(High School Soccer Man of the Match)
(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)
The tall striker from Nihon University Fujisawa High School (Kanagawa) won the championship in the 2025 Kanto ROOKIE LEAGUE, which was a match to win the A-League unbeaten championship. In the first half, Nihon University Fujisawa was increasingly pushed into the Kashiwa High School of Distribution Economics (Chiba), but in this situation, forward Tanaka Shoto (1st year, from JFC FUTURO) showed his strength in the front line. He picked up the ball that had come under his feet and led to an attack from his allies.
“The center back (of Ryukei University Kashiwa) was huge, and although I still couldn't beat the header, I think the parts where I could fit under my feet were perfectly valid.” And express what we have been working on as a challenge. He assisted the first goal.
In the 29th minute of the first half, just after the opponent missed a chance, Tanaka pulled out a right cross from midfielder Ashigawa Kanade and played in a post with just one touch. The ball was accurately dropped to midfielder Ogiwara Takuma behind him, and Ogiwara scored it directly with his left foot.
“After coming to Hito, I practiced tasks such as the parts that I would drop with just one touch, and in the end I was able to get a good assist in the Ryukei match. I think I've been practicing properly.” I was originally confident in traps, but now I've used it for post play. It has been transformed into a team weapon.
Tanaka scored the goal five minutes after the first assist. A loose ball came under his feet from the flow of the set piece, and then he swung his right foot through a forceful turn. “Physical is my strength. I'm good at things like scoring ability in front of the goal, the course, and the feeling of being able to pass through without looking at the goal. My strength is that I can force myself to hit that ball.” The blow, which was a valuable second hit, was the hit that he swung with his senses.
Nihon University Fujisawa's A-team team has A-school scorer A-League in the Kanto ROOKIE LEAGUE two years ago and a high-profile forward Arikawa Keisuke (3rd year). “Arikawa is the type who is similar to me, and watching games and how he manages it teaches me. I want to be a striker who can score goals and make the team win like today.” His goal is to improve himself by referring to his senior Arikawa, and in the future he is to become a striker like FW Erling Haaland (Manchester City).
The goal of the MIZUNOCHAMPIONSHIP, the national U-16 tournament to be held in December, is the top scorer. “This time (Kanto ROOKIE LEAGUE) I couldn't win the top scorer, so I would like to first win the starting lineup and then aim to become the top scorer across the nation.” In order to become active on the national stage, he will first concentrate on winning the fierce starting lineup.
(Interview and text by Yoshida Taro)
