Tokyo Verdi defender Tsunashima Yuto (24), who was selected as a member of the Japan national team to compete in the East Asia E-1 Championship, responded to the media at a clubhouse in Inagi City, Tokyo on the 3rd and expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament.
This is his first time joining the A national team, but when asked about his background in the national team, he said, “There's nothing at all. I think his best career was when I was in the first year of junior high school, and I was really a backup member of the selection before becoming the Japanese national team.”
During his time at Kokushikan University, he was active in the Kanto student selection process. However, they never fought with the Japanese flag.
That's why he said with a smile, “I feel the pressure of the feeling that I can't go unless I carry Japan on my shoulders. I feel more excited right now to overcome it and spread my play all over Japan.”
He was originally a midfielder, but last season, Tokyo V adopted a three-back system and was used as a right stopper due to his strength in the interpersonal situation, and from there his defensive line became a standard. The Japanese national team was also incredibly fighting with three backs. This season, he has been using not only the right side, but also in the center where he leads the line, and has been steadily expanding his range of play.
“My strengths are that I can get a pass (pass) forward on the offensive side, and play as an attacking third player, so I want to make it my strength.”
This is the first time that midfielder Watanabe Kota has been selected for the Japanese national team from Tokyo V since he was selected as the Japanese national team, which was mainly young players at the South American Championships in June 2019, and was a J2 player at the time. Watanabe has not had any chance to play and moved to Yokohama in August of the same year. The last player to play in the International A match was forward Daikoku Masashi in the friendly match against Uruguay on August 20, 2008, and Tsunashima is expected to play for the first time in 17 years.
Tsunashima has been writing his soccer journal ever since July last year, and has used it as a source of growth for his own sake. The guidance from manager Shirofuku Hiroshi, who encourages everyday growth, helped by saying, “Like stacking each piece of paper,'' helped greatly expand the possibilities.
“I am currently with the coaching staff, including Jofuku. I have received a lot of advice from Jofuku. I really feel that they are thinking about what kind of advice would be good for me right now, and giving it to me. I am truly grateful. There are coaching staff who can talk about any questions they may have, and I feel that thanks to you, I am truly in this position right now.”
And there was an unexpected connection. This is his relationship with Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Ozeki Tomosho (20), who was called up for the first time this time. When Tsunashima went to his alma mater, Ikuta Higashi High School, in his fourth year at Kokushikan University, for teaching internship, he was the ozeki who was a third-year high school student at the time, who was curious to hear, “A trainee who played soccer has arrived.” “It seems like the other person didn't think he was a player who would become a professional. He was part of the national team by generation. That's why I'm so happy to be on the same national team like this,” he laughed.
Tsunashima, who was aiming for the Japanese national team, was on the starting line, said, “I'm not satisfied with being selected, I want to be particular about how much I can achieve results from this activity.” I have been putting this into practice by expressing my goals on a daily basis. The man who is passionate about his words will seriously aim to compete in next year's World Cup.[Sato Takashi]
[Japan National Team]Members announced for the East Asia E-1 Championships Kobe Miyashiro Daishiro, Kawasaki F Yamada Arata, and others selected for the first time / list
