The team continues preparations for the opening match, launching a 21-day training camp in Okinawa on February 1, before returning to Kodaira to enter the final phase. What did the players, who are now walking the same path as the new head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, feel from the coach's words and enthusiasm in Okinawa, and what changes did they show? A reporter who accompanied the team throughout the Okinawa camp observed the players' new initiatives and the potential of 'Matsuhashi Tokyo' that emerged from it.
The scenery of Okinawa, which I have visited for interviews every year, looked a bit different from the past few years. With the arrival of coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, we are approaching the 2025 season with a new structure. The 'prologue' before getting into the main topic must have been important. Perhaps the new commander first stimulated the players by reminding them of the original scenery from when each of them began chasing after a soccer ball.
There were many scenes where they spoke about their commitment to each play and conveyed their mindset. They sought proactive actions and encouraged growth. It seemed like a time for each player to reflect on the people they met and the words they heard while nurturing their own football philosophy. By spending such time, by the end of the camp, the behavioral norms of the new team had completely taken shape.
Among them, there were noticeable changes in the behavior of each player. A prime example is the extra practice that started with Keigo HIGASHI and Kei KOIZUMI at the beginning of the camp. Kei KOIZUMI, who will turn 30 this season, expressed his desire to learn passing from Keigo HIGASHI, initiating this training by asking for guidance. In response, Keigo HIGASHI gladly agreed.
"If the level of our rivals rises, it means I have to do more and it leads to my growth. It's uncool to say 'I don't want to' when asked to teach, right? (laughs). That said, it's different from forcing someone to practice by saying 'let's do it'. The desire to learn is really nice, isn't it? In that case, I will teach without holding back. If there are things I can teach from what I've learned, I want to share that, not just limited to Keisuke. It's fun to do, and it also helps my own practice."
The two began to dedicate training time to floating middle passes that drop between the opponent's last line and the goalkeeper after the overall practice, collecting the balls. Player Higashi fully disclosed the passes he has worked on throughout his career and his views on soccer to Player Koizumi.
"I told Kei that it would be better to play soccer widely for 90 minutes. He is good at the finer details, so we need to utilize the full pitch more. From there, we can play long balls or aim for the space behind. If we don't link those aspects and always place the ball in good positions, we won't be able to kick it well. That's what creating the game is about, and I conveyed that in my own way. I don't know how much it resonates, though (laughs)."
As a result of the daily efforts, we are gradually starting to see results even in practical training. Utilizing Marcelo RYAN's speed, we began to create opportunities to pass the ball through the middle, targeting behind the opponent's final line. Then, at first, it was just the two of us in training, but Kouta Tokiwagi joined in, and Takahiro KO also started to show up, expanding the circle. This brought a smile to Higashi's face as well.
"For a defensive midfielder, it's necessary to create plays. They also have mobility on top of that. If that is added, they can become even better players. At my age, it's difficult to increase mobility, but I have to refine other aspects and compete. Therefore, I am telling the midfield players that we should continue this practice throughout the season."
If this circle expands further, the ripple effect will be tremendous. Not only will individual skill improvement be expected, but another byproduct is anticipated as well. During this camp, Coach Matsuhashi has mentioned the phrase "Let's synchronize our timing" several times. This may be the solution.
For example, if a receiving player joins this practice, the number of players who can naturally create the same picture should increase. Diego OLIVEIRA, who retired from professional play at the end of last season, used to show movements targeting the back when the player from the East had the ball. However, when the number 10 is not on the pitch, those opportunities suddenly decrease. While the mutual understanding and trust cannot be built overnight, it is essential to break down the opponent while maintaining possession and taking the initiative.
Player Higashi said, "It takes time to synchronize. It's difficult if the awareness doesn't align with the second, third, and fourth players. We need to understand each other's senses and characters, and we have to think. We need to observe the opponent and also make judgments about players who don't have the ball. Even if we connect safely nearby, the situation doesn't change. Passes that have an element of surprise and passes that switch play are important, and the number of players making the passes also needs to increase."
It was from here that I thought, 'Oh!' In fact, there were moments when player Higashi called out to those who remained for shooting practice at the end of camp, seeking their cooperation and creating an impromptu drill involving multiple people. There are types who show their dedication with the backs of players like Yuto NAGATOMO and Masato MORISHIGE, as well as veterans like Higashi who strengthen the team by involving many people. This presence is also one of the assets that this club possesses, and it was a camp that reaffirmed that.
To excite the viewers, it is best to plan while teasing each other's mischievous spirits with as many people as possible. This must have been one of the original scenes they have seen while chasing the ball. Player Higashi said with a motivated expression.
"I will do it. I need to raise awareness within the team and get everyone involved. The coach praised each of the plays I have been particular about during practice on the first day of camp. That might have made others aware as well. With Kouta and Yan (Takahiro KO) joining in like that, I could feel everyone's desire to learn. That made me incredibly happy. I hope this kind of thing continues to create a chain reaction from now on."
This is just one example, and the players have already begun to notice that various initiatives are becoming more active. Coach Matsuhashi has been watching these changes from the sidelines. When asked about the increase in the number of participants in that practice, which initially started with just players Koizumi and Higashi, saying, "The numbers have increased towards the end of the camp," the coach nodded and squinted his eyes.
"It's really increasing, isn't it? Through my various experiences, I believe that teams like that have a high potential to become strong. At first, there are many things to consider regarding how much we can accept something new. However, I really started to think that this is necessary. The moment that vector aligns, the number of people working together increases dramatically. Just that alone creates a shared way of thinking and feeling. It's the same in the game; when the visible route is blocked, we look for another route, and when everyone can make the same choice at the same time, I believe the ball will connect well. I think we have to do that over and over again."
The commander expressed these words at the conclusion of the 21-day Okinawa camp that began on January 12.
"We have come to the point just before the scenery changes"
Deepening the commitment to each play, can we show a new perspective on the rolling ball? It depends on whether we can generate creative ideas. The countdown to the start of the 2025 season has begun. Coach Matsuhashi said, "It's not that something will begin in the opening match; it has already started. As long as they walk the path of football, I hope they will pursue it until the end."
"During my time with Yokohama Marinos, I encountered the wonderful words of Kazushi KIMURA, which include the phrase, 'Soccer is always a pursuit.' Those words have always stayed with me. I believe this is a phrase that has remained in the hearts of the players I played with at that time. Those at the top are always in pursuit. That phrase struck me deeply. It still resonates with me, and I want to continue to express it from time to time. I hope they will continue to pursue it in the same way."
There is a future beyond our present. Each player chases the person they want to become, continuing an endless pursuit. The desire to learn and grow knows no bounds.
The world of competition is never easy. However, if the soccer created from here can have surprising twists, then this "makura" can be called a great success.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
