Ryoya OGAWA prepared for his journey and flew to Portugal.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE is no longer by my side, chasing after me. But I still hold onto my goals that I want to achieve. Someday, I dream of standing side by side and surpassing him.
The chase between the two continues.
The lineage of side backs that Kashiho, who grew up in blue and red, has seen. With gratitude in his heart, he runs towards becoming the best side back in Japan.
Q: What is the image of Tokyo's side back that Kashiho, a player who aims to be the best side back in Japan, has in mind?
A: When it comes to Tokyo's side backs, the image that comes to mind is the Japan national team. Regarding playing style, there may not be a single defined form. Yuto NAGATOMO, Kosuke OTA, Sei MUROYA, and Ryoya OGAWA each have their own unique qualities and characteristics. However, they all possess special weapons. It is precisely because of these outstanding weapons that they have been selected for the Japan national team. I myself want to continue developing my own strengths while addressing my weaknesses.
Q, please tell me the timing and background when player Yoshifu was converted from an attacking position to a side back position.
A, I have played in various positions, but the first time I played as a side back was in junior high school. Since I originally liked attacking, I strongly felt, "Why do I have to play as a side back?" and at that time, I didn’t really like it. Even after I fully switched positions in my second year of high school, I thought I must not neglect the attacking aspect, which is my strength. I wanted to fight there, and I was confident that I could. How much difference can I make in attack compared to others, and can I lead the team to victory? That is the part I want to compete in as myself.
Q: Is there anyone who has had the most influence on you so far?
A, My older brother, who played soccer, was the closest person to me and my first role model. From my parents, it was something natural, but I was always told to be grateful to those around me.
Q, that is also the origin of Yoshifu's kindness in his heart.
A, my family is much kinder than I am. My father is also incredibly kind to me.
Q, maybe it's because I've been treated kindly that I can be kind to others.
A, I truly believe that is the case. It may be thanks to the kindness I received from my family.
Q, Speaking of gratitude, it is also a word that Nagatomo has continued to mention since his rookie days.
A, I have always valued that phrase as well. In playing soccer, for example, gratitude towards referees, respect for opponents, and appreciation for the fans and supporters who cheer us on are extremely important. It’s just my impression, but players who lack a sense of respect disappear before becoming professionals. It’s that important, and I believe it’s not enough to just focus on playing soccer alone.
After turning professional, the kind role model Ryoya OGAWA, who always cared for me, always listened to me with concern, asking "How was today's practice?"
Q, Ogawa is often misunderstood as being light or frivolous, but perhaps it was because he had those feelings that he was able to realize his true essence.
A, Ryoya is reliable. Indeed, I also had that kind of image at first, but I quickly realized otherwise. I noticed that he was truly paying attention. From the time I joined practice in high school, I felt, "He is completely different from the person everyone thinks he is."
Q: I heard that Ogawa-san would give you encouragement when things weren't going well.
In my third year of high school, I was able to participate in practice and even play in matches for the top team, but during my first year as a professional, there was a period of about three months when I was on the bench after the league resumed but couldn't get into the game. It wasn't that I lacked motivation, but I was overthinking things, and nothing was going well. During that time, almost every time after practice, Ryoya would ask me, "How was today's practice?" He listened attentively to my concerns about not doing well and everything going wrong. We often practiced together on the left side, and for example, during drills where the attack started from the fullback, I was missing all the balls behind during that tough period. Once I made a mistake, it continued to go poorly. During those times, he advised me, "Why not just kick it without thinking?" Ryoya was always the one who reached out to me when I was really struggling. He is truly a kind person.
Q, it was strange why the reserved player Yoshinori was able to ask questions actively to his seniors.
A, When I first joined practice, the relationship between Kosuke-san and Ryoya-kun was really good, so I was able to join in without feeling nervous. I think that’s why I didn’t hold back with the two of them. It’s strange even to me, but I was able to blend in smoothly. Even when I was on the bench, I never once thought "make a mistake" about Ryoya-kun. When Ryoya-kun made a good play, on the contrary, I thought, "I got to see a good play," and my motivation went up. I think it’s because I’ve always tried to steal the good parts from Ryoya-kun. Even during matches, there were always discoveries like, "So this is what you do in this kind of situation." There was a sense of rivalry, but it was always more like studying or a strong desire to learn.
Daily lessons and advice from Yuto NAGATOMO, who knows the world, and lightened my heart. "I have confidence that I can learn from these seniors without fail."
Q, By the way, what kind of conversation are you having with Nagatomo?
A, I hear various things daily about mental aspects and technical parts of soccer, including one-on-one situations and positioning. The most impressive thing is the mindset. Even just watching from the side, I think it's amazing. Seeing his behavior in matches, practices, and even in the training room, I feel that this person could succeed in any world.
Q, there must be a lot to learn for player Yoshifumi in aiming for the world, right?
A, Since he is a player who has experienced the top level in the world, there is much to learn. He was someone who recently played while feeling the atmosphere of such a high-level league firsthand, so I even asked him what kind of meals young overseas players eat. It is truly valuable to be able to hear stories from someone who knows those realities.
Q, where does that learning attitude and ambition come from?
A, The side backs of Tokyo are probably players at the national team level. Being here guarantees growth, and there is also the desire to surpass these players. From the achievements left by the seniors, I am confident that learning from them is the right path.
Q: Ryota Ogawa also mentioned that he often imitated player Ota.
A, I started by watching how Ryo-ya does things and imitating him, then tried to make it my own style. Personally, when I get mentally down or out of form, I often carry it over to the next day. But Ryo-ya was good at switching his mindset even when the team really wasn’t doing well. He’s the complete opposite of me, but no matter how bad the team situation was, Ryo-ya never brought a bad atmosphere into practice. That was the biggest lesson for me, or rather, something I always felt I lacked. I want to be like that too, and Ryo-ya also told me, “Don’t overthink it so much. Try to take it easier.”
Q, just having my feelings put into words like that made me feel lighter.
A, yes. Also, watching Ryo-ya act that way made me realize that there is this kind of approach as well.
An original weapon that no one else has, polished for the player suitable for the blue and red side back. The goal is to be known as "Tokyo's side back, Kashiho".
Q, and please tell us about your determination as the new left-back for Tokyo, as Ogawa has transferred to Portugal.
A, honestly, I don’t think I have been able to play in a way that makes everyone think, "When it comes to Tokyo’s side back, it’s Kashiho." First and foremost, I need to play with confidence so that people will think that way. My ideal is to be a side back that everyone finds interesting. Being able to defend is a given, but I want to show a difference from others in attack. Whether it’s up and down runs, game control, or crosses—anything is fine. I want to be a side back who has unique traits that set me apart from others. That’s the kind of side back I want to become.
Q, Ota met coach Popovic and started kicking free kicks for the first time. He polished it to become his unique weapon. Ogawa also said that he practiced 100 free kicks every day in high school. Do you want to become a set piece kicker, not just crosses?
A, this year as well, I have taken free kicks and corner kicks in several matches. Coach Yuki (Yukihiko SATO) also said he wanted to see if Kashiho could take them, so I want to try kicking them myself. I’m not confident yet, though. For crosses too, Coach Yuki and Tetsu NAGASAWA (current head coach of Kyoto Sanga F.C.) have been watching me all along, and it’s becoming one of my weapons. I am grateful to Coach Yuki and Tetsu, and it’s one of the weapons I want to polish even more.
Q: The number 6 in Tokyo has been worn by players Yasuyuki KONNO, Ota, Ogawa, and also by players from the Japanese national team. Do you hope to wear it someday?
A, I understand that the number 6 at Tokyo has been worn by some amazing players. I don’t know if it will be this season, next season, or when exactly. If I come to believe that I am a worthy player, I might want to wear it. But right now, I think it’s more important how much I can become a suitable player as Tokyo’s side-back rather than the jersey number itself. If I can achieve that and feel that I am a player who suits it, then I would like to wear it.
Q, I think it's time to stand on my own when the player who was chasing my back is no longer here.
A, with the player I have been looking up to gone, this is where the real competition begins. Even though Ryoya is no longer here, Yuto, Junya SUZUKI, Hotaka NAKAMURA, and Shuto OKANIWA are still with us. I don't think a position has opened up, and the competition will become even fiercer. From here on, it's about how much results we can deliver. Results will also become important for the team, and we need to be more ambitious. That has been what I have lacked the most until now, so I want to focus on the numbers for goals and assists.
The journey to the promised stage continues. A reunion with the Japan national team, a competition to surpass the backs that I want to overtake. "I've always wanted to surpass them with all my heart."
Q: Do you still want to compete with Ogawa in the future?
A, Ryoya went abroad first, but I want to reunite at an even higher level. First, I think it’s about how much I can contribute to Tokyo and deliver results. That’s all I’m thinking about. If I give it my all, I will naturally reach that kind of place. If I can reunite there, nothing would make me happier. That is also one of my goals, so I definitely want to make it happen.
Q, and do you want to surpass it someday?
A, he is someone I have always genuinely wanted to surpass. He left for overseas while I still haven't been able to surpass him at all. That goal is not over yet, so I definitely want to achieve it someday.
Text by Tadashi BABA (Football Writer)
