Number 8 and 7 were always together. Ryuji FUJIYAMA and Satoru ASARI shared the same meals and spent many nights talking. They were like blue and red, with different personalities and playing styles, but strangely got along well. In 1997, the team set the goal of "becoming a strong and beloved team". Let's look back on the footsteps of these two who walked together with those words.
Rise to the Top: The Half-Life of Soccer
Do you remember when you joined the Tokyo Gas Soccer Club?
Fujiyama"At that time, I was not chosen as a player, as the J-League opening was scheduled for the following year. There were also few clubs, and for high school players, becoming a professional was a narrow gate. I couldn't enter that. So, the choices after high school graduation were either to go to a university in Kyushu or to get a job. I took the exam and joined the Tokyo Gas Soccer Club in 1992."
Asari"After graduating from high school, I went on to university, but I wasn't that good of a player. I just vaguely thought that it would be nice to continue playing soccer after graduation. I was also invited by a J2 club, but I received an offer from Tokyo Gas to join as a "corporate player," so I joined in 1997."
What was the atmosphere like at the time for the Tokyo Gas Soccer Club?
FUJIYAMA "It's completely different from now (bitter smile)"
ASARI "It was fun, but living in the dormitory was"
FUJIYAMA "After practice, we would collect 1,000 yen each and have a good time together."
――The preparatory office for the establishment was launched in 1997. Prior to that, Fuji-san (Fujiyama), who was the first to switch to a professional contract, and Sari-san (Asari), who remained an employee player until the end of their active career. What were the reasons for each of their choices and decisions?
Fujiyama "At first, I didn't have confidence in myself, but luckily I was able to play in games from my first year on the team. That's where I gained confidence and aimed higher. While exploring other options such as participating in Urawa Reds' practices, I received an offer to sign a professional contract with Tokyo Gas in 1994."
Asari "For myself, I was able to focus on soccer from 1999 when I joined FC Tokyo, and in terms of environment, there was no distinction between being a professional or an employee. Even though the team changed its name to FC Tokyo and the contract format was different, I continued to do the same things as a member of the team. At the time, Director of Development Tokuhiko Suzuki (currently President and GM of Fagiano Okayama) also told me that it wasn't necessary to switch from being an employee player to a professional contract. Even as an employee player, I continued to play soccer while feeling grateful for being able to focus on it in such an environment."
What have we valued since joining the J-League?
Satoru ASARI"Not giving up until the end, and continuing to do our best is something that we have always strived for since our time at Tokyo Gas. We have cherished that mentality. Personally, I think I have been a player who has lived by that alone."
Fujiyama"Even the fans and supporters at the time were happy with our sliding plays on the sidelines, and we understood that it was something we had to do. However, there were also voices from those around us saying that we should communicate more, and there was a level of strictness that we didn't have in the team at that time."
- Since being promoted to J1 in 2000, a rival has joined the same position every year. What was the reason for surviving until 09?
Asari "Really, it was every year. During the off-season, I would think, 'Is it my position again...? Is it going to be the same this year...? That's just how it is.' It was a repeating cycle."
Fujiyama "But we both had special plays. On one hand, even if there were things we couldn't change, we were able to change when necessary. I think we were blessed with meeting Coach Kuramata (Hisao KURAMATA, current coach at Rikkyo University). That led to the birth of a center back who was less than 170 centimeters tall. In order to survive in this world, we desperately searched for and established our own unique ways."
Asari "Fuji-san's interception is truly an amazing skill."
Fujiyama "Even that one play was something we created through our own desperate thinking in order to survive. That's why others can't imitate it. The balance and positioning of Sari, for example, are the same. Each person has a different sense, and it's about how we can shape it and turn it into a necessary weapon."
The day Fuji and Sari cried
The journey we walked together. In the 2009 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup (now YBC Levain Cup), which was the last year for both of us in Tokyo, the team won its second championship. On that day, after the award ceremony, Fujiyama took off his game shirt and slowly walked down the stairs in his number 7 uniform. After the game, Asari's tears and words of professional pride were evident when he said, "I wanted to stand with Fuji-san in that place."
- Are there any memorable seasons in your active career?
ASARI"The first year of promotion to J1 was stimulating and shocking in many ways. The most memorable moment was winning the opening game against Yokohama F.Marinos by a narrow margin. That season, the defense held strong while the front line worked hard to score. Before that, we were able to compete equally with teams of similar strength using our own style of soccer. But when we were promoted to J1, we shifted to a style of soccer that focused on defense first and then utilized the strengths of 2-3 players in the front line to create fast attacks. It didn't always work, but especially in defense, I could feel the satisfaction of what we had been doing up until then."
FUJIYAMA"I was just going with the flow at that time (laughs). To be honest, it wasn't until I was around 30 years old that I started listening to other people's opinions."
ASARI"You were captain for a long time, weren't you? (laughs)"
FUJIYAMA"It was just because I had been with the team for a long time that people were praising me. Personally, the 2004 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup final against Urawa, where we won our first title, was a turning point for me. I was able to raise my value as a soccer player and I felt that all my hard work had paid off."
ASARI"I remember that too. (laughs) I was watching from the stands and when Jean got sent off in the first half, I thought Fuji-san would come on. I knew that in such a big stage, he would give it his all and that's exactly what happened."
FUJIYAMA"I was mentally prepared for it. I had been doing the work of having to perform when given a sudden chance every year. Before I knew it, my body had learned to respond in those situations. I always felt the pressure of losing my position to younger players if I couldn't perform on such a stage."
- During the end of their active careers, I have never seen either of them skip practice no matter how much pain they were in.
Asari "Mr. Fuji always laughed and talked about how he put in a suppository before practice today. It was a daily occurrence."
Fujiyama "I used my body a lot. I also tore my ACL and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance after pushing myself too hard in the summer. But that was also part of my appeal. In order to get playing time, I couldn't neglect that process. So, I always talked about being prepared to seize the opportunity when it came with Miura-san (Fumitake MIURA = current SC Sagamihara coach). It's important to not make mistakes in where you put in effort, but if you don't put in effort, the opportunity will never come."
Asari "I always thought that I didn't have as much ability as others, so I always felt like I had to practice more than anyone else. I also thought that it was important to not just fight on the same level as others in order to play in games."
――And, behind the victory of the 2009 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, which was the last year in Tokyo, Sarisan was excluded from the members.
Satoru ASARI "(It was in the dressing room the day before the match when the registered members were announced, right? I remember being comforted by Fuji-san, but I don't remember what was said."
Fujiyama "Not so much comforted, but we cried together, right?"
- That's news to me.
FUJIYAMA "That's right. We've been doing it together for a long time, and we've always been together since we were young, and we were close as a family. That's why I could feel Sari's frustration. I'm also quite emotional (bitter smile)"
ASARI "Because of that cup match, we announced our retirement early and talked about bringing momentum to the team together. So when I couldn't make it into the lineup, I didn't know how to face the remaining years of my career."
FUJIYAMA "There was also pride, and because Sari had saved the team in crucial moments, I think she wanted to stand out more than anyone else. (Those tears) were overflowing with something she believed in. It may have been the first time I saw Sari like that."
ASARI "I was thinking about quitting the next day's extra practice and the practice after that. I honestly thought, 'What have I been doing for over ten years?' I was so depressed. I was persuaded by those around me, but I even told the coach, 'I can't do it anymore.' Still, I don't remember why I went to practice on the day of the final, but I stopped and thought about whether my soccer career should end like this."
To connect to the next blue and red
After retiring, the two who have become a part of history are now working to nurture the future of Tokyo. And they said, "We must continue to learn." They do not impose their ideas of "This is how Tokyo is," but instead continue to search in the dark for ways to build upon the history they have created and make new history. Their appearance has not changed at all from their active days.
――How was your active career with numbers 8 and 7?
Tomofumi FUJIYAMA "It was in an instant."
Asari "Since I came here, Fuji-san has been here, so I can't imagine how I would have approached soccer if he wasn't here."
Tomofumi FUJIYAMA "He was always there, so it was taken for granted. He understands and understands."
Asari "If Fuji-san does it, I always think that I have to practice more. When I hurt my leg, what Fuji-san always said was that it was the last time I couldn't stand on the ground. I heard that if I gave a chance to the young players, I would lose my place. So, as long as Fuji-san is here, I always thought that I had to stand on the ground even if my legs hurt."
Tomofumi FUJIYAMA "Having Sari by my side gave me a sense of security. Amaral (current Tonan Maebashi head coach) is the same, but even if I meet him now, I don't feel nostalgic. It was a real family, so even if we meet again, it feels like meeting family or relatives. That's how much fun every day was."
――What was it like for you after retirement?
Fujiyama "Now, Sari is my boss (laughs)"
Asari "No no (bitter smile). I think the club has changed through various experiences. As a member of the development department, I think about what I can focus on. Every day is a learning experience, and I think this place is a very important job that supports the club. Regardless of position, I am working hard with everyone to bring good players to the top team. I am also thinking about creating a comfortable working environment for coaches and creating various things in the future."
- Mr. Sari still cherishes the paper written with the club's guidelines created by Director Suzuki, doesn't he?
Satoru "The youth development department is still based on that guideline. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, the club raised the slogan "Aim to be a strong and beloved team" which has been used as a motto for a long time. It is a phrase that has been around since the Tokyo Gas era, and both Fuji-san and I have grown up with that phrase. I want to make sure that we don't lose the color and important parts of it. In particular, even though the players in the youth development age are students, I want them to act with pride and responsibility for Tokyo. However, there is still a lot to do."
Terry "Right after retirement, I honestly wanted to be involved with the top team, but now I think it was good to study from the bottom up. Even when I was a player, I experienced various categories, so it was right for me. As Sari said, there are a lot of things I need to study. For example, even if I talk to junior high school students about things that I have cherished since my active days, they may not fully understand. But that will also come back to me. What really struck me was the words from the coaches I met, "If the players can't do it, it's the coach's responsibility." Even though I tried to convey the passion that I have cherished since my active days, it is difficult to use harsh words in this era. Still, with the consent of my parents, there was a time when we talked all day without kicking a ball. I have always been struggling as a coach. But a few years later, there were players who said, "I finally understand what you told me back then." That made me happy."
A future nurtured by a diverse group of stones
- What is important to you when dealing with each player?
Asari "Right now, the entire football world is focusing on developing individuals. It's about leveling up basic skills and tactics, and how to showcase that in matches. Today's children are truly better than we were. However, no matter how skilled they are, it means nothing if they can't perform in games. During my playing days, I had many shortcomings compared to others. But I take pride in the unique traits I had that allowed me to continue as a player for a long time. That's why, while we fill in the gaps, we are also trying to enhance our strengths. It depends on whether we can create strong points to survive as professionals. For that, awareness is also important. Therefore, we need to cultivate the ability to think for ourselves. And we also need the practical ability to put that into action."
Fujiyama "The coaches in charge of each grade frequently hold individual meetings using the IDP (Individual Development Plan). This is a process of envisioning together what kind of player they want to become in the top team. Since we aim for a certain player image, we discuss what efforts need to be made over a span of three months, for example. There, players and coaches have thorough discussions. However, this cannot be established without a relationship of trust. Right now, due to the spread of the new coronavirus, the inability to hold training camps and expeditions is a significant blow. The things that need to be communicated are getting fragmented, and it has become difficult to reach deep into their hearts. Players who overcome challenges and walls together and have even small success experiences will definitely grow, so that's my biggest concern right now."
Asari "Seeing (Taichi) HARA thrive in the top team brings back nostalgia and joy. He continued to practice shooting diligently on his own and was able to get into matches like that. Having players who think for themselves and take action inspires those around them and positively influences the entire team. Of course, I hope to see players with genius talent emerge, but we also need to nurture players who can put in that kind of effort. As Fujiyama said, I believe it depends on how much we can support the players in cultivating their thinking and practical abilities. I have few opportunities to actually stand in a coaching role, but I want to develop the players in front of us together with all the coaches while maintaining communication."
- If the top team can win the J1 for the first time, I think it will be a big effort for the current players, but at the same time, it will also be a historic victory.
Fujiyama "What we can leave behind in the top team is not much. I would be happy if something remained, but right now, we are doing what we can do. For example, we also tell children, 'There is nothing to gain from losing,' and convey our commitment to competition. First of all, we have to nurture the hearts of the children we are involved with one by one. Is that all?"
Asari "Development is really difficult. That's why it's interesting. Fuji-san and colleagues like Miya (Masashi MIYAZAWA, current FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa coach) are doing their best to send even one player to the top team. I want Fuji-san to plant something that only he can do, and I want them to leave something for them. If even one of those players becomes a professional, they will become players who support the club. I am looking forward to that in the future."
Fujiyama "I myself was never selected for the Japan national team, and I couldn't reach the league championship. That's why I want children to realize it earlier and dream big. If we could play with more ease and playfulness, I can imagine how much fun it would have been. However, we do not allow players who only play with their feet. Players who wear this blue and red must be gritty and single-minded. With that premise, we want to nurture gritty and playful players. We have entrusted them with our unfulfilled dreams of winning the league championship and playing for the Japan national team. We want them to carry it all the way to the top team. In the current situation where the sense of belonging is said to be fading, in order to be strong and loved, we must love the club the most. There were some bad parts, but that was the only thing that the family had back then."
Every year, even if it is put through the sieve, the uneven stones remain in the weave and have survived fierce competition. They are sweating to pass on the rough texture experience that is important in such a harsh world to the future. Number 8 holds the dream of "someday standing at Ajinomoto as a coach" and passes on all the passion to the children in front of him. At the retirement ceremony, number 7 blurts out, "I want to make my beloved club the best in Japan" and continues to spend his days learning. They are still aiming for a strongly loved team, and are running down that straight path with all their might.
Ryuji FUJIYAMA Profile
Satoru ASARI Profile
Text by Kohei Baba
Photo by Kenichi Arai, Masahito Sasaki
