April 13, 2024. In the J1 League, the match against Verdy, which was realized for the first time in 16 seasons, saw us facing a two-goal deficit in the first half and being pushed into a crisis with a player sent off. In front of the dejected blue and red, the green was bubbling with excitement. The Ajinomoto Stadium, usually our home, was engulfed by the "farthest color."
The heavy atmosphere was swept away by the player wearing number 22. Just 7 minutes after stepping onto the pitch, in the 68th minute, he scored from a counter-attack with a cross from Kosuke SHIRAI, closing the gap to one goal. Then, in what was almost the last play of the match, in the 90+4th minute, he struck with his left foot in front of the goal. He delivered a powerful shot, preserving the pride of the blue and red. At that moment, the name Keita ENDO was also etched into the club's history.
"I think that match was a game that changed how I was perceived when I came to Tokyo. This season, I've missed many games due to injury, and I haven't even reached half of the playing time, and with only 4 goals, the results are not satisfying. However, when I talk to fans and supporters, I often hear about those 2 goals. I believe they were extremely important goals. I realized that the passion fans and supporters have for the derby is stronger than I had thought."
Endo reflected on his two remarkable goals, including his first goal in Tokyo, as an important memory, but without hesitation, he continued with, "But..." and his true feelings slipped out.
"As a result, we haven't won. In that situation, drawing with ten men has turned into a good story, but that's not the case. Honestly, the players weren't able to respond to the atmosphere of the fans and supporters in the first half."
The man who experienced a "truly brutal atmosphere, a battle for the dignity of the city" as a member of Union Berlin during his time in Germany, and as a player for Eintracht Braunschweig against Hannover, is one who knows that in a derby, the result is everything.
"Since the last match ended in a draw, I believe the next match is where we will settle things. No matter how messy it gets, or how many cards we receive, we must win by any means necessary against our opponent. I think the derby is built on the feelings, rivalries, and history of both fans and supporters, so I want to cherish the happiness of being able to play in such an environment and fight hard."
Endo, who speaks straightforwardly and sometimes sends a strong message to the team, feels that it is frustrating to have barely brought home 1 point from the match against Gamba Osaka two games ago, and to have faced the humiliation of a 0-3 score at home against Kawasaki Frontale in the last match. Despite being in a position where they could still aim for the top after the break, they failed to accumulate points in these two matches and have completely fallen out of the race for the top spots. He expresses his sense of crisis directly and without hiding the current situation.
"Even if Gamba Osaka plays a game with little content against Kawasaki, I believe there is a thin thread that connects us thanks to the support of our fans and supporters. However, if we lose here, there is a real possibility of being abandoned. It is undoubtedly a very important match for the club. I think it will be a pivotal game."
To shout "Tokyo is blue and red" and to demonstrate the dignity of the capital club, losing at home, Ajinomoto Stadium, is absolutely unacceptable. In front of a game where only victory is the correct answer, Endo's determination is resolute.
"Whoever becomes the hero, as long as we win, that's what matters. However, players need to stand out. Given the last match, I know I will be in the spotlight, but that just makes me want to score again even more."
Four months after saving the team from the brink of defeat and etching his name in the club's history, Keita ENDO will become a legend on August 17, 2024.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
