GK Shuto Kikuta / GK Shoei Kurosawa
DF Daisuke Kondo / DF Towa Asahina / DF Yoshiki Iwanaga
MF Ryota Tonooka / MF Sora Nakagawa / MF Yuto Sato / MF Eita Ueno / MF Naoto Miura
FW Yuto Masaki / FW Akito Takagi
The Antlers Youth team achieved an unprecedented triple crown in 2025. In this series, we ask the third-year players who led the team in various ways to look back on their daily lives during the 2025 season. Part 1 features the third-years sharing their memories. (Part 1 of 4)
——Looking back, what kind of year was the 2025 season?
Akito Takagi What stands out most is definitely the fact that we won the triple crown. It was undoubtedly a significant experience for our generation. Although many first and second-years played in the matches, everyone—including those who didn't get to play—kept practicing without giving up until the very end. I believe that accumulation led to our Premier League title, and it’s a memory that really sticks with me.
Sora Nakagawa From the moment the season started, there was a shared awareness that we were doing the best training in Japan in terms of quality and intensity. That’s why I felt the triple crown was an "inevitability."
——Was there a moment when you realized that?
Sora Nakagawa Even when we competed in tournaments, people said that Kashima had the highest running distances and data metrics. We had Mr. Uchinai (physical coach), who is at the top of the field in Japan, and we had been consistently following his programs since our first year. So, we had a sense that we were running better than any other team.
——There must have been difficult times, but what stands out about the team?
Naoto Miura Our unity. Even during tough times or grueling practice, everyone would call out to each other and keep things positive. I think we were a team that overcame obstacles that way.
——Were there any players who honestly felt down at times?
Shuto Kikuta Yes (laughs). Especially in my first and second years, I cried a lot. When things were really tough, I’d end up in tears, but then I'd look at the next day's physical training and think, "It’s better than yesterday." Repeating that process, the amount I cried gradually decreased.
——Was there a particular moment that was memorable?
The Premier League match against Urawa Reds. It was so tough I couldn't perform at all, but everyone was calling out to me and pushing me forward from behind. I cried, overwhelmed by my own inadequacy and by the fact that I had teammates there to help me.
"The Best Training in Japan" Was the Foundation for the Triple Crown
——Was there a specific time that was particularly tough?
Everyone That has to be Kondo (laughs).
Daisuke Kondo Especially the physical training for those staying behind at the green space. That was insane. We’d been grinding out runs, and just when I thought we were done after 10 reps, for some reason, it was actually 20.
Everyone (Laughs).
Daisuke Kondo That was incredibly grueling.
——Who was the one leading the team during those tough times?
Everyone Kurosawa.
Akito Takagi He’s the type who leads by example.
Daisuke Kondo He would sprint back at full speed on his own after our hill sprints. I’d think, "Man, this guy is a beast" (laughs).
Everyone (Laughs).
Shoei Kurosawa No, I didn't really mean to... (laughs) I was just giving it my all.
Akito Takagi That’s right. Before we knew it, he was just leading us. Tuesday was always physical training day, so we tried to keep things positive rather than negative, encouraging each other.
——Was there a point during the season where the team became stronger?
Sora Nakagawa We often clashed during practice, which in turn increased the intensity and naturally led to better training. Repeating that day after day is what I think made the team stronger.
——Did it ever escalate into fights?
Everyone Yeah, usually involving Yugo Okawa (laughs).
——What kind of presence was the captain, Yugo Okawa?
Sora Nakagawa If the quality dropped during practice, he would often shout at us to "Raise the standards!" He would immediately set the benchmark. Rather than doing anything flashy, he just made sure everyone stayed focused, kept talking, and that all of us put in the work.
Deeper Bonds Through Extraordinary Experiences
——You mentioned "team unity"—what moment did you feel that most strongly?
Towa Asahina The match against FC Tokyo. We conceded first, but caught up and reversed the score late in the game. That match gave us confidence. It also built momentum for the matches that followed.
Akito Takagi For me, it was the final physical training session for the third-years before the Premier League final. It was brutal, but everyone’s energy was high and it was fun. Everyone was trying to take the lead, and I felt a sense of unity.
Sora Nakagawa The players' meeting on the day we won the Club Youth Championship.
——Before the Club Youth final, there was a tsunami warning, and you had to move to Yokohama, where the match was held, and stay overnight.
Sora Nakagawa As we talked among ourselves, the atmosphere got a bit emotional... and even though we hadn't won yet, Yugo Okawa started crying. That was pretty funny (laughs). The meeting was supposed to be about getting fired up for the match, but Masaki used some moving phrases and that set the tone.
Yuto Masaki I wasn't really trying to do anything special, but when I said, "Let's give it our all for the people who support us," Yugo started crying on the other side. It felt like that flipped a switch for everyone (laughs).
——At that point, there was still a lot left to play for (laughs), but you later achieved the triple crown. What was that moment like?
Akito Takagi It was surprisingly calm.
Sora Nakagawa We were nervous, but it felt like, "We have no choice but to win."
Shuto Kikuta Everyone, including the players who couldn't play, was in the stands at Saitama Stadium cheering. When we scored the opening goal, the atmosphere felt just like a professional match. When we won on penalties, we all rejoiced from the bottom of our hearts. That’s when I truly felt that unity.