(9.6 Kanto ROOKIE LEAGUE A League Round 9 Nihon University Fujisawa High School 2-1 Distribution Economic University Kashiwa High School Tokinosu Susono E2 Grand)
Leftist attack tacker midfielder Okada Yuki (1st year, from Soy-Do FC), from the winning school, Nihon University Fujisawa High School (Kanagawa), has been ranked as the MVP of the A-League in the 2025 Kanto ROOKIE LEAGUE.
He missed the final round due to a broken right wrist. After taking a photo of the winner, when coach Kawachi Kensho told him he was the MVP, he looked surprised. Of the nine games, he played in seven games. He revealed his feelings, saying, “I never thought I would be chosen,” but he said, “I'm honestly happy.” I'm also proud to be able to contribute to the victory.
“We didn't lose 1-1, and we created opportunities from our left foot, which is our weapon. I think we were able to do things like dribbling with cut-in and shoot, and pass the final round.” He mainly played on the right wide side, and scored the first goal in the match against Seibudai High School (Saitama). He also scored the opening goal with a place kick in the match against Funabashi High School (Chiba), and also scored a valuable additional goal.
Coach Kawachi said, “We have the power to not lose, kicks. He saved the team here.” He is hoping to join the Japanese national team by age group, following both Nihon University Fujisawa alumni and U-20 Japan national team midfielder Fuse Katsumasa (now Tsukuba University) and defender Miyazaki Tatsuya (now Chuo University). He was involved with Team A from an early age, and was selected as a starting pitcher by manager Sato Terukatsu in the third place match at the Aomori Youth Festival (August) (against Fujieda Higashi High School).
He broke his wrist during the match against Fujieda Tou and was left for a long time, but he realized how he grew mentally in Kanto ROOKIE LEAGUE. “When I couldn't make it, I looked downwards, or rather, I was depressed, but I think this was a tournament where I realized that even when I wasn't made it, I didn't play, I mean, I had to fight together, and if I missed it, I wouldn't be able to win.” First, he is aiming to make a comeback, and is determined to go on a rampage at the MIZUNOCHAMPIONSHIP (U-16 National Tournament, December), his final activity as a first-year team.
“I want to recover quickly, get back, and make contributions to Japan's number one in the nation, as my teammates took me to the U-16 national tournament. I want to make it fun for people watching. I want to play using my left foot and play that will encourage the audience.”
The eyes that people around me see change, but what I said was “as before.” “I've been appreciated for being a normal person up until now, so I think it would be great if I could continue as before.” Of course, we will improve the challenges such as the final parts, but we will not panic and accumulate each one and make a leap.
(Interview and text by Yoshida Taro)
