TOKYOism

We must face reality
and do our best together

Frustrating. Just frustrating. In his second season with the blue and red, captain Kei Koizumi repeatedly uttered the same phrase as he looked back on the 2024 season. The players on the pitch need to do more──. How does number 37, who led the team with a fighting spirit in light of the growing frustration this season, perceive what is necessary for the blue and red to truly become strong?

Q, First of all, please give us your thoughts on this season.
A, I think it was a disappointing result, just like last season.

Q, Was it a matter of not being able to compete for the title or the championship?
A, That's exactly right. In the past two seasons, we have not been able to compete for a spot in the AFC Champions League or the J1 League championship until the final match. We were not able to play the kind of game that fans and supporters want to see, or the kind of game we envisioned. However, I believe it is our own strength, so even though it may be frustrating, we must accept this reality as a team.

Q, Koizumi joined Tokyo from last season and I think he faced this season with the regret of last season. Is that "regret" the same as last season?
A, Last season was my first year joining the team, so I was able to play at my own pace and get a grasp of the players and their strengths while also trying to show my own style. This season, as a second year player and captain, I received a message from Morikun (Masato MORISHIGE) before the start of the season saying, "The veteran players need to step up even more." This season, we have three captains and when Matsuki Kuryu (Kuryu MATSUKI) transferred overseas in the summer, I made up my mind to take on the role. My feelings are completely different from last season. However, in the end, nothing changed. That is the honest answer and to be honest, I haven't achieved anything personally for two consecutive years. In this world, results are everything. No matter how hard you work, if you can't produce results, you won't be recognized. We are all professionals and we must take our roles as professional soccer players seriously.

Q, Do you feel a heavier responsibility than last season, regardless of the position of captain?
A, yes. Especially this season, even though I was entrusted with that position, I couldn't change anything. That's the result of the 2024 season. I'll say it again, no matter how hard you try, the result is everything. So, we have to do more and we still lacked something to win. I see it as both individually and as a team.

Q: What is "something missing"?
A, I think there are a lot of them. Not big ones, but a lot of small ones. Even before I came, we finished the season in this ranking every year. And even though everyone is not satisfied, there must be a reason why it doesn't change. First and foremost, it's up to the players to produce results, so the players need to do more, they need to work harder. However, I think it's tough to keep winning just by the players' efforts, and it's the same if only the coach and the staff on the field work hard. To go further, even if only the club staff, including the president and the strengthening department, partners, and fans and supporters, work hard, it's still tough. It's difficult to keep winning just by each person's efforts. That's why everyone involved with Tokyo should think about what we can do to make this team stronger, how we can win, and what the difference is between us and the club that wins. We need to face these things not as someone else's problem, but as our own. It's not about blaming others or finding faults, but about thinking together. I think everyone is aware of the current negative trend, so let's spread the word and take action.
I am still in my second year, but I think there are more people who have been watching Tokyo for a long time, including fans and supporters, so I want everyone to use more and more energy to change Tokyo. Of course, everyone is working hard, but as a player, I want to emphasize that we, including myself, need to do more.

Q, what do you see as the biggest problem?
A, maybe if it was a visible problem, I think we would have won the championship before I came. Tokyo has only won titles in cup competitions, but considering that trend, I think it's difficult because we don't understand "this" problem. If we knew the answer, it would have changed a long time ago. On the other hand, I think everyone feels a sense of accomplishment and new players come in with strong feelings, so when we can win the league title together, maybe we will understand that "something". I don't know if it's when I'm here or not, but it would be the best if we could win the league title while I'm still here.

Q, It's difficult to put into words, isn't it?
A, If you have an answer like "this" within yourself, that's good, but it's really difficult. I feel that there are problems that can be changed immediately and problems that cannot be changed immediately. That's more of a team aspect than an individual one. So, it's frustrating that I couldn't change anything during this season when I was the captain. I decided to do it myself, so I should have done more. In order to change this team, I definitely need to use more energy. That was my own lack of ability.

Q, what is that energy?
A, It is important to speak strongly without taking away your true character. Say clearly what is wrong. Whether you are playing in the game or not, you must be able to say that something is wrong. I really feel that I was lacking in strength there.

Q, how do you feel about the soccer field on the pitch?
A, I don't think we will get the same answer if we ask all the players, "What is Tokyo soccer?" That's because we couldn't find the right shape when we were not in agreement. That's one answer, isn't it? However, as I have said many times, there are things that individual players can do. If one, two, or three players can carry, peel off, and defend, we can get closer to victory. First of all, I think that it's because I don't have that ability that I ended up in this position, and before talking about tactics, (as an individual) you need the ability to defend alone and be involved in about 10 goals as a defensive midfielder or full-back. As a single player, it was a frustrating season following last season.

Q, please tell us what you are strongly thinking about for the upcoming season.
A, I think there will be a tough battle waiting for us next season. The place we are aiming for is not easy to reach or obtain. There are players who have experienced winning the league, but each and every player needs to do more. In order to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves, we have no choice but to come together and work as one while discussing together. Simply put, we have to do it. That's all.

Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)