From Blue-Red to SAMURAIBLUE. For the FIFA World Cup 26 CONCACAF tournament's final Asian qualifiers, Tokyo-based players Yuto NAGATOMO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA have been selected, spending an inspiring time aiming for the world’s top. The 38-year-old NAGATOMO, targeting his fifth consecutive World Cup appearance, and the 21-year-old TAWARATSUMIDA, wearing the national team jersey for the first time including youth levels, have contrasting careers. Tomoo Aoyama reports on the challenges of these two players heading toward their dream stage. This time, we deliver the early part of the national team activities held in Perth, Australia, focusing on NAGATOMO’s demeanor and words.
Yuto NAGATOMO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA earnestly switched their mindset after the frustrating defeat in away Kyoto. The next morning, after a long journey of about 14 hours including transfers on a flight departing from Kansai International Airport, they moved to Perth, Australia.
Hajime MORIYASU Japan, which has already secured the fastest qualification for the World Cup in the world, has started the player selection survival process early for the tournament next June. In this activity, seven players were called up for the first time, and along with returning members, a fresh lineup was assembled. This series aims to test new talents while retaining key players. Selected from Tokyo were Nagatomo, who has overwhelming experience and intense passion for the national team, and Tawara Tsukida, who has demonstrated strong individual skills in the J.League.
For the Japan national team, Nagatomo is truly a "missionary" figure. Even during this national team activity, he always runs at the front during the initial running exercises and lifts the team's spirits with loud encouragement during warm-ups. When practical training begins, he demonstrates strength in ball challenges and expresses his commitment to each play verbally, demanding the same from himself and those around him. His approach, observing teammates' expressions and the atmosphere, is a skill honed through experience.
On the first day of practice with new members, Nagatomo comments on the team's atmosphere.
"Everyone still seems to be feeling nervous. I also remember when I first joined the national team in 2008, entering together with Shinji KAGAWA, and I was really nervous. That memory remains strong, so I want to reach out and support the players who are feeling nervous."
In the current Moriyasu Japan, Yuto NAGATOMO's passion, experience, and words are widely shared. Players in their 20s, including Ritsu Doan, Hiromu KAMADA, and Ko Itakura, all say, "By seeing and hearing Yuto's words and demeanor, we have come to strongly feel the weight, responsibility, and determination of representing the Japan national team and wearing the Hinomaru." With a major change in the lineup this time, not only is he showing intense play as a player, but he is also relied upon to "communicate" through words. NAGATOMO continues.
"The atmosphere of the national team and the weight of carrying the Hinomaru flag are significant. Including tactical aspects, we really have to coordinate in a very short time. This is important not only on the pitch but also off the pitch; communication during meals is extremely important. (During meals) the tables are divided into about three groups, so I want to move around smoothly, communicate with everyone, and convey the responsibility and pride of being part of the national team."
What is particularly concerning is the condition of Tawara Tsukida, who showed a stiff expression during the very first practice. After the first day's practice, we directly asked Nagatomo about it.
"Tawara? He's super nervous. I haven't heard his voice even once today (laughs). So when we get back to the hotel, I want to tease him a bit and help bring out his best. Since we traveled to Perth together, we talked a little, but he's really nervous, so we need to make sure he settles in well."
Since his return to the national team in March last year, Nagatomo himself has continued to be unable to participate in matches. Of course, he has his own pride as a player. If he cannot express himself on the pitch, what he wants to convey will not be communicated. "In terms of passionate play and fighting for the ball—things only I can do—I don't want to lose to other players, and I want to demonstrate that," says Nagatomo. "I may be inferior to them in skill and technique, so naturally, the area where I can surpass them is in the fighting spirit. In that, I absolutely want to outperform everyone else." This stance has not changed even as he has aged.
Moriyasu Japan has seen an increase in young players, including the Paris Olympics generation, resulting in a wide age range. Even so, they seem to strongly feel the meaning of being called up to the Japan national team and take pride and determination in being selected. When asked with this in mind, the answer received was different from what was imagined.
"I'm scared every day now. I live each day battling the anxiety and fear of when I might be eliminated. I suppose I have to enjoy it, but it's quite tough. However, I want to hang in there and do my best to firmly maintain my place here, even if I have to crawl to do it. I have no choice but to confront the fear and anxiety head-on and break through. I believe there's no growth if I run away from it. This has always been a part of my fight since becoming a professional, so I will push through, overcome it, and work hard believing that there is light beyond growth."
In this series, five players related to the red and blue have been selected. In addition to Nagatomo and Tawara Tsukida, there is Takefusa KUBO who has departed for Spain, Tsuyoshi WATANABE playing for KAA Gent in Belgium, and 18-year-old Ryunosuke SATO, who has been on a developmental loan to Fagiano Okayama since this season. Nagatomo and Sato have a 20-year age difference.
Watanabe, who shows overwhelming presence at KAA Gent, said, "This time, there are many players connected to Tokyo, including Yuto-san, and right after joining, we started talking like, 'How's FC Tokyo?' It's really nice to have players nearby to talk to, players who have a background close to mine." Meanwhile, Sato, who rapidly developed in Okayama and made his first appearance in the Japan national team, laughed and said, "I haven't played directly with Takefusa-kun or Tsuyoshi-kun, but since we're both from Tokyo, it feels a bit reassuring, and I also feel their kindness, so I'm very happy and grateful for such a familiar environment. With Yuto-san, even in Tokyo, we always joked about the '20-year age difference,' so that feels nostalgic (laughs)."
Finally, I asked Nagatomo about the large number of players from FC Tokyo. Perhaps because I, who usually interact with Tokyo players, asked the question, his answer unusually strayed from the question, and his passion for the Blue-Red team overflowed on the national stage.
"That is a happy thing. However, when I hear FC Tokyo, I still feel the current difficult situation, and I am also going through a very tough time. But by fighting while carrying the national flag here, I want to gain great energy and work hard to inject energy back into the team."
From Blue-Red to SAMURAI BLUE. And from SAMURAI BLUE back to Blue-Red. Yuto NAGATOMO's passion remains unchanged.
After the first day's practice and media session, he encouraged the local Japanese school children who came to support Hajime MORIYASU Japan by saying, "I'll sign for everyone," signing autographs for each and every one of them until the last child, then returned to the hotel not by the team bus but in a staff wagon.
That’s how Nagatomo always was, cherishing his fans as usual.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text and Photos by Tomoo Aoyama
