DF Yoshiki Iwanaga

MF Ryodai Tonooka / MF Tenso Nakagawa / MF Yuto Sato / MF Eita Ueno

 

Behind the scenes of their triple crown season, how did the third-year youth players view one another? Guided by themes on prepared cards, teammates tell the stories of their peers. What emerges from the snapshots of training, matches, and daily life are the distinct outlines of each of these 14 individuals. Beyond stats and results, what were the personalities that anchored this team? (Part 3 of 4)

 

DF Yoshiki Iwanaga

The secret to his popularity is in his tireless work rate

"He's quiet normally, but he's just really sweet." That’s what all his teammates say about Yoshiki Iwanaga. However, once he steps onto the pitch, that impression completely changes.

"His GPS stats are the best among all the field players. He’s a monster." (Teruhito Takagi)

As the numbers show, Iwanaga’s distance covered was unparalleled.

He himself has no special awareness of it.

"I don't really feel like I'm doing anything special. I just think running is the bare minimum."

Before you know it, he’s off running on his own. Not because someone told him to. By his own standards, he pushes himself. His teammates have witnessed this many times.

"He’d just suddenly head off for a run by himself. He was like a rocket."

"During practice, there was a time he suddenly threw himself into a diving header while defending. Seeing that made me think, 'I have to do that too.'" (Daisuke Kondo)

It was a moment that embodied his commitment to giving his all. In a situation where, under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have to push himself. Yet, he threw his body on the line with full intensity. That split-second play flipped the switch for everyone around him.

He isn't the type to lead with his voice. Yet, he subconsciously stands at the front, leading by example. That is why he is naturally loved. It isn't due to him being "soft," but because his seriousness and consistency earn trust. Yoshiki Iwanaga was the person who quietly supported the team’s top-tier practice sessions.

 

MF Ryodai Tonooka

Dorm guardian, a year spent learning to look out for others

The work of a dorm leader is unassuming, but the responsibilities are heavy.

"It’s just making sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to… but it was surprisingly tough."

For Ryodai Tonooka, this past year was a time to learn a great deal about things outside of soccer. Are the chores being done properly? Is someone having trouble? He always had to keep his eyes on parts of life that aren't visible on the pitch.

It didn't end with just giving warnings. When he felt things weren't running smoothly, he would step in and handle it himself. It was his first experience in a position of responsibility. Those around him noticed this well.

"He kept a close watch on the dorm, and it gave us a sense of security."

That’s how Daisuke Kondo, who also lived in the dorm, looks back. Naoto Miura, who acted as an advisor within the team, also speaks of Tonooka’s presence:

"You could tell he was keeping an eye on things. Even if something happened, I knew it would be okay as long as Tonooka was there."

His only failure was an unexpected case of oversleeping. He couldn't wake up for the morning roll call, and no one came to wake him up.

"I was a little sad about that (laughs)."

The dorm leader is usually the one doing the waking. That’s why this is an episode that makes everyone smile.

The vision he cultivated off the pitch connects to his play as well. Looking at people, looking at the whole picture. A year of learning the difficulty and the rewards of that has made Ryodai Tonooka a more well-rounded person.

 

MF Tenso Nakagawa

His competitiveness is the reason he pushes forward

The card he grabbed without hesitation was, "Actually, the most competitive." When asked why he chose it, Tenso Nakagawa answered immediately.

"I’m extremely competitive. The staff often call me a 'Kyushu Man.' It’s true—I really, truly don't want to lose at anything."

Teruhito Takagi and Towa Asahina, who play on the right side with him in matches, shared the same impression from seeing him from both sides.

"He just looks so frustrated whenever he loses, whether it's in a match or practice." (Teruhito Takagi)

"When he gets stopped in a 1-on-1, there’s this vibe of, 'I’m going to beat you next time.'" (Towa Asahina)

Once he loses, he makes sure to get it back. That obsession seeps into every aspect of his play. He is well aware of this side of himself.

"It’s definitely true during matches, but I have this desire not to lose to my teammates as well. If I lose in 1-on-1s or practice games, it leaves me feeling bitter. I’ll think, 'I’m going to win next time,' and sometimes I’ll go in really hard."

That attitude shows not just in his play, but in how he asserts himself. Because he has such clear ideas, there are many situations where he won't back down. Sometimes he’s so stuck in his own way of thinking that he clashes with his teammates.

"I think I’m pretty stubborn, too. There have been times when I pushed my ideas too hard and ended up arguing with a teammate during a match. It happened with (Teruhito) Takagi a lot. Takagi is kind, so he’d just let it go."

There were times on the wing with the ball where he believed his choice would lead to a goal and insisted on it. Looking back, he says, "My stubbornness was pushing too far forward." Even so, Nakagawa doesn't deny this part of his personality.

"I believe this competitiveness is important for my own improvement."

Both the clashes and the bitterness are part of the process of growth. Holding onto the desire to win more strongly than anyone else. Tenso Nakagawa has broadened his horizons while facing that very emotion. His competitiveness is the driving force that pushes him forward, and it has become one of the weapons he continues to polish.

 

MF Yuto Sato

12 kilograms that speak of determination and consistency

As soon as the "fitness geek" card appears, it immediately finds its way into Yuto Sato’s hands. All his teammates nod in agreement.

Joining the youth team with a small frame, Yuto Sato looked precisely at where he stood.

"I knew my physique and speed were my weaknesses."

In a high-intensity environment, he couldn't afford to look away from those weaknesses.

His chosen answer was to completely overhaul his physique. He gained about 12 kilograms over the course of three years. Almost all of it was muscle.

"I was skinny, to begin with, so I had no choice but to eat and train."

At night, he would repeat push-ups in his dorm room, sometimes collapsing into bed while still soaked in sweat.

"For a while, he was literally getting into bed still covered in sweat (laughs), he was just doing strength training, nonstop." (Teruhito Takagi)

The volume of his work was enough that people told him he was doing too much. Even so, he didn't stop.

His transformation was also supported by advice from the staff.

"I trusted the things Sato-san and Ichi-san told me to do, and I kept at it."

Diet, supplemental training, and conditioning. He had no hesitation in changing his daily life.

The change wasn't just in the numbers.

"At first, I really couldn't do a single pull-up."

After being pointed out by those around him, he used that frustration as a catalyst to tackle the issue. Now, he can perform over 10 pull-ups consistently.

"You were doing push-ups in your room all night, weren't you?" (Daisuke Kondo)

The effort he put in—not for the sake of showing it off—was definitely seen by his teammates. Three years of facing his weaknesses and changing his daily routine. That accumulation led to his stability and confidence on the pitch.

Yuto Sato’s 12 kilograms were no accident. They were a weight etched with his determination and consistency.

 

MF Eita Ueno

More than winning, the joy of being able to play

Eita Ueno experienced two major injuries during his time in the youth program. He would recover, only to get injured again. Every time he tried to return to the pitch, days of rehabilitation followed. Yet, he never stood still.

Because he knew what it was like to go through long treatment, his words carry weight.

"It wasn't so much about winning or losing… I was just happy to be able to play."

He realized the value of the time he could play soccer more than anyone. Even during his rehab, Ueno never showed a negative attitude.

"He didn't show any weakness. And that’s after such a long period. He is truly someone I respect." (Naoto Miura)

Even in difficult circumstances, he didn't let his emotions show, calmly continuing his preparations. That attitude left a strong impression on everyone around him.

For his teammates who had also experienced injuries, Ueno’s presence was a benchmark.

"I had an injury and was out for about half a year, and honestly, it was tough. But Ueno was dealing with injuries for much longer than that, and he still didn't show any weakness. Seeing that made me think I had to work hard, too." (Tenso Nakagawa)

Because they shared the experience of being injured, they understood the pain. Amidst it all, Ueno’s attitude was a support for his teammates.

It wasn't smooth sailing after his return, either. There were times when his conditioning wasn't right and he couldn't play as he wanted. Even then, Ueno didn't rush.

"First and foremost, I’m just happy to be back on the pitch."

While treasuring that feeling, he built up what he could, one step at a time.

He doesn't lead with flashy words. He just doesn't run away, continuing to face forward. That is what gave him a quiet influence on the team.

Eita Ueno’s "maturity" wasn't about age, but a strength grown through the time he never gave up.