Setting a great striker as his goal, the young point-getter from the academy has been promoted to the top team. Taiyo YAMAGUCHI, who says, "I want to become someone relied upon like Diego TABA," aims not only for his own growth as a player but also for the club’s dream of winning the league. His greatest weapon is his outstanding scoring sense. Overcoming injury, he is about to start a major challenge—his mindset and the future vision he holds close to his heart.
──At FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi, I won the Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-15) tournament in my third year of junior high school.
I had never participated in a national tournament since elementary school, so winning the national championship in the last summer of junior high was truly incredibly joyful for me. Even back then, I had the desire to eventually join the top team.
──You mentioned that you were conscious of being promoted to the top team from U-15 Musashi, but how did you envision your future when you were promoted to U-18?
First, I thought I would immediately participate in the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Soccer Premier League and get involved in national team activities. In my first year of high school, I struggled to get into the Premier League squad, but in my second year, I was able to play in matches, and from there, I felt I got on track. For me, scoring 10 goals in the Premier League and achieving results with the U-17 Japan national team during my second year of high school gave me confidence.
──And then, the official promotion to the top team was decided.
As a third-year student, I got injured right away, and for a while, I honestly felt anxious, wondering what would happen. But I was promoted because what I had built up until then was recognized, and I was genuinely happy about that.
──What did you gain from your activities with the Japan national team at various age levels?
The players around me in the national team are extremely skilled, which increases the variety of movements I can make after receiving a pass. I have also expanded what I am capable of doing myself. Overseas players are physically strong, fast, and powerful, so testing how well I can compete against them has been a truly valuable experience.
──You will be stepping into the professional world immediately after graduating from high school. How do you feel about that now?
For me, I have always wanted to succeed professionally right after graduating from high school. Now that I have been promoted to the top team, I have been given the chance to take on the challenge I wished for, so I just want to give it my all.
──You have already participated in top-level practice matches; what kind of impact has that had on you?
I have been truly happy to play alongside players like Diego TABA, whom I have watched since I was little. The intensity and speed are completely different from the U-18 level, so I experience a kind of fatigue I hadn’t really felt before, but through that, I feel that my level is improving.
──In the J.League YBC Levain Cup, Divine OTANI, a junior from the U-18 team, scored a goal. How did you honestly feel about that?
At that time, I was injured and could only watch the match, so above all, I just wanted to get on the field as soon as possible. Since he plays the same position as me, I felt some frustration, but even more than that, my desire to stand on that stage myself grew stronger.
──What aspects of the top team do you find helpful as a reference?
Since my U-15 Musashi days, I have always watched Diego, so being able to see him up close has been a great learning experience. His movements in front of the goal, including his shooting, are on a completely different level. It was very instructive. Also, I think Diego inspires a lot of trust. It's like, "He will definitely score." I believe that to earn that kind of trust from those around me, I have no choice but to keep delivering results.
──What are Yamaguchi's strengths?
I believe my strength lies in scoring goals in front of the net. In addition to shooting, I am also good at hold-up play and creating space up front. Regarding my sense for scoring, I have developed it by continuously playing in sync with my teammates and anticipating where the ball will drop.
──The top team will start training from January 2025, and the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League will kick off in February. What kind of preparation do you have in mind?
If I work backward from immediately playing in matches, I think I have no choice but to make an impression at the January camp. As a forward, I have to deliver results in the form of goals. My goal for next season is to first aim to get playing time, then score as soon as possible, and be recognized as a forward who can help the team win.
──Do you have a strong desire to perform well at Ajinomoto Stadium?
I have received passionate support since my academy days, but being able to be seen by even more people at Ajinomoto Stadium feels like a real dream. I want to score goals in front of many fans and supporters and celebrate together with everyone.
──Do you have any numerical goals?
I don't have specific numbers; I want to score as many goals as possible, as soon as possible.
──There are many rivals. How do you plan to compete as a rookie?
I believe that people still don’t fully know my style of play or my strengths, so I have to be more proactive than the other players around me to make them understand. I think I need to work harder than the players who are already at the top in order to truly showcase myself.
──Is there a player you are particularly determined not to lose to?
There are players of the same age who have already gone abroad, and domestically, there are also players like Tokuda from Kashima Antlers who have scored the J1 Monthly Best Goal in a top J-League club. First, I want to catch up to them.
──If you were to name a player you want to face in the J.League.
It’s Takai from Kawasaki Frontale. He has also made his debut for the Japan national team and won the Best Young Player award at this season’s J.League Awards, so I want to compete against him, surpass him, and win.
──Which players do you look up to, including those overseas?
Karim Benzema. He is reliable in front of goal, and when he played at Real Madrid alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and others, he showed versatility not only by scoring but also by creating chances, so I take inspiration from that.
──You will be challenging the top team of the Blue-Red, which boasts a deep roster of players.
They are all players worth learning from, but if you only learn from them, you won’t be able to surpass them. If you fight here and become able to play in matches, I believe you will become a player who can compete anywhere. Although they are my teammates, I think the experience of beating such amazing players and being able to play in matches can only be gained here.
──How would you like fans and supporters to call you?
"Taiyo" (Sun).That's the only name.
──You are expected to lead Tokyo from here on. What kind of player do you want to become?
Diego is not particularly tall either, but it’s truly amazing that he has played the role of a dependable forward for many years. I want to become that kind of presence as well, and I believe that as long as I keep scoring goals, we won’t lose matches. I want to firmly deliver results and become a player who can contribute to the club’s goal of winning the league.
♢Taiyo YAMAGUCHI Profile
Date of Birth: August 18, 2006
Height/Weight: 183cm/79kg
Hometown: Saitama.S
Career: FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi → FC Tokyo U-18
National Team Experience: U-17 Japan national team
Text by Masaru Goto (Freelance Writer)
