Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, selected from FC Tokyo, was part of the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) at the East Asian E-1 Football Championship Final Round 2025 held in South Korea. In the match against China, he responded to being in the starting lineup by dazzling opponents with his specialty dribbling, showcasing his strengths in this tournament as he aims for the World Cup appearance next June. Tomoo Aoyama, who covered the event on-site in South Korea, summarizes the battle.
What was gained on Korean soil was a steady sense of accomplishment and a bittersweet feeling.
Following his debut for the Japan national team—a dream since childhood—at the June FIFA World Cup 26 Asian final qualifiers, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was continuously called up to Hajime MORIYASU's Japan for the East Asian E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final Round (E-1). In the previous tournament, he started in the away game against Australia, earning his first national team cap, and was brought on as a substitute in the following match against Indonesia, becoming the only player from the initial Asian final qualifiers call-up group to appear in consecutive matches. For this E-1 tournament, which was essentially a “J League select” squad, he was expected to play a key role as an experienced national team member.
What has become stronger than before by becoming a member of the Japan national team is probably the part that is particular about the team's results above all else. Bearing the heavy responsibility of fighting for the country has increased his desire for results more than ever, both in Tokyo and with the national team.
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA himself commented at the start of the tournament, "Personally, I think I have to show a difference, but with my usual mindset, I want to create chances one after another from my side." On the first day of training for this tournament, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I'm happy to be able to wear the national team uniform again. Since this is a tournament, I want to win as a member of the Japan national team."
The national team, which gathered on July 6 in Suwon, South Korea, faced Hong Kong, China after two days of training. Yuki Soma (FC Machida Zelvia), who was a member of the FIFA World Cup Qatar final tournament squad, was appointed as the left wing-back for the tournament opener and was also entrusted with the role of game captain.
That Soma was dynamic in the first match. He dribbled freely in all directions, showcasing vertical breakthroughs, shots and through passes from cut-ins, as well as accurate kicks from large side changes and set plays. Defensively, he demonstrated aggressive pressing and strength in one-on-one situations, contributing to three goals including two assists. The play shown by a rival in the same position was stimulating for Tawara Tsukida.
Ultimately watching the match unfold from the bench, Tawara Tsukida renewed his determination, saying, "I was able to see various plays, and they have things I don't have, so I want to learn whatever I can, including from their experience."
Then, in the second match against China, Tawara Tsukida earned his third national team cap. He was again deployed as the left wing-back, building a vertical relationship with Yuto NAGATOMO, who played as the left stopper. Tawara Tsukida was eager, saying, "I want to devise various strategies as a team, not just rely on my own moves," but they could not break down the opponent’s defense, which was solidified with five at the back. He admitted, "In the first half, the ball rarely came to me, so I couldn’t make the most of my strengths."
Still, in the 28th minute of the first half, he took on a one-on-one on the left side and penetrated deep into the opponent's territory, setting up a decisive header by Mao HOSOYA (Kashiwa Reysol). Then, in the 40th minute, he fiercely pressed back near the touchline, demonstrating physical strength while skillfully positioning his body to intercept the ball, showing his quality in both offense and defense throughout the game.
The team, having made adjustments at halftime, was able to launch balanced attacks from both the left and right sides in the second half, bringing out TAWARA Tsukida's strengths.
The biggest highlight of the match for him was probably the breakthrough in the 19th minute of the second half. With rhythmic steps, he drove forward vertically, then changed his dribbling course to cut inside toward the center. This brilliant breakthrough slicing through the opponent’s defense led to a pass to the right side, setting up Henry Mochizuki (Machida) for an additional goal.
“In the second half, with voices from the coach and staff, and by communicating myself, the ball started coming to me. (Regarding the scene where I won the ball back with pressing in the first half,) Coach Moriyasu kept telling me, ‘First, don’t lose to the opponent right in front of you,’ so I naturally started to be able to play that way. I think the second half was a match where my strengths really came alive, and it was also good that my dribbling led to Henry’s goal. There were several scenes where I broke through with dribbling, so I hope to deepen communication and coordination so that I can show my good qualities from the first half as well.”
The young man, whose expression changed significantly from the overly tense match against Australia in June, seemed to be gradually gaining confidence in his dribbling breakthroughs on the international stage. He emphasized the comment, "As long as I can receive the ball," and it was true that he created some highlights. "Just by playing my specialty, the opponents dislike it. I've been gaining confidence little by little, and when I get on the pitch, I want to take the initiative more and more," he also said. Although it was not directly, he was able to be involved in the goals and victories he was so particular about.
However, in the third match against the South Korean national team, which was for the championship, Soma started again. In the end, Tawara Tsukida never got a chance to play, and he was unable to step onto the pitch in the tense away match between Japan and Korea, where the title was at stake.
While gradually gaining confidence, he experienced the reality and a sense of bittersweetness in not being selected for important matches. He himself said that his position in the Japan national team is still "far from enough," reflecting that "there are challenges in defense, as well as in the accuracy of finishing and the final pass."
He undoubtedly possesses a unique and solid charm that others do not have. The key point is how to consistently express it at a high level. By working on personal improvement and deepening communication both on and off the pitch, that weapon will become even more powerful. Organizing his thoughts, increasing what he can perceive, inputting information while verbalizing it, and accurately outputting it through his play. Focusing on reproducibility in this way should lead to even greater growth.
What is required are awareness and continuity. The intense time spent representing Japan since June will surely bring some positive impact on his future. We look forward to the changes and evolution that the 21-year-old dribbler aiming higher from his daily life will show here in blue and red.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tomoo Aoyama
Photos by Kenichi Arai
