The daily life of a professional soccer player is like a continuous series of tests. Each player wears down their nerves day by day, and only those who win the competition are allowed to stand on the pitch bathed in cocktail lights. Rikizo MATSUHASHI, the coach who makes those selections, says, "My position is difficult," and expresses it like this.
"Players who are chosen are happy, and those who are not wonder 'why.' They see things from their own perspectives. There is always the premise that it is fair, but not everyone is under the same conditions. In a world where that is true to some extent, when thinking about how to take a position, I believe it also connects to one's way of life."
The commander wove words that are important in a competitive society connected to one’s way of life.
“If you try to gain only happiness, a sense of accomplishment, or things positive to yourself, your perspective will narrow. How you face that is key. That’s where self-evaluation comes in. Whether you accept or reject others’ evaluations reveals your own style. I believe that by staying true to how you want to be, you can mutually respect each other. It’s not about comparing ‘he was like that, but how was I?’ or ‘I am like this, but he is...’ Instead, it’s about being yourself and bringing out your strengths. Even when not chosen, extending a helping hand might have been ‘his’ way.”
The “he” that Coach Rikizo Matsuhashi refers to is the protagonist of this story, Keita ENDO. Before the Sec. 14 match of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League EAST Group against Kawasaki Frontale, he gave these words to Leon NOZAWA, who was starting for the first time in seven games in his place.
“Everyone in the stands and on the bench is not your enemy. You are expected to perform, and because you are loved by the fans and supporters, you also receive harsh words. I believe that is a much greater sign of expectation than being ignored altogether. Turn that into your strength.”
Nozawa, who made his first start of the season in Sec. 8 against Tokyo Verdy, bit his lip, unable to meet the expectations placed on him. Heartless words that seemed to corner Nozawa, who let out a long sigh, also surfaced on social media. Endo, considering his junior teammate, reached out to him with words of support.
"I thought I understood the strong criticism that Reion was facing from the public. Amidst that, I wanted to support him as this chance came around. So, for the Kawasaki match, I was thinking about how much I could lift Reion up."
In that match, Nozawa scored his first goal of the season. He said he had been living each day believing that his opportunity to play would come during this five-game stretch. Because he had been betting on it, Endo's words deeply moved him.
“Among so many players, I understand that I still lack both the level and the results. However, I believe I have a weapon that other players don’t have. Whether I can make use of it depends on me. I think that continuing to work hard for the team will eventually come back to me, and I have always believed that trusting myself, honing my weapon, and expressing it is the most important thing. Of course, I wanted to play in matches, and I also thought about what kind of play I wanted to show when I got on the field. But, after all, reality won’t change unless you take action. Since returning to Tokyo in January 2024, I have spent more time in difficult moments. Because I have spent many days in a situation no different from the start of this season, I believed that if I kept going, a chance would definitely come. I have been preparing every day just to seize that chance.”
The moment of joy came in the 12th minute of the second half. Ryunosuke SATO played a vertical pass, and Keito SATO, who received the ball and faced forward, delivered a through pass. Teruhito NAKAGAWA broke through and carried the ball into the penalty area, and from the scramble, Nozawa pushed the loose ball in with his right foot. Apologizing with a gesture of putting his hands together to NAKAGAWA, who ended up having his chance taken away, Nozawa was then embraced and vigorously congratulated by Endo, who rushed over from the bench.
Nozawa relied on Endo even during the match, seeking advice while taking water breaks.
“He gave me various advice, like asking how my current position was, suggesting that I shouldn’t go out there, or that I could move a little further forward. A player like that is very important to me. He’s a rival, but also a player I respect. He was truly reassuring, and I’m grateful.”
Nozawa was deeply grateful for the words filled with the tough yet caring love of a senior.
"I was given a chance in the match against Tokyo Verdy, but I couldn't fully seize it there. I believe that continuing without giving up then led to the goal. Keita has been a player I've looked up to ever since he transferred to Tokyo. Both defensively and offensively—with crosses from the side and connections with teammates—he's a player who shows his strengths in various situations, and I've always learned a lot by watching him. When I get on the field, I often come on as a substitute for Keita, and especially in the previous match against Kawasaki, his words gave me confidence. I was happy to receive such encouragement from a player I look up to, and Keita's presence was truly significant."
Not only Nozawa but also the players who have seized their chances have supported the team's good form this season. Coach Matsuhashi also watches with a pleased eye the daily preparations of these players.
"I think it comes down to what else there is besides daily preparation. It's not enough for them to just prepare and then release the energy they've accumulated. It's about how you fit yourself into the team as a piece. Not only the energy from anger and frustration but also the calmness that is its opposite is necessary. What is expected of you on a daily basis, how you apply the view from the bench side to yourself—because this process goes well, I believe they can make something happen when they get on the field. Of course, their experience level is sufficiently high, but it's important that it doesn't decline when they actually play, and I think each individual is doing well in that regard, including in practice matches."
Endo himself said he felt some anxiety when he saw the squad before the start of this season. Amid that, he was one of the players who stuck to his own way.
"I thought, ‘Seriously?’ Because there were players like Kota Tawara and Ryunosuke, I thought this season was going to be tough. But precisely because of that, I was able to focus. Without such competitors, I wouldn’t improve, and since I was prepared for fierce position battles from before the season started, I was able to deliver a satisfying performance, including scoring, in the opening match. I felt confident, but at one point Ryunosuke took my position, and he was also delivering an excellent performance. However, I never doubted my own ability, nor did I ever feel like I was losing. In the end, I was able to live with the mindset that I just needed to produce results. Now we can play together, but when injured players return, fierce competition will await again. Even so, I have confidence that I am ultimately winning. That said, I haven’t yet performed overwhelmingly enough to say I’ve won the position battle, so I need to focus even more."
The same was true for Ryunosuke. Each of them faced themselves head-on and took on the daily challenges at Kodaira, which has contributed to the strength of the current team.
"I never once thought about trying to play better than Keita-kun. The position doesn't open up unless I produce results. When I step onto the pitch, I focus on doing my job and consider the meaning of my presence, sticking firmly to that. Our playing styles have some similarities, but each of us has completely different characteristics, and when we play together, we coexist well. It's not just me; because players in various positions are able to compete well, a healthy rivalry has been built, and I believe that is connected to the current strength of the team."
Then, in the mixed zone after the Kawasaki match, Nozawa vented, saying, "More players like me need to emerge." He then revealed the reason behind this.
"We are a team that must win the championship, and I believe we are capable of winning it. But we can't compete with the same members all the time. We have a group of very good players with both skill and achievements. When irregular players like me suddenly join such a group, a different kind of chemical reaction occurs, and having several such players makes the team even stronger. Teams that have this kind of cycle are strong. Especially in the Kawasaki match, I scored and everyone was happy. It felt like we became one again, so if more players like me come out, I think the current players will also improve through a synergistic effect."
The commander has been quietly watching over the internal competition within the team this season. Within that, the style of Coach Matsuhashi was also deeply embedded.
“The competition among players, each with their own style, is, in a sense, scattered and uneven. However, even though their characteristics differ, I believe that including those differences in the competition is a good thing. If this were just words, it would sound like empty platitudes. Even so, when it comes to achieving the team’s goal of victory among players competing for the same position, I want them to think about what they can do to win, regardless of whether they get playing time or not. It might sound like a platitude, but I think it’s very important. Giving advice to someone raises competitiveness, and if they adopt that, the player’s value and performance might improve. Helping that player grow directly leads to the team winning. It’s good for the players, but as a coach, it’s difficult. Naturally, I have no intention of choosing someone just to be liked or not choosing someone to be disliked. There is my own style in that. I don’t decide alone; I consult with coaches, talk with players, and communicate before making decisions. I hope that by doing so, the team will become deeper. I believe it’s important to build this up not just momentarily or temporarily, but continuously.”
On the pitch in Kodaira, there are days of fierce competition. It is also a world where players who envy others or try to bring someone down are naturally weeded out. Only the days spent confronting oneself can strengthen one’s back and broaden one’s world. Endo, who reached out to Nozawa, says, "I'm not the only one."
“Because players in positions other than my own can also compete every day, even with a somewhat intense schedule, the players who get on the field can fully engage in the match and express their intentions and feelings through their play, embodying a strong Tokyo no matter who takes the pitch. Since each player approaches training thoughtfully on a daily basis, the team becomes stronger through healthy competition.”
Then, Endo let out a soft laugh and, fully in his own style, uttered this somewhat sarcastic remark.
“In a way, I think I created a ‘debt’ with Tokyo at that time. If there is a chance to repay that ‘debt,’ I want to do so properly. I hope such an opportunity comes.”
In the final round of the 2019 season, the man who blocked Tokyo’s “dream” with the decisive third goal now scores the goal that leads the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League to victory in blue and red. Such a scenario would be wonderful. The number 22, who won through competition, creates a happy ending.
That is also a reward awaiting the men who have endured the harsh daily life of professional soccer players.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
