Ryota Kajikawa was able to lead the team with his voice and play, and was also a spiritual pillar.
Sumiki Koike became the team’s top scorer twice, in the 2019 season with 16 points and in the 2021 season with 17 points.
Yuta Narawa always played to the best of his ability and won the hearts of many fans.
Final chapter: Men who have carved their names in history
■Start a new challenge
Since the end of the 2023 season I have felt happy every day. It’s rare to be able to stay happy all the time.
Tokyo Verdy opened the doors to J1 for the first time in 16 years. It was an emotional season that surprised everyone around him. No matter how special the year, there are some things that remain the same every year. When a season ends, the farewell season inevitably arrives.
On December 7, Tokyo Verdy announced the retirement of Yuta Narawa and the expiration of the contracts of Ryota Kajikawa and Sumiki Koike. Among the staff members, manager Yuichi Goto also decided to leave the club at his request.
“VERDY FAMILY FES. 2023 at Verdy Ground” on the 19th was the last venue this season’s team performed.
Narawa, who has been with the team for 6 seasons since 2018, has 0 points in 17 games this season (0 points in 2 games in the Emperor’s Cup). He is a player who has won the hearts of fans with his attitude to always give his all and has continued to demonstrate the standards that should be there in terms of training, intensity and quantity of exercise. By the end of the season, he primarily played the closer role, and regardless of whether his playing time was long or short, Narawa was still Narawa.
“I was shocked for about three seconds (when I was told my contract was up), then I took two seconds to compose myself and five seconds later I told them I was retiring. For the last two or three years, I have played every year with that determination. I’m really happy that I was able to transition to J1 like this in the end. It was a beautiful ending for me too. I did everything I could. Because I did everything I could, I was able to immediately make the decision to retire.”
Kajikawa joined Tokyo V from Kwansei Gakuin University in 2011 and remained there for a total of eight years, joining and leaving twice. This season he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee in April and scored 2 points in 8 games. Although he was diagnosed with a full recovery time of eight months, he showed extraordinary resilience and returned to the forefront in the final phase.
“I was really happy to be promoted. Finally I can play on the J1 stage with Verdy. That’s what I thought, so it’s frustrating or rather lonely. However, I gave my all in training. I have no regrets about everything I have left to Verdy. I’ve really grown to love Verdy and green, so I’m grateful to this team for letting me do that. From now on, I’ll support you as a fan. I want to do Esso.”
In Tokyo V, where there was no shortage of turbulence both on and off the field, Kajikawa’s presence, with his leadership, communication skills and ability to communicate, was invaluable. He led the team with his voice and his play and was a spiritual pillar. On the 29th, it was decided that Kajikawa will join Fujieda MYFC. I want him to mix with the younger players, improve each other’s skills and express his full potential on the pitch.
Koike has been with the team for a total of seven seasons, scoring a career-high 16 points in the 2019 season. In the 2021 season, he updated that with 17 points, becoming the team’s leading scorer twice. In the midst of a difficult battle with no hope in sight, he brought a rare ray of light. However, this season fell out of the team’s vision and ended with zero points in one game (zero points in two games in the Emperor’s Cup).
“I believe we were able to perform on this stage thanks to the support of our wonderful senior players. Verdy, a club, has great value. I hope everyone will demonstrate this on the J1 stage next time. Even if I leave the team, I hope that everyone has the same love that we had and increases the value of Verdy. I still have the desire to continue and I can’t let things end like this. I’m retiring, I don’t think about it.
The two Koikaji not only gained popularity for their friendly personalities, but also had great value in expanding the circle of social contribution activities of the J. Leaguers. He has branched out into fields other than football and shown the potential of what he can do from a player’s point of view.
All of them, including those who contributed and other members who were transferred, have left their names in the history of Tokyo V. Even if the world will one day forget it, the greens have etched it deep in their memories.
Before the J1 promotion playoff battle began, manager Hiroshi Shirofuku said the following.
“What kind of football is suitable for Japan and best enhances the characteristics of the Japanese people? I believe that a Japanese coach should be the one who can provide one of the best solutions. I don’t want people to say things like: ‘You can’t do it if you’re old”. I want to be one of those people who can build a world-class football team. I think this year’s Verdy team showed me what I can do. I think it’s still a long way from being a game that “will revolutionize football or express the unique characteristics of the Japanese people. After all, there are some caveats in terms of the level in J2. I think this is something that will have value for the first time it is realized in J1.”
In short, reaching the J1 stage is a passage point. What we are aiming for is much further ahead.
It will probably fall off in a year anyway. In the last month I have heard this directly more than once or twice. Most people probably think this way. The feeling of struggle is growing.
After finishing 17th in the 2005 season and being relegated to J2 for the first time in the club’s history, this is their second promotion to J1 in 16 years following the 2007 season. In their first season, 2008, they finished 17th and were automatically relegated . In other words, he managed to achieve only results worthy of J2. Why can you say this is a comeback? By remaining at the top for at least a year, Tokyo V will be able to return to J1.
(“2023 Season Green Rut” Audit Report, final chapter, complete)
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