Tetsu Sugiyama says, "I've never thought of myself as an 'elite'." After graduating from Kumamoto Kokufu High School, he went on to Fukuoka University before joining Kashima Antlers. While his path was a bit different from the glamorous elite route, he experienced three consecutive league titles at Kashima, and later continued his playing career until the age of 40 at Sapporo and Tokyo United FC.

　The time spent unable to play in matches. And the playing opportunities he finally seized. It is precisely because he has experienced both that there are things he can now pass on to his players.

 

――You have often mentioned since your playing days that you "followed a career path different from the so-called elite route."

Yeah, that's right. It was completely different (laughs). I was in a commercial high school, so most people around me were going straight into the workforce. I was thinking about getting a job myself when my soccer club coach told me, "A university is interested in you," and that was the first time I even thought, "Oh, that's a path I could take, too."

 

――Your world changed when you went to Fukuoka University.

It really did. Seeing players gather from all over the country, it was the first time I thought, "I have to aim for the professional level." Honestly, before that, I never thought I could become a pro. That’s why I was absolutely desperate during my four years at university.

 

――And from there, you joined the Antlers.

Yes. But once I joined Kashima, there was Soga-san (Hitoshi Sogahata) (laughs). He was an absolute fixture. He was truly a high wall to overcome. To guard the Antlers' goal for that long is truly extraordinary; it’s not something just anyone can do.

 

――Because of that, you were rarely blessed with opportunities to play.

That’s right. Of course, it was frustrating. There was the pain of not being able to play. I wanted to get into matches, and there were times I wondered, "Why isn't it me?" But I was the one who chose the Antlers. No matter how tough or painful it got, I decided to see it through to the end because I was the one who chose it. Of course, there were times when it was mentally difficult, and I dealt with injuries as well. It wasn't exactly the professional life I had envisioned.

 

――Yet, you kept at it.

I was allowed to spend eight years at Antlers, and I truly had so many different experiences. I got to experience three consecutive titles, and I could practice every day with incredible players, starting with Soga-san. That time is still an asset to me today.

 

――After that, you gained playing opportunities at Sapporo.

That was where I first learned "the hardship of playing in matches."

 

――That’s different from the pain of not playing.

It was completely different. People might look from the outside and think, "Isn't it great to be playing in matches?" but continuing to play is truly exhausting. You have to keep producing results. You have to lead the team to victory. You are standing on the pitch carrying the hopes of other goalkeepers, too. Goalkeeper is a position with truly heavy responsibilities.

 

――Things you only saw because you finally played in matches.

Right. There are matches every week, aren't there? You start thinking things like, "How did I spend last week?" and "What did I do on Tuesday?" You start considering everything—your physical condition, your approach to practice. I learned for the first time what it really means to play in matches.

 

――That is why you can understand the feelings of players currently waiting for their chance to play.

I think so. I know the pain of not playing, and I also know the hardship of continuing to play. That's why, when I see players working hard, I want to give them a chance. Of course, it is a world of ability at the end of the day, but you can always see the work they are putting in day after day.

 

――At Tokyo United, you served as both a player and a coach.

I was approached by Daiki (Iwamasa), who was a player-coach at the time. It was a wonderful experience. Being able to coach while still playing was significant. I was able to experience coaching while still having the feel of an active player. I think that time is also connected to what I am doing now.

 

――You brought your playing career to an end at age 40.

I felt I had given it everything. Of course, if I had searched, perhaps there were still paths to continue playing. But for me personally, I truly felt I had done all I could. In the end, the feeling that "I gave it my all as a soccer player" was much stronger.

 

――And now you have returned to Kashima.

If I were to return somewhere after retiring, I wanted it to be the Antlers; that was in my mind from the beginning. The fact that the Antlers was my first club was very significant to me. That’s why I was able to return as a school coach, and now I am here with the youth team. Everything is connected.

 

――Lastly, is there anything you want to say to the current players?

Ultimately, you have to think for yourself, choose for yourself, and keep at it for yourself. As long as you are doing it because someone else is making you, you cannot grow in any true sense. My playing career was by no means smooth sailing, but because it was a path I chose myself, I was able to see it through to the end. Because I have that experience, I want today's players to value "making their own decisions."