This season, being able to compete for the title until the final stages has become a great motivation for me. In recent seasons, we haven't been involved in the title races for the Emperor's Cup or the league, which made me feel lonely, and I believe it made the fans and supporters feel the same way. That's why I am truly happy to be able to compete in this situation now.
If we were in the position of the opponent (FC Machida Zelvia), having lost the previous match, the determination to win the Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round would be quite strong. I believe that, above all, it is important to surpass that fighting spirit with our own passion.
We have a fairly good idea of Machida's attacking characteristics and intentions from last week's league match. They aim for the goal more directly and are a team that attacks sharply, not only strong in aerial battles. They also have a wide variety of set-piece plays, so even greater concentration and preparation to repel them as defensive players will be required.
In the 2011 season, we won the Emperor's Cup. I don't clearly remember the details from that time, but during that season we competed in the J2 League, won the championship, and secured our return to the J1 League for the following season. Although we achieved the result of winning the J2 League, there was a sense of regret and frustration for being relegated in the 2010 season, and at the same time, a strong feeling of gratitude towards the fans and supporters who continued to cheer for us unwaveringly throughout the year.
That is precisely why the entire team undoubtedly shared the desire to give back by winning the Emperor's Cup and to present the title as a gift. Looking back now, I feel that at that time, the feelings of the fans and supporters and our feelings as players united to become an indescribably great force.
That is precisely why I want to firmly seize the opportunity to advance to this Semifinal Round. Aiming for the championship, I am determined to win without fail. There is a world of difference between winning the championship and being the runner-up. I absolutely do not want it to end with "That was close." Both as a team and as an individual, the view you see when you reach that point is completely different.
As FC Tokyo, we must understand what it means to win a title. The last time the team won a title was the 2020 Levain Cup. There are not many players on the current team who have that experience. Winning a title is something that leaves a lasting memory and at the same time is very difficult. Right now, at this moment, there is a perfect opportunity to realize that and accumulate it as experience. This will undoubtedly become a great asset both personally and for the club FC Tokyo.
We won last week's league match, but the result of that game has no bearing on this match. Both we and Machida are focused solely on winning this Semifinal Round and advancing to the Final Round stage, so I think it will be a very tough match. Every member of the team has a strong mindset of "putting everything into this one game," and that feeling is conveyed through the atmosphere and encouragement during daily practice.
Once you step onto the pitch wearing the FC Tokyo emblem on your chest, you have the responsibility to fight until the very end. I believe the team that wins the Semifinal Round is the "true winner" of this consecutive match series.
