In the season of fresh greenery, the buds swell, waiting for the time to bloom──.
Before the start of this season, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was seen shaking the goal net in practice matches one after another. However, after the season began, he has spent a difficult time with nine consecutive matches in the league without scoring. Kota expresses his days of frustration with these words.
"It's not that easy. I think I'm being asked to score, so I want to make sure I take my chances when they come, and I want to create opportunities in various ways."
The coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, who leads the team from this season, said, "I think he is also struggling" and has patiently watched over Tawaramizuki's breakthrough.
"I really feel that when I can't find my rhythm in the game, I'm struggling. However, I believe he has a very high potential and can grow even more. I want to show him not just the scenery I've seen so far, but also a broader view where he can score more goals. I hope he can expand his play in that regard."
The new role assigned to Tawaramizuta by the commander was not about chance creation, but rather a play that directly leads to goals from the inside half position. Furthermore, Coach Matsuhashi says, "I am not waiting." He is patiently watching over the metamorphosis from a chrysalis, believing that he can do it.
"I don't think I'm just waiting patiently; I believe I can already fulfill the role given to me. I thought I could do it before the season started, and I was right. However, when it comes to official matches, it's not that easy, and I think he is really thinking and struggling with that. But I believe that, including that, he has to endure and ultimately break out of his shell by himself."
I have been struggling to meet those great expectations. In an effort to transform my play from continuously sticking to the left side and attempting dribbles as before, I have been positioning myself in the half-lane to connect with those around me and aim for goals. However, while I am gradually getting closer to the goal, I have been abandoned by the moment of joy. Each time I miss a shot in a match, I repeatedly say, 'I'm sorry,' and I have been gritting my teeth and continuing with trial and error.
"I am not only receiving the ball at my feet, but I am also conscious of making runs behind the defense to create space for my teammates. I was considering sticking to the side, but now I realize that I am playing as a shadow and not in a wing position. I need to reset my strengths and think about what I should be doing now, and I believe that the connection between the three players up front is important. I try to stay as central as possible to keep the distance close with those around me. I am getting closer to the goal, but I haven't scored yet, so I have no choice but to keep doing this."
Last season, I couldn't get involved in goals and mentioned that I was struggling more than those around me thought. However, I say that it's different from that time.
"I think this is a different kind of struggle than I've experienced before. The position I'm playing is completely different from what I've done so far, and what is being asked of me is to score goals. Until now, I think I was more of a chance creator. While I'm gaining new experiences, I also can't fully accept that I'm not able to do that. That said, I am originally a winger, but if I can master the movements of the shadow role I'm currently playing, I believe it will contribute to my growth even more."
And there was another person who anticipated the evolution of Tawaramizuki. Diego OLIVEIRA, who retired from professional football at the end of last season, once shared a story with me as if it were a parting gift just before his retirement.
"Tawara is not aiming to be a dribbler. He needs to play with his focus always directed towards the goal. For that, it's fine for him to utilize me and those around him. He will surely become a player who can score. He is blessed with that kind of talent. I believe it's about whether he can think, 'I will win this team with my goals.'"
When I conveyed that to Tawara Sekita, his previously downcast expression brightened for a moment. "If Diego says it, I'm happy. I want to do my best." There are people trying to show a new perspective to the fluid dribbler. That's why he is facing difficulties head-on without running away.
I suddenly remembered the words that former coach Tetsu NAGASAWA (currently the manager of Omiya Ardija) once told Naohiro ISHIKAWA (currently a community generator for FC Tokyo), who was an idol of Tawaramizuta.
"Nao, how do you write the word passion? It may not be its original meaning, but you would write it as 'pathetic heat.' I think heat builds up when you feel pathetic. So, it's fine to be the Nao you are now. Worry as much as you want, suffer, because the moment to release that heat will surely come."
That passion must be steadily building up. It won't be long before we can see Tawaramizuta unleash the quietly accumulated "pathetic heat."
The time for blooming is near──.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
