It was five years ago before the opening. Keigo Higashi said, "I haven't heard of two things suddenly, but..." and smiled bitterly. First, he was nominated as the successor of the number 10 from Yohei Kajiyama, who retired after the 2018 season, and entrusted with the captain's armband by coach Kenta Hasegawa. He was burdened with two heavy responsibilities at once, and continued, "To be honest, it's heavy."
"There are a lot of worries (bitter smile). But, I want to continue growing with this team. If that can become a good pressure, it would be great. A win-win situation? I hope so."
I have been asked many times about my ideal number 10 and captain figure. Every time, I would twist my head and try to come up with an answer. However, I always remember that I used to say "I don't know" as a preface. Perhaps I have been trying to find my own color by groping in the dark.
In the 2019 season, Tokyo came closer than ever to winning the league title and went on to achieve their third Levain Cup victory in the following season. With each passing year, I have strongly thought, "I want to make this team stronger. I want to win in Tokyo." Looking back now, I think that's when I fell even more in love with soccer and Tokyo.
It has always been like that.
"We want to win together as a team." That's what I've been saying. I may not understand the weight of love, but I've always shown it through my actions, not just words, for the sake of my teammates. That's the image of Keigo Higashi, the number 10 and captain that I know.
Tokyo struggled a lot after handing over the armband in the 2022 season. It was the same this season. Although they made the bench in the opening game, they did not get a chance to start. After the 5th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, they suffered a strained right thigh muscle and were away from the front line for about 2 months. Even when they returned, they didn't have a place for themselves. They continued to be left out of the bench lineup. They may have felt like they were being left out somewhere.
"I have always aimed for the league championship every season, so there have been frustrating and thoughtful moments. That's why I even wanted to be used more effectively. It's not about playing in the game. I'm not the type to rot if I can't play in the game. I have experience in this world, and I felt that there was more I could do. I have been listening to the team's struggles and have been able to convey within my limits. However, there are limitations when you are not playing in the game. You can't understand the temperature without going through the difficult times together. It doesn't affect the opponent, and it feels like I'm just talking from the sidelines. Honestly, I thought that was difficult."
Still, he tightly clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. Even during the grueling summer practices with the younger players, he never skipped a beat and never complained. At 34 years old, he continued to fight. If he could hold on here, another chance would come. "Someday... someday again," he counted on his fingers, waiting for his turn.
After about 4 months of such time, I will make the bench in the 24th section Kashima Antlers game on July 20th.
However, in the next two consecutive games, he was only on the bench, and in the rivalry match against Kawasaki Frontale and Tokyo Verdy, he was once again pushed out of the bench. The tension was so high that it could have snapped at any moment.
There was someone watching over such an appearance of Higashi. After the Kashima game, Takashi HARA, who will coach the top team from this season, called out to him during the off-season.
"If I won't be evaluated any further... At that timing, Okuhara-san called me and we had a conversation about various things. I really think that was a big thing."
Okuhara, who wore the blue and red number 10 for the first time in his active career, said, "I've always felt like I understand the pressure of not being able to wear the number 10 more than others. Everyone expects it, and the frustration of being thought of as not being able to wear the number 10 can turn into a rebellious spirit. I've also gone through that, and I've always believed that Keigo will be fine as long as he has the opportunity."
In the later years of his career, Keigo HIGASHI had a similar experience. He knew that having someone who understood him by his side could be a great source of comfort. That's why he quietly kept an eye on LORI and knew that he was needed by the team for game control and leading the players. I've always thought that Keigo was necessary for us to win, so I've been waiting for the opportunity to help him.
Okuhara realized that the limit of the East was near. "I was holding on and barely managing to stay in the game," he said. So he immediately took action and asked coach Peter Cklamovski, "How can Keigo play in the game after working so hard?" The coach responded, "I trust him and he is one of my favorite players." "If that's the case, I think it's tough for him to know how to play in the game," he advised. He also conveyed this response to Higashi, who had made his first appearance in about five months in the 28th round match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. on August 24th.
"Even if I thought I played well, it often didn't seem to come across. I started to wonder why I was even doing this, it's getting tough. But then Okuhara-san talked to me. It made me happy to know that there was someone who understood."
Continuing, Sanfrecce Hiroshima's match also saw a dramatic change when they came on as a substitute. The team managed to close the gap from being 3 points behind to just 1, and Higashi reflects on the match by saying, "I didn't do anything special."
"I was prepared to leave an impact in the given time. I fought at key moments and from the outside, I played with the idea of what was missing and what could be improved. Until then, I had been pushing too far forward, so I switched to the opposite side or deliberately mixed in long balls. I was able to play with the image of how to make fast vertical attacks work and bring them to life in the game."
And finally, the long-awaited moment arrives. On September 14th, in the 31st round match against Nagoya Grampus at the Japan National Stadium, the opportunity for the first starting lineup of the season finally came. Before the match, Higashi said, "Just being able to play in a match is enjoyable when you haven't played in so many matches," revealing his struggles.
"I've always been asked by my daughter, 'Why can't I enter with daddy?' There were times when those words really hit me."
Holding his daughter's hand and carrying his son, number 10 was full of energy on the pitch. It was the 13th minute of the first half. From their own half, Ryotaro ARAKI sent a vertical pass to Teruhito NAKAGAWA on the front line, who boldly ran into the goal area to receive it. Acting as a decoy, he created space and then pushed the rebound from NAKAGAWA's shot into the goal with his momentum.
The team started off with a first goal that excited the large crowd gathered at the National Stadium, and went on to achieve a season-high 4-0 victory. The voices that had been quiet until then were now full of energy, with one fan saying, "The goal was amazing, it was too good to be true," and laughing, feeling like a proud father.
"I was most happy to be able to enter with my children. However, I was just looking forward to enjoying soccer. I haven't played in many games, so just being able to play on this national stage makes me feel happy. As a player and as a father, I want to show a cool side. Not just scoring goals, but also showing my children how hard I am fighting on the pitch."
Not just scoring. The determination of the 16th professional season was packed everywhere. He made quick adjustments to his teammates' positions and continued to encourage them with his voice. He played fluidly as if he had grown wings, and continued to show the other players who were stuck, "This is how you should do it. You can also do it like this." He successfully brought together a team that had been scattered, opened the door to victory that had been closed for about two months, and brought joy to the blue and red team for the first time in seven games.
"I don't know everything, and I don't think I'm always right. It's important to do what is expected of me, and if it goes well, that's great. But if not, I have to think and make decisions based on the situation. I've played in many games in Tokyo, and I have to give back and share my experiences. Not just with words, but also with my play. But I think it's only when we play together that we can show that. I think I was able to show a little bit of that."
After this victory, the team will return to Ajinomoto Stadium for a 3-game winning streak. As we continue to play, our performance has improved, just like the surrounding area has been revitalized. Over the past few seasons, we have faced negative words and criticism. However, number 10 has proven that he is essential to the blue and red team. I have always considered the fans and supporters as my comrades. So──.
"I don't really care about critical words. It's also part of soccer, so I want you to say whatever you think. On the contrary, it's uncomfortable to be praised for playing poorly, and it's good to have various opinions. But it doesn't affect me at all. I'm really happy and grateful for the people who support me. But I don't really think about negative opinions."
Higashi said, "But more importantly, it's been amazing lately," and moved on to the next topic.
"The fans and supporters have also come together. They are full of spirit, and that is being conveyed to the players. It's reassuring to have that kind of support even when playing away. Everyone is responding to it with intense play. It really feels like we are fighting together, and that's what makes it so great. We have to do our best to become first place. It may sound extreme, but if there is even a 1% chance of becoming first, we have to fight for it. That's why every single game is important. There's nothing else we can do. From here on out, it's about how we can express ourselves in the remaining games. It doesn't matter who the opponent is or what the standings are, we have to approach every game as the most important one."
The ideal number 10 is──. The Tokyo-based person is still unable to answer that question.
"I was asked a lot when I wore the number 10 at the London Olympics, but to be honest, I don't really understand it. I do think that the number 10 is cool. It has a strong image of being a technician or a fantasista, but for me, it's not just that. I fight and get covered in mud after the game is over. But lately, I've come to think that even a number 10 covered in mud is cool. So I think that kind of number 10 is also good. I don't know if I'm living up to the expectations of those around me, but I play with pride and pride."
No matter how close I came to giving up, the pride I have stored in the number 10 on my back always gave me courage from behind. Even Okuhara, who pushed me from behind, said with narrowed eyes, "I only have trust in Keigo now." It is by connecting and bonding like these two that the team will become stronger.
"When I was struggling, I thought that Mr. Okuhara, who spoke to me, had manliness and that he was a trustworthy person. I don't want to talk about anything other than my true feelings. Because it's meaningless to pretend or show off. Not just soccer, but life is like that."
I have lived my life without considering good or bad, profit or loss, but rather following beauty and ugliness as my guide. I struggle and express my honest feelings, always seeking out new scenery. In the past few seasons, I have become even more manly and exude a certain ruggedness.
Only Keigo HIGASHI comes to mind, the number 10 in blue and red suits him best──.
Text by Koji Baba (Freelance Writer)
