The Defensive "Iron Man" Unhesitatingly Extends His Contract
Will He Assert His Presence as a PK Kicker?
DF 24 Alexander SCHOLZ
Introducing all the blue and red warriors taking on the 2026 Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What thoughts do the players hold, and with what resolve are they preparing to face the year ahead, especially with the special half-season tournament approaching?
In the 2025 season, Alexander SCHOLZ, who supported the comeback in the second half of the league, renewed his contract with Tokyo. The calm and composed intellectual center back will once again don the blue and red uniform to fight. The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision is a special tournament where, if the score is tied after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout is used. How does the experienced player view this decisive moment?
Announced as a new signing during the special transfer window in June last season, it was expected that Alexander SCHOLZ would debut after about one to two weeks of adjustment... However, his first match in blue and red came quickly on June 28, 2025, in Sec. 22 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Yokohama FC, shortly after arriving in Japan. Although it was clear to observers that his condition was not yet fully at peak, he demonstrated appropriate decision-making and positioning despite some concerns about his intensity and speed. He helped keep the goals conceded to one and contributed to the 2-1 victory.
"At that time, I don't think I was physically fully prepared yet. However, the most distinctive feature of my playing style is using my head. When I get tired, that becomes difficult, so being as focused as possible was the most important point for me."
It is well known how Scholz gradually improved his condition and performed. He played in all official matches except for Sec. 33 against Shimizu S-Pulse, when he was unwell, and endured the grueling consecutive matches without faltering throughout the second half of the season. Remarkably, he was even preparing to play right up until just before that Shimizu match. Truly a man of iron. Without the efforts of him and the experienced defensive line, the team’s comeback in the latter half of the season would not have been possible.
“During the season, there are times when I feel tired and times when I feel fresh. This is influenced by factors such as the weather on match day and whether I have had enough sleep. Naturally, when fatigued, the intensity of my play might drop slightly. However, I always made sure to be fully prepared so that I could approach each game with focus.”
Scholz looks back, saying, "I was able to fulfill the role the club expected of me." Looking at the results from the second half of the season alone, he accumulated points competing in the upper ranks, helped rebuild the team itself, and also achieved advancement to the Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round.
"In the six months since I joined, I found hope in the potential Tokyo showed, and I also received an offer from the club to extend my contract. The decision to continue fighting here was not difficult. If I have the coach's trust and a place on the team from an early stage, I believe I can deliver good performances. I want to repay the club's support through my play," he said.
He has a deep interest in Japan, and his Japanese continues to improve day by day. When Scholz arrived in Japan in the summer, he had already settled into the club house in Kodaira, so it might have been a foregone conclusion that he would wear the blue and red uniform again in the 2026 season. In the special half-season tournament of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision, from his position of deep commitment to the team, he emphasizes the importance of a strong start, treating everything as his own responsibility.
"Since there are fewer matches, getting off to a good start is crucial. In the event of a draw, the game immediately goes to a penalty shootout, so it’s also necessary for everyone to practice together."
The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision adopts a unique set of regulations. Possessing high skill as a penalty kick taker, he will firmly demonstrate his abilities both offensively and defensively, and a spring where he shines even brighter is just around the corner.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Masaru Goto (Freelance Writer)
