The conductor of the midfield that controls the attack
Became the cornerstone of the team in his first year after transfer
MF 8 Takahiro KO
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.
Takahiro KO, who has gathered the ball and trust from his surroundings in the position of a defensive midfielder, has become the backbone of the team. He showed a presence that was hard to believe for a first-year player, but there was also a time when he struggled at the beginning of the season. The conductor who controls the rhythm of the attack in the midfield and uses both fast and slow attacks has seen both rewards and challenges. What is necessary to lead both himself and the team to even greater heights?
It was a season that had an incredibly strong presence, not what you would expect from a first year team.
It's hard to believe now, but at first I was confused. Takahiro KO, who joined from Albirex Niigata, where organized soccer was established, was determined to return that experience to Tokyo. However, what awaited him was a team with players who each had strong individual abilities and a fast attacking style that utilized those abilities. Although I thought I understood, I struggled to fit in with the team. To make matters worse, he was left out of the starting lineup for the first three games. He could only watch from the sidelines as the team struggled to get their first win.
Despite that, the evaluation from my teammates was high, and I finally got a chance to start in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 4 match against Avispa Fukuoka. I approached the game with a determination of "if I can't produce results here, it's over," and controlled the game to bring the first victory of the season to the blue and red team. After that, I quickly became the core of the defensive midfield and took on the role of controlling the attack.
As he gained trust and the ball from those around him, Kuryu MATSUKI took over as one of the team's captains after his transfer overseas. Before he knew it, he had the most appearances and playing time in the league. Being constantly tested among strong individuals naturally led to his own improvement.
"I have been told by those around me that 'the scale has become larger' and 'there are more things I can do', and I have also felt my own growth. I really wanted to score more goals, but personally, it was the first time I scored two goals in one season. However, there were also missed opportunities, including a goal that was disallowed, so if I had scored them properly, I could have scored around five goals. I think if the defensive midfielder can score more goals, it will be a chance for the team to rise up in the rankings, so that is still a challenge."
Growth and challenges. The performance of a man who has continued to face both sides has become a barometer that affects the team's condition. Because he has stood on the pitch for longer than anyone else, the team's challenges are also clearly reflected.
"After playing one season, I strongly felt my weakness of not being able to win in crucial moments. I have a sense of losing every game that I thought "if I win here, I can go up" or "I can't lose here"."
There is no doubt that the "face" of this season is saying it. Yan, who has become a full member of the blue and red team, was looking towards the future with a strong sense of determination and frustration because he is serious.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
