It has been a long time since universities have been seen as solving the development issues of post-youth players, but there is now more evidence to support this view in Tokyo this season. One such example is Teppei OKA, who has just graduated from Meiji University and is already making an impact as a key player.
Tokyo Academy produces many talented players. However, not all of them can be absorbed into the top team, so after graduation, they seek to join university soccer teams across the country. They gain experience in university and may even aim to become professionals in various categories or in some cases, overseas.
As a result, there has been an increase in cases of players making a "comeback" to Tokyo's top team through university. Shuto ABE (currently with RWD Molenbeek) and Kota TOKIWAI (joining in the 2025 season) are examples, but even those who did not come from Tokyo's academy, like Hotaka NAKAMURA, have trained at Meiji University and have become key members of the red and blue army, earning the trust of the university's soccer team. And as Okada player stated during the announcement of the new system, "I want to prove that going to university is not a detour. I want to be used as a ready-made player," his words are becoming a reality.
Securing vision and sending accurate feeds to the open spaces ahead. Whether in aerial duels or ground battles, putting the body on the line to win in both offense and defense. Such plays were already somewhat completed during university, and these characteristics have become more pronounced as time has passed since debuting in Tokyo and the tension has eased. Playing freely, powerfully, and decisively, I have established myself as a starting center-back. While changing the opponent standing next to me, I am seeking improvements as a team. In Sec. 22 against Kashiwa Reysol, I scored my shocking first goal in the J1 League at SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium, a memorable place where my senior Tsuyoshi WATANABE also scored a goal.
Recently, a partnership with Kanta DOI was realized. Kanta DOI, who was promoted directly from FC Tokyo U-18 to the top team, is in his second year after graduating high school. In the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. on May 3, in Sec. 11, Kanta DOI started as a member of the starting lineup, and when he left the game in the first half due to injury, there was a "strange connection" as player Oka made his J1 League debut by coming on from the kickoff in the second half. The result of achieving the first victory of the season at Ajinomoto Stadium through the interchange of academy players seemed to symbolize the future, and that future has already taken a concrete form.
After the break, the first match resumed, Sec. 25 against Gamba Osaka ended in a 0-0 draw. The combination of players Oka and Dohi had a good start, but stumbled in the second match. In Sec. 26 against Kawasaki Frontale, they lost with 3 goals conceded. In both cases, the defense was not broken down; the goals conceded were from crosses and set plays that were matched at points.
"I think the cause of the goal was due to the lack of pressure on the ball holder and the lack of marking by the center backs, including myself. It was just because of Shin YAMADA. I think the responsibility for the goal lies with me and Kanta."
In the early stages, Tokyo created several chances with side attacks. However, after failing to score, Kawasaki's player Yamada scored 2 goals in the middle of the first half with a header. This had a big impact on the game. Yamada is 175cm tall. It wasn't a matter of height, but rather losing to the opponent's positioning, timing, and accuracy. Ironically, Yamada was coached by Mitsuhiro TODA, who used to play as a forward for Tokyo. Nevertheless, it is certain that this is where their weakness was exposed.
As long as you are playing in a professional match, there is no doubt that you are an excellent player at that point. However, when you are young, you tend to 'discover' areas you are not good at during actual matches. By overcoming these challenges one by one, you can enhance your own abilities. Even for the veteran Masato MORISHIGE, after the 2010 season, where he had three suspensions, he focused on more reliable defense from the following season and climbed to participate in the World Cup as a member of the Japan national team. In that sense, the upcoming match against Tokyo Verdy after this defeat will be a crucial moment for Oka.
We will respond from the set state in the middle zone and prepare the defense. We are also trying to put pressure from the front and initiate from ourselves. However, the approach to the opponent's cross, which is the starting point, was weak and allowed the finisher to be free in the middle. In order to avoid repeating multiple goals like the Tama River Classico, it seems important to improve our response to this cross.
And, more than the Tama River Clasico, on August 17th, there is a strong need to win at home at Ajinomoto Stadium, and we cannot afford to lose.
"If the team's thoughts are not aligned, it's difficult to win. So next, we need to switch gears and come together as one team to align our feelings. We need to run for the team, put our bodies on the line to defend, and throw ourselves to protect the goal. These were all lacking today. For the fans and supporters who always have our backs, we will spare no effort and align our vectors. Since I was young, I was never allowed to lose to our rivals, so I will give it my all and defend the goal first."
As someone who grew up in blue and red, I cannot afford to lose to green. At Ajinomoto Stadium, our home where we have not been blessed with a win this season, our young warriors from the academy will show their determination to fight to the death.
text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
