From Blue-Red to SAMURAI BLUE. For the FIFA World Cup 26 CONCACAF tournament’s Asian final qualifiers, Tokyo’s Yuto NAGATOMO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA have been selected, spending an exciting time aiming for the world’s best. The 38-year-old NAGATOMO, aiming for his 5th consecutive World Cup appearance, and the 21-year-old TAWARATSUMIDA, wearing the Japan national team jersey for the first time including youth teams, have contrasting careers. Tomoo Aoyama reports on the challenges of these two heading toward their dream stage. From Perth (Australia), we deliver an exclusive local interview with TAWARATSUMIDA and coverage of his first call-up to the Japan national team.
The stage of the Japan national team, which he admired since childhood. The tension of Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who has proudly become a member of the SAMURAI BLUE, was fully conveyed to the viewers.
First day of practice in Perth. Carrying a backpack, he got off the team bus at the front and walked straight to the locker room without looking up. Having arrived in Perth the night before, he probably hadn’t had time to bond with the players and staff yet. Perhaps noticing his nervousness, several senior players including Tsuyoshi WATANABE tried to ease his feelings.
“At first, Tsuyoshi WATANABE spoke to me, and I got the impression that he was very easy to talk to. I had already been talking with Ryunosuke SATO, but really, everyone has been very approachable,” he expressed his gratitude in words.
Meanwhile, Yuto NAGATOMO, a teammate in the red and blue team and a mood maker for the Japan national team, was loudly calling out as usual during ball circulation, putting passion into every movement and word. Even Yuto was concerned about the appearance of his juniors.
“Tawara is super nervous. We haven’t heard his voice even once (laughs). Since we traveled to Perth together, we talked a little, but he’s really nervous, so we need to help him settle in well.”
After actually returning to the hotel, he behaved in a way that made it easy to open up at the dining venue, saying that he was “teased and talked to.” Also, after the second day of closed practice, the two were seen jogging side by side for a cooldown while having a long conversation. “He practiced together with the Japan national team players and talked about things like ‘If it’s Tokyo, this is how it should be done,'” (Tawara Tsukida) said, supporting by expanding the image while linking playing with Hajime MORIYASU’s Japan national team and Tokyo.
The day before the match against Australia, we asked him about the upcoming game while reflecting on the first three days he spent as a member of the Japan national team.
“I’ve loosened up quite a bit, but I still feel some tension,” he said, his words gaining strength when the topic turned to the match.
“I still have a long way to go with the national team, but I never came here expecting to lose. I want to hang in there and surpass others. (Regarding the match) I want to prepare thoroughly, and I believe plays that lead to scoring are expected, so if I can do that well. First, I want to run for the team and make sure to showcase my strengths in the game.”
They said they felt confident even during the closed practice session ahead of the match against Australia.
“I was able to make breakthroughs in my own style even during practice, and if I get to play in a match, I want to keep making those kinds of plays so that those around me can understand my strengths.”
The day before the match. When Hiroki Machida was asked about communication with those around him, he mentioned names like Tawara if on the left side. When asked about this matter to Tawara Tsukida, he said, “While communicating with those around me, we have been able to make eye contact the moment we start running, and we hope to gradually fine-tune this,” showing signs of fitting well in terms of teamwork.
Considering experience, achievements, and the previous hierarchy, the possibility of being left out of the bench for the Australia match cannot be ruled out, but on the other hand, there is also a chance of starting the game suddenly. When asked, “Are you nervous?” he answered immediately, “Yes,” and added, “I’m not the type to handle nervousness well,” but he also said, “I want to overcome it by focusing on playing as usual.”
The first international A match. Whether he stands on the pitch or watches from the sidelines, it will surely be an invaluable experience. What will he feel and gain here? We also look forward to seeing the number 33 in blue and red come alive at Perth Stadium as we await the team announcement and kickoff.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text and Photos by Tomoo Aoyama
AloJapan.com