Wanting to enrich his life, he left Europe and found a place for himself in distant Japan. Alexander SCHOLZ has kept the vow he made at a turning point in his career and continues to stand on the pitch today.
"Chasing a rolling soccer ball, I want to someday travel all over the world."
He arrived at that dream’s destination. In Japan, which enriches both his life and work, he is now truly enjoying soccer, living a life he calls "the best in the world."
Scholz is providing a significant boost to the blue and red. Until now, FC Tokyo’s trademark was a vertically fast attack. The team had a strong impression of being a group of specialists, and looking back at its history, many players known for their speed have been part of it. However, now the aim is not to specialize in perfecting a single tactic but to become a versatile type capable of competing on all fronts. To walk that path, a generalist like Scholz was indispensable.
"I believe the main reason I fit well in Japan is because our mentalities matched. I feel that the compatibility between the Japanese mentality and my own was very good. One of my strengths is consistency, and the fact that I don’t make mistakes and can always perform at a high level without fluctuation is something that Japanese people respect. Personally, rather than trying to make myself look good, I have always focused on bringing out the best in the players around me. For example, with players like Sei MUROYA, Ina (Hayato Inamura), and Rio OMORI, the fact that those around me can perform well is a sign that I am also playing well."
Tracing back his roots, what emerged was an optimal compatibility with “Rikizo Tokyo.” Scholz’s playing style, always connected with the ball, has brought calmness and stability in build-up to the team. He himself says he is a natural-born defender. Looking at his versatility, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had been deployed in various positions in the past. However, he shook his head and said, “I like my position,” expressing his particular attachment to it.
"I have always played as a center back. I believe one of the reasons I was able to establish my current playing style is that the view I see in soccer has never changed. I started playing soccer when I was about two years old. Since then, I have played freely, always with the ball. For me, soccer has always been something that exists with the ball. That connects to my current playing style. When learning soccer, I have wanted to train correctly and properly, and I don’t really like practice that is just about having fun. I have always preferred practice that has a form, like tactics or systems. That’s why I think I fit well with Japanese soccer. Because my playing style is also organized, it thrives better when playing in a well-structured team."
He liked the view from his favorite spot. Because he loved it, he was able to explore and continue improving. When such a player donned the blue and red last summer, he quickly became an indispensable part of the team’s tactics.
And this season, FC Tokyo has completed 11 matches in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Concept League EAST Group, sitting in 2nd place with 23 points. Their 16 goals scored and 8 conceded are both the second-best figures, following the top-ranked Kashima Antlers. Looking back on this steady progress, he expressed confidence, saying, “I feel that the path and destination are right on this road.”
“First of all, the team has improved. We have been able to earn more points, lose fewer matches, and accumulate more victories. Looking at the quality of the matches as well, each player has been able to consistently deliver good performances. The manager and coaching staff have also continuously worked to make the team better. Defensively, we have become more aggressive, and although not every time, we have been able to implement a high press. Because of that, I feel that everyone’s starting position in defense has become higher. As a team, we focus on scoring from long-range counters and short-range counters after winning the ball, but to truly become a top team, I think it is necessary to hold the ball and control the game more.”
Along with the growth of each individual, the team has taken on the challenge of a 'style that can do anything.' While circulating possession and recovery of the ball, they sometimes attack the goal quickly in a vertical manner. Based on a high line and high press, they do not hesitate to put their bodies on the line in a gritty manner in front of their own goal. Because they are walking the right path, they strive for even greater perfection.
"Last season, Kashiwa Reysol was very strong. Especially when they had the ball, the opponents struggled to take it away, and they demonstrated their strength. And the champions, Kashima, have a different kind of strength. However, I believe our strength lies in being able to play in various styles and in various ways. To become champions, we must be able to score from set pieces. If we can do that, I think the team will become even better."
An indispensable and versatile player for the team, with a sturdiness that could be called a “reliable steed,” has been the only one to play full-time for the team so far this season. The reason why the dependable Scholz has come to strongly desire to keep standing on the pitch lies in his career.
It was at Club Brugge in Belgium, where he spent seven years and joined in January 2018.
Although he was with the club for only about half a season, it was also the longest period in his career away from matches. He spent his days warming the bench and facing himself, which felt endless. Even so, he swallowed his sighs and followed the correct process step by step. At times, he sought advice from coaches and used the time to review the structure of his own play.
And he vowed to himself.
"The next time I start a match, I will never return to the bench for the rest of my life."
The firm resolve he promised himself at that time has never wavered to this day.
"I want to play at this level for as long as possible, and watching Masato MORISHIGE and Yuto NAGATOMO makes me feel that I still can."
He says that not being able to leave the best place for him has also had a significant impact on his career. Having fallen in love with Japan, he spends a honeymoon period with the perfect match of blue and red. After enjoying those days to the fullest, he says, "It's tough," and continues like this.
"Since I was young, I had the desire to travel around the world as a soccer player. But then I found this incredibly wonderful place called Japan. It’s the best in the world. Having found the best, there’s no reason to leave. Whether in life or in my work environment, you won’t find such an amazing place anywhere else in the world. However, before returning to my home country, I might have to experience living in a country where life isn’t as rich as in Japan. Life and work in Japan have been so fulfilling that if I were to return to Denmark just like this, the gap would probably be too big... (laughs)"
Like life itself, the journey continues. However, the final destination for Scholz, who wears the blue and red, is already decided. "Right now, I’m thinking about leading Tokyo to the top. But after that, let’s see what happens." The view from the summit reveals the next destination. That is the adventure Scholz has been pursuing in his life called football.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
