With the lesson of '1' in his heart, the player wearing number 1 took a new step forward──. The guardian nurtured by Yoichi DOI, who brought the first title to the blue and red, stood in front of the blue and red goal.
This season, goalkeeper Hayate TANAKA, newly transferred from Tokushima Vortis in the J2 League, made his first appearance after the transfer in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Concept League Sec. 11 match against FC Machida Zelvia on April 1, contributing to a 3-0 shutout victory. After this memorable match, he said with a savoring tone, "It was fun."
“What I thought after it was over is that a lot of unpredictable things happen more often in the J2 League. There were fewer chaotic situations.”
He added, “I think it took time” regarding his J1 League debut after five seasons since turning professional with Tokushima in the 2022 season.
“When I was confirmed to join, Tokushima was in the J1 League. However, at the same time I joined, they were relegated to the J2 League. I decided to join Tokushima hoping to play on the J1 League stage, so in that sense, it ultimately took five years. Looking back now, I think every season had meaning, regardless of whether I played or not from the first year.”
The meaning he found was not in the big saves he made at the 29th minute of the first half or the 3rd minute of the second half in the Machida match, but in the play that came at the 13th minute of the second half.
Hayate TANAKA made his professional debut on March 12, 2023, in Sec. 4 of the Meiji Yasuda J2 League against Tokyo Verdy. However, his team suffered a 0-2 defeat in that match. At the 32nd minute of the second half, a direct free kick from the left center of the goal came; he momentarily took his eyes off the ball while preparing for a cross, and Kajikawa directly shook the net. Overcome with frustration, he collapsed on the pitch with his arms and legs spread out, looked up at the sky, and bit his lip.
It was a direct free kick from a position that brought back those bittersweet memories. He did not take his eyes off Soma, who had set the ball, and firmly caught the shot with both hands.
“There were two direct free kicks, and I was sure they would aim for both. According to the team’s theory, we were told to set up a wall of two players or one player, with another player positioned a little further away, but there we placed three players in the wall. I think Soma also knew it was my J1 League debut. I painfully learned from being scored on by Kajikawa at Tokushima, and I also saw Kimura score a direct free kick in the opening match against Yokohama F.Marinos. Hints are scattered everywhere. I have approached the mistakes of various goalkeepers as if they were my own experiences.”
Precisely because he cannot go back, the proof of his growth shone through a single play that remains in the cherished memory lane. Right after joining, he asked Shota YAMASHITA, the goalkeeping coach, "Can I watch all of FC Tokyo’s goals conceded from last season?" and reviewed all of them on video. Furthermore, since the start of this season, he has diligently checked every goal from every match in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League. Hayate TANAKA’s high defensive organizational skills are a feat made possible by such an extensive archive of memories.
"For a goalkeeper, how you find meaning in conceding goals and internalize it leads to the next step. I believe that is everything. In that sense, I often talk with Wataru GOTO. Conceding goals is important because it contains lessons for the future. I want to continue that approach, and including Masa (Masataka KOBAYASHI), they all have wonderful potential and a bright future awaits them. Therefore, I want them to use every goal conceded, even in practice, as a hint."
One of the reasons I decided to join the blue and red was the desire to "try playing the soccer of Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI." I experienced that soccer for the first time in an official match for the full 90 minutes.
"It's enjoyable to play, and this season we have Hayato INAMURA, Kento HASHIMOTO, and Alexander SCHOLZ. There are many players who can share the same image and draw the same picture in various situations. I have also sought that. I feel fortunate to be able to play in such an environment. However, matches keep coming one after another. There will inevitably be times and situations where the ideal you pursue and what is required in the game differ. In those moments, you make the best choices. They entrust me with those ideas, so I can play with confidence and feel a sense of fulfillment."
Last season, he achieved 19 clean sheets in the Meiji Yasuda J2 League, conceded the fewest goals in the league, and was selected for the J2 League Best Eleven. However, at his new club, he has remained on the bench since the start of the season. Even so, he has continued to fight alongside the team. This is something he learned from Yoichi DOI during his time at the Tokyo Verdy academy.
"I was always told not to play along with the field. When the team is doing well, you have to look for triggers that might cause things to go wrong, and when the team is struggling, you must not hang your head along with them."
That teaching still lives on today. Because of that, both the team's successes and failures have been etched into his mind. It is said that the effort to get Sei MUROYA, who rarely played positively in his own half during the Machida match, to play more positively was possible because of this.
"Even when I wasn’t playing in matches since my time at Tokushima, I have continuously worked on developing a sense of what was good and what wasn’t for the team. I have always focused on what would be beneficial for the team and what should be done as the goalkeeper of this team. Because I have participated in matches with that mindset, I didn’t feel like it was my first match in a long time at all. This is a process I have been doing continuously. In that sense, I have been able to experience an exciting daily life with this team. Since this team has many examples of success both defensively and offensively, it has expanded my range of skills. I am having good days."
Another reason for joining the blue and red was the daily friendly rivalry with Kim Seung-gyu, an active member of the South Korean national team. Beyond that, he is trying to discover a new version of himself.
“After the matches, reporters and friends said various things comparing me to him, but I believe there is nothing for me to say about that. I am simply focusing on my own growth, and there are many hints in his play. I want to absorb as much as possible, and above all, I only need to keep proving my value to help the team win the championship. I want to continue living with that unchanged.”
Wearing the number 1 jersey once worn by Doi, he guarded the blue and red goal to the end. Lost in that feeling, he quietly admitted, "I still purely feel that his back is far ahead of me."
The legend he reveres as his “master” spent careful days in Tokyo and wore the Hinomaru at age 30 in 2003. Hayate TANAKA will turn 27 this year.
The indomitable guardian Yoichi DOI is strict with his protégés. But he said this.
"Hayate may still have many things he lacks. But he also knows what he is missing. Moreover, he has had the look and presence of a goalkeeper—something that cannot be taught—since long ago."
The day will come when we can see the blue and red number 1 standing once again in front of Japan’s goal.
The game against Machida might be the first step toward that dream. Because he aims to be "Japan’s best goalkeeper," he said, "I will go for it, definitely," and continued.
“There is something I still remember from what Mr. Doi taught me. Even if today I progress from 1 to 10, there might be times when I suddenly jump to 20 and see something new. There are moments when I feel like I’ve grown or grasp a great sense of achievement. But I was told not to start suddenly from 10 the next day. Instead, return to 1 and progress from 1 to 2, so that I can see the same scenery again. I was told to continue that process every day. This is something I have valued the most, even when I went to university. Although this time the result happened to be like this, I believe it’s back to 1 again. Including the way I approach soccer, which I cherish, I want to start again from 1 so I can move forward once more.”
Never forget the beginner’s spirit. To see new horizons, he will continue to steadily and carefully live each day.
The number 1 on his back taught him to start "again from one," reflecting Hayate TANAKA’s professional pride.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
