Takahiro KO, who commands the midfield as the conductor of the blue and red, and Motoki NAGAKURA, who is strengthening his presence as a versatile striker. Both players, indispensable to Tokyo’s center line, once played together at Albirex Niigata and experienced coaching under Rikizo MATSUHASHI. This time, we bring you a cross-talk about their off-the-pitch memories, including their meeting, daily life, and memories with Coach MATSUHASHI. While unraveling their “connected relationship” as they aim for new heights again at the same club, we deliver episodes that reveal each other’s character.
──First, please tell us about how you two met and your first impressions.
Takahiro KO It was during our time at Albirex Niigata. We met in the summer of the 2023 season when the team was promoted to the J1 League, and Nagakura joined the club. I think the first time we actually talked was about two months after he joined.
Motoki NAGAKURA No, no (laughs).
KO I thought he was a player who hardly spoke at all, but his play was very confident and his ability was high, so I got the impression that he smoothly integrated into the team. The team already had a certain style, and I felt he fit in well with that. But we weren’t that close (laughs). When we were in Niigata, we didn’t have many opportunities to go out to eat together. On the contrary, since coming to Tokyo, we’ve started talking a lot more.
Nagakura At that time, we were only together for half a season. So, the time was definitely not enough (laughs). From back then, Takao was capable both defensively and offensively, and I have the image that he played every match as a central figure of the team. However, since groups had already formed among players who were close, it was quite difficult to break into them.
Taka Half a season was way too short to break Mikiki out of his shell (laughs).
──You became teammates again this summer season, but I heard that Nagakura consulted you when he transferred.
Taka I saw from the outside that Mikiki transferred to the Urawa Reds before the start of this season but hadn’t had many opportunities to start matches. Since Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI was also in Tokyo, when I heard the talk that he might transfer, I was certain he would definitely bring something extra to the team. Around the final stages of the negotiations, Mikiki contacted me, and we talked about the team and the style of soccer they play. At that time, I invited him saying, "Come on, come on."
Nagakura There is no doubt that Yan-kun (Takashi)’s words were one of the triggers that pushed me forward. Being able to hear about the team was a big deal, and I was also happy to feel that they really wanted me.
──I think your friendship deepened after reuniting in Tokyo, but if you have any stories about each other, please share them.
Nagakura Well, it’s pretty wild. Yan-kun is wild (laughs).
Taka Just yesterday, we had plans to go out for a meal together, and I had sent all the details about the place, but I forgot to tell him the time. When I called after arriving at the restaurant... Mikiki was asleep (laughs).
Nagakura So I asked, "What time does it start?"...
Taka "It starts at 5:00 p.m.," he said (laughs).
Nagakura Even though it was 4:58 p.m., I said, "I'm still at home." So it ended up being canceled (wry smile).
Taka There were such troubles, but Mikiki was really happy when I scored my first J1 League goal (2023 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 28 Yokohama FC match) during my time in Niigata. He was shouting a lot, and that left a strong impression on me. I thought, "This guy is usually quiet, but he shouts this much." Also, in the final match of that season, Mikiki was the one who scored the goal, won the game, and sent me off. That kind of thing made me happy too.
Nagakura When I watch Yan-kun’s play since his transfer to Tokyo, I get the impression that he scores “golazos” all the time. I thought he had really grown, and at the same time, I wished he had played like that in Niigata as well (bitter laugh).
──It seems you sometimes go out to eat together, but what kind of conversations do you have in private?
Nagakura I don't talk much.
Taka Nagakura is kind of an enigma.
Nagakura I talk completely normally, but I don’t have any stories to share here (laughs).
── How are your memories with Coach Matsuhashi?
Taka In the 2022 season, when Riki-san (Coach Matsuhashi) was a head coach for the first time, we experienced winning the J2 League and promotion. The thing I was happiest about was fighting through the long league season and achieving that together.
Nagakura I think he often speaks good words and tells good stories. I've been quietly taking those words into my mind little by little. I can't recall them instantly now, but surprisingly, even if it seems like I'm not listening, I actually am (laughs).
Taka He reads a lot of books, so Riki-san’s words in meetings are amazing. The phrase that struck me the most was, "Don’t think, act on instinct." It was also a time when I was feeling uncertain. "If you think, you’ll fall behind in a world measured in fractions of a second. Acting on instinct, doing defense and offense as you feel, is ultimately the fastest," I remember that really helped clear my doubts. Also, Riki-san runs every day without fail. He doesn’t carry a watch or anything; he just relies on his sense, runs about 5 km, then turns back.
Nagakura There was a phrase I interpreted as "Stay calm no matter the situation." It was "Playing accurately is the fastest," and it became a saying that made me want to play calmly without rushing in any situation.
──Finally, what do you want to ask of each other moving forward?
Nagakura I want Yan-kun to take care of all the defense and then supply me with good vertical passes from there.
Taka I will do my best. I expect everything from Mikiki. I want him to keep running, become the starting point, score goals, and perform goal celebrations properly. It may seem like a high demand, but I believe he is a player who can do it.
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
