYOism

My respected father, former Chinese national team defender Gao Sheng, once belonged to a rival team across the Tamagawa River and competed fiercely with the King of Tokyo. His son, Takahiro KO, bids farewell to the city of Niigata where he spent three years and will don the blue and red starting next season. The man who wants to win more than anyone else harbors even greater ambitions and has made a significant decision. To take another step, or even two, upwards from here.

Q: Please tell us your honest thoughts when you received the offer from Tokyo.
I was honestly happy. I received an offer early on, and I spoke directly with the strengthening department, feeling a lot of enthusiasm. I was glad because it is a club in the capital with history and tradition.

Q, what was the deciding factor for you?
A, it’s definitely the enthusiasm. I could really feel that they want me to come to Tokyo. Also, I resonated with the club's goal of wanting to win titles in the future. I want to win titles too, and I thought that in order to reach a higher stage, I wanted to accept this offer at this timing.

Q, you are also the vice-captain of Albirex Niigata, and I believe it is a team you have strong feelings for. Was there a change in your mindset that led to the decision to part ways?
I played for three seasons in Niigata. It was a club where I truly felt I grew both as a player and as a person, having participated in many matches. It is the club I have the strongest attachment to, but I had a desire to change my environment and dive into a competition from scratch to grow even more. I still feel a bit lonely now, but this is a decision I made myself, and I want to move forward with it firmly.

Q: Is there anything important about your feelings that you considered in this decision, or do you have any plans for the future?
It was a decision to grow further from here, to become a player of greater scale. At the moment I came to that conclusion, I received an offer from Tokyo, and the club's goals and enthusiasm aligned with mine.

Q, please tell us about your strong points.
I believe that my greatest weapon is taking the ball away. Additionally, I think my predictive ability is a strong point. When asked what kind of player Takahiro KO is, I believe it is important to express my ability to take the ball away first. I consider that to be where my value and strengths as a player lie. However, in today's era, various skills are required from a defensive midfielder. A player who can take the ball away, connect passes from there, and move forward. I always have the desire to be a stable and intimidating player for the opponent.

Q, What is the area where you have grown the most during your three years in Niigata?
A, this is about the attack. I believe I have grown in areas such as build-up play and constantly being involved with the ball. It's not just my self-assessment; I often hear from third parties and those around me that I have really improved.

Q: You played with the captain's armband at Gamba Osaka U-23 and Niigata. How do you want to contribute your leadership and organizational skills?
A, I personally don't think I'm suited to be a captain (laughs). However, during my time with Gamba Osaka U-23, the coach Tsuneyasu MIYAMOTO (current Executive Director of the Japan Football Association) handed me the captain's armband, and I was given the opportunity to play as captain during my loan to Renofa Yamaguchi FC and Niigata. I don't think I'm suited to be a captain, and honestly, I'm not sure if I'm the kind of player who can lead the team. However, I have a strong desire to grow, to help the team win, and not to lose to the opponent. I am conscious of this in my daily practice, and I believe it reflects in my play.

Q: Since your time at Funabashi Municipal High School, you have been expected to step up from the J3 League to the J1 League. Looking back on your career, how do you perceive your journey?
A, there were more difficult times. Especially after graduating from high school and joining G Osaka, I played for the U-23 team, but I really struggled. My peers from Funabashi Municipal High School, Daiki SUGIOKA and Teruki HARA, were doing well, and Daiki KANEKO also left Kanagawa University after one year to join Shonan Bellmare. Each of them was active on the J1 League stage and was also selected for the youth national team. While everyone was moving forward, I felt like I was being left behind, and I felt frustrated. At G Osaka, I played in less than 20 matches in the J1 League, but at that time, I really couldn't have confidence in myself while playing.

I wanted to change myself, so I went on a loan to Yamaguchi, seeking a place to thrive in Niigata, which was in the J2 League at the time. I thought, 'I just have to keep going,' so I felt that I needed to play more matches to improve and truly grow. After coming to Niigata, we won the J2 League last season and were promoted to the J1 League. This season was my first in the J1 League in a while, and compared to my time at G Osaka, I really felt confident that I could complete the season. I believe the results of my continued efforts are showing now.

Q: Please tell us what supported you during difficult times.
I cherished the words of Mr. Takuzou Asaoka, who was the coach of Funabashi High School. 'If you keep doing it seriously, someone will definitely be watching.' I was told that, and I had no choice but to work hard believing it. Those words are a very significant presence for me.

Q: What impression did you have of Tokyo?
In my first professional season, I was coached by Kenta HASEGAWA (currently the coach of Nagoya Grampus) at G Osaka. The image of Kenta-san after he became the coach in Tokyo is still strong, so I have the impression of a fighting group. In recent years, I feel that soccer has changed a bit, but there are many wonderful players who represent Japan, and I believe it is a big club.

Q: After playing against each other in two matches this season, what impression did you have?
A, there is a strong impression that there are many players with individual strength in each position. The intensity of play was also high, and this season, Niigata had a record of 1 draw and 1 loss against Tokyo, giving the impression that they couldn't secure a win.

Q: Tokyo is a club that has embarked on significant changes over the past two seasons. You are diving into that, but do you have a desire to enjoy those changes?
A, that is a rewarding and enjoyable part. I believe that the style and policy are currently changing. At this stage, I envision playing while utilizing my own characteristics and the experiences I have had so far. I want to adjust my strengths well to the team's tactics in Tokyo.

Q: Are there any players who left an impression on you during the match, or any players you would like to talk to?
A, Teruhito NAKAGAWA scored goals in the first half of the league this season. He has won MVP and titles at Yokohama F.Marinos and is a wonderful player who has also been selected for the Japan national team. Since Teruhito also comes from the Kawasaki Frontale academy, I would like to talk to him as we share the common experience of having played until junior youth.

Q: How do you feel about Tokyo's soccer style?
A. This season we also faced each other in the J1 League, but when I was in charge of Montedio Yamagata, I really struggled against them. They transition quickly, and rather than a solid defense and quick counterattacks, I think they have a relatively ball possession style. However, when we faced Tokyo this season, I could tell they were trying to challenge that, but it felt like they were a bit stuck. When I spoke with them after receiving the offer, they mentioned wanting to develop that kind of football in the future, and I want to move the ball well while showcasing my strengths.

Q: Are there any players currently registered in Tokyo with whom you have a close relationship?
A, he really isn't here (laughs). Keita YAMASHITA played together with me for half a season in Yamaguchi. I have acquaintances on other teams, but when Tokyo came to Big Swan, I didn't know anyone, so I didn't talk to anyone (laughs).

Q, please tell us about Ko's father. You mentioned the reason you started playing soccer and also named someone you respect; what kind of person are they, and how did you learn soccer from them?
A, he is the one who taught me soccer and gave me soccer. If you look it up, you will find that he was a professional soccer player and also played for the Chinese national team. Those who knew him back then said he was truly an amazing player. Unfortunately, I never got to see him play live, but when I was in elementary and middle school, playing together in the park, his skills were really high. He played as a center-back and a defensive midfielder, was tall, and had strong physicality. His technique was also high, and when I ask coaches who knew my father from back then, they say he was truly a wonderful player, so I respect him.

Q: Did you discuss the transfer to Tokyo?
A, of course I did. They told me it was great. I heard that during the Fujitsu era, they faced Tokyo Gas, the predecessor of Tokyo, and at that time, they said they had their nose broken by a foreign player (laughs). I forgot the name though...

Q: Could it be Amaral?
Yes, that's the player. He was talking about how he had his nose broken.

Q: How do you feel about wearing the uniform of a club across the Tamagawa River instead of Kawasaki, like your father did?
Since I was in the junior youth team of Kawasaki, I used to go to Todoroki Stadium to watch the Tamagawa Classico. It’s a match that attracts a lot of spectators, and back then, I was supporting Kawasaki, so I must have been booing (laughs). However, it has been many years since I left Kawasaki, and now I want to stand on that stage and compete as a player from Tokyo.

Q: This season, for player Takashi, it is a renewed challenge in the J1 League, and I believe his football career is finally starting to see the light again. What kind of year do you want the 2024 season to be?
In Tokyo, a new environment awaits, and the competition starts from scratch. I want to express myself from the very beginning and take the position. I aim to be at the center, participating in many matches, and making my presence felt both offensively and defensively. I want the fans and supporters of Tokyo, as well as our J-League opponents, to recognize that Takahiro KO is the central midfielder for Tokyo. If that can be achieved, I have a strong desire to challenge for the title, which is the team's goal.

Q, please tell us about your impressions of Ajinomoto Stadium and the fans and supporters in Tokyo.
A, even while playing, I could really feel the fans and supporters were very engaged, and it was a wonderful atmosphere. I got the impression of the passion from everyone in Tokyo.

Q: Now, please give a message to the fans and supporters in Tokyo.
I am really looking forward to wearing the Tokyo uniform and playing at Ajinomoto Stadium from the 2024 season. I am a player who is very eager to win, so I want to express that through my play. Please give us your passionate support. Let's fight together!

Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)