"I didn't expect to have a match this soon. Honestly, it's difficult to play against each other."
Kosuke SHIRAI, who joined Tokyo this summer, expressed his inner thoughts.
It's no wonder that his "home debut" was a match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., his former team that he belonged to until July. With the anticipation of a strange twist of fate, he also expressed his true feelings and determination in his new environment.
Overcoming numerous trials and obstacles -
Shirai, who spent his childhood in Aichi Prefecture until middle school, was a formidable presence in soccer, almost as if he never lost in his hometown. After that, he enrolled in Osaka Toin High School.
The world was vast. "There were many members, and I was crushed by my seniors. Honestly, I might have become arrogant." Overwhelmed in terms of playing quality and physical differences, I couldn't match them in any aspect of the game, but I didn't give up. Recognized for my natural speed and dedication, I grew to become the core of the attack as a side midfielder. Gradually, I was called the "Robben of Naniwa" and started to attract attention. And then, I earned an offer from Shonan Bellmare, who was in the J2 League at the time.
At the time of Shirai's joining, the coach leading Shonan was CHO Kwi Jae, who is currently in charge in Kyoto. "At that time, I think Mr. CHO was treated as one of the many players who joined (laughs)," he reminisced jokingly.
In his first year as a professional, he was loaned to Fukushima United FC. The way he balanced his job and soccer, and his sincere dedication, greatly contributed to his personal growth. Although it was only for one season, it was a period that laid the foundation for his career as a professional soccer player.
Although he returned to Shonan the following season, there was no position available for Shirai in the team that was riding the momentum with the "Shonan Style" they had at the time.
"After returning, I couldn't participate in matches for about one and a half seasons, but my mental strength never wavered," said Coach Cao. As a wingback, he was always expected to excel in vertical breakthroughs and running ability. Although he didn't have any appearances, he felt the confidence and growth to continue fighting in the professional world."
ただし、プロになって3シーズン目を迎え、出場機会がかぎられていた白井には後がなかった。試合に出て実績を残すために、半シーズン限りの期限付き移籍で愛媛FCに加入し、目に見える結果で自分の存在をアピールした。久々に試合に出場し続ける日々を過ごし、湘南時代に曺監督よりアベレージとして求められていたプレーが自然と自身の武器となっていたことに気付いた。
In the 2018 season, he achieved personal promotion to Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and faced high-quality J1 players head-on without being buried in Sapporo, where talented players gather.
Conflict and a single phone call towards evolution
Shirai, who had finished about two seasons in Sapporo, was facing a major turning point.
"I thought that expanding the range of play is more important than improving the quality of play." The answer I arrived at was to "compete in the full-back position." After careful consideration, I determined that it was an unavoidable path in order to level up as a professional soccer player. Naturally, I have no experience playing as a full-back.
One day, White received a phone call. The name displayed on his mobile phone's screen was his former coach from the Shonan era, Coach Cao. He had been appointed as the coach of Kyoto from the 2021 season and was concerned about the progress of his former student.
"How have you been lately?" It started with a casual small talk. As the conversation progressed, I expressed my desire to challenge myself as a side back. Manager Cao believed in my potential and possibilities as a side back. "It was a big decision to drop down a category from J1 League and leave Sapporo, but I had absolute confidence that I could promote to J1 League in just one season with Mr. Cao." The passionate determination bore fruit, and from the 2021 season, I transferred to Kyoto. I took a big gamble on my soccer career.
Support from those around and farewell
After joining Kyoto, the days of challenging a new position as a side back began. I had doubts in my play and sometimes I was left out of the team. The view on the pitch changed, and I experienced the fear that the placement of the ball, the choice of pass, and one play could directly lead to conceding a goal. Truly, it was a period of trial and error.
The coach who always cared about Shiroi was Tetsu Nagasawa, who used to be the coach of FC Tokyo U-23. "Coach Tetsu always encouraged me with positive words," he said. Even if there were plays or mistakes that led to goals, he trusted Shiroi and encouraged him with positive words. Each effort took shape and contributed to Kyoto's promotion to the J1 League under Coach Cao's leadership. The days of self-imposed challenges and trial and error led to a new scenery.
When an offer came from Tokyo to Shirai, who had been playing as a side back in almost every match since the beginning of this season, he visited Coach Cho's office.
"I thought you were going to Tokyo," I was told. While considering a transfer to Tokyo, I also felt the satisfaction of playing in Kyoto. The presence of my family, who had become accustomed to life in Kyoto, also made Shirai hesitate. However, Coach Cao saw through Shirai's feelings and hesitations.
"I want you to stay as a coach, but as an individual, I can't stop you from wanting to transfer. I understand your feelings about considering your family, but even if you compromise and decide to stay in Kyoto, will your family truly be happy?"
I couldn't find any words to respond to the answer that hit the nail on the head. However, I made up my mind. Coach Nagasawa, who has been quietly supporting me for three and a half seasons in Kyoto, also metaphorically described my efforts and growth so far as "watching a good movie, a good piece of work," and encouraged me by saying, "Become a great man."
At the end of the conversation about enthusiasm in Tokyo, he smiled and said, "I always perform well when playing against Coach Cao."
Although Kyoto's tactics and each player's playing style are understood better than anyone else, it is expected that there will be match-ups on the pitch that will neutralize Shirai's play and strengths. Nevertheless, we hope that many scoring opportunities will still be created from Shirai's side.
Yesterday's friend is today's enemy.
After transferring to Tokyo, the first encounter in the league is with his former comrades. Kosuke SHIRAI, quietly burning with fighting spirit in the match against his old team, runs around freely and dyes the right side in blue and red.
