Finally, the proud sprinting ability shines on the pitch
DF 99 Kosuke SHIRAI
A special content introducing all the blue and red warriors challenging the 2024 season. What are the players, who are about to start the season, thinking and what kind of determination are they bringing into the year? The stories of the players, who hold in their hearts their love for the club, their thirst for titles, their aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill──. Entering his second season since joining the team, Kosuke SHIRAI has gained a sense that his characteristics match the team's fighting style, and he himself has high expectations for his performance in the 2024 season.
Is this the difficulty of joining mid-season? As coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI struggles to steer the team through the second half of the league, Kosuke SHIRAI, who joined from Kyoto SANGA F.C. in August, has also been unable to fully demonstrate his abilities. With Hotaka NAKAMURA, known for his driving force, out for an extended period, there were high expectations for him to fill that gap. However, due to the change in management midway through the season, the team's strategy has been uncertain, making it difficult to utilize the new talent effectively.
Still, they were beginning to find a way out. At the end of the 2023 season, as the team reaffirmed their strategy of applying pressure from the front and pushing the opponent back, they practiced bold plays from the right side to exploit the opponent's blind spots, earning praise from Coach Kramovski. In the final home match against his former club, in Sec. 33 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, he came on as a substitute, and in the final match against Shonan Bellmare, he started and played the full game. Contributing to a resounding victory, he was a key member, as if shaking off the previous slump with high spirits.
Once the way of fighting is established, one can appropriately control how to utilize oneself. The team reflected on the fact that while their ball possession improved through last season's battles, they left challenges in finishing after entering the opponent's territory. They organized what needed to be done, and during the pre-season camp, Shirai shone even brighter. In the practice match against FC Ryukyu, he marked a goal. The number 99 player, known for his aggressive play, reflected, "When we can break through the side, it has become a common understanding within the team to push forward with numbers. Whether as a fullback or a winger, I wanted to push into that space, and a good ball came at the right moment. I'm glad I was able to score."
Building up from the final line, they attack with a passing play that breaks through the center via Riki HARAKAWA, who joined midway through last season. Meanwhile, the 2024 version of Tokyo also features an attack that quickly penetrates behind the opponent or deep into the sides with long balls. This characteristic has been clarified. "One of the things that has become clear is the forward momentum and the ability to break through. Without a doubt, my sprinting ability will shine there. I believe this is a team where I can showcase my abilities," he expresses his expectations. The true potential of Kosuke SHIRAI will be revealed from now on.
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
