This is the last dance in Tokyo towards the Paris Olympics.
The 23rd round of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League, which will take place at the Japan National Stadium on July 13th, will be the last league match before Albirex Niigata player Ryotaro Araki heads to Paris. After expanding his potential with his transfer to Tokyo, he will play with a great sense of gratitude in his heart.
"Akaaka no Taro" has evolved into "Japan's Taro" this season. What was behind this evolution, and what is the reason for feeling grateful to everyone involved in Tokyo?
Text by Aoyama Tomio
Photos by Arai Kenichi
"The Niigata match is a game we really have to win. I definitely want to win and go to Paris, and personally, I want to build momentum towards Paris. If we can give the fans and supporters a goal and a victory as a souvenir."
For the team, and for himself. Ryotaro ARAKI will face the Albirex Niigata match at the Japan National Stadium with strong determination.
On the other side, it was a great feeling of gratitude towards Tokyo. Kelly, who had been reducing his playing time at Kashima Antlers. He marked double-digit goals in his teens, becoming the second player in J-League history to do so, and caused a stir in the soccer world, but in the following two seasons, he did not have many opportunities to play. At that time, he was too busy trying to play in games, and he said, "I didn't even think about playing in the Olympics."
And this season, his loan transfer to Tokyo has greatly changed his football career. Under the guidance of coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, he has proven himself on the pitch. He says, "I haven't changed my style from my time at Kashima," but playing in the blue and red uniform has sharpened his senses and improved his ability to read the flow of time and games. Player Matsuki also reflects, "As I continue to play this season, I have gained confidence and can play soccer with a wider perspective. With each game, I have gained more and more confidence."
After producing results from the opening game with a transfer to Tokyo, he wore the Japanese flag at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024, which was held in April this year as the final qualifying round for the Paris Olympics. He has been named to the same age group national team since the Dubai Cup in March 2021. It was truly a return to the national team recognized for his performance in blue and red.
In the tournament, he reigns as a "game changer" who adds changes to the attack on the pitch regardless of starting or coming off the bench. In the quarterfinal match against Qatar, where they had to fight against the pressure of "lose and it's over," he showed an outstanding performance by producing two goals in extra time with a 2-2 tie. Furthermore, in the final against Uzbekistan, he assisted the winning goal with a brilliant one-touch pass in the second half additional time. He greatly contributed to the overwhelming presence of the team, securing a spot in the Paris Olympics and winning the Asian title.
His own performance and sense of responsibility for carrying the Japanese flag will change his consciousness.
In the early spring, he only talked about wanting to do his best if he was chosen for the U-23 Japan national team, but after the tournament, he said, "Being on the national team is really fun. There are only a limited number of players who can play there, and it's a special existence to represent Japan." He also said, "Being able to enjoy the pressure was a big factor, and I want to play even more in that kind of tense atmosphere. I now have the desire to play in the U-23 Asian Cup and also participate in the Paris Olympics." His perspective has changed significantly.
The Paris Olympics will be the first world competition for player Araki. He will continue to play in big matches to understand his current position. Of course, he welcomes the pressure of representing Japan.
"I've never experienced a tense game like the U-23 Asian Cup before, but those kinds of games were more enjoyable. I think it's because of my personality, I didn't feel any nerves and was able to perform better than I thought I could. At the Paris Olympics, I want to confirm my position in the world and how much I can do. I also think it will be a tournament where I can feel firsthand how amazing players of the same age from around the world are. Of course, I don't want to lose to them and I want to keep winning on that stage and increase my value."
The match against Niigata, which will be held at the Japan National Stadium on July 13th, has a special meaning as a farewell match for the Tokyo-based player Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who will also be participating in the Paris Olympics. As a way of showing gratitude for his time in Tokyo, he will use this last domestic match before heading to Paris to repay the favor of being selected for the Olympic team and to express his determination to represent Tokyo and compete against the world.
"If I hadn't transferred to Tokyo, I don't think I would have been chosen for the Paris Olympics team. I am truly grateful to all the warm fans and supporters who welcomed me. The game at the National Stadium is not only important for me to gain momentum towards Paris, but also for the team to win. First of all, I want to do my best in Tokyo and get results to go to Paris. And in Paris, I want to represent Tokyo and appeal to the world as 'FC Tokyo'."
Both Araki, who will leave for Paris after the Niigata match, and those who will see him off share the same feelings. They want to see Araki's determination to "bring home a goal and a victory" for the game at the National Stadium, and send him off to Paris with a win and a smile.
