LIFESTYLE: Aiming for the Top Team
Part 6: Kashima Antlers Youth First-Year Players
Yuwa Fukuoka, Haruto Takagi, Jigen Monoi, and Takamu Kato
Academy players push themselves every day to become key players for the top team.
What kind of football lives do they lead?
And what do they keep in mind in their daily lives?
In Part 6, we explore the lifestyles of four first-year players who were promoted to the youth team from Tsukuba Junior Youth and Norte Junior Youth.
The “Shocking Goal” Displayed in Brazil
In the summer of 2023, for the first time in four years, junior youth players participated in the “U-15 Brazil-Japan Friendship Cup” (for details on the tournament, see ACADEMY FREAKS Vol.03 and Monthly FREAKS Vol.338). After the COVID-19 pandemic, which had spread worldwide since late 2019 subsided, the players set foot on Brazilian soil. The teams were formed by mixing players from Kashima JY, Norte JY, and Tsukuba JY. The players currently active in the youth team participated as “Kashima JY” and finished fourth, one of the club’s best results ever.
“It was my first match overseas, and I was able to score two goals as a forward. I felt that my strengths—breaking into space behind the defense and my one-on-one ability—worked well.” (Takamu Kato)
“We lost the third-place match in the end, but that was only because we lacked skill. Personally, I think my dribbling worked quite well.” (Haruto Takagi)
“Playing as a defensive midfielder, I felt we had room for improvement in attack, but making it to the best four gave me confidence.” (Yuwa Fukuoka)
Each of them gained real confidence and a sense of accomplishment in the “home of football” before their youth team matches. Amidst this, the player who scored a goal so shocking that many tournament officials called it the “best goal of the tournament” was Antlers’ number “10.” After winning the ball from a Brazilian player, he used his excellent ball skills to drive toward the goal and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that hit the back of the net. The player who received praise from former Antlers manager Edu for this brilliant performance, saying he was “displaying his highest potential,” is Jigen Monoi.
“I’m good at dribbling to beat opponents on their weak side. I always practice finding and taking a shot immediately after beating an opponent, so that goal was the result of that training. Brazilian players are big and highly skilled. Even so, my strengths worked well against them many times, which gave me confidence and helped me grow.” (Monoi)
Monoi’s confident two-footed skill set was honed from early childhood. He spent his time playing football with his father, who was active at one of Ibaraki Prefecture’s most prestigious high schools, and improved his one-on-one skills at a futsal school near his hometown of Tokai Village in Ibaraki Prefecture.
“I had been kicking a ball with my dad since I was around seven years old. He told me, “You need to be able to use both feet,” so I practiced shooting and dribbling with both. I’m right-footed, but I think few players can dribble using both feet, so I want to make that one of my weapons.” (Monoi)
At his local Arawani Sports Youth Club, Monoi made full use of his honed dribbling skills. As Monoi recalls, “We came up with our own training menus,” he served as the team captain in an environment that fostered player initiative, becoming even tougher. Then, when he entered junior high school, he joined Norte JY and further refined his individuality.
“I also participated in training sessions with other J-League clubs and community clubs, but I really wanted to join Antlers, so I took the Norte JY selection test. I’m good at playing as a forward or wide midfielder, but during my time at Norte JY, I was allowed to experience various positions, including defensive midfielder.” (Monoi)
When he first joined Norte JY, he was initially confused, saying, “Everyone around me was so big, and what worked when I was in elementary school didn’t work anymore.” However, under the guidance of Kenji Okusawara (now Norte Junior Youth manager) and Daisuke Tsukada, he made it to the youth team.
“My time at Norte was huge for my football life. To help me draw out my strengths in dribbling, Manager Okusawara taught me how to receive the ball between the opponent’s center-back and defensive midfielder and how to make plays that would frustrate the opposition during matches. Manager Tsukada taught me positioning to use the players around me and other things. I’m truly grateful to the coaching staff and my teammates.” (Monoi)
Monoi works hard on strength training so he won’t be outmatched by Brazilian players. “I prefer being called by my first name rather than my last name.”
Aiming to “Seize a Dream” from the North
Takamu Kato is the one who pushed himself alongside Monoi at Norte JY. Monoi says, “At first, I was a little intimidated by Takamu (laughs). He had such outstanding athleticism...”
“I’ve always played as a forward or wide midfielder. To be honest, I’d be happy playing any position as long as I can get on the pitch, but I became a forward because my elementary school coach recommended it. My strength is my ability to break through using my speed, and I look up to Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), who is active in the English Premier League.” (Kato)
He was born and raised in Kitaibaraki City, located at the northernmost tip of Ibaraki Prefecture. The reason he started playing football was his two older cousins, who are three and four years older than Kato. From a young age, he watched top-team matches with them at Kashima Stadium and was fascinated by the performances of the Crimson Warriors. Following his two cousins, Kato also climbed the ranks through his local Nakago FC, Norte Junior, and Norte JY.
“I especially admired Minamichi Kanazaki (now at Cerezo Osaka) at Antlers, so I joined the Antlers School at the Takagi campus when I was in third grade. I joined Norte Junior in fifth grade, and I still remember Manager Takashi Hashino (then manager) pointing out my weaknesses in detail when I was in sixth grade.” (Kato)
After moving up to Norte JY, the youth team was always within his sights. He competed alongside Monoi and others toward the goal of “promotion to the youth team,” which his cousins had been unable to achieve.
“When I was in eighth grade, I was allowed to play with the grade above me. What I felt when playing in their matches was that what I could do in my own grade didn’t work there. That’s why I worked harder than ever on one-on-one training and other drills.”
Just like the name “Takamu,” which means “seize a dream,” given to him by his parents, he gradually grew and seized the dream of “promotion to the youth team.” What awaited him there was direct guidance from Antlers legends he had cheered for as a child.
“The youth team coaching staff includes many legends, and I’m able to learn in a great environment. In particular, Technical Advisor Mitsuo Okusawara has had a major influence on me, and I’ve realized once again how important it is to run. My dream for the future is to be promoted to the top team and to play overseas. I want to make it a reality again to “seize a dream,” just like my name.” (Kato)
Kato says, “Commuting to Kashima Gakuen High School is the hardest part,” but he has no trouble with laundry or other daily chores.
Overcoming “High Walls”
Currently, his youth teammates Hirashima, Rui Onuki, Ryogetsu Miyoshi, Takayoshi Yonekawa, Genma Oeda, Kanta Hayashi, and Ryusei Fukuda have always stood before him as “high walls.” They were members of Kashima JY, which won the “35th All Japan U-15 Football Championship” in the winter of 2023 and became champions of Japan. For the two players from Tsukuba JY who lost to Kashima JY in the Kanto tournament and were unable to earn a ticket to the national tournament, the regret is particularly deep.
Like Takagi, Fukuoka, who also served as the captain of Tsukuba JY at the time, recalls, “It was frustrating to lose in the final Emperor’s Cup match.” Although the four players who grew up at Norte and Tsukuba have not had the experience of becoming champions of Japan like the players from Kashima JY or Minato Yoshida, who led FC Tama (Tokyo) to the top at the 2023 Japan Club Youth Championship, they have faced football while sometimes feeling the sting of regret, growing through the process, and becoming members of the Antlers youth team. And Fukuoka has also become a member of the Japan national team for his age group.
“I was nervous when I first participated in national team activities, but as I was called up several times, the sense of fulfillment grew stronger. Many players in the youth team have won championships of Japan, and there are many intense players like Minato, but being inspired by them seems to have changed my own attitude toward training. I’m in the same grade as them, so I feel like I must not lose.” (Fukuoka)
He had been obsessed with kicking a ball since he was a preschooler. Before entering junior high school, he directly asked his parents, “I want to try playing for a J-League club,” and successfully passed the Tsukuba JY selection test. He commuted to the Tsukuba Academy Center by taking the Tsukuba Express from the nearest station in Misato City, Saitama Prefecture, and became fascinated by football once again.
“When I was in first grade, Manager Nemoto (then manager) allowed me to play for the A team, and I feel like I learned a lot there. The older players were kind even off the pitch, so training camps were fun, and I was able to learn many things about football, so I have nothing but good memories.” (Fukuoka)
The football style he acquired at Reshi Jr. in Tokyo during his elementary school years also supported his success at Tsukuba JY. The skills he developed in a “team that passes the ball around and emphasizes possession” also suited the way Tsukuba JY played.
“Especially since I was in second grade, Manager Mitsunori Yamao, who led Tsukuba JY, was a coach who aimed to attack by passing the ball, so it suited me well. Manager Yamao taught me many things about football, such as how to play as a team and how to turn to face the opposite direction. I was very well looked after by both Coach Nemoto and Manager Yamao.”
Fukuoka is studious at the Academy House. When he became a high school student, he changed his image by cutting his hair short, saying, “I thought I should do it now while I can.”
Carrying the hopes of many people in his heart
The growth curves each of them drew in their respective places intersect in Kashima. That is the place the players who fight in the crimson uniform always aim for.
“Being around professional players has made me more aware of the top team.” (Fukuoka)
In the north and south of Ibaraki Prefecture, having faced both the good and bad, the players who have faced football and arrived at this place are now aiming for the place right next to the pitch where the youth team usually trains. To stand on that stage, the challenge of the four players who gathered from Norte and Tsukuba will not end.
“I want to become a player who can make everyone watching excited. And I want to repay everyone who always supports me with results and my play. I want to continue to give my all every day and face matches with that attitude.” (Monoi)
“Even though I’m active in the youth team, the difference between being promoted to the top team and not is paper-thin. I want to be promoted to the top team and become someone who can be supported by fans.” (Kato)
“Because people come to watch our practices, and they also call out to us when we go to school, saying, “Good luck,” I am able to face football here today thanks to the support of everyone who always cheers for us. I want to continue playing for this team while feeling grateful to everyone every day.” (Takagi)
“We always have many people come to watch our matches, and the fact that we win many home matches is thanks to the fans and supporters who cheer for us. I want to win the Emperor’s Cup Premier League, and I want to become a professional. I strongly feel that way.” (Fukuoka)
Carrying the hopes of various people in his heart, he will continue to face football here.
Takagi (far right) says, “Fukuoka (far left) was always full of himself when he was at Tsukuba JY,” while Kato (center left) and Monoi (center right) from Norte are pushed by him. Takagi remains completely unfazed.