Tomoaki Makino Inspires Young Soccer Players at Adidas Football Legend Clinic

Former Japan national team player Tomoaki Makino (37) visited Okazaki Josai (Aichi Prefecture) on the 24th to hold the “Adidas Football Legend Clinic”. He provided about two hours of instruction to current high school students, including demonstrations. “It was fun to do it. Even in the short time (high school students) wanted to improve, get stronger, and absorb more. I’m looking forward to this team more and more.”

Makino, known for his passionate approach to the game, gave full praise to good plays and cast a passionate gaze on the students. He also visits Haguro (Yamagata) and coaches, taking questionnaires in advance to check the team’s situation and issues. After understanding Okazaki Johsai’s coaching policy and tactics, he adds the essence of Makino. On this day, he mainly taught them how to defend and how to think.

After practice, he answered questions from high school students. When asked about the trouble he had with Makino when he was still active, when he performed a performance that provoked the opponent and was scolded by the referee, he laughed out loud and answered sincerely, “It’s not good to point the arrow at the opponent, but it’s important to express yourself. I would like you to do it.”

The Aichi Prefecture preliminaries for the All Japan High School Soccer Championship will begin in October. Makino shared his hopes for the team, saying, “I want them to feel like this is the culmination of their efforts, to be grateful to their parents for allowing them to play soccer, and above all, to enjoy themselves greedily.”