Encounter with Kosuke OTA
This is a story born from a chain of kindness. Among the many episodes in Tokyo, it can be called one of my top ten favorites in my heart. I would like you to join me for a little while in this lovely story about Ryoya Ogawa, who will soon be leaving for Portugal, and the heartwarming left-back he left behind in AO-AKA.
Ryo entered the professional world from Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School in the 2015 season. Looking back on that time, he said, "I was praised in high school soccer and had some misunderstandings."
"So, I didn't think I could beat Kosuke OTA, but I thought I could at least be a substitute or occasionally play in the game."
However, that faint hope crumbled easily. Throughout the year, there was never an opportunity to participate in an official match, and I felt really down. But more than anything, I realized the difference in skill level between me and Kosuke. I thought to myself, "I have a lot of things I need to work on." Before I knew it, I found myself naturally watching Kosuke's plays during practice and always following behind him. Furthermore, I asked him about anything that I was curious about.
"I just imitated Kosuke's movements. We were both left-handed and had similar characteristics. I often watched him during practice, and we also did cross training together after practice. Kosuke was also kind. If the senior players had a mentality of 'Why do I have to teach you?' it would have been tough, to be honest."
What did Hirokazu think of Ryo's actions at that time? Hirokazu puts it into words like this.
"You might think it's strange to get along with someone who could be a rival in the same position. But I've been fortunate to have kind seniors since I was young, who allowed me to play freely. Whether it was during my time at Yokohama FC or Shimizu S-Pulse, there were countless remarkable members. I was able to absorb various things and grow by sticking with such seniors. Because of that, regardless of being rivals, I wanted to convey my experiences up until then and strongly felt that I wanted to have a good relationship with every player. I have a personality that doesn't rely on my peers from the same generation and somewhere, it resembled me to get close to seniors. Maybe that's where that cuteness came from."
And then, a chance comes to Ryo as well. In his second year as a professional, Hirokazu moved to Vitesse in the Dutch first division, and he made his first appearance in the AFC Champions League, overlapping with Yuichi KOMANO's injury, who was competing for a regular position. He also increased his playing time in the league matches, but he didn't feel satisfied with his performance.
"I was desperate to keep up. I was always on the edge, trying not to make mistakes or disrupt the flow of passes. There were times when I didn't understand, so I just ran as if I knew what I was doing. Looking back now, I think Naotake HANYU and other seniors covered for me and maneuvered in a way that made it easier for me to play."
The following year, when Kosuke returned to Tokyo from the Netherlands, he was once again relegated to the bench. However, he told himself, "If Kosuke-kun had been here in my second year, I wouldn't have been able to play," and continued to chase after his back just like he did in his first year as a professional.
I felt that recently, the sound of Ryoya's footsteps, who is also chasing after Kousuke, has become a little louder.
"When he came back from the Netherlands, Ryoya had established his playing style and gained confidence to play. It was nice to see him playing in the game and being able to see his playing style and the angle before taking a corner kick. "
However, even though Ryoya recognized him as a rival, their cross practice continued unchanged from their first year. They also often went out to eat together in private. The two remained each other's biggest rivals and good senpai-kohai.
'6' Genealogy
The turning point came in his fourth year as a professional. Ryo gradually increased his playing time from here on.
"I gained confidence in my fourth year. When Kosuke-kun came back, I felt a difference. Even with Kosuke-kun, it gave me confidence to be able to play in the matches. It was different to play in the matches without Kosuke-kun."
Ryo's success meant that Kosuke's playing time was decreasing. However, Kosuke says.
"When I uploaded a picture of us together on SNS, fans and supporters would say or write, 'Aren't you frustrated that you're losing your position?' Before being in the same position, I liked Ryoya Ogawa as a person because we spent a lot of time together even outside of soccer. I did feel frustrated when I was on the bench. However, I never thought about playing poorly or making mistakes against Ryoya. I wanted to continue a relationship where we could push each other and I believed that I could also grow by sharing various experiences. I truly think it was a simple and good relationship. We had passionate discussions about soccer together and I think we respected and elevated each other."
The relationship between the two continues even now, after Kosuke left Tokyo in the summer of the 2019 season. Ryo writes "Kosuke OTA" in the column of respected players every time, and has continued to have feelings of gratitude and respect.
"He never changed the way he treated me, no matter what. That made me happy and grateful. So, I also got involved with Frank. I think it's because of Hirokazu's great character."
From the 2020 season, Ryoya took over the number 6 that Kousuke had worn. "It's not that I absolutely wanted to wear it. But if it became an empty number and someone else wore it, I would really hate that. So I said I wanted to wear number 6 myself." This story didn't end here, or rather Ryoya didn't let it end. He didn't just take over the number 6. After the caring Kousuke left, it was none other than Ryoya who took the lead in taking care of his juniors.
"Because I was at the bottom, I always got taken out to eat. The senpais took care of me more than enough. I wanted to continue that. In the first place, I don't want to create a wall with my kohais. Maybe the senpais created a wall for me, but I might have jumped over it without realizing it. It's dangerous to be familiar with senpais and create a wall with kohais, saying it's tough (laughs)."
Facing Kashif BANGNAGANDE, a left SB who was promoted from FC Tokyo U-18, the two of them started extra practice and answered any questions, just as they had been helped in the past.
Kashif, who was initially reserved, also changed as he came into contact with Ryoya's kindness. "He has something that I don't have, so I feel like it would be a waste not to ask. At first, I was hesitant, but when I first participated in training with the top team, both Hirokai-san and Ryoya-kun spoke to me in a friendly manner. That's why I was able to actively engage in conversation. I really think it's thanks to the two of them."
Kazufumi and I push each other to improve, and Ryoya was selected for the first time to represent Japan in March 2021. Hirokai was so happy as if it was his own achievement when he heard about it.
"I was really happy when I received a message about my jersey number and when I was called up to the national team. He said he would wear the number 6 and join the national team, and I think it's amazing that he followed through with his words. Also, he was talking shyly about being kind to Kashif. Soccer players have their own individual worlds, but it's not interesting if they don't talk to each other and don't teach anything to younger players. I'm glad Ryoya also felt that way."
The right place to be
And so, preparing for the journey, Ryouya made up his mind to venture out into the world. It was to open the door to his dreams.
"When I was a child, when it came to soccer matches, it was always about the national team. So, when I dreamed of becoming a soccer player, I always imagined myself as a member of the Japanese national team. I was extremely happy when I decided to join FC Tokyo. However, it was slightly different from what I had imagined. When I was selected for the national team for the first time, I felt like my dream had come true. When I stepped onto the pitch in the match against South Korea, I had a sense of fulfillment that I had become the player I had imagined. I admired and aspired to be a player who could perform excellently both for the Japanese national team and overseas."
In mid-June just before that, Hiroshi and Ryoya reunite. They go out for a meal after a long time and the junior who kneels beside them looks a little reliable.
"Anyway, when I told him to do his best, he would say 'I'll do it' with a shy smile. He has been practicing crosses and I think Ryoya can be more aggressive. Due to the team situation, he has become more focused on defense, but originally he always said he wanted to overlap and deliver crosses. I told him to become a more attacking full-back in Portugal. Because I know he can do more."
Ryo asked him, "Do you want to wear the number 6?" His answer was as gentle as he is.
"I don't want to be pushy. But I would be happy if Kashif wanted to wear it."
Surely the kindness and compassion that Ryoya left behind in this club will be passed down to the next generation.
Goodbye Tokyo, what do you think as we face the beginning of today? What do you feel as we welcome a new beginning?
It's not fitting to say farewell greetings with feelings of regret. Here, there was Ryoya OGAWA, who was a bit cheeky and full of ambition when he first became a professional, shining brightly.
"When I joined, the seniors were probably confused. They must have felt a different atmosphere from the usual juniors coming to Tokyo. At first, it seemed like they thought a cheeky guy had joined. The seniors in Tokyo were kind to me. They listened to everything I said and taught me everything. That's why I am who I am now. I'm really grateful, and joining FC Tokyo was not a mistake. I am where I am now because of many seniors and coaches who have been involved. I really think I've been blessed with good people. But I've never said or thought that I love FC Tokyo. I wonder what I should say... You don't say you love your family, right? FC Tokyo has become the place where I belong, and it has always been natural. I will become bigger over there. Wearing the national team uniform is an unshakable goal for me."
By the way, I feel like there was a player who jokingly said, "I will play for Real Madrid someday," during his first year. I have been amazed by his potential. At the same time, I feel like I haven't seen his true seriousness yet. If I were to give him words, it would be like this.
'Become bigger, kind-hearted Gentleman Boy'
Text by Kohei Baba (Soccer Writer)
