To become a winning team──
The determination to win strengthened by becoming captain
MF 37 Kei KOIZUMI
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.
"For the team" that Kei KOIZUMI has been fighting for since his transfer to Tokyo last season, and has been appointed as one of the team captains with a 3-man system in order to achieve league domination. However, he ended the year without being able to compete for the title. What did he feel, carrying the responsibility and frustration, about what is necessary to become a team that continues to win?
Throughout the season - and even since joining Tokyo last season - Kei Koizumi's words have not changed. Number 37, who has continued to play in order to bring the first league title in club history to the blue and red, carefully chooses his words as he expresses his feelings of disappointment and regret. If there is anything that has changed since last season, it may be that an additional year's worth of frustration has been added.
"It has been a frustrating year. Not just for me, but I think all the players, as well as the fans and supporters, and everyone involved with Tokyo, are feeling frustrated and disappointed. It has been a tough season."
After speaking on behalf of everyone, his words turned to the talk on the pitch. A man with a strong sense of responsibility and never straying from his own Victor, he accepted that "the players are responsible for producing results. So it's only natural that the players have responsibility," while revealing the struggles of the past two seasons.
"In the end, last season and this season have a similar feeling, and realistically, not much has changed. In order for this team to continue winning and aim for the championship, a solid foundation is necessary. We want to grasp a clear way of winning, such as playing this type of soccer."
On the other hand, there have been significant changes when looking at individuals. Despite being a three-person system, the appointment as team captain for the first time is a major topic. Originally, it was said that he was not the type to lead with words or actions, but rather to show with his back, and it may not have been a captain-like personality. However, from this season, he has finally been entrusted with an important position. Instead of imitating someone else, he has taken the lead in his own way and pulled the team along.
"If someone has to do it, and you don't want to, you can just say 'I don't want to.' I decided to do it this season, so I wanted to do it properly. Not being able to win the title means it was a year where I couldn't produce results. I have to become stronger, better, and a player who can lead the team to victory."
After putting on the blue and red uniform, there is hardly any interest shown in their own performance or numbers. Unless they bring a title to Tokyo, Koizumi will not feel satisfied. For a man who has always placed all his weight on whether the team wins or not, becoming captain has made this season even more focused on the desire for victory.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
