Takahiro KO, who commands the midfield as the red and blue conductor, and Motoki NAGAKURA, who is strengthening his presence as a versatile striker. Both players, indispensable to Tokyo's center line, once played together at Albirex Niigata and were coached by Rikizo MATSUHASHI. This time, we present a cross-talk about their off-the-pitch lives, including their meeting, daily life, and memories with Coach MATSUHASHI. While unraveling the "connected relationship" that has led them to aim higher again at the same club, we deliver episodes that reveal each other's character.
──First, please tell us about how you two met and your first impressions.
Takahiro KO It was during the Albirex Niigata era. We met in the summer of the 2023 season when the team was promoted to the J1 League and Nagakura joined the club. I think the first time we talked was about two months after he joined.
Motoki NAGAKURA No, no (laughs awkwardly).
Taka I thought he was a player who hardly spoke at all, but his play was very confident, and his ability was high, so I got the impression that he smoothly integrated into the team. The team had a certain style to some extent, and I felt that he fit in well with it. However, we weren't that close (laughs). When we were in Niigata, we didn't have many opportunities to go out for meals. On the other hand, since coming to Tokyo, he has started talking a lot more.
Nagakura At that time, we were only together for half a season. There just wasn't enough time (laughs). Even back then, Takahashi was capable both defensively and offensively, and I have the image of him playing every match as a central figure of the team. However, groups had already formed among close teammates, so it was quite difficult to join in.
Takashi It was too short to break out of the shell in just half a season (laughs).
── We became teammates again this summer season, and I heard that Nagakura consulted you when he transferred.
Takashi Mikiki transferred to Urawa Reds before the start of this season, and from the outside, it seemed he didn't have many opportunities to play from the start. Since Rikizo MATSUHASHI, the coach, was also in Tokyo, when I heard the talk that he might transfer, I definitely thought he would bring something extra to the team. Around the final stage of negotiations, I received contact from Mikiki, and we talked about the team and the style of soccer we play. At that time, I invited him saying, "Come on, come on."
Nagakura Yan-kun (Player Taka)'s words definitely became one of the triggers that pushed me forward. Being able to hear about the team was significant, and I was also happy because I felt that they really wanted me.
──I think meeting again in Tokyo has deepened your relationship, but if you have any stories about each other, please share them.
Nagakura Well, it's crazy. Yan-kun is crazy (bitter laugh).
Taka Just yesterday, we had plans to go out for a meal together, and I had sent all the details about the place, but I forgot to tell the time. When I called after arriving at the restaurant... Mikiki was asleep (laughs).
Nagakura So I asked, "What time does it start?"...
Taka "It's from 17:00," he said (laughs).
Nagakura It's 16:58, but he said, "I'm still at home." And then it got canceled (bitter laugh).
Taka There were some troubles like that, but when I scored my first goal in the J1 League during my time at Niigata (2023 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 28 match against Yokohama FC), Mikiki was really happy for me. He was shouting a lot, and that left a strong impression on me. I thought, "This guy is usually quiet, but he shouts this much." Also, in the final match of that season, Mikiki scored a goal, we won, and he sent me off. That kind of thing made me happy too.
Nagakura Since Yan-kun transferred to Tokyo, watching his play, I have the image that he scores only "golazos." I thought he had grown, and at the same time, I wished he would play like that in Niigata as well (bitter smile).
──It seems you sometimes go out for meals; what kind of topics do you talk about in private?
Nagakura Because I don't talk much.
Taka (Player Nagakura) is shrouded in mystery.
Nagakura I speak completely normally, but I don't have any stories to share here (bitter laugh).
──How are your memories with Coach Matsuhashi?
Riki Mr. Riki (Coach Matsuhashi) experienced winning the J2 League and promotion in the 2022 season, which was his first time as a coach. The happiest thing was that we fought through the long league season together and achieved that accomplishment.
Nagakura I usually think that I should speak good words and good stories. I've been putting such words into my mind little by little. I can't come up with them quickly now, but surprisingly, even though it seems like I don't listen, I actually do listen properly (laughs).
Taka is also someone who reads a lot, so Riki-san's words in the meeting were amazing. The phrase that struck me the most was, "Don't think, act on instinct." It was a timing when I was feeling uncertain. "If you think, you'll fall behind by fractions of a second in this world. Acting on instinct, doing defense and offense as you feel, is ultimately the fastest," I remember hearing this and it really cleared up my doubts. Also, Riki-san runs every day without fail. He doesn't carry a watch or anything; he just relies on his sense, runs 5 km, then turns back, or so it seems.
Nagakura There was a phrase I interpreted as "Stay calm no matter the situation." It means "Playing accurately is the fastest," and it made me want to play calmly without rushing in any situation.
──Finally, what do you both want to seek from each other?
Nagakura I want Yan-kun to take care of all the defense and then supply me with good vertical passes from there.
Takashi I will do my best. I expect everything from Mikiki. I want him to keep running, become the starting point, score goals, and perform goal celebrations properly. It may seem like a high demand, but I believe he is the kind of player who can do that.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
