"I wanted to repay everyone who helped me with results, but I ended up playing poorly. I want to reflect on everything from the beginning and practice so that I can return to this pitch."
May 6, 2023. Match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. The starting members for the match day will be announced inside Sapporo Dome.
“Soma ANZAI”'s name was announced, and cheers and applause erupted from the Tokyo supporters' stand.
In the northern land, Soma ANZAI achieved what could be called a "surprise appearance," but the match ended in a crushing defeat of 1-5. He was thoroughly beaten, and it was not a glorious debut in the J1 League.
Player Anzai, with frustration evident in his comments at the mixed zone, left the stadium carrying the harsh realities of the J1 League and the professional world in his heart.
Player Anzai, who moved forward without stopping at each step, using the frustration experienced in Sapporo as fuel.
Entering this season, I participated in the Okinawa camp and Miyazaki camp in January. In February, while still enrolled at Waseda University, I signed a professional contract a year ahead of my confirmed joining for the 2025 season. Feeling the club's expectations, I stepped into the professional world earlier than planned.
Continuing to draw an upward growth curve as if to meet those expectations. Although he spent many of the first few matches of the league season on the bench, he was named a starter in the match against Urawa Reds in Sec. 6, showcasing his dynamism in both offense and defense. Except for the match against FC Machida Zelvia in Sec. 9, where he was suspended, he started in six matches, demonstrating his abilities on the pitch and securing his position.
Time has passed, and it has been exactly one year since the J1 League debut, on May 6, 2024.
The Sapporo match took place on the same day and with the same matchup as last season.
Ahead of this match, player Anzai said, "In that game, I hit rock bottom on the pitch, and it was a very disappointing match. This is the perfect opponent to make people feel that this season's Tokyo is different. I want to show my growth through results," as he vowed for revenge after a year.
From that gaze, I felt the intense desire for victory lurking like a tiger waiting to pounce.
With great anticipation, the match against Sapporo began. Anzai, who played in the right wing position, was involved in a crucial opportunity just 3 minutes into the first half. He ran alongside Teruhito NAKAGAWA's central breakthrough, received the ball near the box, and took a shot with his right foot. Although it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, his proactive attitude in the attack took shape early in the match.
And the involvement in both offense and defense, which is the team's true strength, brings victory.
In the 20th minute of the second half, taking advantage of a mistake in the Sapporo defense's quick restart deep in the opponent's territory, player Anzai challenged for the ball and intercepted it. Diego OLIVEIRA connected the ball intricately with player Nakagawa, and Diego scored the goal. The turning point goal that brought Tokyo its third consecutive victory was made possible by Anzai's keen judgment not to miss a moment of opportunity, leading to Sapporo's first victory on their home ground in 12 seasons.
A true embodiment of action following words. Their performance showcased the growth process since last season through results.
After the match, player Anzai responded like this.
"On this day last season, I made my J1 League debut at Sapporo Dome, and I felt an immense sense of regret. The frustration I experienced that day has been a driving force for me until today. I have never forgotten that match, and the experience from that game gives me the power to push myself. What I have built up since that day is not everything, but it was a moment of fruition. However, winning this match is not everything in my football life. I want to use this as a new starting line and take one step at a time."
The view ahead is once again a new landscape as a professional football player. May 6th has become a memorial day that proves growth.
When I look back on what will surely be a long soccer life from here on, I will surely remember May 6th as a turning point.
Player Anzai's growth will elevate Tokyo to the next stage.
