The shout of "Super!" echoing through Kodaira resonated in my mind.
Kazuki Sato, who once led FC Tokyo U-18, would always shout "Super!" from the bench whenever the players showed clever plays during matches or training. In 2018, a first-year high school student who received that exclamation wholeheartedly appeared right before me. That was the moment I first recognized Rio OMORI.
"I remember, I remember. Whenever Kazuki-san shouted 'Super!', all the players were happy. It was a rare occurrence."
With that 'super' play, he demonstrated the progress he had built up over these four years. And to that very opponent who had caused him so much bitterness──.
I never forgot the bitter memory that resurfaced with a throbbing pain. On November 6, 2021, in my first year as a professional, during Sec. 35 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Yokohama F.Marinos, Masato MORISHIGE received his second yellow card in the 39th minute of the first half and had to leave the pitch. Omori, who was sitting on the bench, was sent onto the pitch, replacing Diego OLIVEIRA.
However, what awaited there was a nightmarish time. We helplessly conceded goal after goal, and by the end, it was 0-8. At the moment the match ended with the worst defeat in team history, I slumped down as if a thread had snapped. Omori wiped away his tears and said, "I will never forget this for the rest of my life."
As if to fill the gaping hole, a journey of apprenticeship in the J2 League began from the following season. In his second professional year at FC Ryukyu, he followed his seniors closely and started serious strength training. Later, even after joining Omiya Ardija in the 2023 season, where he had limited playing opportunities, he faced himself and immersed himself in building the physical foundation essential for a soccer player.
"After finishing morning practice, I would eat lunch, take a short rest in the afternoon, do strength training, go home, and then have dinner—that was my daily routine."
Continuing a lifestyle of practically living in the clubhouse, at Iwaki FC in the 2024 season, he faced his body even more and, for the first time, consistently kept appearing in matches. That experience deepened his confidence.
"Going to Iwaki, I was able to learn various methods as a team and different approaches to matches. Last season, I went to FC Imabari, but I felt the condition to keep playing continuously and was able to try various things while controlling that. I think I was able to build up to a good stage."
He played a key role in the J2 League for two seasons and then took a step toward a new challenge. Having resolved to don the blue and red again for the first time in five seasons, his face had grown sharper. At the pre-season camp in Okinawa, the bold challenger declared, "I want to climb up from the very bottom." However, he told himself, "I want to hurry, but without rushing," and waited for the moment to soar.
"Due to my position, flashy plays don't necessarily lead to recognition. Stability and consistency over time are the main criteria for evaluation. I believed it was necessary to earn trust because you can't suddenly become capable of something new."
The long-awaited 'moment' arrived. And it came at the perfect timing──. It was a great opportunity that came about due to Masato MORISHIGE's injury, who was competing for the regular spot, and Hayato INAMURA's poor condition. "I think I was lucky to be able to step up at this exact timing."
The promised place he reached by his own strength. The opponent he faced was the fateful rival who had caused him bitter hardship in his debut match. In Sec. 5 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League against Yokohama FM, Rio OMORI earned his first start in the blue and red.
"At that time, I couldn’t do anything anymore. First of all, losing was one thing, but it was a game where, for better or worse, I couldn’t do anything. That was frustrating, and I felt powerless. That frustration was huge, and winning against Yokohama FM became one of my personal goals as I returned to Tokyo and performed well. I absolutely wanted to get even, so I was happy to have played the full 90 minutes. (In the past four years) I was in the J2 League and couldn’t face Yokohama FM. It was a good opportunity and a good timing."
At that time, the Tricolor army from Hama easily shook the net. However, the confidence built up carefully every day was expressed on the pitch as strength and intensity. Throwing his body forward to block the opponent’s shots was exactly the proof of that. Then, carrying the ball and delivering it to the front line with highly accurate feeds brought back the nostalgic echo of the shout “Super!” in his mind.
"From my perspective, I was able to play without feeling pressure when placing the ball on my first touch. That was largely due to the timing of the passes around me and the positioning. The arrangement of the surrounding players and the way I received the ball were also good, so if I keep my head up, I have confidence that I can deliver the pass. I think that’s the most important part. Since it’s a position built on accumulation, I was able to produce decent results as a start, and I believe that winning without conceding any goals holds tremendous value."
The team secured a comfortable 3-goal victory. The match, in which he played the full 90 minutes in blue and red for the first time, was the team's first clean sheet of the season. When the long whistle blew, the image of him collapsing on the pitch five years ago was nowhere to be seen. Quietly clenching his fist, he savored the victory and the journey that had brought him here.
After the match, Omori said, "I wanted to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and seize the opportunity when it came. However, I intended to fulfill my role, so even on the bench, I wanted to fight hard for the team. This is just the beginning, but I want to keep the winning streak going from here." Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he said, "Also," and continued.
"There are currently several players out on loan from Tokyo. I hope that my return and performance here can give those players confidence that they too can succeed when they come back to Tokyo. This season and beyond, I want to continue showing that side of things."
The words he left in the mixed zone were a cheer for his teammates who, just like he once did, grit their teeth and persevere day by day.
"Last season, I was playing together with Kaji (Yuki KAJIURA) at Imabari. I believe that if we keep going without losing sight of our goals, we will surely become a stronger team moving forward."
Having been beaten down and fallen, what I realized was the height of the wall. I drew up a roadmap to overcome it, steadily wearing down my spikes and building myself up step by step. What I reached beyond that was the next wall.
What truly begins here is the full-fledged challenge to surpass Morishige, a goal set during his rookie days. The three-way battle, now including Hayato Inamura, is expected to intensify.
“Both of them are great players, and I understand that shaking their positions won’t be easy. Having played alongside them in the same position and felt it up close, I want to take my time and bring myself up to that level of quality. If Tokyo has three players like that, the championship will surely come closer. In that sense, I want to push up from below as well.”
The man who lives by reason spoke about the path he aims to take from here. What was embodied in his words was the strength of a man who had clawed his way up from the depths of the earth.
"I think there will be games where we struggle through tough periods, where the opponent takes control and keeps pressing or penetrating. I want to become a player who can defend well in such games, and as a center back, that has to be a priority. Of course, build-up play and chance creation must be above standard, but I believe my strength lies in defensive solidity. While absorbing the attack, I want to also showcase my defensive traits. When we lose and feel down, it would be great if more players could turn things around positively. I want to be one of those players. Tokyo has many talented players, and if everyone can perform well, we have the quality to win the championship. How well can I bring out the strengths of my teammates? I want to be the one who draws out those strengths."
Having experienced pain, Omori said, "I want to become a man who can protect the team." He pushes someone's back and helps them face forward.
It's not just about his play. His presence alone makes you want to mutter "Super!" in admiration.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
