"What it takes to be a professional"
Serious efforts in the first season after promotion to the top team
GK 31 Masataka KOBAYASHI
Each player has a story. Introducing the 2024 PLAYER'S REVIEW, featuring all the blue and red warriors who fought through the season. What thoughts did they have while going through the season? Confidence, progress, challenges, joy, regret... Each one will look back on their battles this season, in their own words.
Masataka KOBAYASHI, who was promoted from U-18 to the top team in his first season. Competing with experienced and accomplished seniors was not easy, and unfortunately he was unable to participate in official matches. However, the understanding he gained in his mind and the difference he felt on his skin must have been an invaluable asset. Let's look back on his 2024 season, where he laid the foundation for his professional career.
With four goalkeepers vying for a spot in Tokyo, it was not easy for the rookie who had just been promoted from U-18 to make an impact in official matches. However, as autumn deepens, their reliability gradually increases and their growth can be seen in their performance during practice matches and training.
That's why I've gradually come to understand the differences between my seniors Tsuyoshi Kodama, Go Hatano, and Taishi Brandon Nozawa.
"I knew it would be difficult to change my rank quickly as a high school graduate and a goalkeeper in my first year as a professional, but after experiencing this season, I have felt firsthand the reason why I have been able to fight in the professional world for so long, by seeing the greatness of my senior's efforts both on and off the pitch."
The criteria for senior players to be selected as members is first and foremost their simple ability as a player to defend the goal. In addition, it is also about the trust from the coach, staff, and teammates. When comparing the individual abilities of goalkeepers, there may not be a significant difference. However, without closing this gap, it will be difficult to seize opportunities.
"I think it's important to keep challenging. If you stop, you'll just become an ordinary goalkeeper. I think having a mentality to challenge everything could be one of the factors for being chosen as a member."
Another thing, to improve as a professional goalkeeper, a certain amount of training is necessary. In the first season of promotion to the top, I also experienced cases where my body felt heavy when I entered the pitch due to strength training off the pitch.
"Even in that state, I have to do it. My body feels heavy and I lose motivation, but I try to stay stable."
While feeling the pain of the professional wall, on the other hand, thanks to that, physical strengthening has progressed and the burden of training has become less intense, which is a bright material for the future.
"Even if it's difficult to maintain a sense of the game, I think I can show an aggressive attitude of trying to leave something behind during play. It's not just about standing there, but I think the biggest growth has been being able to stand on the pitch as a goalkeeper while thinking about what I should do."
In the 2024 season, the future candidate for goalkeeper watched and felt the senior's performance at the top level, and began to work on their own physical transformation. The sincere and diligent efforts and new discoveries should serve as preparation for success in the J-League.
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
