Top Team Promotion Achieved by a Comeback
Rewriting the Blue and Red History with a Hungry Spirit
MF 38 Kio TANAKA
Introducing all the blue and red warriors taking on the 2026 Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What thoughts do the players hold, and with what resolve are they preparing to face the year ahead, especially with the special half-season tournament approaching?
Kio TANAKA, who has grown up in blue and red while attending the FC Tokyo Soccer School Advanced Class and commuting to Kodaira Ground, has achieved his long-cherished promotion to the top team starting this season. The path was unexpectedly steep, and while tormented by a sense of crisis, he worked hard to grow and won the “ticket to the natural grass pitch” in a dramatic comeback. His intense hunger and determination are truly worth seeing.
On April 19, 2025, FC Tokyo U-18 held an official match at Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time in the club's history. It was Sec. 3 of the JFA U-18 Soccer Premier League 2025 EAST, where the blue and red faced off against Ichiritsu Funabashi High School at their “home ground.”
“Next, let’s fight together here at Ajinomoto as professionals.” Responding to the banner with this message, Kio TANAKA, who scored two goals in this memorable match, has officially been promoted to the top team starting this season. He has now stepped onto the coveted natural grass pitch, located just beyond a narrow passage from the artificial turf pitch at Kodaira.
He was not called up to the top team's Okinawa camp held before last season's opening, and it was this frustration that fueled his steady rise in the U-18, leading to a dramatic promotion. Optimistic that he would be called to Okinawa, he was faced with harsh reality, and with about half a year left until July—the decisive month for top team promotion—he was gripped by a sense of crisis thinking, "This can't continue like this."
However, turning misfortune into fortune, this approach proved successful. Now, doing what I can do—by simply organizing my thoughts, I was entrusted with the attacking midfielder position and scored 7 goals in the Premier League. "I create the chances and I finish them. That pattern has become stable," he says. Being pushed to the limit helped him establish his playing style.
Even after securing his promotion to the top team in the summer, Tanaka did not let his guard down. On October 26, in a practice match against TOCHIGI CITY, Tanaka came on as a substitute in the second half and scored a valuable goal to equalize from a 0-1 deficit. While struggling against TOCHIGI CITY’s quick transitions between offense and defense, the young and fresh lineup, which included many FC Tokyo U-18 players like Tanaka, showed agility that matched their opponents and pushed back to a point just one step away from turning the game around.
However, after the match, Tanaka’s expression was stern as he sat on the veranda at the clubhouse.
"It was good that I scored a goal, but what I was really particular about was scoring another goal after that to turn the game around. That’s what I regret. After equalizing, I should have immediately taken the ball and rallied those around me with the mindset of ‘Let’s go for one more goal.’ I’ve been reflecting on that ever since the game ended."
Even as a member of the top team in 2026, Tanaka’s expression remained focused. As he had said, "I just have to make a huge impression at the camp," he delivered on his words during a practice match at the Okinawa Itoman camp. In the season’s first training match against Nagoya Grampus, entering the game as the third substitute with the team two goals behind overall, he scored a goal to make a mark in his limited playing time. That fighting spirit was reminiscent of the match against TOCHIGI CITY.
"A desire to score goals stronger than anyone else. I want people to see my attitude and play as I head toward the goal." That spirit overturns the disadvantage.
It might be this bundle of hungry spirit that will rewrite the history of the blue and red.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Masaru Goto (Freelance Writer)
