Returned to a familiar place.
The small Hirakira ground, filled with memories, warmly welcomed me without changing at all.
"Tama", who loved and was loved by blue and red.
The roots where that talent was nurtured, and the reason for once again putting on the blue and red sleeves this summer.
What was there was a vivid feeling.
"I didn't want Tokyo to win while I was gone."
So, Tama came back.
"Because I wanted to make Tokyo the champion."
Roots of TAMA
What was the reason for starting soccer?
"I have been playing soccer since I was born (laughs). I have always enjoyed moving my body since I was little, and I also played baseball and basketball. Since kindergarten, I have been playing various sports with my friends as "play", and among them, I think soccer was the best and my favorite. Even when I entered elementary school, it continued, and my parents said, "If you like it that much, let's find a nearby soccer team." However, the first team I joined only practiced 1-2 times a week, so I quickly became unsatisfied. At that time, Yocchi (Yoshinori MUTO) was also in the same elementary school, and our fathers were playing soccer together on the school grounds. So, Yocchi's father invited me to come to Buddy SC. That was at the end of third grade."
――What is the relationship with FC Tokyo?
"I joined Fukagawa School when I was in 5th grade. I went to Buddy SC three times a week and Tokyo School once a week. But I still wanted to kick the ball more, so I also went to another soccer school twice a week and attended morning practice for my elementary school team. So, for a week, I was basically immersed in soccer every day (laughs). I just really loved soccer and could do anything, from dribbling to shooting, and I also enjoyed playing as a goalkeeper. I think I was the best player in elementary school (laughs)."
Was it a natural flow to join FC Tokyo U-15?
"The reason I wanted to join the Tokyo Academy was because I had entered the school. Somewhere in my heart, I wanted to play at a high level. I also enjoyed watching soccer. I even went to see the 2002 Japan-Korea World Cup. I watched two Japan national team matches. I also watched the England match, the semifinal round, and the final round at the stadium. For J-League matches, I went to many Tokyo games. Since I was in the school, I bought tickets and went to Ajinomoto Stadium. After joining the U-15 team, I received tickets and was happy that I could go anytime (laughs)."
What was the impression of the top team at that time?
"I remember watching the 2004 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup (now YBC Levain Cup) final with the U-15 team, and Naohiro Ishikawa was on fire. I also loved Kelly. As for players, I was a big fan of Sasa Salcedo (※Note). He always made an impressive play in crucial moments. His playing style was so cool. I used to wait outside the Fukagawa School to get autographs. Kelly, Lucon, Amaral... and also Yuta Baba. I liked him so much that when I told Hisao Kuramata (then U-18 coach), he even got me a pair of his cleats."
※Note: Joined in July 2005 and played until mid-season of the following year. Although his time at the club was short, he scored memorable goals such as the winning goal in the Tokyo Verdy match. Mita's supporter song uses the same music as Sasa SALCEDO.
How did you come to be called "Tama" as a nickname?
"Since I was in U-15. During stretching, Coach Maruyama (Koji Maruyama / U-15 coach at the time) said to me, 'You always wear the same comfortable clothes. You're like Tama-chan from Tama River' (laughs). While my other teammates had names like Ruben, Pablo, and Zeca Carlos, who were all soccer players... So at first, I really hated it. But I got used to it quickly (laughs)."
Meeting with the mentor who became a turning point
What are your memories of the academy days?
"In the U-15 category, we were able to advance to the final round of the 'Emperor's Cup All Japan Youth (U-15) Soccer Championship', which was the last tournament for third-year junior high school students. The final round (December 29, 2005) was held before the semifinal round of the Emperor's Cup (Omiya vs. Urawa). Even so, fans and supporters from Tokyo came to cheer us on. We lost, but I remember having a great time playing at the Japan National Stadium in that atmosphere. In the U-18 category, winning the 'Japan Club Youth Championship' in my third year of high school (2008) was also a memorable experience."
- U-18 Club Youth Championship, where he had a great performance and was also selected as the tournament MVP, was a turning point for Mita as a youth player for the club.
"That team was strong and I didn't feel like we were going to lose. I think we hardly lost throughout the year. I myself couldn't play much until the middle of my second year of high school and there were times when I was frustrated. However, playing with Yohei-san (Yohei OTAKE / currently Nagasaki) who was one year older than me, I learned a lot. In the end, I think I blossomed after switching from the side to the central midfield. Originally, I wasn't that fast. As I got older, the physicality around me also increased, so I thought that I could make better use of my strengths by playing in the central midfield rather than on the side. At that time, Coach Kuramata also thought the same and he used me in the central midfield. It fit really well. In my third year, I played in every game as a central midfielder and I think that contributed to the team's results."
- What was required of the team at that time?
"We always have to fight and run, and that really trained me. Whether it's in a game or during practice, we can't slack off. One time, I was playing against a weak opponent and made a careless play, and I was subbed off and scolded after just 15 minutes (laughs). I still remember what Kuramata-san told me, 'You never know who's watching and where. So always give it your all!' And also, maybe it's about enjoying soccer. Running aggressively, pressing, and immediately getting the ball back. From there, launching fast attacks, it was just so much fun."
- Is what was cultivated during the academy days also the basis for current player Mita?
"I was trained like crazy to always fight. Mr. Kuramata and Coach Maruyama, Mr. Migita (Satoshi Migita / current U-18 coach), and Mr. Motoyoshi (Tsuyoshi Motoyoshi / current Shikoku Gakuin University coach) are also like that, and I think I am who I am today because of the passionate people who trained me. Come to think of it, I was often scolded by former president Mr. Murabayashi (Hiroshi Murabayashi). He would say things like, 'Don't eat bread while walking!' (laughs)"
Model of the World
- At the time of my fourth year at Meiji University, I made my debut in blue and red as a "JFA/J.League Special Designated Player". After graduating, I joined Tokyo as a professional, but what has been my journey since then?
"In my first year as a professional, I was able to perform well in the games I was selected for under coach Ranko POPOVIC. That's why I wanted to start more games... I was even able to serve as game captain once and was feeling fulfilled. Then in my second year, coach Massimo FICCADENTI took over. His style of soccer was a bit unique. To be honest, at the time I thought it didn't suit me. This was because I was very attached to playing as a defensive midfielder... Looking back now, I understand that it's the coach's decision on the formation and position. It was difficult for me at the time."
- Was your strong commitment to the defensive midfielder position also a reason for your subsequent transfer?
"I wanted to show what I could do as a defensive midfielder... The decision to leave Tokyo after three seasons was mainly because of that. I've always played as a defensive midfielder since U-18 and university, and I believed that was where I could truly showcase my abilities. But I couldn't do that in Tokyo, and at that time, I received an offer from Sendai saying they wanted to use me as a defensive midfielder. That's why I made the decision."
――Did you have an image of coming back to Tokyo someday?
"I wasn't sure if I could really come back, but I always had the feeling that I would be back in Tokyo someday... Before last season, I received offers from both Tokyo and Kobe, and I was seriously considering whether to stay in Sendai or not. However, Kobe specifically said, 'We want to play attractive football like FC Barcelona. We want you to play as a defensive midfielder.' That was very appealing to me as a player. In reality, I don't think my decision was wrong. I played the most games and scored the most goals for the team last season. I scored about 20 goals in official matches in a year and a half, and that gave me a sense of fulfillment and confidence that I had never felt before."
――Did you imagine standing on the same pitch as Andres INIESTA?
"I thought INIESTA was the player I wanted to be because we have similar positions and playing styles. So I've been watching his play since practice. His passes are great, and I also learned from his ball placement. He really values the ball and always tries to make it his own when it's a 50-50 ball with the opponent. It was a joy to be able to learn even at this age, with new discoveries like that. Playing with players like David VILLA and Lucas PODOLSKI was also a truly valuable experience."
Feelings that were in the corner of my heart
- What about leaving Kobe?
"I also had the feeling that it would be okay to stay in Kobe a little longer. However, at this timing, I received an offer from Tokyo and I honestly wanted to play under coach Kenta HASEGAWA. Even when I was in Sendai, I always watched Tokyo's soccer. It's something I felt when playing against them, but everyone runs and fights. They play good soccer. With that image in mind, I had a gut feeling that I wanted to fight here too."
- Did you also care about Tokyo's performance this season?
"I have always wanted Tokyo to win the championship with good results this season... However, to be honest, somewhere in my heart, I may not have wanted Tokyo to win without me... Because I wanted to be the one to lead Tokyo to victory. It has always been my goal to win with the team I have been supporting since I was a child."
――What is Tokyo like now from the inside after actually joining?
"Everyone can run and fight. That is the foundation of the team. It was just as I imagined. However, our current record is not just my own, but also the result of everyone's hard work, so I feel pressure. But with the confidence and experience I have built up, I have no choice but to give my all on the pitch. I believe that this feeling can only be shown through results."
"I want to live my life in Tokyo's soccer world, learning, fighting, and running as I once did."
"I think that kind of soccer suits me. As I showed when I was U-18, being able to run, fight, and connect is the best style. The current team is able to work hard and has a concept of attacking quickly and simply, but I think it's also necessary to connect at key moments. Each player has a high level of ability, so while having the awareness of further enhancing that, I want to create a "difference" in the attack."
- Next year, I will turn 30 years old. What is your vision as a soccer player?
"I still have a strong desire to aim higher. If I can build up here and get results, I don't think there is no chance for the Japan national team. I want to play in games, win, and continue to improve no matter how old I get. It made me really happy that there were a lot of people who were happy for me when I came back to Tokyo. So now, I want to do my best and make a name for myself in Tokyo. I want to win in Tokyo. That is my honest feeling. I will definitely win in Tokyo!"
◇Hirotaka MITA Profile
text by Yu Fujiwara
photo by Kenichi Arai, Masahito Sasaki
