On that day, the view of life I got from the champion World Cup former Japan representative Keiji Tamada | NHK | WEB feature
Keiji Tamada was the only Japanese player to score against champion Brazil on the big stage of the soccer World Cup.
16 years ago, what I got in that game was not only a jubilant goal, but also a way of life after that.
(Reporter, Sayuri Suzuki, Network News Department)
Keiji Tamada’s soccer life “Always try to smile”
For 23 years in the J-League until last season, I continued to play for the Japanese national team as a forward.
I belong to four clubs.
Retired from playing at Kashiwa Reysol, Nagoya Grampus, Cerezo Osaka, and V-Varen Nagasaki.
He has played 366 games in J1 and accumulated 99 goals (16th all-time).
Mr. Tamada, who became a professional player and became involved in soccer as a job, always kept a smile on his face.
Keiji Tamada
“I thought it was important to put a smile on your face at all times. To do that, it was important to enjoy playing soccer. I thought it was work, but it’s not work. If you approach it as work, you won’t get very good results…”
Joined Kashiwa Reysol from Narashino High School, a powerhouse in Chiba Prefecture.
I had never been selected as a member of the Japan national team by age group, and I always believed that the World Cup was something to watch on TV.
It was four years after I joined the team that I started playing as a regular player, making the most of my speed and dribbling skills.
Mr. Tamada
“I had absolutely no connection to the Olympics or to the age group national team. It wasn’t until I was selected for the Japan national team for the first time that I really started to think about the World Cup.”
To the big stage in 2006
However, in 2005, before the opening of the season, he suffered a stress fracture in his right leg.
When I was unsure whether I should undergo surgery for my dream stage, it was Zico, the Japan national team coach at the time, who gave me a push.
Mr. Tamada
“Zico told me, ‘We can’t keep using such players, so please do an operation or do something to heal your body so that you can return to the national team as soon as possible.’ I was worried because I couldn’t play for about a month, but I’m really grateful that Zico spoke to me.I’m happy that he used the word “family.”There aren’t many managers like that. What Zico says has more weight than what other people say, and I thought, ‘Let’s follow this person.'”
He played an active part as a main force in the transferred Grampus and stood on the stage of the World Cup.
Tamada was not included in the starting lineup in the first match against Australia and the second match against Croatia.
After two games, Japan was in a tough situation with one loss and one draw.
The lineup has changed significantly, and Tamada has a chance to start.
Mr. Tamada
“I was happy. We were facing Brazil, and the conditions were really good. Zico was watching us, so we really had nothing to lose. I think I was able to do it with the spirit of hitting and breaking.”
Japan’s first goal from “Kingdom”
Santoshu Alessandro’s through pass to Tamada on the front line.
I received the pass with “Aun no Breath” and made a powerful shot with my left foot.
It was from the position of 45 degrees left of the goal for Tamada, who is a “lefty”.
The historic goal was the long-awaited opening goal for Japan.
Mr. Tamada
“Actually, I don’t remember it clearly. When I look back at the video, there are times when I was like, ‘Hey, I did something like this.’ It was Alex, but I don’t really remember what I was thinking at that moment.It’s not that I have no memories, but I don’t remember how I was moving. Sometimes I don’t remember things like that. It might be when I’m really concentrating.”
This goal made champions Brazil serious.
Advancement to the final tournament was almost certain, and the members included star players such as forward Ronaldo and midfielder Ronaldinho.
In the end, Japan’s only goal was one scored by Tamada.
We lost to Brazil with a score of 1-4.
Brazil, the champion who enjoyed the big stage
Mr. Tamada
“The Brazilian national team seemed to have a lot of leeway, so there were some players with smiles on their faces, and I really felt that they were having fun while playing soccer. But at times like that, the Brazilian national team is really the strongest.After all, I felt that enjoying soccer from the bottom of my heart would work in a positive way, both as an individual and as a team. It made me think again that soccer is like this.”
“enjoy” is the magic word
16 years ago, I got it from the strong Brazilian players.
Mr. Tamada
“It was the first time I’ve seen a team having so much fun. That’s why it made me think that I should have this kind of feeling in my future. That’s why I was able to play as a professional for a long time. I think
Of course, there were many things that weren’t fun, difficult, and painful, but there was a part of me that was inspired by the word ‘enjoy’.”
At first, there were players who were confused, but it is said that gradually they started to enjoy playing.
Mr. Tamada
“At V-Varen Nagasaki, we used the word ‘let’s have fun,’ and everyone started using it. Many players started thinking about how they should play in order to enjoy themselves. , I think it was really good to say ‘enjoy’.”
Yuhei Tokunaga, a former Japanese national team player who played with him, spelled out, “I want to see Tama having fun at the end.”
Since September, he has also been appearing on the team’s official YouTube channel, where he listens to the real faces and smiles of the players.
Even now that I have become an instructor, what I still cherish is the “enjoyment of life” that I learned that day.
Keiji Tamada
“I am a soccer kid who has been playing soccer since I was little. As a coach, I hope to be able to teach people about my views on soccer and life, regardless of category. After all, it’s better to develop your strengths rather than correct your weaknesses.Isn’t weaknesses not fun?It’s fun to do what you’re good at, and by improving your strengths, you can make up for your weaknesses. I want to make good use of that balance.”
With a view to coaching, I will always be involved in soccer while having fun.
Network news department reporter
Ayato Suzuki
Joined in 2009
Current position after working in the sports news department
I don’t have time to take care of my child at work, but I want to follow Mr. Tamada’s example and have a lot of fun.
