The team, continuing their preparations for the season opener, concluded their 21-day Okinawa camp on February 1 and returned to Kodaira to enter the final phase of preparation. What did the players, who began working alongside new head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, feel from the coach’s words and passion on Okinawa’s soil, and what changes did they show? A reporter who accompanied the entire Okinawa camp witnessed the players’ new efforts and the potential of “MATSUHASHI Tokyo” that can be seen from them.
The scenery of Okinawa, which we should have visited for coverage every year, appeared somewhat different from the past few years. Welcoming Rikizo MATSUHASHI as the new manager, the team is facing the 2025 season with a new structure. The "prelude" before getting into the main subject was probably important. What the new manager first stimulated might have been to remind each player of the original scenery from when they first started chasing a soccer ball.
There were many scenes where the focus on a single play was discussed, and the mindset was conveyed. Proactive behavior was encouraged, and growth was promoted. It seemed like a time for each player to reflect on the people they had met and the words they had heard during the process of developing their own perspective on soccer. By spending such time, by the end of the camp, the new team's code of conduct was fully established.
Among them, significant changes were observed in the behavior of each player. A prime example is the extra training that began with Keigo HIGASHI and Kei KOIZUMI at the start of the camp. Kei KOIZUMI, who will turn 30 this season, expressed his desire to learn passing from "Keigo-kun," and this training started with him asking for guidance. In response, HIGASHI also gladly agreed.
"When the level of your rivals rises, the things you have to do also increase, which leads to growth. If someone asks me to teach them and I say 'No way,' that would be lame (laughs). But it's different from forcing someone to practice by saying 'Let's do it.' The desire to learn is really something I'm happy about. With that attitude, I take the stance of teaching openly and honestly. If there is something I can teach based on what I've learned, I want to pass it on not only to Kei but to others as well. It's fun to do, and it also serves as practice for myself."
After the main practice sessions, the two began to gather balls and dedicate training time to practicing lofted middle passes that drop between the opponent's last line and the goalkeeper. Player Higashi fully shared with Koizumi the passing techniques he has worked on throughout his career, as well as his football philosophy.
"I told Kei that it’s better to play broadly over the full 90 minutes. He’s good at the details, so he needs to make more use of the full pitch. Starting from there, there are long balls and also opportunities to target the space behind. You have to link those up and always place the ball in good positions; otherwise, you can’t kick it to good spots. That’s what creating the game means, or at least that’s how I explained it. I don’t know how much of it has really sunk in though (laughs)."
As a result of our daily efforts, we are gradually starting to see results even in practical training. Utilizing Marcelo RYAN's speed, we began to create opportunities to pass the ball into the space behind the opponent's final line. Then, at first just the two of us in training, Kouta Tokiwagi joined in, and Takahiro KO also started to show up, expanding our circle. This made Higashi smile as well.
"For a holding midfielder, it's necessary to create plays. They also have mobility on top of that. If that is added, they can become even better players. At my age, it's difficult to increase mobility, but I have to refine other aspects and compete. So, I am talking to the midfielders about continuing this practice throughout the season."
If this circle continues to expand, the ripple effect will be tremendous. Not only will individual skill improvement be expected, but another byproduct is also anticipated. During this camp, Coach Matsuhashi has mentioned the phrase "Let's synchronize our timing" several times. This may be the solution.
For example, if a receiving player joins this practice, the number of players who can naturally create the same picture should increase. Diego OLIVEIRA, who retired from professional football at the end of last season, showed movements to target the back when the player from the East had the ball. However, when the player wearing number 10 is not on the pitch, that frequency suddenly decreases. While the mutual understanding and trust cannot be built overnight, it is essential to break down the opponent while maintaining possession and taking the initiative.
Player Higashi said, "It takes time to synchronize. It’s difficult unless the second, third, and fourth players are on the same wavelength. You also have to understand their senses and characters, and use your head. You have to watch the opponents and also make judgments about players without the ball. Even if you connect passes safely nearby, the situation doesn’t change. Unexpected passes and switch passes are important, and the number of passers must increase as well."
It was from here that I thought, 'Oh!' In fact, there were moments when player Higashi called out to those who remained for shooting practice at the end of the camp, seeking their cooperation, and created an impromptu drill menu involving multiple people. There are types like Yuto NAGATOMO and Masato MORISHIGE, who show a seeker-like presence with their backs, and there are also veterans like Higashi, who strengthen the team while involving many people. This camp reaffirmed that such individuals are also one of the assets that this club possesses.
To excite the viewers, it is best to plan while teasing each other's mischievous spirits with as many people as possible. This must have been one of the original scenes they have seen while chasing the ball. Player Higashi said with a motivated expression.
"I'm going to do it. We have to raise awareness within the team and keep involving everyone around us. On the first day of the camp, the coach praised each and every play that I have been particular about in practice until now. Because of that, maybe others also became aware of something. Kouta and Yan (Takahiro KO) joined in like that, and I could feel everyone's strong desire to learn. That made me incredibly happy. I hope such things will continue to chain from now on."
This is just one example, and the players have already begun to notice that various initiatives are becoming more active. Coach Matsuhashi has been watching these changes from the sidelines. When asked about the number of participants in that practice, which started with just players Koizumi and Higashi, and has "increased towards the end of the camp," the coach nodded and squinted his eyes.
"The number has really increased. From my various experiences, I believe that such teams inevitably have a high potential to become stronger. At first, there are many things to consider, like how much you can accept something new. But they truly began to realize that this is necessary. The moment that vector aligns, the number of people working together suddenly increases. Just that alone brings their thoughts and feelings into alignment. It's the same in a game; when the visible route is blocked, you look for another route, but if everyone can make the same choice at the same time, the ball will connect smoothly. I think this needs to be practiced over and over again."
At the conclusion of the 21-day Okinawa camp that began on January 12, the coach uttered these words.
"We have come to the point just before the scenery changes."
It depends on whether we can deepen our commitment to each play and show new scenery through the rolling ball. And whether we can generate creative ideas. The countdown to the start of the 2025 season has begun. Coach Matsuhashi said, "It's not that something will start at the opening match; it has already begun. As long as they continue their soccer careers, I want them to pursue it until the very end," and reflected as follows.
"There is a wonderful phrase from Kazushi KIMURA, whom I met during my time at Yokohama Marinos, which says, 'Soccer is always a pursuit.' That phrase has always been within me. I believe it is a phrase that has remained in the hearts of the players I played with at that time. Those at the top always continue to seek. That phrase struck me deeply. It still remains with me, and I want to continue to say it from time to time. I hope they will continue to pursue it in that way as well."
There is a future beyond our present. Each player chases the back of the person they want to become, continuing an endless chase. There is no limit to the desire to learn and grow.
The world of competition is never easy. However, if the soccer created from here has surprising and unexpected twists, then this "makura" can be called a great success.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
