It was long. It was tough. About three years since the "phantom goal" that thrilled Ajinomoto Stadium, the time has finally come. Keita YAMASHITA, who has been enduring days of hardship since joining in the 2022 season, finally scored his first goal for the blue and red on February 26 in the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 3 match against Nagoya Grampus. Overcoming a serious injury during his loan spell and a long rehabilitation, he struck with a powerful shot. What feelings were embedded in that moment?
There is a word that has been stuck deep in my heart and won't leave.
"I have to score a goal and get another good article written."
The phrase was uttered by Yamashita, who had been away from the pitch for over a year due to injury. Since playing for Sagan Tosu on August 14, 2021, he had been distant from that joy. On April 6, 2022, in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 7 match against Vissel Kobe, he shook the net and was overwhelmed with joy. However, with VAR support, the goal was disallowed. Since then, his first goal after the transfer has been on hold.
In the 2023 season, he sought a place to shine and was loaned to Shonan Bellmare. However, he returned to Tokyo again with an incomplete feeling after injuring his left knee meniscus in July. Yamashita, who endured a grueling rehabilitation process that lasted over a year, did not hold back his gratitude towards those who supported him, including his trainers.
I can only express my gratitude to those who supported me, even at the cost of their own time, and accepted everything.
Last season, he started to steadily walk the road to recovery, coming off the bench in the last six matches of the league. At that time, I asked Yamashita, "Have you returned to the state you were in before your injury?" To that question, he replied, "Rather than going back to the way I was before the injury, I want to create a new version of myself," and continued like this.
"I want to work in the penalty area. Above all, I want to be a forward who can score goals. While post play and defense are important, a forward who can score will definitely help the team. It's one step at a time, but I want to make an impression and show myself starting from the tryout matches."
What followed was the opening words. Swallowing the anxiety towards a comeback, the pride of the striker who let it out pierced deeply.
And finally, that moment has arrived. On February 26, in the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 3 match against Nagoya, he stepped onto the pitch from the start. The day before, Yamashita openly stated in preparation for his first start in 1025 days, "Honestly, I'm only thinking about scoring. It's what I need the most right now. I believe whether I seize this opportunity or not is what being a professional is all about."
It was truly a case of actions speaking louder than words.
In the 31st minute of the first half, with the score at 0-0, Sato Keiun received the ball in the area and pushed in a ground cross with his right foot to score the opening goal. In the next moment, emotions that had been forgotten surged out as if to release something that had been building up. He shouted, jumped up, raised his fist, and hugged his teammates. Yamashita said, "I was so happy that I don't really remember much," with a wry smile.
It has been 1292 days. After transferring in the fourth season since joining, I scored my first goal and said, "I don't want to talk about it too much, but I guess it can't be helped. There have been various things, and I have been supported by the coach, coaching staff, and trainers throughout my rehabilitation. I wanted to give back, and I'm glad I was able to score and win." He smiled broadly.
It was a shot filled with feelings of gratitude and struggles. However, for a goal scorer, this must be the best remedy of all.
"I needed that 'medicine', so I am grateful to my teammates. I believe it was a really significant goal for me. I think it was necessary for me at this moment, so I want to continue to aim for goals with greed. I won't be satisfied with just this one match; as my senior Yuto NAGATOMO always says in practice, 'Stay hungry.' I want to bring that hunger while keeping a cool head and doing my best."
The way Keita spoke with such a smile changed the way the words, which felt like thorns piercing my heart, resonated. I don't know if I wrote a good article, but I think I'll try to express it a little better next time. That moment should come soon.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
