The lit fuse is slowly making its way toward that moment──.
The path Kota TAWARATSUMIDA walks is by no means smooth. Though repeatedly pushed back by walls, he rises again and moves forward. His progress is reflected in his play itself, boldly advancing through any rugged and difficult terrain.
This season was a series of such days. That day was no different. On March 1st, the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 4 match against Kashima Antlers was held. On that day, Tawara Tsukida said, "My physical condition was really good."
As the words say, the highlights remaining in the archive often show his figure. At 25 minutes into the first half, Yuto NAGATOMO took a shot with his right foot after the ball was crossed back to the center inside the penalty area. This was blocked by an opposing player and could not shake the goal net. Ten minutes later, a shot by Teruhito NAKAGAWA was deflected by the bar. Just before this, it was Tawara Tsukida who exchanged passes with Nakagawa.
Immediately after the start of the second half, Teppei OKA received a feed in a difficult position and took a shot from his "most favored" cut-in move, but this was also blocked by the opposing defender.
And then, at the 11th minute, Marcelo RYAN competed with the opposing goalkeeper, and the loose ball rolled in front of Tawara Tsumita. The goal was unguarded right in front of him. However, the shot with his left foot missed the target, and he bit his lip.
"There were moments where I couldn't finish decisively when I should have, and like the other players, although we created chances, we couldn't convert them into goals."
Then, the strong-willed Kashima bared its fangs. The team conceded multiple goals from penalty kicks and set plays, resulting in a defeat. From that frustration, Tawara Tsukida uttered these words.
"I think we lost in a regrettable way last time, so this time I really want to finish decisively. Recently, the team has been able to score goals, so this time I want to score many goals and finish without conceding any."
The reason those words were spoken is probably because there is a sense of confidence. The team has been steadily improving, with 6 wins and 1 loss in the last 7 official matches.
"As a team, everyone is now working with a strong sense of unity. Compared to the start of the season, there is more cohesion, and I think the biggest thing is that everyone is smoothly doing what needs to be done."
The team that lost the previous match against Kashima experienced an 8-game winless streak, and from Sec. 17 against Urawa Reds on May 17, they went through a tough period of 5 winless games. During that time, Tawaratsumida himself had few opportunities to face forward even when receiving the ball, and there were quite a few matches where he couldn't show his specialty in dribbling breakthroughs. Right after the match against Yokohama F. Marinos on June 25, Sec. 15, which became a turning point for the team, he shared the following thoughts.
"Last season, even if it wasn't in a good form, we were able to be positive and take the initiative. However, this season, we haven't been able to build up well, so we've been discussing it together. We've been communicating things like, 'Can't the center backs take a higher position?' and working on it as a whole team. It's not just me; (Keito) Sato also plays well when facing forward, and I think the meaning of building up is how we can pass to the forwards. We need to improve more and more as a team. As that improves, I believe the chances of scoring will increase."
During the difficult times, we demanded from each other as teammates and searched for solutions. It was never in vain. The 3-0 victory against Yokohama FM served as a turning point, improving the quality of our build-up play and leading to an increase in goals as expected. Tawara Tsukida says that by using forward-thinking players, "If we can peel off just one layer, we can break down the opponent's block no matter how they set it up."
"To build up to peel off that one layer, the whole team needs to align their mindset and direction. If we can do that, there is absolutely no opponent we cannot beat."
The essence of Tawara Tsukida's play should be to positively receive the ball that everyone has brought forward and then break through the defense there.
There was a significant change here. Since returning from his first activity with the Japan national team this June, the impression of his previously "self-centered" style of play has started to look a little different. I asked Tawara Tsukida, "Did your mindset change after going to the national team?" I was expecting the response to be "I want to be selected again," but instead, a slightly different expression came back.
"I have a stronger feeling that I have to lead Tokyo. The desire to be selected for the Japan national team has not changed at all since I was in elementary school, and it is something I have always thought about. Of course, I want to be selected for the national team again, but considering the current team situation, it's really not the time for that. Above all, I have a strong feeling that we must win."
Perhaps because I heard that, the will to "bring the ball everyone delivered closer to the goal" has become strongly conveyed through the play.
Now, it's a rematch against Kashima. That frustration is surely engraved in our hearts.
"I have the image that matches against Kashima are always difficult, but if we can win against a team competing for the championship, we can ride the wave even further. I want to win such an important match. Breaking through individually is my strength, so I want to break down the opponents competing for the championship from my side and contribute to the team."
And to be honest, the following comments were somewhat forcibly made him say by us, as he is not very good at speaking and is shy. However, I only asked him to comment using the word "passion."
"We want to win here and excite Tokyo"
Without that will, it won't be spoken. The lit fuse is surely approaching that moment.
That is, both Tawara and Blue-Red at the same time.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
