Despite showing outstanding attacking ability,
the second half of the season was plagued by injuries.
DF 49 Kashif BANGNAGANDE
People, players, and stories. Introducing the 2024 PLAYER'S REVIEW, featuring all the blue and red warriors who fought through the 2024 season. What were their thoughts and feelings during the season? Confidence, progress, challenges, joy, and regret... Each player will reflect on their battles this season in their own words.
After a successful season, Kashif BANGNAGANDE aimed for further improvement this year. He demonstrated outstanding attacking abilities and secured a regular position as a left-back from the beginning of the season. However, he suffered an injury before his goal of participating in the Paris Olympics. His rehabilitation did not go as planned, and it became a season of struggle for him. What were the thoughts of the left-back, who was raised in the blue and red academy?
It was a frustrating season. In his fifth year since being promoted to the top team, Kashif BANGNAGANDE was determined and excited for the season to start before the Paris Olympics in the summer. From the training camp, he showed his determination to achieve results and naturally started to speak about his awareness and determination as a key player. "I will do it this season!" When I heard those words with his trademark gentle smile, I couldn't help but have high expectations.
He showed an outstanding performance in the early stages of the season, just as those words suggest. He grabbed the starting position as a left back and in March, he achieved his first victory with 1 goal and 1 assist in the 4th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Avispa Fukuoka. He continued to start until the 17th round against Sagan Tosu.
Solidifying his regular position, he scored his second career high goal in the 11th section against Kyoto Sanga F.C. This also became his first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium.
It was just after that that an accident occurred. In early June, Yoshifumi Kashiho, who had participated in the final selection for the Paris Olympics, was injured during the American expedition and had to leave the team. He was forced to return home and was ultimately not selected for the main tournament. After that, his recovery did not progress as expected and he continued to struggle with his condition.
However, when I heard the story at the end of the season, there was Kaisho who was firmly looking ahead.
"It's frustrating to have to leave when I was having a good start as an individual, my condition was improving, and I was able to put up good numbers. It's also frustrating that I could only contribute to the team for half of the season. But I've accepted that 'getting injured can't be helped' and I'm trying to stay positive. I can't change the past, so I'm focusing on what I can do now."
Mid-November has arrived and we can finally see players kicking the ball on the field. "It's fun to go outside (laughs). When I see everyone playing soccer, I also want to play and that feeling hasn't weakened at all, so I want to play as soon as possible."
The eyes that told me so were looking straight ahead. I'm looking forward to seeing the stronger figure of Kashiho, who has grown one or two sizes, from now on.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
