A strong sense of achievement and potential shown despite struggling with injuries.
Every person and player has a story. '2024 PLAYER’S REVIEW' introduces all the blue and red warriors who fought through the 2024 season, one by one. What thoughts did they carry as they went through the season? Confidence, a sense of achievement, challenges, joy, regret... Reflecting on this season's battles through the words of each player.
In his second year since being promoted to the top team, Kanta DOI secured a starting position at the opening match. The 2024 season, where he showed his presence as a key player in build-up play despite repeated injuries, was a season where he felt both a sense of achievement and positive challenges, yet he was unable to fully capitalize on the opportunities he received. The potential for growth is limitless. Let's look back on a year that offered a glimpse of that potential.
Kanta DOI, who made a brilliant start as a starting member, said, "This season has been plagued with injuries. That was the biggest issue. While I received opportunities from Coach Peter, I couldn't make the most of them." As he mentioned, after a good start, he faced repeated injuries, limiting his appearances in league matches to just 15.
Dealing with injuries was also difficult, but realizing the lack of physicality in matchups against opponents in the J1 League was also a "baptism of professionalism."
"First of all, I need to change my physique more. When facing a bulky forward, I felt that I was lacking. To be specific, when it comes to an opponent like Se Hun OH from FC Machida Zelvia, I felt that there are many areas where I am insufficient this season."
Even if he couldn't effectively restrain his opponent due to a physical disparity, he has the ability to sense dangerous situations and respond quickly, as well as the capacity to prevent goals with quicker decision-making. There may be areas where he can defend using his agility and individual defensive tactics. However, there were opponents who surpassed him in that regard.
"Shin YAMADA of Kawasaki Frontale was also a tough opponent. He kept challenging until the very end, physically engaging and desperately chasing us during defense, never giving up until the ball went out. It's those small details, you know? He fought until the very end. I really felt that aspect."
I felt a lack of skills. Although I am a player who has handled multiple positions since my academy days and has a dexterous impression, I often vowed to improve my ability to change the game with passes, saying, "I want to be able to make passes that can change the situation. There were few challenges."
However, it is not that there were no positive feelings. Regarding the match against Albirex Niigata in Sec. 10 and the first half of the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. in Sec. 11, where I was forced to substitute due to injury, I found that "the flow of the game was good, both as a team and for myself, I was able to play well," discovering standards that are applicable in the professional world.
"The way we moved the ball was good. In the match against Niigata, we were held by the opponent, but there was no fear at all, and there was a cohesion when we needed to connect well as a team."
The team went through periods of good and bad form, and I experienced multiple injuries. It turned out to be a season with significant ups and downs, but in my second year as a professional, I played as a center-back, defensive midfielder, and full-back, and it became a season where I found potential for growth in a style of play that starts with build-up.
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
