As part of the academy players' development program, we are pleased to report that from Wednesday, December 11 to Tuesday, December 24, two FC Tokyo U-18 players, Masahide Sasaki and Divine Chinedu Otani, participated in a two-week short-term training stint with Real Sociedad U-19.
Following the final match of the 2024 Premier League EAST season, the players embarked on a long journey and safely arrived at their destination. Upon arrival, they had the opportunity to watch the UEFA Europa League match between Real Sociedad and Dynamo Kyiv. Watching high-level performances up close, including those of Takefusa Kubo, filled them with excitement and anticipation for the chance to train with the U-19 players, who are part of the same system that nurtures such talent.
At Real Sociedad, players from the top team down to U-13 gather day and night to train at the club-owned training facility, "ZUBIETA," which features two artificial turf pitches and eight natural grass pitches.
The two players joined the U-19 locker room, donning Real Sociedad training gear. One of the first challenges they faced was the language barrier. While overseas expeditions by teams often provide opportunities to face foreign players, communication within their own team is usually conducted in their native language. However, as individuals participating alone, they found themselves in the position of "foreign players" within the team. With no interpreters or extensive support staff, the players had to take initiative and solve problems on their own.
Nevertheless, these players were carefully selected. Once training began, technical skills often bridged the communication gap. However, football is not that simple. While there were moments when they performed equally or even outperformed their peers, they sometimes struggled due to differences in football culture and understanding, particularly when communication was lacking. Reflecting on these experiences and taking action to overcome such challenges is crucial for growth.
Their daily routine was simple – travel by bus from the dormitory to the training facility in the morning, train (and observe activities of other age groups when possible), and return to the dormitory to prepare for the next day. The environment provided ample opportunity to fully immerse themselves in football. Apart from a stadium tour, no additional activities were arranged, and during their free time, they were encouraged to plan and manage their own schedules.
Real Sociedad’s development pathway extends from U-19 to the C team, B team, and ultimately the top team. The two players were fortunate enough to train with the C team, exposing them to a higher level of intensity and quality, which proved to be an invaluable learning experience. While they struggled at times, they persevered and fought through their challenges.
As the days passed, the players became more proactive in their communication and made significant progress compared to the initial stages. Over the course of two weeks, they faced many situations where things that were taken for granted in Japan were no longer possible. They often found themselves unable to keep up with the pace or express their thoughts. We hope they will apply these experiences to their future endeavors.
During their time at Real Sociedad, the U-19 team secured a top-four finish in the league, earning a place in the Copa del Rey (Spanish King's Cup). In early January, they will face FC Barcelona. We eagerly anticipate the success of the players and staff with whom they spent these two weeks.
The two players returned to Japan on December 24 and have rejoined team activities as of the 26th. We look forward to seeing their growth, as well as the positive impact they will bring to the FC Tokyo U-18 team.
Masahide Sasaki's Comment:
First of all, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to experience overseas training on an individual basis and to immerse myself in a new environment. This was an incredibly valuable experience. Among the U-19 players, many had already been promoted to higher categories. I realized that in order to advance, it’s not enough to simply be competitive within our age group – I must stand out. This experience allowed me to assess how I compare to overseas players.
Beyond play, I learned a great deal about mental toughness. During training, I once made a simple vertical pass mistake near the end of a session. I was afraid that this mistake might lead to me being ignored by my teammates moving forward. I felt the professional atmosphere and tension where even a single mistake could be unforgivable, which made me more conscious of taking responsibility for each play.
I also struggled with communication. As a center-back, it is vital to direct those around me, and this experience highlighted the importance of communication. I realized I need to study languages more. Although I couldn't communicate fluently, I managed through gestures, English, and basic Spanish. In unfamiliar environments, such small efforts can make a big difference.
Through this overseas experience, I learned firsthand about the difficulties of maximizing my potential in a foreign setting. I am truly grateful to have had this experience at the age of 17. I realized I still have a long way to go, but at the same time, I believe I can achieve more. I will continue to work hard every day with humility and return this gratitude through results.
Divine Chinedu Otani's Comment:
During this individual training, I was once again reminded of the intensity gap between Japan and the rest of the world. I participated in training sessions and matches with various teams, including U-19, the C team, and the B team. I realized that while I could compete within my age group, I was not yet prepared to compete with older players. I felt the difference in intensity, the ability to win duels, and the stamina to continue sprinting until the end of the match.
I realized that I need to raise my intensity level in training and approach it with a more serious mindset. However, I also gained confidence, as I found that my strengths – goal-scoring ability and physical attributes – were effective even against older players.
I hope to apply these experiences to contribute to the team’s success and achieve great results both individually and collectively.
