From the academy, via Meiji University, to the top team──. Another passionate player with blue and red blood has returned to Tokyo. Kouta Toki, who missed the chance to be promoted to the top team during his time at FC Tokyo U-18, has grown significantly both as a player and as a person in university. He has evolved from an anchor-type player to one who fiercely battles from box to box, working on his own updates while being conscious of his senior, Shuto ABE, who has followed the same path. With a strong love for Tokyo in his heart, he is determined to take on the professional world.
──First of all, welcome back.
Thank you.
──I joined after FC Tokyo U-18 and Meiji University. What changes do you think you have undergone in these four years?
First of all, I think I have changed significantly in terms of my human qualities before soccer. Until then, I was very particular about how I wanted to play, especially during high school. However, that kind of individual play did not lead me to becoming a professional. After entering Meiji University, I started to listen to those around me and developed a sense of flexibility while maintaining my own principles. I learned from Coach Daisuke KURITA (Meiji University Athletic Association Soccer Club) that, in any situation, it is important not to overthink and to learn from the good qualities of others. Until then, I had built a wall at a certain point, thinking, 'It's impossible for me.' Instead of making such determinations, I have started to break down that wall and think differently. I believe I have grown to adopt the mindset that 'it's not impossible.'
──What areas have you grown in your play?
I feel that the area where I have grown the most is definitely in the broadening of my range. This applies to both my movement range and my field of vision. I entered the school thinking that my strengths were in my physical activity, ball contests, and transitions, but I received constant guidance from Coach Kurita on the areas where I could showcase those characteristics, especially in narrower spaces and in box-to-box situations. I have been very conscious of my movement range in both offense and defense.
──The trigger for such changes was largely missing out on promotion to the top team.
That's right. When I couldn't get promoted, I had decided that I was not the kind of player who could perform certain plays. Then, realizing that I couldn't get promoted, I came to think that I needed to be able to perform various plays and also to showcase my own characteristics more.
──Before the season started, did you feel that there were aspects of yourself that were effective while participating in the top team's camp or training in Kodaira?
When I was in my second year of high school, I participated in the J3 League with FC Tokyo U-23, but at that time I was overwhelmed and couldn't showcase my characteristics. Through participating in camps and practices, I gained confidence that not only the "three basic principles" of Meiji University (work rate, ball contests, transitions) apply, but also that my attacking momentum can be effective.
──The midfield in Tokyo is a highly competitive position. Have you considered other options?
Since I hadn't played in any matches during my first year, I had Mr. Kazunori YOSHIMOTO, the scout, come to me, and I had no other thoughts at all. I believed that competing in a high-level environment in Tokyo and actually playing in matches was what gave value to being a football player, so there were no other options for me.
──As a professional, how do you want to shape your career from here?
I believe that graduates are no longer young and that I have been brought in as an immediate asset. The current team has a very strong depth in the defensive midfield position, and I think there are many high-level players. However, I want to showcase my characteristics without being intimidated and aim for a starting position in the opening match, as well as become a player who can lead Tokyo to the league championship as a central figure in the team. I consider myself a defensive player, skilled in challenges, anticipation, recovering second balls, and taking the ball away from opponents. For those who knew me during my academy days, I might have the image of an anchor-type player, but I want to be a player who moves vigorously from box to box and contributes both defensively and offensively. I believe that winning the ball in defense can also start an attack, so if I win the ball, it means I've taken one player out of the play. I want to maintain strong defensive intensity while also being a driving force in attack. I aspire to be a player who can make decisive defensive plays that can determine the outcome of the match and score goals to secure victories. I know it sounds a bit greedy, though.
──Indeed, during my time at FC Tokyo U-18, I was a player who led the team with my voice and scored in crucial moments. I also have the desire to show the fans and supporters who have supported me since my academy days that kind of play again.
During my elementary school days at Regista FC, I was always told to focus on winning and never to lose. Of course, there is an aspect of wanting to enjoy soccer, but once you play, you must have the mindset of not losing to the opponent in front of you, and the determination to score at crucial moments has always been instilled in me. I think that matched well with FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa and FC Tokyo U-18. I believe I possess a certain competitiveness or instinct for winning. I think I have shown that since my academy days, and I want to prove that I can do it in the professional world as well.
──I think that my playing style is similar to that of my senior Shuto ABE, who followed the same path from the academy to Meiji University (currently at RWD Molenbeek). Do you aspire to succeed in Tokyo and make a name for yourself in the world like him?
That's right, after entering Meiji University, Coach Kurita constantly made me aware of "If Abe were here, he would have done this, if Abe were here, he would have done that." There were times when I was told, "If Abe were here, he would have done it this way, but your play is still small." Since I've been compared all the time, I am indeed conscious of it. However, I am myself, so while showcasing my own characteristics, I want to become a player who can represent Tokyo and go out into the world like my senior Abe.
──Does having players you played with during your academy days make it easier?
That's right. Even when I went to camp, there were many players I met during my academy days, so I was able to fit in right away, and communication was easy. I shared a room with Taishi Brandon NOZAWA in a two-person room at the FC Tokyo U-18 dormitory. He was always participating in the top team's practices, while I was always coming back from school to go to FC Tokyo U-18 practices. He was always ahead of me, so I definitely wanted to catch up and surpass him. He is a very significant and important presence for me, and I am aware of that.
──Did you have any thoughts when Nozawa was selected for the Japan national team for the AFC Asian Cup 2023?
I immediately contacted you to say "Congratulations." However, in my heart, I was thinking, "I will definitely not lose."
──Soma ANZAI, who played together at FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, has also made his debut ahead of schedule. How did you see that?
I entered the professional world a year earlier than university, but I didn't feel any pressure there. I really feel like I'm part of the team, and I think my playing time is quite high within the team, which is really motivating. There are many players who are very successful and ahead of me, which is very inspiring and fuels my determination to succeed as well.
I understand that players from the academy via university are struggling in the top team, and I also had considerable determination to jump into an environment where I didn't know what my chances of playing would be.
I have seen Shuto OKANIWA and Tsubasa TERAYAMA go on loan and not even make it to the bench, and I think there is a possibility that I could face the same situation. However, what to do when I can't play is something I learned at Meiji University, and there are options to play in the J2 League or J3 League categories, but I believe that with my age of 22, my professional career won't be very long. I have the ambition to challenge from the start in the J1 League and ultimately win it. With determination, I always think that I will definitely succeed.
──A player who we hope will one day wear the captain's armband has returned to the blue and red. There is also a great expectation for the academy graduate to make his presence felt in the changing team.
Having been nurtured at FC Tokyo U-15, and joining FC Tokyo U-18, I believe I possess a sense of love for Tokyo and the blue-red spirit more than other players. This season, we may not have achieved results in the league, and it might seem like a tough situation. However, I believe that at Tokyo, we have the environment, players, and staff capable of reaching the top. I want to project a presence that allows me to be at the center of our journey towards that peak.
──Kumatoriya Issei and Uchida Yosuke, who were classmates at Meiji University, will wear green uniforms. If we end up facing each other, it will probably be a match that ignites more passion than usual.
Since both of them are really close, I asked, "Are you really going?" (laughs). I have thought since I joined Fukagawa that I shouldn't wear anything green. I have been told the same by Takashi HARA and Masato OTA. So, even now, I don't wear anything green. I have that kind of feeling on a regular basis, so I can't even imagine losing. I definitely want to win.
──I'm looking forward to reuniting with Mr. Okuhara and the people who took care of me during my academy days.
When I participated in the camp and practice, I was told, "You still have a long way to go." When I joined the practice around summer, I was told, "I'll test how much you've improved in stopping and kicking." Mr. Okuhara skillfully guides me to bring out my motivation. I believe there are expectations involved, so I hope to meet those expectations and become even more than that.
──When I talk to the academy staff, I really feel a sense of attachment and expectation. How do you want to respond to the expectations from the coaches involved?
Because it requires effort, I might be seen that way. I really did whatever I wanted in the academy. When it was decided that I wouldn't be promoted to the top team, I thought, 'Then I won't go anymore.' However, if I hadn't joined Fukagawa, I wouldn't be who I am today, and I believe that without my time in U-18, I wouldn't have become a professional. I want to express my gratitude for that. Moreover, with my height and not having high physical abilities, I think that players like me can enter and succeed in Tokyo's top team, not just for the academy staff but also as hope for the players currently in the academy. I want to work hard from here to become a representative player of the academy.
──Finally, could you say a few words to the fans and supporters?
Since the time of FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, I believe there is no other team that supports academy players to that extent. This is one of the factors that has greatly increased my "love for Tokyo." I also have a desire to meet the expectations of those who have supported me, so I am truly grateful and I am determined to become a player who is even more supported. I hope to be able to evolve over the four years at university.
♢Kyota Tokiwa Profile
Date of Birth: April 9, 2002
Height/Weight: 173cm/70kg
Hometown: Katsushika, Tokyo
Career: FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa → FC Tokyo U-18 → Meiji University
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
