Rising from the academy, a young point-getter achieved promotion to the top team with the goal of becoming a great striker. Taiyo YAMAGUCHI, who says "I want to be a reliable player like Diego," aims not only for personal growth as a player, but also for the club's dream of winning the league. His greatest weapon is his outstanding scoring sense. Overcoming injuries, he is starting a big challenge and what is his mindset and future vision that he holds in his heart?
──FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi won the Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-15) in their third year of junior high school.
I had never been to a national tournament since I was in elementary school, so I was really happy to win the national championship in my last summer of junior high school. I had always wanted to move up to the top team since then.
──It has been said that you were conscious of promoting to the top from U-15 Musashi, but what did you envision for yourself when you were promoted to U-18?
First, I was thinking about participating in the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Soccer Premier League and getting involved in national team activities. In my first year of high school, I couldn't really get involved in the Premier League, but in my second year, I was able to play in games and I feel like I got on track from there. Personally, scoring 10 goals in the Premier League and achieving results in the U-17 Japan national team in my second year of high school has given me confidence.
──And the promotion to the top team has been officially decided.
3I got injured right after becoming a third-year student, and for a while I was worried about what would happen. However, I was promoted after being evaluated for what I had built up until then, and I was honestly happy about that.
What did you gain from representing Japan in different age groups?
In the national team, the players around me are very skilled, and there are more variations in movement after receiving a pass. I can also do more things myself, and foreign players are physically superior, strong, and fast, so it's a really good experience to see how much I can compete with them.
──After graduating high school, you will immediately jump into the professional world. What are your thoughts on this?
As for myself, I have always had the desire to play professionally as soon as I graduate from high school. This time, I have been given the chance to challenge myself by being promoted to the top team, so I just want to give it my all.
──Already participated in the top practice match, what kind of impact will it have?
It was really exciting to be able to play with players like Diego TABA, whom I have been watching since I was little. The intensity and speed are completely different from U-18, so I get tired in ways I have never experienced before, but I feel like my level is improving in those areas.
──In the J League YBC Levain Cup, Divine OTANI, who is also a junior member of the U-18 team, scored a goal. How did you honestly feel about it?
At that time, I was injured and could only watch the game, so I just wanted to play as soon as possible. We played in the same position, so I was frustrated, but more than that, I had a strong desire to stand on that stage as well.
──The part that is useful in the top team.
U-15I have been watching Diego player since the Musashi era, so it was a great learning experience to be able to see him up close. His movements in front of the goal, including his shots, are on a completely different level. It was very helpful. Also, I think Diego player has a great sense of trust. It's like "he will definitely score". I also think that in order to gain that kind of trust from those around me, I have to produce results.
──What are the strengths of player Yamaguchi?
I think my strength is scoring in front of the goal. In addition to shooting, I am also good at post-play and creating space in front. As for my sense of scoring, I have developed a sense of where my teammates are and where the ball will fall, so I feel like I have cultivated that sense.
──The top team will start from January 2025, and the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League will kick off in February. What kind of adjustments are you imagining?
From the perspective of playing in the game right away, I think I have to appeal in the January camp. As a forward, I have no choice but to leave results in the form of goals. My goal for next season is to be a forward who can score as soon as possible and help the team win while aiming to play in the game first.
──Do you have a strong desire to play at Ajinomoto Stadium?
I have received passionate support since my academy days, but being able to play at Ajinomoto Stadium and have more people watch me feels like a dream come true. I hope to score a goal in front of many fans and supporters and celebrate together with everyone.
Do you have any numerical goals?
I don't have specific numbers, but I want to score as many points as possible as quickly as possible.
──There are also many rivals. How do you plan to compete as a rookie?
I think I still haven't been able to make people understand my own play and strengths, so I have to be more proactive than the players around me to make them understand. I believe that I have to do more than the players who are already at the top in order to make my appeal.
──Is there anyone who is conscious of not wanting to lose to this player?
There are players of the same generation who are already playing overseas, and there are also players like Kashima Antlers' Tokuda who have been selected as the J1 Monthly Best Goal in the top team of J clubs in Japan. First of all, I want to catch up with them.
──If you were to name a player you want to compete against in the J-League.
This is Kawasaki Frontale's Takai player. He has also made his debut for the Japan national team and has won the Best Young Player Award at this season's J.League Awards, so I want to play against him, surpass him, and win.
──The players we aim for, including those overseas.
This is Karim Benzema. When I played with Cristiano Ronaldo and others at Real Madrid, I was able to do my job well in front of the goal, not just scoring goals, but also showing versatility by creating chances. I am taking that into consideration.
──We will be challenging the top team of blue and red, boasting a strong roster.
All of the players here are great references, but if you only use them as references, you won't be able to surpass them. If you can fight here and play in games, I think you will become a player who can fight anywhere. They are my teammates, but I believe that the experience of winning against such amazing players and being able to play in games can only be gained here.
──What do you want to be called by fans and supporters?
"Sun".That's all there is.
──I think there are high expectations for pulling Tokyo from here. What kind of player do you want to become?
Diego Taba is not particularly tall, but it's amazing that he has been playing the role of a reliable forward for many years. I also want to become that kind of player and I believe that if I can score goals, we won't lose the game. So I want to contribute to the team's goal of winning the league by producing good results.
♢ Taiyo YAMAGUCHI Profile
Date of Birth: August 18, 2006
Height/Weight: 183cm/79kg
Hometown: Saitama.S
Career: FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi → FC Tokyo U-18
Representative History: U-17 Japan National Team
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
