This is the last dance in Tokyo leading up to the Paris Olympics.
The match against Albirex Niigata in Sec. 23 of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League, held at Japan National Stadium on July 13, will be the last league match for Ryotaro ARAKI before heading to Paris. Following his transfer to Tokyo, he will play with a deep sense of gratitude as he expands his possibilities.
This season, "Aka-Aoi Taro" has evolved into "Japan's Taro." What was behind this transformation, and why do we hold gratitude for everyone involved in Tokyo?
Text by Tomoaki Aoyama
Photos by Kenichi Arai
"The match against Niigata is one that we absolutely must win. I want to win and go to Paris, and personally, I want to build momentum towards Paris. If I can leave a goal and a victory as a souvenir for the fans and supporters, that would be great."
For the team, and for himself. Ryotaro ARAKI approaches the match against Albirex Niigata at the Japan National Stadium with strong determination.
What lay behind that was a deep sense of gratitude towards Tokyo. Araki, who had been getting fewer opportunities to play with Kashima Antlers, made waves in the soccer world by marking double-digit goals as a teenager, becoming only the second player in J-League history to do so. However, in the following two seasons, he was not fortunate enough to get playing time. At that time, he was overwhelmed with efforts to get on the field and said, "I wasn't even thinking about participating in the Olympics."
And this season, his loan move to Tokyo has greatly changed his football life. He has been heavily relied upon by coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI and has firmly proven his ability to thrive on the pitch. He himself says, "I haven't changed my style since my time at Kashima," but by continuing to play in the blue and red uniform, his senses have sharpened, and his ability to read the timing and flow of the game has improved. Araki also reflects, "As I have played more matches this season, I have been able to play with more composure and a broader perspective. With each game, my confidence has grown."
After transferring to Tokyo and achieving results from the opening match, he wore the national flag at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024, which was held in April this year as the final Asian qualifiers for the Paris Olympics. It has been since the Dubai Cup in March 2021 that he has been part of the same age group national team. His return to the national team was truly recognized due to his performance in blue and red.
In the tournament, he reigned as a "game changer" who adds variation to the attack on the pitch, whether starting or coming on as a substitute. In the quarterfinal match against Qatar, where the pressure of "losing means elimination" was present, he showcased his skills by creating two goals during extra time, which started at a 2-2 tie. Furthermore, in the Final Round against Uzbekistan, he assisted the winning goal with a brilliant one-touch pass during the second half's added time. His overwhelming presence greatly contributed to securing a spot in the Paris Olympics and achieving supremacy in Asia.
His own performance and the sense of responsibility of carrying the national flag change his awareness.
At the beginning of spring, I only said, "If I am selected for the (U-23 Japan national team), I want to do my best," but after the tournament, I expressed, "Playing for the national team is really fun. The number of people who can play there is limited, and it is a special existence to fight representing Japan." I also mentioned, "It was significant that I could enjoy it, including the pressure, and I want to play more and more in that kind of tension. After competing in the U-23 Asian Cup, I have come to want to participate in the Paris Olympics as well," indicating a significant change in my position.
The Paris Olympics will be the first world tournament for Matsuki. There will be a series of challenging matches to understand my current position. Of course, I welcome the pressure of fighting on behalf of Japan.
"I have never experienced a match with such tension like the U-23 Asian Cup, but I found those matches to be more enjoyable. I think this is part of my personality, as I felt no tension at all and was able to perform at a higher level than I usually do. At the Paris Olympics, I want to confirm my position in the world and see how much I can achieve. I believe it will be an event where I can truly feel how amazing my peers from around the world are. Of course, I don't want to lose to them, and I want to keep winning on such stages to increase my value."
The match against Niigata on July 13 at the Japan National Stadium holds a symbolic meaning as a farewell match for the tournament, alongside Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who will also participate in the Paris Olympics. Grateful for the six months spent in Tokyo, he expresses his determination to repay the selection for the Olympic team in this last domestic match before heading to Paris and to represent Tokyo in the battle against the world.
"If I hadn't transferred to Tokyo, I don't think I would have been selected for the Paris Olympics. I am truly grateful to the fans and supporters who welcomed me warmly. The match at the National Stadium is really a game we must win, both to boost my momentum towards Paris and as a team. First, I want to do my best in Tokyo, achieve results, and go to Paris. And in Paris, I want to represent Tokyo and promote 'FC Tokyo' to the world."
After the match against Niigata, Araki will depart for Paris, and both those sending him off and him share the same feelings. As he spoke about wanting to leave behind "goals and victory" for the game at the National stadium, we want to witness Araki's determination and send him off to Paris with victory and smiles.
