Eiji Kawashima: Pride in Career Growth During Hiatus from Early 30s Condition
The four-time World Cup legend continues to train in the French countryside even though he is no longer with his team!
I hope I can bring a new wind to the team. ……
Jubilo Iwata, which will return to J1 this season, held a press conference on January 13 in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, to announce its new team. Among the 15 new players joining the team was former Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima (40), who is returning to the J-League for the first time in 14 years.
The legend, who moved overseas from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer of 2010 to play for Strasbourg in the Ligue 1 (French first division) from 2018, said of his return to Jubilo, “Jubilo is a very attractive club. （It was also important to be able to work with people who share what I have been doing (such as goalkeeping coach and former Japan national team player Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi),” he said.
What is the reason for Kawashima, who will turn 41 in March, to keep running? How did he overcome the language barrier and build an unprecedented career playing overseas for more than 10 years as a foreign assistant goalkeeper? And what are his thoughts on Japan’s national team’s bid for the top eight?
In October last year, this magazine visited Kawashima, who was free after the 2010-2011 season, and interviewed him (December 1, 2011 issue). Kawashima and his personal trainer were sweating during practice at a ground in the suburbs of Strasbourg City. The following is a recounting of what happened at that time (some content has been corrected).
I have no intention of quitting.
In France’s Ligue 1 this season, the dynamic performances of Stade Reims’ Junya Ito (30) and Keito Nakamura (23), both of Japan, and Monaco’s Takumi Minamino (28), both of Monaco, have been the center of attention. Meanwhile–former Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima (40), who played in the same league until last season, was at a soccer field in a rural town on the outskirts of Strasbourg in northeastern France.
On the field, which is used by local amateur clubs for training and matches, Kawashima was working out with his personal trainer, stopping the ball with a sideways leap, punching a shot out of bounds, and practicing goalkeeping with his trainer.
Kawashima’s contract with Strasbourg, where he spent five seasons, expired in June of this year. Since then, he has been without a club.
He said, “I continue to practice one-on-one with my trainer and am looking for a new team. The training is very hard, but I am enjoying it, and I feel that I am in better condition than I was in my early thirties (when I was in my prime) (laughs).
Kawashima laughed and reiterated his denial of retirement, saying, “I have no intention of quitting at all.
How is it that this legendary player, who has represented Japan in four World Cups since the 2010 tournament in South Africa, is able to maintain his high level of motivation alone with his trainer at an idyllic provincial ground?
