A new view seen through suffering
Unleashing the accumulated strength in the final stages
MF 33 Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
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.
After a strong impact in his first professional year, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA entered the 2024 season with high expectations for further growth. He frequently showcased his ability to easily get past opponents in one-on-one situations, but it was also true that he struggled with increasingly tough marking. During such times, he received encouragement from his mentor, Coach Takashi OKUHARA, who he had been under since his academy days. The words of his mentor helped him to look forward, leading to new changes in his mindset.
The versatile dribbler has raised his sights a bit in his second year as a professional.
Having increased his body size through physical transformation, he likely felt a sense of accomplishment even before the season began. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA stated, "I want to raise my level in everything and aim to surpass last season's numbers," showing no doubt in his own leap forward.
As the year of competition begins, I continued to participate in matches consistently. I had more opportunities to play than last season, but I couldn't increase those numbers as I had hoped.
As summer approaches, he gradually starts to be left out of the starting lineup, and the signs of anxiety and worry begin to deepen. When the team is also abandoned by victory, he uttered these words.
"I am also in a situation where I can't ride the wave, so it's a very difficult situation. However, there were times like this last season as well. Really, I am struggling more than everyone thinks."
What was troubling me was that "the dribbling would be further countered, and definitely two defenders would come, as well as with the shooting, I am not able to play like I did at my best times."
Last season, as opponents gradually devised strategies against us, we went through tough times. Nevertheless, we dedicated ourselves to practice to break the current situation, increasing our options in play and overcoming obstacles. Last season, I scored my first professional goal in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 28 match against Sagan Tosu on September 23, and in the following match against Gamba Osaka, I recorded an impressive back-to-back performance, leaving the opponent behind with my signature dribbling.
"We are in the same situation, but the level of concern is higher than in the first year. Still, I believe that the experience from last season will help, and that just one play can change the entire game. When I get on the field, I want to make that one play, evolve my own game, and ideally help the team gain momentum."
In this second year of my professional career, the level of caution from opponents has increased, and more strategies are being devised against me. During this time, a phrase that lightened my heart reached my ears. My mentor from my FC Tokyo U-18 days, Coach Takashi HARA, who joined the top team this season, said to me, "The worries you have now are things you can't experience at your age." Those words made me feel that this is a path I will eventually walk, and that my journey is not wrong.
And just like last season, the extra training continues, and the accumulated strength will be unleashed. On August 31, during Sec. 29 of the J1 League against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, an assist was recorded, followed by inducing an own goal in the subsequent match against Urawa Reds. As the scent of goals began to waft, a solo run like a flower path led to the second goal of the season in the match against Yokohama F. Marinos.
The scenery seen while struggling and suffering has changed. Therefore, the words directed towards the future are slightly different from a year ago. This tells the story of his growth.
"The ideal is to become a presence that can lead the team. I'm not the type to shout, but I want to lead through my play. It's completely different from my first year. I want to be someone who can help this team win."
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
