In the 2019 season, the speed star who prevented FC Tokyo's first victory changed his uniform from tricolor to blue and red. What he has cherished is "enjoying soccer". What was impressive was that he was looking ahead to what comes after winning the league for the first time. What is it that Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who wants to make one more flower bloom, wants to achieve at FC Tokyo?
Q, Please tell us your honest thoughts when you received an offer from FC Tokyo.
A, To be honest, I didn't expect to receive such a passionate offer. After hearing about the future and the plans for the next few years from the technical staff, I honestly wanted to be a part of that effort.
Q, Was there a decisive pick-up line?
A, There was no pick-up line, but they passionately explained their evaluation of my play and how I fit FC Tokyo's playing style. I think that was a major factor.
Q, Did you have any criteria for making the decision to transfer from the team you have been with for 8 years?
A, Turning 30 was a milestone, and I believe I had made some achievements with Marinos. In terms of taking on a new challenge, I also felt the need to give myself another stimulus.
Q, Was there anyone you consulted with when making the decision?
A, When I transfer, I try not to tell my teammates. After all, it is a decision I have to make myself. I don't think talking to others would change my feelings, and I believe it is a decision I must make on my own, so there was no one I consulted with.
Q, What image did you have of FC Tokyo?
A, From the image I had when we faced them, there were times when we lost in the intensity of one-on-one battles. In that sense, I felt they were an aggressive team. In attack, they have strong foreign players up front, so I think they make good use of that strength. Also, in recent years, they have been trying to break down defenses with passing soccer, and even at Ajinomoto Stadium this year, there were moments when they built up play from the back and created dangerous situations. Although their style is slightly different from Marinos, their approach to breaking down defenses is similar, so that left an impression on me.
Q, What is your impression of Ajinomoto Stadium?
A, I have also scored there, so I have a good impression of the stadium. Although, that was as an opponent (laughs). Next time, as an FC Tokyo player, I naturally imagine myself scoring there.
Q, by the way, have you scored this season as well?
A, That's right. Also, I think it is a stadium where there is a strong sense of unity with the fans and supporters. The distance between the stands and the pitch is a bit far, which is similar to Nissan Stadium, but the cheers definitely reach the players, and the passion of the fans and supporters is impressive.
Q, as we mentioned earlier, what about FC Tokyo's soccer style?
A, I believe we can do more and break down defenses better. Building up from the back to create numerical superiority and then entering the opponent's territory to figure out how to break them down. I think we can raise our level much more, so I hope to contribute even a little in terms of the final quality.
Q, the current challenge is to overcome the final third. What kind of strength do you want to be?
A, breaking down the final third involves the quality of combinations as well. However, individual quality and the ability to break through are also necessary. It’s important to step in there and break through with dribbling, and I want to add the style that Marinos have played and the experiences I’ve had to Coach Albert’s soccer. If I can season this team with my experience, I believe we can score more goals. I also want to discuss going forward how we can become the starting point for breaking down defenses and what kind of shapes we can create.
Q, where do you think the best position will be?
A, I have always played on the right side, but since last season I have also been playing on the left, so I am gradually getting a feel for the left side as well. It is necessary to become a player who can play on both sides, and I definitely want to play as a winger.
Q, for Tokyo fans and supporters, the image of the 2019 season before their first championship is quite strong. What kind of year was it, with the top scorer and MVP also winning that season?
A, for me personally, it was a season where I was able to play almost as a regular starter throughout. Along with that, the results came as well. We competed for the championship with FC Tokyo until the final matchday, and since we didn’t know what would happen, it was truly exciting. It had also been a long time since Marinos last won the J.League, so it was really a great year.
Q, It's strange to ask this, but what do you think made the difference in the outcome?
A, we entered the final match with an overwhelmingly advantageous lead in terms of goals scored. I thought just defending wouldn’t be enough, and that goal difference became the key in the end. That’s why I want to increase Tokyo’s goal count even more next season. The 2019 season made me realize how important the number of goals is in the final stages. I felt glad to have scored goals, so FC Tokyo needs to become a team that can score not just one or two goals, but three or four. I believe we can become that kind of team, and I want to be a part of that strength.
Q, it seems like it will be fun, right?
A, For me, enjoying playing soccer is very important. If I can score while having fun playing, it becomes even more enjoyable. I believe that is the true essence of soccer, and since I have lived my soccer life that way so far, I want to continue doing that with this team as well.
Q, After that, I suffered from injuries and I think the last two seasons were seasons with many worries. What were you thinking while kicking the ball?
A, I had many hamstring strains and muscle injuries, so I couldn’t do full sprints easily. Also, due to the anxiety of possibly getting injured again, I became very conscious of injuries and couldn’t sprint at full power. Especially in the season before last, I played with those thoughts, so I couldn’t deliver good performances. However, from around last season, I was able to dispel those anxieties, and muscle injuries have almost disappeared. This season, I was able to participate in matches throughout the season, so I am determined to start every game next season.
Q, What kind of future do you envision by changing the environment at this timing?
A, I am 30 years old now, and at an age where I am considered a veteran. I definitely want to convey to the younger players the joy of playing soccer and how to break down defenses in attack. I believe FC Tokyo has its own style, so I want to raise the quality of that style to create a team that can break down opponents more effectively and score more goals. I think that is what experienced players should do. I’m not the type to express things with words; I want to show through my play. Therefore, I want to be particular about my attitude in training, the small details and quality, and the accuracy of each and every pass. Of course, there are many differences compared to Marinos in various aspects. However, I also believe I am in a position to offer advice on those small insights to young and rapidly developing players. Having won the championship twice, I want to demonstrate the mentality of a winner, how to start a match, and the attitude to take into a game.
Q, Do you feel pressure because you have high expectations?
A, For me, it is nothing but excitement. I have the impression that feeling pressure is not very good. After winning the MVP in the 2019 season, I tried not to feel the pressure afterward, but I think I was feeling it somewhere in my body. That’s why I want to prioritize enjoying myself, so I don’t feel any pressure.
Q, in addition to the desire to see another flower bloom, many fans and supporters are hoping for a return to the Japan national team. What are your thoughts on that?
A, Of course, I have the desire to return to the Japan national team. The development department also told me that it is the club’s philosophy for many Japan national team players to come from FC Tokyo. I believe I am still at an age where I can aim for the World Cup four years from now, so I want to stand on that stage as a representative of Japan and as a representative of the people. I think that would be a way to repay my family who has raised me so far. It is also a dream stage, and I absolutely do not want to give up. Producing Japan national team players will surely lead to strengthening this team, so I want to become that kind of player. I believe that is the point where I can bloom once again myself.
Q, Are you known for having a lot of routines, but do you want to continue even if you change your environment?
A, I hardly know any of the FC Tokyo players, so I’m not sure if they will allow it (laughs). But it’s also my policy that I have to keep doing it, so no matter what anyone says, I intend to keep going at my own pace.
Q: I think I've talked about my feelings for Marinos in various places. Please tell us your thoughts on being with the team for 8 years and competing for the championship in the future.
A, my honest impression is that the 8 years felt both very long and short at the same time. During that period, I was able to experience winning the league twice. When I was a senior in university, I suffered a serious injury, yet Marinos still offered me a contract, and I am grateful for that. I believe I was able to somewhat repay that kindness. Now, I want to give back that experience to FC Tokyo, and I see that as my mission. Marinos had a strong bond and a family-like atmosphere. Although there are still things I don’t understand about Tokyo, I want to create that same family feeling here. It’s not just about the starting lineup; having a sense of unity and family among the substitutes and even those off the bench is the first step toward winning the championship. Having experienced two league titles, I truly feel that this is extremely important.
No one can be missing, and everyone must share the same goal and dream together. Everyone needs to be aligned in the same direction and share the passion for the style of football that Coach Albert aims for. I want to create a sense of unity within this team, and I believe that is my role. FC Tokyo has never won the league title, and winning the league is a major goal for this club. By winning, the team’s atmosphere will change, and the goals for the future will become even bigger. First, we aim to win the league and work together with a sense of unity to do what needs to be done.
Q, was the taste of victory exceptional?
A, the victory this season was even more special. This season, Marinos did not have a fixed starting lineup, so someone was rotated every match. The fact that different players came in and still delivered results contributed to the championship. From next season, I will be a player for FC Tokyo. I believe it is important to express Coach Albert's style of football no matter who plays.
Q, do you want to defeat the strong Marinos?
A, of course. From now on, they are our rivals, so I want to go all out and build up from the back to score against Marinos. I also want the Marinos supporters to think that I have grown even a little.
Q, We have been talking about it earlier, but please tell us about the goals you want to achieve with this club.
A, as a team, we want to aim for our first league championship. To achieve that, having a strong sense of unity will be key, and I hope to contribute to that strength. Personally, I intend to start every match—although playing full matches every time might be impossible with the increased substitution slots. To do that, I want to further improve my conditioning and maintenance now that I’m 30 years old. That is a goal I want to pursue, and I believe scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists is something I must accomplish here. I also think that will help Tokyo in their quest to win the championship.
Q, what will happen to the jersey number?
A, I'm thinking about various things, so please look forward to it (laughs).
Q, please give a greeting to the fans and supporters in Tokyo as a business card substitute.
A, I am Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who transferred from Yokohama F.Marinos. My goal is to help lead FC Tokyo to its first league championship, and I want to contribute to that effort in any way I can. I aim to contribute not only with goals and assists but also defensively. I also see creating an atmosphere that fosters team unity as part of my role. Starting next season, together with the fans and supporters, I want to emphasize the family spirit of this team. I want to make victories at Ajinomoto and the National Stadium truly special, and let’s all work together as one team to strive for the championship!
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
