I came back to win titles.
I want to shoulder at least half of Kento's responsibility.
--Welcome back. How did you feel stepping into the clubhouse as an Antlers player again after two and a half years?
"I felt a sense of nostalgia. I've been coming to this clubhouse since I was a child, so memories from that time came back to me. At the same time, I know the history of this club, so I strongly felt, 'I have to do this.'"
--Your return from Sint-Truiden VV (Belgium) was reported with great surprise by the domestic media. Please tell us about the circumstances leading up to your return.
"It didn't take long to make the decision. I had wanted to challenge myself in one of the top five leagues in the European summer transfer market, but I didn't receive the kind of offers I was hoping for. At that point, I came to the conclusion that if I continued to play at Sint-Truiden VV, I would likely repeat the same feelings. I couldn't bring myself to try for another year or two without changing my environment. So, when I re-evaluated myself, the feeling that I wanted to play here again, if Antlers needed me again, welled up inside me."
--Does that mean you had the desire to return to Antlers when the transfer didn't materialize in the summer of 2021?
"With that in mind, the 2021 season ended in Japan, and I had the opportunity to speak with Mitsuru-san (former Football Director Mitsuru Suzuki). I conveyed my honest feelings and thoughts, saying, 'I want to return to Antlers.' Mitsuru-san, who heard those words, also felt that Antlers needed me, so I decided to return at this timing."
--What kind of words were exchanged during your conversations?
"I was genuinely happy when he told me straightforwardly, 'We're acquiring you to win the championship.' As we continued to talk about my return, he said those words to me many times. I knew there were many talented players at Antlers now because I always watched their match footage. I felt that if I could add my own flair to that, winning titles was certainly not impossible. So now, I hope to bring out my own style to help Antlers win titles."
--Did you consult anyone in advance about your return?
"I only told Anzai that I 'might be coming back.' But I always watched Antlers' matches and felt that Kento (Misao) was trying to carry the team by himself. I could feel, even through the screen, that he was carrying a heavy burden alone. I hoped that by joining the team, I could alleviate some of that burden and shoulder at least half of it myself."
--You must have felt a sense of growth during your two and a half years at Sint-Truiden VV. Please tell us what you gained from playing in Europe.
"I became mentally and physically tougher over these two and a half years. The training volume at Sint-Truiden VV was different compared to when I was in Japan. Because we were a team that was fighting to avoid relegation, we wouldn't have been able to win matches without training more. So, I think we trained more than any other team, and that allowed me to become stronger myself. It was incredibly tough at the time (laughs). Also, because the team was fighting to avoid relegation, there were many intense matches in difficult situations, and I think I became mentally trained and tougher."
--You scored 17 goals in the league in the 2020-21 season. What was the reason for achieving such numbers?
"It was a fluke (laughs). But if I break down the reason, I felt that I fit into the team. As I scored more goals, the ball gradually started coming to me more, and I also felt that all my teammates were looking to me. I think that definitely had a positive effect."
--So, by scoring goals, you gradually gained recognition from those around you?
"I don't think there's any other reason why I scored. Especially in Europe, forwards aren't recognized unless they score goals. That's why I was so committed to scoring goals, and I worked hard to increase my value there."
--Was the evaluation beyond your imagination, or was it within your expectations?
"If anything, it was exactly as I had envisioned. In Europe, players who score goals are evaluated, and if you don't score, you're not evaluated. It was very simple."
--Was there a difference in the role required of a striker compared to Japan?
"In Japan, forwards are required to perform various tasks, aren't they? Of course, even in Europe, you have to perform the tasks required by the coach, but can you do that while also scoring goals? In modern football, there are almost no forwards who don't play defense. That's why forwards who can perform the roles required by the team and also score goals are highly valued. I re-realized this while playing in Belgium, and I think it's probably universal around the world."
--Did your defensive awareness change as a result of experiencing a different style of football than in Japan?
"At Sint-Truiden VV, I often spent a lot of time on defense. Even as a forward, I couldn't play in matches unless I first did my defensive duties. So, while doing that defense, where do I show my 'self'? To show my 'self,' I first focused on faithfully doing what the coach asked, and once I felt comfortable, I gradually started to show my own style."
--Listening to you, it seems that playing in Belgium also developed your ability to think.
"That's very likely the case. I was only at Sint-Truiden VV for two and a half years, but even in that short period, there were frequent changes in coaches. It was a great experience in terms of adjusting my play to what each coach wanted, no matter who the coach was."
--Was there anything you felt that what you had cultivated at Antlers came to life?
"If I had to pick one thing, it's the winner's mentality. No matter where I played or who I played against, I always approached matches with the desire to win. But some of the players at Sint-Truiden VV seemed somewhat timid when facing big clubs, or they lost their fighting spirit before the battle even began. It was as if they were playing matches with the attitude of going into a losing battle from the start. Feeling that atmosphere, I truly appreciated Antlers, where I was always able to contend for the championship."
--So, are you also hungry for a title race?
"Absolutely. Perhaps that's the biggest reason why I decided to return to Antlers. Until 2019, when I was there, Antlers was always competing for the championship and winning titles. It's truly wonderful for a player to be able to play in such an environment. I think that craving for such a battle is a big reason why I came back."
--Antlers has been away from titles since winning the AFC Champions League in 2018.
"It's not about me, but it's a fact that players who knew what it was like to win have left the team due to retirement or transfers. Even so, there are still members who know what it's like to win titles in the current Antlers team. I want these players, including myself, to become the core and strengthen the team. Myself, Seima-kun (Doi), Anzai, and Kento, who have experience, should all share the same desire to lead the team in a good direction. I want to support them so that this desire creates a synergistic effect."
"Make Antlers strong again."
Words from Ogasawara TA
--This time, upon your return, you chose jersey number "40," which Mitsuo Ogasawara TA (Academy Technical Advisor) wore during his playing career. Please tell us the reason for that.
"It's truly presumptuous of me to compare myself to Mitsuo-san, but I believe I know better than anyone else in this club how great a person Mitsuo-san is. I've been watching Mitsuo-san and Soga-san (Hitoshi Sogahata GK Assistant Coach) play since I was in first grade. I understand that they led this club to titles and also spearheaded Japanese football. For Antlers, there are other historical and traditional forward jersey numbers like 9, 10, and 11, but I thought only 40 could show my own determination. I felt that only I, who knows the history and value of this club, could wear number 40. Also, by wearing number 40, I aim to put pressure on myself. I thought these things on my own. So when I told Mitsuru-san, 'I want number 40,' he initially said, 'I'll consider it.'"
--And then?
"I think he probably asked Mitsuo-san as well, but after that, he readily approved of me wearing jersey number 40."
--Did you tell Ogasawara TA yourself in advance?
"I didn't. But I had a chance to meet Mitsuo-san when I rejoined practice. When I told him, 'Excuse me, I got number 40,' he said, 'You go make Antlers strong again.' I was honestly happy. Mitsuo-san is truly someone I respect. Including my respect for Mitsuo-san, I once again felt the urge to work hard for Antlers."
--What kind of play do you want to show at Antlers this season?
"There might be some contradictions in what I say, but as a forward, scoring goals is certainly important. However, in addition to that, I think there are plays that encourage the team and make them fired up. At the Antlers I've seen, starting with Mitsuo-san and Soga-san, and also Atsuto (Uchida)-san and Yasu-san (Yasushi Endo), there were seniors who showed such plays, and I watched their backs. I believe that's a part of Antlers that should never be changed or lost. So, I hope to show such plays in my own way."
--The team has more younger players than yourself.
"Even so, I don't have the desire to lead the team. As I said earlier, I believe playing in my own way will have a positive impact on the team. I'm still only 25 years old. Just like the seniors I watched, instead of trying to lead the team, I'll focus on doing my own job to the best of my ability. I believe that the results of that will have a positive impact on the team."
--Please tell us again about your feelings regarding titles.
"Zico once said in a meeting, 'When players look back on their careers, their value is determined by the number of titles they've won.' Those words have always stayed with me. After all, if I want to make my career better, titles are a huge factor, and that feeling directly translates into the awareness of working hard for the team. The reasons for working hard can be different for everyone—for oneself, for the team, or for the supporters—and I think that's fine. What's important is that all players face the same direction toward the goal of a title. If we can do that, the team should be able to unite with that feeling."
--Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters who are eagerly awaiting your play.
"Let's all fight together and definitely win the title! It's simple, but that's it."
