Vissel Kobe won the J.LEAGUE in 2023.Daiju Sasaki played in 33 games, marking 7 goals which ranked third in the team.They brilliantly seized a regular position and achieved a breakthrough.What does the 24-year-old hope, who graduated from Vissel Kobe's academy, think about his performance this season and the environment for academy players?

Despite being in a midfield position, Sasaki often contributes to scoring by leveraging his superior technique and keen sense of goal. In Vissel Kobe, which boasts many players who have competed for overseas clubs and national teams, a player who graduated from the academy has been promoted to a regular position, becoming a driving force for progress. However, they have also experienced long-term absences due to injuries in the past. What has he learned and how has he grown amidst such a fiercely competitive team? And what will be required for the next season? I asked Sasaki player about his inner thoughts.

――First of all, congratulations on winning the J.LEAGUE.Please tell me about your current state of mind.

Thank you.Honestly, it still hasn’t sunk in yet.The championship battle dragged on until the end of the season, and I was playing in an environment filled with constant tension.Including myself, the members of Vissel who won the Emperor’s Cup in 2020 are few and are not accustomed to “winning”.Since we had been in a fierce battle, it feels like “We really won, didn’t we?”

――Looking back at this season, what kind of strength do you feel Vissel Kobe had as a team?

It’s a team with many experienced players who can stay focused during both practice and matches. Even after a winning streak, even after securing an important game, there is no room for complacency. We are doing this to win, so we are a team that can maintain tension until we achieve it. The presence of veteran players allows the younger ones to grow by observing their actions. In order to participate in the games, you have to surpass high-level players, which naturally creates competition and I believe that leads to leveling up.

――Were there any players from whom you learned a lot in particular?

I received rigorous guidance from Sako-kun (Yuya Osako), in both practice and games, even down to the minor plays. These are words from a player who has been active on the world stage, so there is no doubt that this has led to growth and leaps this season.”I realized that such an amazing player is practicing this much,” “It’s because of this mindset that he can compete globally,” I was able to learn a lot, both mentally and in terms of gameplay.

――As an academy graduate, is there anything you, Sasaki, want to convey to your juniors as a homegrown player?

I believe that a player like me, who graduated from the academy, participating in the game and winning it, serves as proof that Vissel’s academy is a good environment. Furthermore, the scale has increased in all categories compared to when I was at the academy, and a cultivation system has also been established. The meals at the dormitory are well-balanced, which can strengthen your body during your growth period, and properly replenishing your nutrition can also reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses. It’s a club where you can steadily grow as a player, so I really hope you join.

――For Sasaki, what is the charm of Soccer?

When I was young, I loved playing soccer with my friends more than anything else, as I found it fun to simply kick the ball and score. Compared to other sports, soccer has fewer points, which gives weight to each point. The charm unique to soccer is scoring that one point and sharing the joy with your teammates and supporters. I believe it’s interesting precisely because it’s simple, yet profound.

――What do you think is necessary for children to better understand the fun of Soccer?

These days, children may have fewer opportunities to engage with soccer, so it would be nice to create more opportunities for them to play. I don’t have a concrete plan yet, but for example, I would be happy if I could hold an event in Shimane, my hometown, and get soccer rooted in the local community.

――Could you please tell us about the future goals of the team?

As a team, we have won the J.LEAGUE twice in a row and also triumphed in the ACL (Asian Champions League). As the number of competitions you participate in increases, the overall strength of the team will be challenged accordingly. In order to come out on top there, the rise of young talent is indispensable. Although I’m one of the younger members in the regular team, when you look over the entire soccer world, there are many players who are even younger and performing well. With such awareness, if we can elevate the abilities of the younger generation of players, the competition will become more intense than it is now, and we should be able to become an even better team.

――Finally, could you please share your personal goals, Sasaki?

Personally, I want to achieve a two-digit goal. This season we scored 7 points, but I believe we could have certainly scored 10 points if we had increased our decisiveness. I also feel that we could have made our team win more easily. It’s simple, but I want to practice so that I can make decisions where I need to. I want to continue practicing shooting, anticipating various patterns and scenes, even outside of practice hours. I want to become a player who leads the team next year.

Sasaki, who carries the future of Vissel Kobe as a key man, shared his candid thoughts. Despite achieving a breakthrough this season, he was always contemplating his own challenges and looking forward to the next season. In 2024, how many points will he be able to score? We look forward to enjoying the play of Sasaki, who has grown more prominent than ever.

INTERVIEW: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS) TEXT: Kodai Wada PHOTO: Teppei Hori