April 13, 2024. In the J1 League, the match against Tokyo Verdy, which had not been realized for 16 seasons, was in a desperate situation, with two points behind in the first half and a player sent off. The green team was cheering in front of the blue and red team, who were feeling down. The Ajinomoto Stadium, which is usually home to the team, was swallowed up by the "farthest color".
Number 22 sweeps away such a heavy atmosphere. Just 7 minutes after stepping onto the pitch, in the 23rd minute of the second half, he kicks in a cross from Kosuke SHIRAI on the counter to narrow the gap to one point. Then, in the almost last play of the game in the 45+4th minute of the second half, he flashes his left foot in front of the goal. He strikes a powerful shot and preserves the blue and red pride. At the same time, it was also the moment when the name of player Keita ENDO was engraved in the club's history.
"I think that game was a game that changed how I was seen when I came to Tokyo. This season, there have been many games that I couldn't play due to injury, and I haven't even reached half of the playing time, and the result of 4 goals is not satisfactory. However, even when talking to fans and supporters, there are many opportunities to talk about those 2 goals. I think those goals were very important. I was able to understand the strong feelings that fans and supporters have for the derby, more than I thought."
Endo, who looked back on the two important goals, including his first goal in Tokyo, as a precious memory, couldn't help but let out his true feelings after saying, "But..." without pausing.
"We didn't win in the end. Even though we drew with 10 players in that situation, it's being portrayed as a heroic tale, but that's not the case. Honestly, in the first half, the players weren't able to respond to the atmosphere of the fans and supporters."
During his time in Germany, he experienced the intense atmosphere and fierce battles between Hertha Berlin and Hannover as a member of Union Berlin and Eintracht Braunschweig, respectively. He knows that in derbies, the result is everything.
"Since the last game ended in a draw, I think the next game will be the one to settle it. Even if it's a bit dirty, we have to win no matter what cards we get. It's a derby that is made possible by the feelings, grudges, and history of both fans and supporters, so I want to savor the happiness of being able to play in such an environment and fight."
Endo, who always speaks his mind and sometimes sends strong messages to the team, could only bring back one point from the previous match against Gamba Osaka, and was handed a humiliating 0-3 score at home in the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale. After the break, despite still being in a position to aim for the top, they were unable to gain points in these two matches and have completely dropped out of the top fight. Without hiding the current situation, he is expressing his sense of crisis straight to the point.
"Even if Gamba Osaka and Kawasaki have a lackluster game, the fans and supporters will give us a boost and I think there is a thin thread connecting us. But if we lose here, there is a possibility that we will be completely abandoned. There is no doubt that this is a very important match for the club. I think it will be a turning point game."
To shout "Tokyo is blue and red", to show the dignity of the capital club, it is absolutely unacceptable to lose at home at Ajinomoto Stadium. Before the game where only victory is the correct answer, Endo's determination is already set.
"No matter who becomes the hero, the most important thing is to win. However, players are always in the spotlight. Because of the previous game, I know that I will be noticed, but if that's the case, I want to score one more goal."
Four months after saving the team from the crisis of defeat and etching his name in club history, Keita ENDO will become a legend on August 17, 2024.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
