The conductor of the midfield that governs the attack
The team's mainstay in the first year of transfer
MF 8 Takahiro KO
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.
Takahiro KO became the backbone of the team, gathering the ball and trust from those around him in the defensive midfielder position. Although he showed a presence that belied his first year with the team, there were times at the beginning of the season when he was troubled. The conductor who controls the rhythm of the attack in midfield and differentiates between quick and slow attacks saw both gains and challenges. What is necessary to lead both the individual and the team to greater heights?
It was a season that radiated an intense presence, as if it were not the first year in blue and red.
It is hard to believe now, but I was confused when I first joined. Takahiro KO, who transferred from Albirex Niigata, where organized soccer is deeply rooted, was eager to bring that experience to Tokyo. However, what awaited him were players with strong individual abilities and a fast vertical attacking style that utilized those individual skills. Although he thought he understood, he struggled to adapt to the team. To make matters worse, he was unexpectedly left out of the squad for the first three matches of the season. He could only watch from the sidelines as the team struggled to achieve their first victory.
Nevertheless, the evaluation from teammates was high, and he finally got the chance to start in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 4 match against Avispa Fukuoka. With the determination that "if I can't deliver results now, it's over," he approached the match, controlling the game and bringing the first victory of the season to the blue and red. From then on, he quickly became the core of the midfield and took on the role of orchestrating the attack.
As he gathered the ball and trust from those around him, Kuryu MATSUKI took over as one of the captains after his overseas transfer. Before he knew it, he had the most appearances and playing time in the league for the team. Being constantly challenged among strong individuals naturally led to his own level up.
"I've been told more often that my scale has become larger and that I have more things I can do, and I can feel my own growth as well. To be honest, I wanted to score more goals, but personally, it's the first time I've scored 2 goals in a season. However, there were moments where I missed clear chances, including a disallowed goal, so if I had converted those, I could have scored around 5 goals. I believe that if the defensive midfielder can score more goals, it will be a catalyst for the team to rise in the rankings, so that's an ongoing challenge for me."
Growth and challenges. The performance of a man who has continued to face both aspects has, before we knew it, become a barometer that influences the team's condition. Because he has spent more time on the pitch than anyone else, the team's challenges are clearly reflected.
"After fighting for one season, I really felt the weakness of not being able to win at crucial moments. I have the feeling that we lost every match where we needed to win to move up, and every match we couldn't afford to lose."
There is no doubt because it is said by the 'face' of this season. Yan, who has completely become a member of the blue and red, was looking to the future with a solid sense of achievement and the frustration that comes from being serious.
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
