LIFESTYLE ~Aiming for the Top~

Part 3: Kashima Antlers Youth First-Year Students

The academy players strive to improve themselves day by day to become the stars of the top team.
What kind of football life do they lead?
And what do they keep in mind in their daily lives?
Part 3 explores the LIFESTYLE of Kashima Antlers Youth first-year students.

Carrying Their Families' Hopes

For the first-year students who have moved into the Academy House, waking up in the morning was one of their first challenges. "I'm used to it now, but on weekends my parents used to wake me up, so it was tough at the dorm," says Daisuke Kondo, while Teruto Takagi agrees, "I'm not good at waking up in the morning. My parents always woke me up in junior high." In addition, washing clothes, tidying their rooms, and even getting their own snacks at convenience stores before and after matches have become part of their daily routine. Yuto Sato reflects, "I used to leave everything to my parents, so it was tough. I really appreciate them."

Most of the players are in their first year of dorm life. But Yuto Masaki is an exception. When he was a second-year junior high student playing for Norte Junior Youth, he skipped ahead of his peers to participate in the youth selection trials and moved into the Academy House in his third year. "I wasn't satisfied with just producing results among my own age group," says the ambitious striker, who delivered a "goal" during the limited time of the selection trials. "I've always admired forwards. They're good at getting started, they're good at shooting, they have great technique, and they're fast. They really are geniuses," says the manager, whose admiration for the players caught his eye, allowing Masaki to stand at the starting line of youth football a step ahead of his classmates.

However, his journey up to that point was by no means smooth sailing. Born and raised in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, he put on the deep red shirt following his older brother, who had served as captain of Norte Junior Youth, but was shown the difference in class during his first friendly match with Kashima Junior Youth. "We got hammered so badly I don't know if it was 0-8 or 0-9," he recalls. That experience turned his sense of crisis—"I grew up in Tohoku, so I thought the level would be high when I came to Kanto, and I have to beat these guys to move up"—into a hungry spirit, allowing him to reach the youth level in no time.

Originally from Fukushima Prefecture, Masaki is in his second year at the Academy House. He now spends his days at the Academy House with many of his classmates.

A rebellious spirit often becomes a footballer's driving force. Like Masaki, Takagi is also being encouraged by Manager Yanagisawa to grow as a forward. "I couldn't play in matches at Kashima Junior, and at first I couldn't play for Kashima Junior Youth either, so I was extremely frustrated. That's why I worked harder than anyone else to play in matches," he says, having worked his way up to the youth level.

When Takagi was a sixth-grader, he moved with his family from Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture, after passing the Kashima Junior selection. He is now able to devote himself to football alongside his two-year-younger brother, Eito, who is also active at Kashima Junior Youth, thanks to the support of his parents. "My father took a new job here, and my mother even quit her previous job to support us. I probably cause my parents more trouble than other people do, so I want to repay them through football," he says, his gratitude toward his parents growing even more since leaving home.

Takagi, who came to Kashima with his family from Chiba Prefecture, aspires to become a presence that leads the Antlers alongside his younger brother.

Kondo naturally walked a football-centered life, guided by his two older brothers. His eldest brother, seven years older, is like a coach who "is kind and teaches me many things," while his second-eldest brother, four years older, is a rival for Kondo, "strict with himself and never holds back. I didn't care about the age difference; I didn't want to lose." At times, their one-on-one matches became so intense that Kondo smiles at the memory of "once getting his hand broken."

Among the three brothers who grew up in the Nakakomuso area along the coast of Hitachinaka City, the youngest, Kondo, aspired to "go to the Antlers" and received his parents' support. He spends his days traveling about an hour from his family home to attend Kashima Junior Youth training. "I can't thank my father and mother enough for always driving me back and forth. They were so happy when I told them I had made it to the youth level," he says with a smile, but he looks ahead to further growth, saying, "I want to keep working hard until I produce results."

Nakagawa, originally from Oita Prefecture, and Nagahisa, originally from Mie Prefecture, also came to Kashima carrying the hopes of their families and hometowns. Nakagawa, who initially considered joining a local J-League club academy, was moved by former top team player Tadatoshi Masuda's words, "Why not try out for the Antlers too?"

Nakagawa, who lives at the Academy House away from his family, relaxes in his room with his favorite cushion.

After passing the Kashima Junior Youth selection, Nakagawa moved to Kashima with his mother when he was a first-year junior high student. "Moving here put a burden on my parents. I want to make things easier for them by making it to the youth and top team," he says, having spent his three years in junior high with a fierce determination. His efforts, including "working harder than anyone else on his own," paid off, allowing him to move into the Academy House and enabling his mother to return home. He receives advice after matches from his father, who never fails to check the game footage, and is supported even from far away.

Nagahisa, who began his life in Kashima this spring, was approached by Antlers staff after excelling in matches with Kashima Junior Youth during his junior high years and became a member of the Kashima Youth. Although it has been less than a year since he came to this unfamiliar land, he finds constant communication with his parents, who "drive six or seven hours to Kashima," to be his emotional support.

Participating as a member of the Ibaraki Prefecture Selection at the National Sports Festival in October, he contributed to winning the championship and was interviewed by a local newspaper in Mie Prefecture. "I realized once again that many people are watching me. I want to repay the people of Mie, who have supported me," he says, facing football every day while also carrying the expectations of his hometown.

On the other hand, Ueno, who joined Kashima Youth after leaving the city where he was born and raised, Utsunomiya, took a difficult path like Nagahisa, having moved across prefectural borders with renewed determination upon graduating junior high. After passing the selection trials, he suffered two torn anterior cruciate ligaments, and his return is expected in February 2024. Although his first year at Kashima Youth was cut short by a major injury, he works hard on his daily conditioning, saying, "I want to show my grandfather, who passed away in 2021, that I'm playing. I believe he's watching me from heaven, so I want to work hard to fully recover from my injury first."

His grandfather, Ueno, once played at the forefront of Japanese football for teams such as Chuo University and Koraku Electric. Just like the path his grandfather, Ueno, took, which he "respects," Ueno also looks to the future and works hard, saying, "I want to play at a high level too. I want to play against many strong teams across the country and great teams on overseas tours."

Ueno (far left), who played for the Tochigi SC Academy until junior high, enjoys tech ball with Kikuta, Nagahisa, and Iwanaga (from right)

The invaluable presence of "friends"

"It's not as urban as Utsunomiya, but there is an environment where I can devote myself to football. You can really feel the presence of the Antlers throughout the town." (Ueno)
"If you want to get better at football, this is the perfect town. The clubhouse is close, and it's an environment where I can focus on football." (Nakagawa)

The talents who have made their way to the Antlers from all over the country each speak of the excellence of the environment. Kikuta, who moved from the great metropolis of Tokyo, also reveals, "The clubhouse ground is natural grass. Recently, an academy field with artificial turf was built, so I can always play in a great environment. That's why I wanted to go to the Antlers."

At the club team he belonged to in junior high, he mainly played on dirt grounds. For a goalkeeper who often loses his balance with sideways jumps and slides to protect the goal, playing on dirt comes with injuries, but "now I can play with everything I've got without thinking about anything," he says, devoting himself to improving his skills.

Kikuta, who is devoted to football in an unfamiliar land, has a close friend who is always mindful of him. He met his "local friend who is working hard at volleyball" because their parents are close. "We went to the same nursery school and often stayed over at each other's houses. We spent a lot of time together" during their childhood. Although they are now walking their own paths, "we always check each other's team results, hear about each other's recent news through our parents, and contact each other directly to encourage one another," so their bond remains strong. In October, he received a message saying, "Congratulations on winning the National Sports Festival." "We both want to become professionals, and I want us to be best friends even then," he says, aiming to become a professional player on his respective field.

Miura, originally from Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, also has teammates who strive to improve together. His childhood friend Nakaya, who currently plays for FC Tokyo U-18, is someone he always chases, saying, "We met when we were three, and I thought I couldn't beat him. Until then, I thought I was the best, but after we started playing together, I became second." When they were teammates, he says, "It was incredibly easy to play with him. I know how he moves, so there's no need to talk during the game. Only Kirei has that kind of chemistry." Now they are rivals belonging to J-League youth clubs. "I work hard every day so that I can catch up to Kirei someday," Miura says, always keeping Nakaya in mind.

Miura (right) and Asahina (left) enjoying table tennis in the training room

The presence of friends also led Sato, who was born and raised in the port town of Oarai, to the Antlers. "My elementary school friend liked the Antlers, and I was influenced by him. We went to watch matches together, and I gradually came to love the Antlers," he says, having become captivated by the Antlers' football.

At FC Veren Oarai, the local town club he belonged to until elementary school, he learned the secrets of dribbling and ball control from former J-Leaguer Akihito Kusunose. At times, he would boldly challenge opponents one-on-one, but "I was always hammered so badly that I never won once. I didn't feel like I could take the ball from that person or dribble past him. I felt the level of a professional player firsthand," he says, finding himself no match for them. However, that high wall ignited Sato's competitive spirit, and now he proudly says, "Ball control is my weapon that others don't have."

Their means of transportation to practice, school, and shopping is by bicycle. They also never forget to wear helmets (from right to left: Sato, Kondo, Kikuta)

Iwanaga attended an Antlers school when he was an elementary school student, while also striving for greatness with his teammates at the local Kibisaki Soccer Sports Youth Club. While being encouraged to grow by a strict coach who always taught him "do things for yourself," he nurtured his friendship with teammates who also attended the same school, saying, "We often played together and spent fun days." Even now that he is a high school student, he says, "We sometimes go out to eat together. They are important people who have always been by my side," and the time he spends with his close friends is special.

Looking back, he remembers a match at the Kibisaki Soccer Sports Youth Club where he competed in the Ibaraki Prefecture tournament and fought for the right to challenge Kashima Junior, the biggest rival in the Kashima area. "If we won, we could play against the Antlers. But we conceded two penalties and lost after a comeback, so it didn't come true. One of them was my own hand when I tried to block the opponent's shot. I learned the hard way that even if you lead by one point, you don't know the outcome until the match is over." That experience, along with fun memories with his teammates, still supports Iwanaga as he devotes himself to football today.

A Christmas tree was also decorated at the Academy House (Nagahisa on the left, Iwanaga on the right)

“Become a player who can discipline himself”

Bitter memories will surely become nourishment for the future. The more he feels frustration, sadness, helplessness, and inadequacy, the more it becomes his driving force, and perhaps craving victory is the very nature of being a footballer.

"In the two years I spend in the youth level, I will definitely win the championship of Japan," says Ryota Donoko with conviction, who has been in the Antlers Academy since he was a fourth-grader. At this club, where the philosophy of G-Coach Advisor Gizo is embedded, he has grown both mentally and physically, saying, "I was told to become a player who can discipline himself. The coaching staff also taught me about my character off the pitch." That is why he says, "I am grateful to every coach who has guided me so far."

However, all that lay on that path were the frustrations of matches. "I still haven't achieved the 'championship of Japan' that I've always aimed for. Last year, at the Emperor's Cup, which was supposed to be the culmination of my time at Kashima Junior Youth, I missed a penalty and lost, ending this generation's campaign," he says, as the painful memory comes back. To repay the coaching staff with results, he cannot afford to remain without a title.

Donoko (right) and Kurosawa (left), who love the hammock at the Academy House

Asahina Kazuya also emphasizes the importance of victory, saying, "Football is about aiming for victory. You always have to win." Together with Kurosawa Shoya and Okawa Yugo, he chased the ball at the Antlers Academy even before becoming an elementary school student. Influenced by his father, he became passionate about football and attended the Antlers school from his hometown of Shiokai City during his childhood. "Because I love football, I've always thought about football and accumulated practice," he says, having devoted himself wholeheartedly.

In Asahina's childhood, the one who taught him the "basics" of defense while he was playing as a side back, utilizing his natural speed, was Coach Naoki Hashimoto at the time. Coach Hashimoto's teaching, "Don't just take it, go and take the ball yourself!" is still ingrained in his body. The words that come from Asahina's mouth, "You have to work harder than anyone else to make it to the top team. I want to always aim for first place in the team and work hard from practice," also contain the pride of being "Made in Kashima."

Asahina, who never loses his smile even during indoor training

Okawa, who has been playing with Asahina since he was five, also grew under Coach Hashimoto's guidance. "Sometimes he scolded me harshly when the team wasn't united. Now I realize it was scolding with love," he says, as Coach Hashimoto's words come back to his mind with age and experience.

In his early days, he was such a devoted Antlers fan that he "only played football while wearing Antlers clothes." Then, as he grew, the proud blue uniform, which only the chosen ones are allowed to wear, was added to his football kit, which had previously been all deep red. He has been named to the Japan national team for each age group and also accompanied the team to the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in 2023. Although he was not selected for the main tournament squad, he received words of encouragement from the team's manager, Yoshikazu Moriyama, saying, "Get stronger and come back to the national team."

For Okawa, the soft expression that still retains the immaturity of being a first-year high school student and his somewhat slim physique are no longer needed. "I have to look strong. So that other people will think I look 'strong' just by looking at me. That's what an Antlers center back is," he says, renewing his determination to become a warrior carrying the Antlers and the Japanese flag on his back.

Okawa, working hard on strength training to look strong as a center back

Kurosawa, who plays the goalkeeper position, feels that his height of 175 centimeters is insufficient. That is why he continues to work hard in his daily life toward the top-level standard, saying, "I want to grow taller, so I eat a lot of food."

However, he cannot just complain about his not-so-tall height. "There are things I can do as a player who isn't very tall," he says, having honed his shot-stopping, footwork, and ball-handling skills for build-up since junior high. His support came from Kashima Junior Youth goalkeeper coach Akio Sato. "I've been taught by Aki-san (Goalkeeper Coach Sato) the timing of closing in on the opponent, and when to go and take the ball and when not to, and I feel I've grown a lot since I was around a second-year junior high student," he says, feeling certain growth.

The confidence he gained through constant effort gave Kurosawa a weapon as a goalkeeper. "My strengths are one-on-one duels with the opponent and penalties. If a goalkeeper can stop the opponent's shot in a disadvantageous situation, I'm happy, and seeing the opponent's frustrated face at that time feels great," he says, having developed a mental toughness far beyond a first-year high school student.

Kurosawa, who lives at the Academy House aiming for both academic and athletic excellence, also devotes himself to his studies

"Next year, I will definitely win a starting spot, score goals, and win the Premier League." (Masaki)
"The Antlers is not a team that fights aiming for survival. We all have the goal of winning the Premier League, and we will fight properly." (Okawa)

The next stage is the Emperor's Cup Premier League. The triple crown in 2000, the three consecutive titles starting from 2007, the Asian conquest in 2018—the top team has always shown its identity with titles. The young warriors who inherit the soul of the top team, along with the predecessors who built that tradition, will challenge a new battle to seize glory in 2024.