FOCUS ON
Keita ENDO tells himself, 'Win and tighten your helmet straps.'
In the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 12 match against Gamba Osaka, they secured their first league victory in 9 games, but in the following match against Shimizu S-Pulse, they were involved in conceding goals and lost 0-2.
We approached the previous match against Albirex Niigata with a heavy heart. The team secured a 3-2 victory, but Endo shook his head.
"The ball came to the left side in a good position. The place and timing to receive it were good, so I wanted to be able to finish the attack myself. I want to deliver high-quality balls, and I also have the desire for Kei KOIZUMI to be involved in the goal and for myself as well."
If the ball is connected smoothly on the right side, the left side naturally opens up. The second goal scored by Koizumi in the 7th minute of the second half against Niigata started from picking up the rebound of a cross raised by Endo.
"I was conscious of entering the space slightly late rather than too early. I want to make the most of that opportunity."
And we will not make the same mistake again.
"Even though we won, we must never become complacent. Only by winning the next match will the previous victory truly matter. It’s not like everything was perfect, so we can’t just stay as we were. Otherwise, we won’t be able to surpass ourselves from that day. I want to deliver a performance with more passion, more intensity in every challenge, surpassing that day, and I want to expect the same from everyone else."
Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI has always said, "The enemy right in front of you is the greatest enemy." To surpass the self he was that day, Endo updates himself and the team daily. What he aims for in the match against Vissel Kobe on the 10th is the best performance of his career.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
