I joined the team during this season's camp period, but at first, with the change in environment, I struggled to improve my condition. I often came on as a substitute, and I think I wasn't able to perform to my full potential in the first half of the league.
Even so, I constantly thought about how to improve my condition and how to fit into the team, and I worked daily with the desire to adapt to the style of soccer that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI aims for. Gradually, I began to grasp the plays and movements the coach demanded, which led to increased playing opportunities, and goals and assists started to follow. From the time results began to appear, I finally felt a sense of having adapted to the J.League.
As the season approached its final stages, my goals increased, my confidence grew, and I feel my condition is at its best now. Looking back on the 2025 season, I felt sorry that I couldn’t get going at the start, but from mid-season onward, I was able to play in a way that satisfied myself. However, I have a strong desire to do even more. That’s why, in the final match against Albirex Niigata, I want to score a hat-trick and finish the season with double-digit goals.
Regarding the football environment, I was able to communicate well, which helped me adapt to the team relatively smoothly. However, the demands of football itself differ between Germany and Japan, and the most challenging part was figuring out how to translate what I had built up in Germany into my play in the J.League. That said, it’s not that I couldn’t do anything; it felt more like making small adjustments one by one to correct minor misalignments.
What gave me confidence was definitely the match against Nagoya Grampus, where I scored my first J.League goal. It was my first time in the starting lineup, and being able to record both a goal and an assist made me feel that "what I have been doing is not wrong," and it was a game where I could demonstrate my value within the team. It was also significant in terms of getting people to know me, and I felt that I was able to fully integrate into the team through that match.
And as for the Emperor's Cup, I really wanted to win the title... While reaching the Semifinal Round itself is something to be proud of, it was truly frustrating to lose after fighting through extra time. That showed the areas where our current abilities fell short and the challenges we must face head-on. Some fans and supporters said, "Thank you for bringing us this far," but surely they also wanted to see us win the championship, and that is why the desire to win remains so strong.
The first half of the league was tough, but the presence of the fans and supporters who continuously sent encouraging voices was truly significant. At times, there were also harsh voices, but they are “comrades” who have seen the same scenery and spent the same time through both good and bad moments. Without their support, we might have been relegated to J2 League, so I am deeply grateful for the encouragement that helped us regain our form in the second half of the league.
In this weekend's match, I want to express my gratitude through play that moves the soul and brings joy to those watching. I believe that is the true form of soccer I should embody. Fighting until the very end, running tirelessly, and battling tenaciously for the team. Of course, scoring many goals and winning feels the best, and I believe the fans and supporters want that too. However, what I can do is not limited to just scoring goals. It is about running hard and showing the spirit unique to Tokyo. I want to fully express that on the pitch and finish with a victory.
