In the 2011 season, Tokyo achieved victory in both the J2 League and the Emperor's Cup, and returned to the J1 League. Since then, they have never experienced relegation. Although they have not yet won the J1 League title, their attitude towards change has remained consistent.
Among various initiatives, the academy has visibly increased its presence. When the top team returned to the J1 league, FC Tokyo U-18, who had been competing in the Prince League Kanto of the Takamado Cup U-18 Soccer League, won the entry match at the end of 2014 and returned to the Premier League EAST from the 2015 season. In the 2016 season, under the guidance of coach Kazuki Sato (at the time), they achieved a double crown in the Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18) and the J Youth Cup. At this time, players such as Makoto Okazaki, Yoshitake Suzuki, Go Hatano, and Takuya Uchida were promoted to the top team.
In the following 2017 season, they finally achieved their long-awaited victory in the Premier League EAST by defeating Aomori Yamada High School in the final match, and also won the top spot in the Koshien Cup, which is participated by both the National High School Federation and J-League development organizations, by defeating Vissel Kobe U-18 in the Championship. Coach Sato, who rewrote the club's history, said, "Unlike the cup matches, I think we can truly say that we are the best in Japan in this tournament," and was overwhelmed with emotion. From the starting lineup of this Championship, Manato SHINADA and Taichi HARA have been promoted to the top team.
As it became common to win titles and produce talented players for both the top team and various universities, what caught the eye was the "early development". Junior high school students Takefusa KUBO and Yusuke AOKI (currently at Niigata University of Health and Welfare) are playing in FC Tokyo U-18 matches. FC Tokyo U-18 players accompany the top team's practices and also participate in official matches as registered players. From the 2016 season until the previous year of 2019 when participation was abandoned due to the pandemic, FC Tokyo U-23 also existed, providing an extra level of stimulation and accelerating the pace of development. The club has also started to incorporate the academy into the top team, further enhancing the development process.
In the J1 Sec. 32 match against Sagan Tosu on Nov 18, 2017, 17-year-old Rei HIRAKAWA made his J1 league debut as a substitute. "I was blown away by player CACA," he said, feeling the difference in physicality on a global standard, but also showing mental toughness by saying, "Once I stepped onto the pitch, I didn't think about anything or feel nervous." It can be said that it has become commonplace for academy players to have contact with the top team, which is a change that has occurred in this era.
Takefusa KUBO made a substitute appearance in the J1 Sec. 33 match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on November 26, one week later. Although he was stopped by the opponent's goalkeeper Takuto HAYASHI in front of the goal, he created opportunities by dribbling and taking a shot in the 45+3 minute of the second half. At the time, General Manager Takayuki TATEISHI praised KUBO's abilities, saying "He can make things happen while taking the initiative." He also marveled at KUBO's skills, saying "He's better than Shinji ONO was at 16 years old." Additionally, at the time, interim coach Takayoshi AMMA, who was in charge until the end of the season, commented, "When I only look at him, I think he can do well. But if he has a good relationship with those around him, he will be even more effective." He not only highly praised KUBO, but also went as far as to comment on how he would fit into the team if he were incorporated.
It is certain that Hirakawa and Kubo were outstanding talents who signed professional contracts before graduating from high school, but it is up to the club to consider how to develop their talents. The era of putting "strike while the iron is hot" into concrete action was the 2010s, just after their return to the J1 League.
Text by Wataru GOTO (Freelance Writer)
【25 Years of History】Special Column Here
25 Years of History vol.1 Things We Must Not Forget
25 Years of History vol.2 The Road to Our First Title
25 Years of History vol.3 Blue Tokyo
25 Years of History vol.4 What We Gained from Relegation and Promotion
