Half season of a nice guy who came from the other side of the world
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.
From the freezing winter of Porto Alegre (Brazil) to the scorching summer of Tokyo. The transfer to the blue and red team was Ewerton Gaudino's first challenge abroad. His determination to overcome difficult environments and team situations was noteworthy. Let's look back on his half season playing as a right winger and attacking midfielder for the blue and red team.
In August 2024, Ewerton Gaudino arrived in Kobehira from the other side of the Earth. It was his first transfer to a foreign club, and Porto Alegre is located on the southern side near Uruguay. August in the southern hemisphere is mid-winter. For Ewerton, who came from a cooler region, the heat of Japan was one of the reasons he was confused, along with his first transfer abroad.
It was definitely a difficult situation to transfer. However, when he was used in the attacking position on the right in the first practice match after joining, he actively went to receive the ball and played a role as a lubricant to move the entire team by supplying the ball to his teammates. His play as a team player was particularly outstanding during a period of intense heat where the team's overall performance was low and coordination was not smooth. Looking back at that time, he said, "At first, I didn't understand the strengths of those around me, but I made an effort to understand each other." His efforts immediately after joining may have been the result of his efforts to adapt.
The attitude of bringing out the strengths of the teammates was demonstrated even in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 29 match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, which was faced with difficult conditions due to the influence of a typhoon. It was his first starting appearance. "As you know, there were various problems until we arrived. Unfortunately, we lost without being able to score our chances, but I don't think it was a bad game," he said. The cooperation with Diego OLIVEIRA was good, and in the beginning, we were able to enter the enemy's territory and create decisive opportunities, so there was a sense of regret towards the result.
After that, Evé, who had temporarily left due to poor condition, returned around October. In practice matches, he has been playing in the central position and has been seen scoring goals with a powerful left foot shot.
"There is a difference between playing on the wing and in the central 1.5 rows. On the side, there were some areas where it was difficult to be involved in the finish, but in the middle, I felt it was easier to play near Diego OLIVEIRA and that may have increased my chances of taking shots on my own."
Eve struggled to score goals in official matches. She had difficulty adapting to her positioning, but she showed great skill and felt a sense of accomplishment in improving her teamwork with her teammates.
"It's very frustrating not being able to score goals. Although it's a short period of time, I think my teammates are starting to understand my strengths, and I'm also starting to understand the playing style of Japanese players."
Joined during the toughest period and worked hard to adapt even with limited time. His unwavering positive attitude was a ray of hope for the blue and red team in the 2024 season.
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
