The speedster who prevented FC Tokyo's first championship in the 2019 season changes his uniform from tricolor to blue and red. He says that what he has cherished is "enjoying soccer". What was impressive was that he was looking ahead to what comes after the first league victory. What does Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who wants to "bloom another flower", want to achieve at FC Tokyo?
Q, Please tell us your honest thoughts when you received an offer from FC Tokyo.
A, honestly, I didn't expect to receive such a hot offer. After hearing about the future and plans for the next few years from the strengthening department, I honestly wanted to contribute to that effort.
Q, Was there a decisive pick-up line?
A, There were no pick-up lines, but he passionately talked about his evaluation of my play and how I fit into FC Tokyo's playing style. I think that was a big factor.
Q, Did you have any criteria for making the decision to transfer from the team you have been with for 8 years?
There was also a milestone of turning 30, and I think there were some achievements that I left with Marinos. In terms of 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. In the end, it's my decision. I don't think talking to someone will change my feelings, and I believe it's something I should decide on my own, so I didn't consult anyone.
Q, What image did you have of FC Tokyo?
When we played against them, there were times when we felt like we were losing in terms of intensity in the ball battles. We felt that they were an aggressive team in those aspects. They have strong foreign players in the front line, so I think they are utilizing that strength. In recent years, they have also been trying to break through with passing football, and in the match we played at Ajinomoto Stadium this year, there were moments where they created danger by connecting from the back. They are slightly different from Marinos, but in terms of breaking through, they have a similar style, so that left an impression on me.
Q, What is your impression of Ajinomoto Stadium?
A, I have a good impression of the stadium because I also score. As an opponent, though (bitter smile). Next, as a player of FC Tokyo, I have the image that I can score on my own.
Q, by the way, have you scored this season as well?
A, that's right. And I think it's a stadium with a sense of unity with the fans and supporters. The distance between the stands and the pitch is a little bit, and it's similar to the shape of Nissan Stadium, but the cheers are reaching the players firmly, and the passion of the fans and supporters is also impressive.
Q, as we mentioned earlier, what about FC Tokyo's soccer style?
A, I have the feeling that I can do more and break through more. How to build up from the back and create numerical superiority and then break through in the opponent's territory. I believe that I can raise my level even more, so I hope to contribute even a little in the final quality.
Q, the current challenge is to overcome the final third. What kind of strength do you want to be?
Regarding breaking through the final third, the quality of combination is also important. However, individual quality and the ability to break through are also necessary. It is also necessary to dribble and break through, and I want to add the experience that I have gained from playing for Marinos to Albert's coaching style. If I can add my experience to this team, I believe we can score more goals. I also want to discuss and work on what kind of form we can create as a starting point for breaking through.
Q, where do you think the best position will be?
A, I have been playing on the right side for a long time, but since last season I have also been playing on the left, so I am gradually getting used to the feeling on the left. It is necessary to become a player who can play on both sides, and I still 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, personally, it was a season where I was able to play almost every game as a starter. And with that, results followed. It was really exciting to compete with FC Tokyo for the championship until the final match, not knowing what would happen. It was also a long time since Marinos won the J-League championship, so it was a really great year.
Q, It's strange to ask this, but what do you think made the difference in the outcome?
In terms of the number of goals, we were able to enter the final round with a significantly advantageous condition. I thought that just defending would not be enough, and that difference in the number of goals became the key in the end. That's why I want to increase Tokyo's number of goals even more next season. I was reminded in the 2019 season that the number of goals becomes important in the final stage. I felt good about scoring goals, so I want to make FC Tokyo a team that can score not just 1 or 2 goals, but 3 or 4 goals. 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, In my mind, it is important to play soccer with joy. If I can score while playing soccer, it will be even more enjoyable. I think that is the essence of soccer, and 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 a lot of hamstring and muscle injuries, so I couldn't sprint at full speed. I was also worried about getting injured again, so I couldn't sprint with all my strength. Especially in the season before last, I played with those thoughts in mind, so I couldn't perform well. However, from last season, I was able to dispel my worries and I hardly had any muscle injuries. This season, I was able to participate in games throughout the season, so I am determined to start in every game next season.
Q, What kind of future do you envision by changing the environment at this timing?
At 30 years old, I am already considered a veteran. I want to convey the joy of soccer and how to break down attacks to the younger players. I think FC Tokyo has its own style, so I want to improve the quality and make the team more capable of breaking down and scoring. I believe that is what experienced players should do. I am not the type to show with words. I want to show through my play, so I want to focus on my attitude towards practice, and the precision of each pass. Of course, there are many differences between us and Marinos. However, I also think I am in a position to give advice to young and growing players. Having won twice, I want to show a winning mentality, how to approach games, and how to face them.
Q, Do you feel pressure because you have high expectations?
A, for me it's only fun. When I feel pressure, I don't have a good impression. I tried not to feel the pressure after winning the MVP in the 2019 season, but I think I still felt it somewhere in my body. That's why I want to prioritize having fun and not 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?
Of course, I have the desire to return to the national team. The strengthening department also told me that it is the club's philosophy to produce many Japan national team players from FC Tokyo. I still think I am at the age where I can aim for the World Cup in 4 years, so I want to stand on that stage as a representative of Japan and the people. I think it will also be a way to repay my family who has raised me until now. It is also a dream stage, and I definitely do not want to give up. I want to become a player who can produce Japan national team players, and I think that will also make this team stronger. That is the point where I can bloom one more flower.
Q, Are you known for having a lot of routines, but do you want to continue even if you change your environment?
A, I don't really know the FC Tokyo players, so I don't know if they will forgive me for that (laughs). But that is also my policy that I have to continue doing, so I will continue to do it at my own pace no matter what anyone says.
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, 8 years may seem very long, but it feels short. I was able to experience winning the league twice during that time. I suffered a major injury during my fourth year of university, but Marinos still offered me a contract. I feel like I was able to repay that kindness to some extent. Now, I want to give back that experience to FC Tokyo and it is also my mission. Marinos had a strong bond and a sense of family. I may not know everything about Tokyo yet, but I want to create that same sense of family here. It's not just about the starting lineup, but also the substitutes and players who are not on the bench. Everyone having a sense of unity and family is the first step towards winning. I have realized how important that is through winning the league twice.
It's not good to be missing even one person, and everyone needs to share the same goal and dream together. We all need to align with the same vector and match the passion for soccer that Coach Albert has. It's my job to create a sense of unity within this team. FC Tokyo has never won the league championship, and winning the league is a major goal for this club. Winning can change the team's atmosphere and make our next goal even bigger. First, we aim for the league championship and work together with a sense of unity to achieve our goals.
Q, was the taste of victory exceptional?
A, the championship this season was exceptional. The starting lineup for Marinos was not fixed, so there was a change in players every game. The fact that different players were able to produce results also 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 football style no matter who is playing.
Q, do you want to defeat the strong Marinos?
A, of course. From now on, we are enemies, so we want to go all out and score against Marinos by building up from the back. I also want to be seen as someone who has grown even just a little bit by the Marinos supporters.
Q, We have been talking about it earlier, but please tell us about the goals you want to achieve with this club.
We want to aim for our first league championship as a team. In order to do that, it will be important to have a sense of unity and to contribute to that. Personally, I want to play in every game... but with the increased number of substitution slots, it may be impossible. I plan to start in every game. I also want to improve my conditioning and maintenance even at the age of 30. That is something I want to make a goal and I believe that scoring 10 goals and making 10 assists is something I have to do here. I think it will also help Tokyo win the championship.
Q, what will happen to the jersey number?
A, please look forward to it because I am thinking about various things (laughs).
Q, please give a greeting to the fans and supporters in Tokyo as a business card substitute.
It is Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who transferred from Yokohama F.Marinos. My goal is to lead FC Tokyo to its first championship, and I want to be a part of that effort in any way I can. I want to contribute not only with goals and assists, but also with my defense. I believe creating a sense of unity within the team is also my responsibility. From next season, I want to work together with the fans and supporters to showcase the family atmosphere of this team. I want to make victories at Ajinomoto and National Stadium even more special, and let's all work together as one team for the championship!
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
