Looking back personally, I had some minor injuries in the first half of the league, and my condition was not perfect, so there were parts where my form didn’t fully improve. However, in the second half of the league, especially after summer, my condition improved significantly, and I feel that I was able to contribute solidly to the team.
Indeed, participating as a member of the Japan national team in the 2025 East Asian E-1 Football Championship (E-1) and winning the tournament gave me great confidence. A sense of certainty that "I can still keep going" began to grow, and from there my condition steadily improved. As a result, from summer onward, I was able to play in almost every match, including cup games, without injury, which I truly think was very good.
A personal turning point was the match against the Urawa Reds, which came immediately after returning to the team from the E-1 Championship. After showing the victorious form as a member of the Japan national team, it was a match that made me question, "So, how am I as an FC Tokyo player in the J.League?" I had a strong desire to prove my worth there, and my determination and motivation naturally rose. The team won, and I was able to provide two assists personally, making it a significant match for me.
And the 2025 season was the first season with Rikizo MATSUHASHI as head coach in Tokyo. I believe the coach was continuously thinking, through trial and error, about how to make the most of the players' strengths and the team as a whole. We players also worked hard while trying to play the style of soccer the coach aimed for. Although there were some parts that didn’t go well right after the league started, as time passed, the things we built up both offensively and defensively gradually began to show. As a result, I feel that in the second half of the season, those efforts actually translated into tangible results.
Especially since entering the second half of the league, our defense has become very solid. While leveraging that strength, we want to continue scoring goals through better plays in attack as well. Compared to the first half, I clearly feel that the team has changed, and I believe the progress we have made in both offense and defense has steadily advanced. Of course, we are not fully satisfied, but I believe there has been definite progress.
And now, as we approach the final match of this season against Albirex Niigata, it is not a game that directly affects the championship or relegation. However, for me, it is an extremely important match both as a team and individually, as it connects to the 2026 season. It is crucial to fully demonstrate everything we have built up over the past year. Also, we want to make it a match that makes our fans and supporters feel excited and look forward to next season. This is not limited to this season alone, but it will be a game where we show our gratitude for the cheers and support we receive from everyone through our performance.
