Among the keywords "aggressive, offensive, and efficient" that define fast-paced football, Hayato Nakamura embodies "aggressive" with his tireless work rate.
He constantly aims for the space behind the opposing defenders, making movements that lead directly to goals.
We delve into the selflessness and desire for a title of a man who runs and fights for his team.
Aggressively aiming for goals
That attitude reflects my own aggressiveness
──I believe the 2-1 victory against Kashiwa in Matchweek 19 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League was very significant for the team.
"It was a match against my former club, and personally, I believe it was a valuable three points this season. Looking across the entire J-League, there are only a handful of forwards like Ayase (Ueda) who score so many goals. When such a player transfers, the team's strength is undoubtedly reduced, but I believe it's unacceptable for Antlers to lose games just because Ayase has left. That's why, in the Kashiwa match immediately after Ayase's transfer was decided, the entire team united. We didn't want to just fill the void left by Ayase; we wanted to show a different way of fighting as a team."
──I heard that after Ueda's transfer was decided, the players took some time to talk among themselves.
"It was a short time, but we talked about aiming for the championship again and fighting hard with the current members."
──As you just mentioned, the Kashiwa match wasn't about filling the void left by Ueda, but rather the team showed a new color.
"I strongly felt that too. With Ayase gone, someone else stepped in, and the team was able to demonstrate different characteristics than before. The 11 players on the pitch worked hard, fought strongly for every ball, and transitioned quickly between offense and defense. These are standard expectations at Antlers, but by thoroughly doing what the team needed to do, each player in their position was able to show their strengths. It may seem obvious, but it's not easy, and we want to continue working on it as a team."
──After the Kashiwa match, Yuma Suzuki said that one of the challenges for this season, where they are aiming for fast-paced football, would be managing their pace in the hot and humid summer months.
"Regarding pace management, I believe there are aspects we can control ourselves and aspects we can't control alone, as soccer is a sport with opponents. It's true that pace management is a challenge, but personally, I think it's important for each player to give their all. Under the current rules, up to five players can be substituted, meaning half of the field players can be replaced. I understand the need to maintain stamina for 90 minutes, but when I consider my role as a starter, instead of consciously pacing myself from the beginning and holding back, I believe continuing to play in a way that bothers the opponent and then passing the baton is also a team tactic. Therefore, the important thing is to give 100% without holding back. Personally, I value that."
──When we analyze the fast-paced football you are aiming for, the players are embodying the "aggressive, offensive, and efficient football" that René Weiler emphasized as his concept when he first took charge. Among them, Nakamura is demonstrating aggressiveness with his work rate. How do you maintain that aggressiveness during matches?
"I believe it's in the attitude of always playing aggressively with the goal in mind. I just want to play in a way that bothers the opponent. Even when making runs behind defenders, I'm conscious of targeting spaces that trouble the opponent and playing in a way that leads directly to goals. Up front, in addition to Yuma, we had Ayase, and now we have Eve (Everaldo), who are physically strong forwards even in Japan. If you ask who is responsible for battling and connecting plays, or picking up loose balls and attacking behind the opponent, I interpret that as the role of the wide midfielders. As a team aiming for fast-paced football, there will naturally be more balls played to the forwards. In such situations, if our strong forwards battle for the ball, there's a high probability that the loose ball will fall forward. So, instead of staying behind them, I'm constantly aiming for the space behind the opposing defenders. In fact, with our two strikers heading the ball on, we're reaching the goal area more often."
──The goal Nakamura scored in the 33rd minute of the Nagoya match (Matchweek 18) was exactly that kind of play.
"We were able to score efficiently with a total of two passes, including one that aimed vertically. I think that goal was an ideal form for the team, so I'm happy with my goal in the Nagoya match."
──In matches, Nakamura's work rate is impressive, as he constantly aims for the space behind the opponent and readjusts his movements.
"Even when the center-backs have the ball, I'm always conscious of running into the space behind the opponent. Since the forwards draw a lot of attention, as a wide midfielder, I want to effectively target that space. Also, if I frequently aim for the space behind the opposing center-back and make the opponent think I'll try that again, then receiving the ball at my feet becomes an effective play. If I repeat that movement many times, the opposing center-back will also become wary of me, and their marking on the forwards will loosen. If that happens, it's a great situation for the team. If we can create a situation where Yuma and Eve can play more easily, the probability of scoring will also increase."
Team victory over personal goals
The turning point that changed my way of thinking
──Not only did you score your first league goal of the season against Nagoya, but you also scored in the YBC Levain Cup match against Fukuoka and the Emperor's Cup Round 3 match against Omiya. How do you evaluate your own performance in terms of scoring goals?
"I don't think about 'I absolutely have to score a goal myself.' I'm currently playing with the sole desire to win the championship. So, I'm always thinking about what I can do to help the team win, and what I can do to prevent the team from losing. Even if I score a goal, it's not just my goal; it's a goal scored by the team. I just happened to be the last one to touch the ball. More than that, I want to value what I was able to do for the team, and whether I was able to fulfill my role with 100% effort for the team."
──Have you always prioritized team results over your own performance?
"No, there was a clear turning point. I used to get heated easily during matches. I was a player who would get emotional and sometimes make rough plays. I would play based on my feelings."
──It's hard to imagine that from the current Nakamura. Please tell us about that turning point.
"In the opening match of the 2018 (Meiji Yasuda J2 League) season when I joined Okayama, I was sent off just 3 minutes after coming on as a substitute. At that time, instead of being depressed, I was truly disgusted with myself. I even thought I should just quit soccer because I disliked myself so much. I continued to go to practice after that, but the manager at the time didn't give up on me. He kept playing me in matches and talked to me a lot. That's when I realized I wanted to play not just for myself, but also for the people around me. I had always believed in giving 100% of what I could do, but until then, I had only played for myself. However, encountering the manager, teammates, staff, and family who didn't give up on me and treated me sincerely, made me start thinking about the team. I wanted to give 100% of what I could do, and I hoped it would benefit the team. That's when my attitude and way of thinking changed. I believe that without that turning point, I wouldn't have become a player who plays for Antlers, or even a player who plays in the J1 League."
──When you started your professional career in Kumamoto in 2011, could you have imagined yourself as you are now?
"Not only could I not imagine it, but there were times I thought my professional career might end in one or two years. But now that I've joined Antlers, I've taken a roundabout path, but I feel that what I've done wasn't wrong, and I've been progressing step by step."
Antlers have clear goals
I came to win titles
──Since joining Antlers, have you felt the team's traditions or strengths?
"Definitely, but it's hard to put into words. It's like an atmosphere, but it's not just one thing; it feels like many elements are ingrained. But I definitely feel something. If I had more vocabulary, I might be able to verbalize it, but I feel it but can't express it in words (chuckles). Perhaps that, in turn, is the strength Antlers has built."
──So, has anything changed about you since you joined Antlers?
"The biggest change is my goals. The goals are clear, and it's just about how I approach them. That alone has significantly changed my way of thinking. Even when I was playing for other teams, I vaguely wanted to win the championship, but at Antlers, everyone on the team has that aspiration. Of course, other teams also have the goal of winning, but at Antlers, all the players are serious about it. That difference is huge. The pressure is also different, and I feel a difference in what the fans and supporters expect."
──It sounds like you're answering the question I asked earlier about tradition and strength.
"I was thinking the same thing as I was talking (laughs). At Antlers, the team always comes before individual matters. The underlying thought and desire of 'what can we do to help the team win, what can we do to prevent the team from losing' might be one of their strengths."
──You also touched upon the fans and supporters, and test matches with vocal cheering have been implemented. How was the cheering you heard at Kashima Stadium?
"I first heard the cheering of the Antlers fans and supporters at the YBC Levain Cup match against Fukuoka (on June 11th). I already thought Antlers fans and supporters were the best in Japan, but hearing their voices live, I realized how amazing they truly are. I got goosebumps, and it felt like power was surging from within me. Just having that cheering gives the team momentum, and we can endure even during difficult times. It felt like shifting into a higher gear."
──Please give a message to the fans and supporters who are backing you.
"We are in a position to aim for the league championship, and I believe Antlers must win a title this season. I think we will have more opportunities to hear your cheers from now on, so I would be happy if you could come to the stadium. At home, we want to show a game where we can win three points every time, and on the road, we want to show a fight where we can achieve victory together with those who come to support us. For that reason, I hope you will fight with us at the stadium."
──Finally, what does a title mean to you, Nakamura?
"For Antlers, a title is essential. I haven't won a title myself yet, but it's a sight I want to experience once. I believe there's something that only those who have won it can understand, so right now, I'm just pushing forward towards that. After all, I came to Antlers to achieve it."
